Julie Booth: In the Weeds

Our group is working on a new theme: "Mapping: From Here to There". I thought it would be interesting to create "maps" of things we don't normally think about as being interesting or beautiful; things I think of as chores or annoyances. On Easter Sunday, I decided to go out to the garden to photograph and draw the weeds I "should" be pulling. I decided that for my first "map" I would create a painted and printed cloth based on the forms, colors, and textures of the weeds in my garden. I really enjoyed taking the time to sit down and draw from life. I took some of the plants apart to see the tiny details. I drew leaves, roots, buds, pods--the weeds in all different stages of development. I also took lots of photos. Needless to say, the weeding never quite got done! Below is a sampling of photos and tracings and enlargements of some of my drawings. I plan to take some of these and create printing blocks and stencils.