Saturday 12 July 2008

Nature Journal























For the last few years I have been keeping a nature journal. When I find something new I do a few drawings - usually at home and from photographs I have taken. The book itself is a joy to work in. Smooth, cream pages bound in heavy board and leather with Latin texts and animals images on the cover. Not only did it seem appropriate for my animal work but the Latin is apt to my ancient history obsession. It was fate! I bought it in a posh London store called Aspinals that sells all manner of leather goods, from purses to books. It was in the sale so I had to have it. Plants, animals and fungi are dotted through the pages, a few words here and there describing certain aspects - names, colour, habitat, etc. Some are in black and white, some in colour. The text is written in pencil and does not show up too well but I have included a few pages here anyway.

10 comments:

Seth said...

Gillian. These pages are extraordinary! Truly incredible. I feel like I ran across a vintage book from ages ago. What a treasure!!

rivergardenstudio said...

I love your nature journal! How lovely your sketches are, especially the mushrooms. I am so glad to discover you...Roxanne

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Gillian, I find your book lovely and and somehow soothing! great work in a treasured book.. a real keepsake!!

lynne h said...

wow, these pages are wonderful, gillian! the drawings make my eyes very happy!! thank you!

Andrea, said...

Wow your journal is fabulous, I love your sketches just wish i could draw like you do

Wabbit said...

Gorgeous, Gillian! I have a severe case of drawing envy. You are soooooo talented. Thanks for sharing. Marilyn

Anonymous said...

These are breathtakingly gorgeous!

TimeFlysSew by: C.Marie said...

Your nature journal is beautiful!How long have you been working in this journal?
I think I would have a hard time closing this journal.
C. Marie

Gillian McMurray said...

Thank you everyone for your kind comments. It is so nice to see that my journal is appreciated by others. Usually it sits on a shelf and only I look at it.

In answer to C. Marie's question, I have been working on it since 2004. It was inspired by The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. At the same time I began submitting records on local wildlife to the Biological Records Centre in a nearby town. I figured it would be nice to illustrate the things I saw too.

Patti Sandham said...

Wow! this is just stunning work! Definitely a treasure to be sure. Thank you for sharing and inspiring us.

Cheers