I find this drawings very inspiring. In the Netherlands we call those plants ‘stoepplantjes’: sidewalk-plants. There are phd-researchers doing research to discover what their impact is on biodiversity.
Amazing. I always wonder if these sidewalk plants or weeds are identifiable to plant experts or if just a mix of plant life. Some are quite beautiful and even have flowers!
I love these sketches and the perspective you share. My world is almost a polar opposite. I live on an acre and a half in the high desert mountain-scape outside of Santa Fe, NM, so *everything* is an example of Nature's ability to be glorious in challenging conditions. That is such an inspiration in these parts too. Even Santa Fe, proper, is too "big city" for me. I did go to school at Parsons/New School, so I did get my big city, New York time. So much energy and inspiration, but at heart I am a country mouse. Have never been to Brooklyn, but you make it seem like a great place to be.
The everyday mundane is beautiful! And I have a toddler grandchild growing up in Brooklyn so I have been drawing things from her neighborhood. I want to see what she sees everyday.
I love Your cracks & dirt sketches,,,,but can't help but think that you should try those granulated watercolors by Daniel Smith that Jessica talked about!
Yes, absolutely. I have some very granular paints from Greenleaf & Blueberry, and now you are reminding me that one specifically is an excellent match to NYC sidewalks. I have to use it more!
In an art class I took recently one student drew storm drain covers. They were detailed and beautiful and surprising. Clearly they have stuck with me. Your artwork in this newsletter is lovely. My friends used to live in a house with vines growing inside the house (from the outside). A new beautiful space has taken the place of their old house but the vines inside-had a magic about it.
We are products of our environment. I live in the middle of no where so my work ends up being about trees -- your work lets me see what others take for granted. Thanks
I find fascinating images in the the cracks on walls & sidewalks. I draw what I imagine it is and always and a little something uniquic. Lots of fun, an adventurous journey in art. Enjoy your books.
I've often thought that "weeds" (which, according to my dad, are just flowers no one wants) are the strongest things in nature because they can (eventually) recover paved-over land.
So glad to know that I'm not the only one who walks around noticing plants peeking out from unexpected places, and textures and cracks on walls, tree trunks, etc. When I was very young and had acquired a manual Nikon camera, my family thought I was crazy when I spent a lot of time and film, shooting a dried, wrinkled onion sitting on a brick wall. I still have that picture today (I'm over 70), and I still love it.
Drawing whatever is around is the kind of sketching I like to do. If I pick something to focus on, it becomes fascinating. Arranging it into a pleasing design is my “want to think about this better” challenge. Beyond what caught my eye just in the center.
I think this is a lovely way to notice our real and built world. I especially like that you note the location--- a plant growing out of any crack in any sidewalk, you mark it as being special, by "naming" it.
SEE... that’s why we love you, Sam! We love your vision, your third eye, your authenticity. I, too enjoy those ordinary and extraordinary little feats of nature. When I was in graduate school, I lived with a family in a tiny single bedroom in their house, and in the gutter above my window grew a tiny tree. I was always so inspired by its growth in such an unexpected place.
I think its actually really cool to draw nature that is found in unexpected places. It's like finding little joy and surprises hidden by the heavens, all over a city just for people of Earth to find. Almost like a beautiful scavenger hunt for life and rebirth. A single stem with leaves of hope sprouting in a normally dark and cold place. A reason to smile. I read this article that I thought you might like called: "Blooming with Purpose" by Rick Rollins here on Substack. Even though yours and his articles have different subject matters, you both have the same meaning and love behind your visions: the love of the little things in life. Thank you for continuing to share your awesome view of the world! :)
I find this drawings very inspiring. In the Netherlands we call those plants ‘stoepplantjes’: sidewalk-plants. There are phd-researchers doing research to discover what their impact is on biodiversity.
Amazing. I always wonder if these sidewalk plants or weeds are identifiable to plant experts or if just a mix of plant life. Some are quite beautiful and even have flowers!
Almost everyone of them is identifiable and some indeed are very beautiful.
I love these sketches and the perspective you share. My world is almost a polar opposite. I live on an acre and a half in the high desert mountain-scape outside of Santa Fe, NM, so *everything* is an example of Nature's ability to be glorious in challenging conditions. That is such an inspiration in these parts too. Even Santa Fe, proper, is too "big city" for me. I did go to school at Parsons/New School, so I did get my big city, New York time. So much energy and inspiration, but at heart I am a country mouse. Have never been to Brooklyn, but you make it seem like a great place to be.
So good to spend time in the city and country or mountains so you know really where you are meant to be. Sounds beautiful where you are!
The everyday mundane is beautiful! And I have a toddler grandchild growing up in Brooklyn so I have been drawing things from her neighborhood. I want to see what she sees everyday.
I love Your cracks & dirt sketches,,,,but can't help but think that you should try those granulated watercolors by Daniel Smith that Jessica talked about!
Yes, absolutely. I have some very granular paints from Greenleaf & Blueberry, and now you are reminding me that one specifically is an excellent match to NYC sidewalks. I have to use it more!
In an art class I took recently one student drew storm drain covers. They were detailed and beautiful and surprising. Clearly they have stuck with me. Your artwork in this newsletter is lovely. My friends used to live in a house with vines growing inside the house (from the outside). A new beautiful space has taken the place of their old house but the vines inside-had a magic about it.
We are products of our environment. I live in the middle of no where so my work ends up being about trees -- your work lets me see what others take for granted. Thanks
I find fascinating images in the the cracks on walls & sidewalks. I draw what I imagine it is and always and a little something uniquic. Lots of fun, an adventurous journey in art. Enjoy your books.
I've often thought that "weeds" (which, according to my dad, are just flowers no one wants) are the strongest things in nature because they can (eventually) recover paved-over land.
Love it ..... Nature always wins out and the world will continue after we are long gone!
There is beauty everywhere, if we only look. Interesting textures, stunning colors. Thank you for reminding us, Samantha!
So glad to know that I'm not the only one who walks around noticing plants peeking out from unexpected places, and textures and cracks on walls, tree trunks, etc. When I was very young and had acquired a manual Nikon camera, my family thought I was crazy when I spent a lot of time and film, shooting a dried, wrinkled onion sitting on a brick wall. I still have that picture today (I'm over 70), and I still love it.
Drawing whatever is around is the kind of sketching I like to do. If I pick something to focus on, it becomes fascinating. Arranging it into a pleasing design is my “want to think about this better” challenge. Beyond what caught my eye just in the center.
I think this is a lovely way to notice our real and built world. I especially like that you note the location--- a plant growing out of any crack in any sidewalk, you mark it as being special, by "naming" it.
SEE... that’s why we love you, Sam! We love your vision, your third eye, your authenticity. I, too enjoy those ordinary and extraordinary little feats of nature. When I was in graduate school, I lived with a family in a tiny single bedroom in their house, and in the gutter above my window grew a tiny tree. I was always so inspired by its growth in such an unexpected place.
Love that! A whole tree in a gutter.
I think its actually really cool to draw nature that is found in unexpected places. It's like finding little joy and surprises hidden by the heavens, all over a city just for people of Earth to find. Almost like a beautiful scavenger hunt for life and rebirth. A single stem with leaves of hope sprouting in a normally dark and cold place. A reason to smile. I read this article that I thought you might like called: "Blooming with Purpose" by Rick Rollins here on Substack. Even though yours and his articles have different subject matters, you both have the same meaning and love behind your visions: the love of the little things in life. Thank you for continuing to share your awesome view of the world! :)