MARYANN ROPER'S STORY BEHIND THE ART

Following in the Bartrams' Footsteps

Contemporary Botanical Artists Explore the Bartrams' Legacy

A Traveling Exhibition

Beautyberry Bush

Beautyberry bush has always been a favorite ... and there is a particular healthy specimen of it growing at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, just begging to be drawn. The fact that it is on Bartram's plant list was an incentive to finally sit down and draw it.

I started out with the idea of painting this piece, but as I began to draw it, became fascinated with the idea of doing it in graphite. I think the lack of color helps the viewer to appreciate the architecture of the plant, rather than simply being overwhelmed by the fabulous color.  

I enjoy the simplicity of working in graphite - two pencils, two erasers, and a piece of paper. And often include some graphite work in my watercolor pieces.

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