Sketching to bring soil into my in silico life. Reflections on nature, design, wonder and living well.
Pulling Earth #22: Orbinges and water colour
Orange sketch water coloured. Feb 2, 2022.Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Feb 2, 2022. I have been thinking about a few ideas for my sketches recently. Today looks like it’ll work to try one out. I begin by sourcing the thinnest watercolour paper I can find—I need it to fit in the printer—and print almost 20 of my Christmas Eve oranges. Next, I need some usable watercolours—I am sure there is a stray paint set in the crafts cupboard. Nothing. I ask Violet if she would let me u...
Pulling Earth #22: Orbinges and water colour
Orange sketch water coloured. Feb 2, 2022.Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Feb 2, 2022. I have been thinking about a few ideas for my sketches recently. Today looks like it’ll work to try one out. I begin by sourcing the thinnest watercolour paper I can find—I need it to fit in the printer—and print almost 20 of my Christmas Eve oranges. Next, I need some usable watercolours—I am sure there is a stray paint set in the crafts cupboard. Nothing. I ask Violet if she would let me u...
Pulling Earth #21: Red pepper hibernation
Red pepper. Jan 26, 2022 (still signing 2021!).Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Jan 26, 2022. With all the cold and snow, it's tempting to think that everything is hibernating and that there's no life to be found. Where can I linger with a living organism? The kitchen is a good place to find my muse: a red pepper! I settle in to bring it alive on the page, surrounded by sounds of piano practicing, the buzz of homework, and clamours in the kitchen. I outline the pepper...
Pulling Earth #21: Red pepper hibernation
Red pepper. Jan 26, 2022 (still signing 2021!).Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Jan 26, 2022. With all the cold and snow, it's tempting to think that everything is hibernating and that there's no life to be found. Where can I linger with a living organism? The kitchen is a good place to find my muse: a red pepper! I settle in to bring it alive on the page, surrounded by sounds of piano practicing, the buzz of homework, and clamours in the kitchen. I outline the pepper...
Pulling Earth #20: Cold, flies and bomber jackets
Fly. Jan 12, 2022 (the sketch has the wrong year ;) ).Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Jan 12, 2022. It’s cold outside and in the house. I’m in the basement working with my winter jacket on. I check the windows to make sure they’re completely closed. That’s when I spot the fly in the window frame. Yes! It’s big and very dead. I need to sketch it—as part of my journey to emulate Robert Hooke. I bring the insect over to my pad and pencils. I fiddle with it and it falls over on my...
Pulling Earth #20: Cold, flies and bomber jackets
Fly. Jan 12, 2022 (the sketch has the wrong year ;) ).Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Jan 12, 2022. It’s cold outside and in the house. I’m in the basement working with my winter jacket on. I check the windows to make sure they’re completely closed. That’s when I spot the fly in the window frame. Yes! It’s big and very dead. I need to sketch it—as part of my journey to emulate Robert Hooke. I bring the insect over to my pad and pencils. I fiddle with it and it falls over on my...
Pulling Earth #19: Forgotten stresses and ecosystem
Tree in Tofino. Aug 1, 2019.My time off for Christmas was successful, my body has forgotten the stresses it carried two weeks ago. So as I begin to pick up again what I had put down, I am trying to do it with intention. I want to guard against the strain of too many tasks too fast. Somehow as I ponder my reentry I am reminded of the trees out west in Tofino, where we have spent many summers. Each tree its own ecosystem, lined by fungus, moss, lichen and a variety of symbiotic plants. I search...
Pulling Earth #19: Forgotten stresses and ecosystem
Tree in Tofino. Aug 1, 2019.My time off for Christmas was successful, my body has forgotten the stresses it carried two weeks ago. So as I begin to pick up again what I had put down, I am trying to do it with intention. I want to guard against the strain of too many tasks too fast. Somehow as I ponder my reentry I am reminded of the trees out west in Tofino, where we have spent many summers. Each tree its own ecosystem, lined by fungus, moss, lichen and a variety of symbiotic plants. I search...
Pulling Earth #18: Learn and release. Happy New Year!
Dried weed. Dec 30, 2021.Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Dec 31, 2021. Happy holidays everyone! I hope you are well and enjoying the season. I will be posting everyday this week to ensure my days are purposeful and reflective. Join me! Let me know what you are doing to slow down and just be. I am up early to review my year. Nothing big or organized, just a quiet walk. I take stalk of the horizon and see what catches my eye to sketch. It’s a barren landscape right now at the en...
Pulling Earth #18: Learn and release. Happy New Year!
Dried weed. Dec 30, 2021.Previously posted on pullingearth.substack.com. Dec 31, 2021. Happy holidays everyone! I hope you are well and enjoying the season. I will be posting everyday this week to ensure my days are purposeful and reflective. Join me! Let me know what you are doing to slow down and just be. I am up early to review my year. Nothing big or organized, just a quiet walk. I take stalk of the horizon and see what catches my eye to sketch. It’s a barren landscape right now at the en...
