Zev likes the holes that are the tread on the climbers also. He uses them as a peg-board, collecting sticks from around the playground and sticking them into the holes.

The little climber and slide that Zev’s grandparents gave him for his first birthday.

A detail on a chain on a Kompan Galaxy playground climber. The climber has these plastic pegs through each link of the chain. Zev is fascinated by them.

Some Fuchsia species. (Genus: Fuchsia)

Primroses… (Primula vulgaris)

Violets (Genus Viola), growing in my garden. I chose them partially because they are pretty edible garnishes for things like cupcakes. The snails haven’t completely devoured them, so they are still nice and colorful. I admit, this drawing was not what I had intended it to be when I started. Zev wanted to draw with me today (his drawing is below). This was a helpful reminder to me to be unattached to the outcome of my work. It’s easy to forget that lesson, some days drawing for me is easy now, but I’ve taught illustration often enough to watch students get frustrated with how their work comes out. Even if its a nice drawing they produce, it’s not the one the student had in mind. It’s important just to draw. I’m glad Zev reminded me of that.

One of the plants, hanging above my desk.

A clothespin is a favorite toy around my house…

My friend Katura and I are both science illustrators, coincidentally with kids nearly the same age. She recently shared beautiful drawings of her daughter (http://katura-art.blogspot.com/2015/03/scarcely-even-baby-now.html). I have no idea how or when she does that. I’m bribing my kid with cartoons, trying to get him to be stationary long enough to draw him. The bearded dragon however is an easy target.