STORY BEHIND THE ART OF NORIKO KANEKO

19th Annual Internationa

American Society of Botanical Artists & The Horticultural Society of New York

Chinese Cork Oak

Quercus Variabilis

I often visit mixed forests where varieties of fascinating plants grow and many different kinds of creatures such as birds and insects live all together. I love observing them. 

Although each season has its own beauty, my favorite is a time between the late fall to early winter. One day of that season several years ago, I came across a dead branch of the Sawtooth Oak tree and picked it up to find its shape very intriguing. Looking closely, I was amazed by such beautiful mixed colors, which had subtly different delicate tones. I brought it back home to draw it, and that was the first time I had ever drawn branches. 

The second thing I drew was also a dead branch. This time, I chose the Chinese Cork Oak which belongs to the family Fagaceae, like the Sawtooth Oak. Its leaves’ underside was ash-color and covered with stellate hair. On the other hand, the topside looked glossy and some vivid colors partially remained. That contrast of both sides of the leaves as well as the fine-grained wood with many beautiful winter buds appealed to me. I remember I enjoyed drawing it so much looking at those graceful details. 

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