Why I Chose Colored Pencil to Create Art Inspired by Nature and History

Welcome to In Pencil, In Bloom

Blue Jay and Blossoms: Discovering Nature-Inspired Art with Colored Pencils.

Nature has always been a source of quiet inspiration for me. Birds, flowers, and seasonal landscapes speak in color and detail—and I aim to capture that with every piece I create., This is my blog for colored pencils art.

Why Colored Pencil? - Blog Colored Pencil

I chose colored pencils because they offer the control, precision, and layering ability I need to bring these images to life. With each stroke, I can build depth gradually, blending soft transitions or sharpening fine lines. This medium allows me to reflect the delicate beauty of the natural world—without rushing the process.

Colored pencils also give me the ability to work in a way that feels meditative and grounded. Each drawing is created slowly, one layer at a time, and that pace feels aligned with the way nature reveals itself.

Working from Photographs

Rather than drawing from life, I work from photographs. These images are displayed digitally on my computer, allowing me to zoom in and study the fine details—feathers, petals, shadows, and shapes. Subtle colorations are more obvious. This method gives me the flexibility to revisit a scene or subject as often as needed, working thoughtfully and intentionally.

Exploring digital art on a laptop, a user engages with modern creativity in a studio workspace.

Designed with Purpose

In addition to prints, I adapt many of my colored pencil artworks into practical, giftable items—like coasters, magnets, and greeting cards. My floral and seasonal designs are often featured on these products and make wonderful gifts for holidays, housewarmings, or just because. However, my bird illustrations are available exclusively as prints. This allows me to preserve the fine details and character of each bird—something that gets lost when scaled to smaller formats.

Art That Connects

For me, colored pencil art is more than just a drawing—it’s a way of pausing, seeing, and connecting. Whether you’re adding a piece to your home, sending a card to a friend, or giving a unique handmade gift, I hope my work brings a sense of calm and natural beauty to your day.

There’s a quiet joy in building an image one pencil stroke at a time. Colored pencil may not be the first medium that comes to mind when people think of fine art, but for me, it’s the perfect tool to express both the delicate textures of nature and the timeless beauty of the past.

As an artist based in Boulder, Colorado, I’m surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and layers of history — from wildflowers blooming in alpine meadows to echoes of ancient cultures like those seen in the frescoes of Akrotiri. Colored pencil gives me the control, subtlety, and layering ability to capture these details with precision and warmth.

This blog will be a place where I share new work, artistic processes, and the stories behind each piece — whether it’s a sunflower greeting card, a custom pet coaster, or an interpretation of partial restorations of a 3,500-year-old Greek fresco.

Sneak Peak

Soon to be added, ten images created from my interpretations of Fresco restorations.

A new artwork of a Greek 'Adorant' from 3500 BC, Akrotiri.

Thank you for being here. I’m excited to take you behind the scenes of my creative journey —

one pencil mark at a time.

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