September Specimens- Love from the Garden

I recently had the privilege of helping a friend lay out her jewelry into collections, it reminded me of a specimen table. A table of study. A way to really see growth, progress, and clarity. Laying things out in plain view really brings your craft into focus. I feel like this is a well duh, moment, but I have never really done this, especially with my own artwork, just for the pure joy of seeing progress. It got me thinking about how I can incorporate this act into my own creative living.

Part of my creative daily living is gardening. I love watching the spring and summer seasons come to life. Every day in a garden is a sensory delight. I took part in a 7-day floral drawing challenge. It is a great way to create in a way you don’t usually work or to ignite new curiosities. In this challenge, I discovered Floriography - the language of flowers. I spend a lot of time walking and observing the changing habitats around me. How my own garden changes from day to day. Both of these experiences reminded me of things I had forgotten. The simple act of laying out your own specimens and cataloging them, either in a journal or simply in your mind. It is an exquisite way to mark time, embrace creativity, find some gratitude for your life and the season, experience a memory, see progress….all of the above, and much more.

I love paper, stationery, and the art of letter writing. It is romantic, can be secretive, and very personal and, creatively stimulating. Writing a note to someone special, wrapping a gift with dried herbs, and cutting from your garden can express so much. As I have discussed previously, I keep scraps of ephemera, notes, packaging, tea boxes, etc. Below are a few samples from my specimen drawer. I have given myself the challenge of laying them out and then sketching them with their origin stories. Simply documenting my life. I am not normally a journaler, not because I don’t like the idea, but because it just never became a practice. Like a journal, my hope with this blog is to share some of my creative ways with you. Hopefully, it will encourage you to start your own specimen table. Put it down on the table, whatever it is. One of my favorite collections is from Lisa Congdon, she loves erasers. These are her eraser specimens along with a lot of other art from fabulous artists. There are many ways to document things, and discovering how you enjoy documentation is half the fun.

September brings the end of summer and the beginning of the cooler months, I am trying to cultivate a love for the fall and everything that comes with it. Creating this study of endings has shown me that in the endings new beginnings are forming.

Harvesting Seeds-

The beautiful patterns from spent sunflowers

Ephemera-

Bits from travels near and far and the memories attached.

Treasures -

My jewelry has always been photographed with props that mean something to me. My treasures or specimens of study if you will.