I periodically make my way to Providence, RI - it's only just over an hour from Cambridge, and it really is a special little city where (as a RISD alum) I have plentiful good memories. This past Sunday I found myself not only strolling the sidewalks of Providence on a brilliantly sunny Ocean State afternoon, but attending an event held on the RISD campus itself, in one of my all-time favorite buildings - the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab. Established in 1937 by Edna Lawrence, a RISD graduate and faculty member, the Nature Lab is housed in a studio building at 13 Waterman St., and it holds an absolute mountain of natural history treasures, many of which are available for handling and investigation, and some are even loaned out to students. From the RISD website: "Its hands-on natural history collection and studio environment offers the opportunity to examine and explore the patterns, structures and interactions of design in nature." And that it does, in spades.
This past weekend, the Nature Lab also made a perfect venue for a live animal drawing workshop organized by the New England chapter of the SCBWI. Amongst the taxidermy, skeletons, and other artifacts, RISPCA Humane Educator Laurelin Sitterly kindly coordinated the transport and set-up of 6 live companion animals for an excited group of illustrators to sketch: a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, tortoise, and African grey parrot - all rescued critters, and all impeccably mannered. Huge thanks to children's book illustrator Christina Rodriguez (RISD '03) for arranging such a terrifc afternoon, and to RISD and the RISCPCA for their generous sponsorship of the workshop.
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Wow! That sounds like lots of fun. Wish I could have been there!
Love the watercolors. You're a great artist!
Posted by: Allison | March 27, 2012 at 09:11 PM
I'm really enjoying your blog. Thank you for the putting out this work so that we can see your beautiful art and learn from your experiences. I just found out about your blog from Parka's site which did a short review/recommendation on your book, and I've been enjoying reading your posts and looking at your work. I love how your work is meticulous, gentle (the washes and the watercolors that fade away into edges and planned obscurity) and yet there's still a boldness to your art. Wonderful contrasts. I look forward to seeing and reading more and learning more about you and your work. Thanks again.
Posted by: J. S. Ferguson | April 05, 2012 at 03:43 PM
Thank you J.S.! So glad you stumbled on my site, and your comments are ever so kind. This blog is as much a research and motivation tool for myself, as it is a project for an audience - it really warms my heart to hear from others who appreciate the same subject matter, and enjoy my particular style of artwork. All the best...
Posted by: Natalya | April 09, 2012 at 03:56 PM
I was strolling around Providence earlier this year when I came upon the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab. It looked like an amazing place but it was after hours so I couldn't go in and check it out. I'm glad to hear such a unique place is well used by RISD students. Awesome!
Posted by: Carolyn E. | June 05, 2012 at 05:13 PM
Hi Carolyn - The Nature Lab IS fantastic! The next time you're in Providence, you might try giving them a call to book an appointment. Since it's part of the RISD campus, the building is always locked - but I'm pretty sure you could get a tour/visit if you scheduled it. Cheers!
Posted by: Natalya | June 17, 2012 at 05:53 PM