Days go by...

Outlining something new;

2012-02-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

So the past couple days I've been outlining a new Idea for an oil painting and I've gotta say I'm getting pretty stoked. I've also been thinking about switching from blogspot to tumblr, and setting up an etsy account to sell all of my artwork I've been posting. I'm just experiencing a severe lack of followers, and I feel like too much work goes into this blog for only me to enjoy it. I'd really like to just get out there and see what I can do with my work.

I haven't painted with oils in a couple of months, and I had alot of fun with them when I was using them so it's definately time to stop watercoloring for a decent amount of time and see how this project turns out. It's one of those things where I'm just so excited to get started!

When It's finished will probably be my next post unless any other sort of intriguing thought comes to mind. So it may be a while until anyone hears from me.

Trying to withstand the anticipation;

Dan Wall.

Mushroom screenprint

2012-02-09T20:57:00.001-08:00

This was my last graded print in my printmaking class. Monday starts digital imaging, so I suppose I'll be posting a bunch of my wildflower photographs. I would love to someday have a gallery with a collection of my personal work and my college work. It'd be nice. Although I feel Northeastern wildflowers would dominate the wallspace. Trying to brainstorm for a watercolor to do in my spare time this weekend, but I have no ideas yet... I'm thinking since I posted the arethusa and it was an orchid I hadn't seen I should maybe paint the other blossoms I haven't seen as well.
Here's a list;
Ramshead lady slipper
showy orchis
orange fringed orchid
round leaved orchid
Nodding Trillium
...Hmmm I think thats it, funny that just about all of them are orchids.
The funny thing is I know the places to find all of these, I just never made it. Maybe journeys in Manchester will lead me down a better path.

I'm actually hoping for snow
Dan Wall

Arethusa Illustration

2012-02-08T20:33:00.001-08:00

This is arethusa bulbosa, an orchid I have not been lucky enough to see. I know of a spot that it grows but I have yet to go see it. It's been a while since I've been able to do another illustration with school work and what not. This piece is neat because I wanted to put the orchids in a setting they fit. A primevial bog.
Enjoy;
Dan Wall

The Showy Lady Slipper's rarity...

2012-02-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Pictured below the showy lady slipper above is it's conservation status. The conservation status determines the aspects of a certain species rarity or abundance. I was surprised to find that the showy lady slipper fell under G4, which means "Apparently Secure". Basically this plant is being said to be one step away from abundant. Wow, I dont even want to imagine the interesting plants that fall under GH; "Apparently extinct". The conservation status does not just go off of head count of a species. It is also determined by how well a population of a species is or has reproduced, increase or decrease in a population and it's known threats such as in this case, deer. This plant is mainly rare due to habitat loss and unsuccessful cultivation. Some of these cultivations were even performed by Charles Darwin himself. It is illegal in most states to pick or even uproot (or unearth if you will) this plant. Once the emblem of prince edward island, the plant became too rare and was quickly replaced with the pink lady slipper.

Don't pick wildflowers!!!

Dan Wall.

A portrait for my illustration class

2012-02-07T22:00:00.001-08:00

This is Kristen from my illustration class. Jim Burke took photo's of select few students in my class, including myself. We were then told we had to pick one of the photos and paint it in black and white by wednesday morning. This is the first time I have ever painted a portrait of someone....not too shabby if I do say so myself!

Goodnight;
Dan Wall

Purple Trillium

2012-02-03T21:38:00.001-08:00

This is the purple trillium, or the stinking benjamin as others may call it. The reasoning for it being called the stinking benjamin, is because this flower literally smells like garbage. Among many, one might become overwhelmed with the smell of a stinky garbage bucket full of rotting fruits and what not. Personally the smell does not bother me. This is one of four varieties of trillium native to the area. Other varieties include;
Trillium grandiflorum
painted trillium
and nodding trillium.
Trilliums bloom from late april throughout may. They are one of the first flowers to appear in the spring, usually with the dutchmans breeches and trout lillies. This was a last minute decision tonight. I tried to finish the lady slipper series but it just didn't work out. So instead I painted something else that I love. Not as detailed of a painting as I usually try to do, but I'm fairly pleased with it's almost "Impressionist" quality.

Hoping people are reading, and if so I'm hoping your enjoying!
Goodnight;
Dan Wall

Not a fan of reading, but for this book.....

2012-02-03T13:29:00.002-08:00

Oh the Oxford Book of American Short Stories. This is quickly becoming a favorite piece of literature to me. This was a book I had to buy for my second semester english class this year. I've always been one to judge a book by it's cover (meaning an actual book, not a person). I usually think, "If the cover looks cool, the book must be awesome." Well this book is awesome, such a collaboration of stories that are fun to read, especially when you don't have too much free time. Out of all the stories in this book, so far I've only noticed "The Tell Tale Heart"- by; Edgar Allen Poe as one of my favorites. There is one other story in there called "Cannabalism in Cars" I belive, and that too sounds interesting. I'm excited to start flipping through the pages a little bit more. This thought on literature made me want to post a poem today that a friend of mine Lynn Benevento showed me a couple years back.

To the Fringed Gentian; by William Cullen Bryant

THOU blossom bright with autumn dew,

And coloured with the heaven's own blue,

That openest when the quiet light

Succeeds the keen and frosty night.

Thou comest not when violets lean

O'er wandering brooks and springs unseen,

Or columbines, in purple dressed,

Nod o'er the ground-bird's hidden nest.

Thou waitest late and com'st alone,

When woods are bare and birds are flown,

And frosts and shortening days portend

The aged year is near his end.

Then doth thy sweet and quiet eye

Look through its fringes to the sky,

Blue—blue—as if that sky let fall

A flower from its cerulean wall.

I would that thus, when I shall see

The hour of death draw near to me,

Hope, blossoming within my heart,

May look to heaven as I depart.

Enjoy;

Dan Wall

Bottled Gentian

2012-01-31T17:35:00.000-08:00

Bottled gentian is one of our late blooming wildflowers.Late august to early october this plant can be found blooming. Bottled gentian lives in moist woods and meadows, and atop mountain summit's up in the high peaks of the adirondacks. It seems to grow commonly there. This was something I had been searching for and found unexpectedly. I wandered into a friends back woods that were open wet and bare. These were thriving there in an unbelivable amount. The flowers resemble blue cool glow christmas bulbs, and as long as you watch them they will not open. This flower always remains closed.
I've sketched the showy lady slipper to finish up my series but have yet to start painting it. Tomorrow I'm showing all of my illustrations to the head of the illustration department here at school. Can't wait for him to share his opinion.
Until later;
Dan Wall

Pink Lady Slipper

2012-01-30T23:27:00.001-08:00

This is the most common of the lady slippers native to the area, wich is funny considering I tracked it for a long time. I can remember about 5 years ago always being in the right places at the right time of year considering the surrounding environments. But still I never saw them. The wierd thing is when I did finally find them, ever since I havent stopped bumping into them. Lynn Benevento and I always seem to stumble upon them, especially on our two hikes to crane mountain. It was covered! I decided after finishing this that since its the same size as the yellow lady slipper illustration, I'm just going to do one of the showy as well. I've seen all 3 varieties and out of all wildflowers the lady slippers are my favorite. I'm sure that with time you'll notice because I paint them all the time. Although it will probably just be the showy's. So now I'm just labeling these as a series. Pink lady slippers dwell anywhere from rich acidic soil, swamps, even on mountain tops around some pines. The first time I saw them they were all huddled under some low growing hemlocks at the foot of a mountain. I've noticed them on sphagnum bog edges as well. The only thing seperating the pink lady slipper from the yellow and showy is the fact that it only has 2 leaves that sit on the ground. Some say they have a scent but they are odorless. Only the large yellow lady slipper has a sweet scent to it.
I'm really enjoying all the blogging, and all the painting.
Goodnight;
Dan Wall

Jack in the pulpit print

2012-01-30T17:38:00.000-08:00

A member of the arum family; the Jack in the pulpit. This blossom gets its name from the brown spadix inside the spathe surrounding the plant. Two stalks arise from the sides of the stem, each holding three smooth, shiny, ribbed leaves. This plant can be found in moist coniferous and deciduous woods almost anywhere. I see this all the time out wandering the woods and it's always an interesting find. This was a difficult way to print, (dry point) but I suppose it turned out well compared to the first print that went through the press today. My printmaking class ends next monday....it's a little bit of a downer I just started having alot of fun.

'Til later

Dan Wall

Yellow Lady Slipper Illustration

2012-01-29T21:44:00.001-08:00

This is the large yellow lady slipper. As much as I love this plant, I belive this is only the third time I've done any sort of piece including it. I've seen it a few times with prior knowledge, but have never been lucky enough to stumble upon one unexpectedly. Like the two other species of lady slippers native to here (Pink and showy lady slipper) this is also on the endangered plant species list. The scientific name (Cypripedium Calceolus) derives from latin meaning "Little shoe", what the species cypripedium is known to resemble. One of the main reasons that I have commonly heard for this plants rarity, is the transplanting of them. This does not work for reasons I will now explain.

The lady slipper orchids need a special fungus in their soil to grow, this is our basis. Also, such things as different types of soil such as alkaline or limestone are usually needed as well. When they are transplanted they are put into soil that cannot usually fit their growing criteria. Sure the plant will blossom for another 2 to 3 years at most, but without these special requirements it will soon dissapear. Once the plant is taken from the wild it will not grow back, hence their reasoning for being endangered. Plants should never be taken from the wild, enjoy them where they are, so they can continue to disperse their seeds in the correct environment and have decades of continuous growth. The only plants I belive should be removed from the wild in apropriate amounts are invasive plants. These are plants that will dominate a small area in a short period of time such as the purple loosetrife...not good.

I pondered the idea today of what it would be like to be a plant. This was a ludicrous idea but fun to dream. For the most part though, please leave plants in the wild. Take your camera along, jot down in a notebook what you found where and on what date, so then you can always revisit. Plus it makes it more fun to venture into the wilderness rather than your backyard garden....think about it.

Have a good night;

Dan Wall

Albany NY from across the Hudson

2012-01-29T10:32:00.001-08:00

Well todays post has absolutely nothing to do with wildflowers for the first time in a long time. This is a watercolor I did for my boyfriend for valentines day, of Albany NY. Now that I'm settled here in Manchester NH and we've found an apartment this weekend, this is a sight that I will probably rarely see again. I enjoyed all of my time in Albany and the small city that it is. From across the river at night this city truly looks beautiful all lit up. The photo doesn't really do the piece justice, because the paper is all warped from the watercolors. But with a little weight from a few books, it should flatten right out.
Now in my day I'm going to head over to rimmon rock to enjoy the nice weather. I'm going to relax, enjoy the sun and the breeze, and overlook the city of Manchester. I may have a watercolor to post later tonight, but I'm not yet sure. We'll see.
'Til then;
Dan Wall

Pitcher Plant re-print with color

2012-01-25T16:45:00.000-08:00

Today I did a re-print of my pitcher plant, and added some color in with tissue paper. The image is blurry but for the most part you can pretty much see the colors. I may post a watercolor later on but I'm still not sure.
Til then;
Dan Wall

Cardinal Flower

2012-01-24T14:04:00.001-08:00

I finally got back into the mood for some watercolor's. I'm not even sure how I'm going about my illustrations medium wise so I'm just going with the flow of whatever I feel like. This was a flower that could not be done in graphite however; I needed to paint its striking red flowers. My family owns a camp on the Hudson in Riparius New York. Late july and early august I used to watch these grow in the front yard on the river's edge, along with some sundew and ladies tresses. One day I was out on the lawn photographing them and my dad was simultaneously mowing the lawn. Slower and slower I saw the mower approach the flowers, so I yelled to my dad not to run them over. But of course I was too late. Red petals flew out of the mower everywhere.....dissapointing. These flowers grow in ice meadows, on river and pond edges, in swamps and moist woodland areas. They bloom mid july to mid august, are beautiful in person and such a crimson red. Before I know it I'm going to have so many of these illustrations piled up....hmmm I might have to start selling them. It was unusually warm in Manchester today. It had to have reached almost 50. Soon the weather will always be like that and warmer so I'm quite content with painting these flowers now, but just wait until spring when I start seeing them again because there will be alot more to post.

Enjoy the warm weather if your getting it;

Dan Wall

A haunting print

2012-01-23T16:53:00.001-08:00

Print number 2 has been officially done in my printmaking class. This time it turned out to typically be a pitcher plant. This print is cool but it looks awfully creepy. I need to go back in and make some changes to the etching however, and then do a series of 5 more prints.

And then also today I got some free time to do a page of small flowers. These are all graphite. The flowers are trout lily, jack in the pulpit and wintergreen. I have never drawn nor painted the trout lily but have always wanted to. A painting would be nicer, but we'll see what the watercolors bring because I haven't been feeling them lately. I wish it was warmer; but it's not.

Enjoy;

Dan Wall

Just another study

2012-01-22T17:24:00.001-08:00

I wanted to finish up my Adirondack orchids study today but just wasn't feeling the watercolors. So instead I just picked off a few random flowers and did a nice graphite study. The indian pipes are always fun, and they're one of my favorites. Grass pink however is something I don't think I've ever done a drawing or painting of. And then the little horned bladderwort is just a neat little plant. I was looking online and there are people who own large potted pitcher plants, and in all the empty moss space they have sundews and butterworts growing. Well I think it would be neat if my pitcher plant was accompanied by some nice golden yellow bladderworts. They're very tiny to say the least, and I saw lots of them when I found purple fringed orchid. Anyway; this weekend was slow for the illustrations but it really varies for time frames to do them. Having to work around school and all, but they are a nice break from school work.

Take care;

Dan Wall

Oh what the studies have done....

2012-01-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

These little studies in my sketchbook have proven themselves well. I couldnt stand to look at the pitcher plant in my windowsill and not want to paint it. So finally I sketched it out, and watercolored it. I am very satisfied with this piece, I feel like it is my strongest work. I figure it's never too early to get started in my passion and I am most certainly enjoying it. Pitcher plants have always been a favorite, but lately I've been questioning "why didnt I ask for a showy lady slipper?" I'm not sure, but this is keeping me very entertained. Feels so good to get the flower painting crazies out of me; it's been a few days.

Keep reading if you are;

Dan Wall

My 1 day early birthday gift!

2012-01-17T12:57:00.000-08:00

I recieved my birthday gift from Jason in the mail at school today come to find it's a purple pitcher plant! I have got to say hands down this is the best gift anyone could give me! I have been overly fascinated with these and now I have one of my own to study and watch grow and develop. Its rather small for the time being but I'm hoping it Will produce some flowers this summer!

The pot they came in is filled with this really neat peat moss!

Sitting inside the window warm from the cold snow outside.

I also just finished up this Illustration of a purple fringed orchid today. I used different watercolors this time and it seemed I was very limited. I'm not as excited about this piece as I have been others. This is a rare plant that I have seen in white as well. And I dont mean the white fringed orchid. I saw several purple fringed orchids a couple years back and some were half white, some were all white and some were all purple..... hmm interesting. But I have seen the white fringed orchid too and there are very many differences between the two. Anyway; excited about my birthday tomorrow, and my awesome gift.

Thank you Jason!

Enjoy this warmer weather;

Dan Wall

Rattlesnake Plantain

2012-01-15T21:29:00.001-08:00

I'm beginning to feel like I'm getting out of hand with these watercolors. Almost all that I post on here for illustrations will be sketchbook studies, but this one is an "Official" illustration like the pitcher plant graphite drawing. Anyway this is not what I planned on doing at all tonight but when I discovered this really narrow pad of watercolor paper I had, I immediately knew it was the perfect proportions for a rattlesnake plantain. This flower is not too rare, I've seen it in bloom once or twice, but have noticed the leaves on the ground several other times. It blooms throughout july in moist acidic woods, and rocky acidic woods. This is a fairly small plant reaching maybe as tall as 7 to 8 inches. This flower and the ladies tresses look very similar in appearence. The leaves are without a doubt the most interesting part of the plant to me. The leaves are also where the rattlesnake name comes from. They are a deep blue green with deep white veins that almost resemble the skin of a rattlesnake. The rest of the plant is a spike of rotating small white orchid flowers that gradually turn to circular buds by the tip of the plant. This is truly an interesting plant to inspect with a magnifying glass if you have one. I'm hoping some people are reading and enjoying my updates because I certainly am enjoying posting them.

Stay warm inside it's 5 degrees out!

Dan Wall

Bunchberry Illustration

2012-01-14T19:59:00.001-08:00

Bunchberry blossoms are wonderful. Take a look at the image and you see a white flower with green stamens capped black. This is not the case. The white petals are actually the flowers sepals. The green and black stamens are the actual flower. It took some time before I knew this but when I did I was quite surprised. These flowers love acidic bogs and swamps, rotten logs and lake edges. They bloom from late may throughout june. I've seen these on crane mountain clustered in one spot with pink lady slippers, and another spot with painted trilliums. In the late summer and into the fall they turn from a flower to a bright crimson cluster of berries making them awesome to photograph both in bloom and after. I truly enjoy finding these on hikes; they are of strong interest to me.

'til Next time
Dan Wall

Columbine Illustration

2012-01-14T19:41:00.001-08:00

These flowers are truly interesting. The columbine is another nice flower to stumble upon in the woods. Strangely enough when in bloom the flower is upside-down, but when it dies it turns right side up. The tips of the spurs on this flower are filled with tiny delicious amounts of sticky nectar. This is a problem for me because when I find them after I'm done marveling I begin feasting. Another thing that has always interested me about this plant is it's huge attraction to hummingbirds. I cant say how many countless times I have been in the middle of the woods and seen a speedy little guy flutter up for some nectar. Columbines can be found from early may to early june in rocky alkaline soiled or acidic soiled woods. In most cases they dominate cliffsides making them almost appear red in color. The leaves for this plant show up very early in the spring, typically right after the snow melt. There isn't a ton for me to say about the columbine; but they certainly are beautiful and I treasure them.

Stay Warm;
Dan Wall

Fringed gentian study; Watercolor

2012-01-13T23:39:00.001-08:00

I have to start off with saying that fringed gentian is a rare treasure indeed. Lynn Benevento first introduced me to the plant from a photo in her audubon field guide. "I really want to see this one" she says as she points it out. Also I love the way she pronounces "gentian". Well we both finally saw it and in quite a surprising place. I've seen this gentian probably 3 or 4 times and every time is still as spectacular as the last. I have also seen the bottle gentian, but it does not compare. I dont know too much about this one but a little. This is a biennial, it grows in meadows, the area I saw it in looked like a well dried up pond or brook. Several blue to purple fringed blossoms clasp onto one stalk, a yellow stamen. The leaves start small towards the top and gradually enlarge towards the bottom, they are opposite. This is another flower that will only open in full sunlight. It is a very hardy plant; blooming throughout september through early november at the latest. Very rare around the Adirondacks of New York, I'm not sure about New Hampshire though. I have one more watercolor I sketched but its not looking right.....hmm maybe I'll work on it tomorrow and post it.

Enjoy;
Dan Wall

A thought that crossed my mind

2012-01-13T22:12:00.000-08:00

After posting my showy lady slipper watercolor I read the story about the never ending search and this was a pain I remembered. Behold the false hellebore. I love this plant, it is gorgeous and I've seen it thriving on a roadside swamp in woodstock vermont. But I strongly dislike this beauty at the same time. For the years I spent in swamps and bogs searching for the elusive showy lady slippers I saw alot of what you see in the image on the left. I was confused, and did not know if I should be excited or not. Before I had seen the showy lady slipper I didn't know it was such a hairy plant. This plant however is completely bald, has more smooth textured and more ribbed leaves. These are very neat looking, but I sure didn't enjoy them a few years back. I remember 2 different times in warrensburg in 2 different bogs; one looking for showy lady slippers and one for purple fringed orchid. I saw this plant in both places and both times thought it was showy lady slippers; It's time for my favorite word of the day...dissapointment.

Enjoy the more and more snow thats falling;

Dan Wall

Bloodroot's

2012-01-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure why but I wanted to post a wildflower of interest today and kind of talk about it a little and the facts I personally know about it. Bloodroot's are another favorite of mine. These pristine white flowers can be found in mid to late april (depending on your area), and they are one of the first blossoms I usually see in the spring. Their flowers are so white that when seen in mas amounts they almost glow. You can find these in dry deciduous woods, sometimes in acidic woods, and on wooded roadsides. I have hundreds of pictures of these and I love to see them every year. The name for the bloodroot was derived from an orange sticky sap that can be found in an underground "tuber" that this plant produces. I always wanted to see the sap but never wanted to kill a plant to see it, so thankfully one day I accidentally stepped on one and was able to see it. The sap was used by indians for dying baskets and threads for trinkets. I belive it also may have been used by the indians for war paint as well. These flowers open only in full sunlight and they do not last long once they bloom. I would say on average your chances of seeing the same plant in flower are going to last about a week. The interesting thing is that when they are ready to perish they are wide open and if you gently touch or move the plant all of its petals will drop to the ground. This has happened to me many times and the first couple times it did I frowned. There are a few medicinal purposes of this plant; it has been said to treat Sore throats, cough, rheumatic pains, and various types of cancer. Bloodroot was also called cancer root because of it treatment of some cancers. A typical bloodroot has 8 milk white petals, small yellow stamens, and one leaf with a leathery texture that almost hugs the stem of the flower. Overall this is a common delicate flower that I usually stumble upon countless times in the spring without even looking for it.

Enjoy;
Dan Wall

Late night illustration

2012-01-12T21:23:00.001-08:00

I was definately in the mood to do a watercolor illustration tonight so this is was I came up with. Lynn Benevento can tell you, "from day 1 of wildflowers Danny wanted to see a showy lady slipper". I was obsessed from the start on tracking down this gorgeous orchid; my favorite of all the lady slippers. Year after year became dissapointment after dissapointment. In 2008 I found a spot I could go up in the adirondacks; but the area was strictly posted, and I as usual was dissapointed. But then the clouds parted late that summer and I was told about Eshqua bog in woodstock vermont. I went in august and saw hundreds of plants with crippled brown blossoms. This wasn't as bad because I found the plant, and seeing just that was majestic. So the following summer I returned and I was not only amazed but in a sort of "Wildflower coma". Hundreds of blossoms everywhere; I thought to myself "if only I could live in this bog". It was truly one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and I'll always look back on it. But anyway, I've seen these twice in fullbloom in two different locations. They are so interesting with their pristine white sepals and pinkish magenta pouches. I really enjoy this piece. I've been debating on a medium and I guess I found it. I do need more practice with the watercolors if I want to pursue botanical illustration. But this is nice, I teasure it!

Enjoy the snow;

Dan Wall

Finally seeing some snow

2012-01-12T10:06:00.001-08:00

The snow has finally fallen in Manchester; but this is not exciting for me. There is one reason and only one that I like snow, when it all melts in the spring it will help drive nutrients into the soil that all the plants need to grow. It does wonders for the spring wildflowers. Snow has definately been referred to as "poor man's manure". This drawing was done this morning in my drawing class when I had some free time to doodle. I love observational drawing, and doing quick little studies in my sketchbook such as this one.

These tree's look wonderful. fresh fallen snow on tree branches is just amazing to me. It's sad that it usually only lasts for a day or so before it melts or falls to the ground, but I take full advantage of it while it's still around. It makes for a wonderful drawing and/or painting subject.

This is a portion of the city of Manchester as seen from the 6th floor of my dorm. The roads are awfully messy today, and it is just too cold outside. Walking to and from class this morning was definately not enjoyable but thankfully I'm done for the day. For those of you who truly enjoy the snow have fun with it....I'm staying inside.

Stay Warm;

Dan Wall

showy lady slippers and printmaking

2012-01-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

I officially made my first series of prints today in printmaking. I carved away at this for quite some time, and hoped it would come out well. I was more than pleased with it's turnout, and I'm excited to have 6 prints in total of it. Second semester of college is going well and I was excited today to find out my college is offering a botany program this fall. Can't wait to check it out!

'Til next time

Dan Wall

Rimmon Rock

2012-01-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

Rimmon rock park on the west side of Manchester is a getaway to a decent sized parcel of woods. I ventured over there today to explore the woods a little more than I have before, and to look for the remainder of this past spring and summer's wildflowers.... their leaves. In search of one thing and one specific thing only that I just wasn't able to find again. Back in october on my first trip to the rock I had found a clup of 4 pink lady slipper plants on one of the ledges, and I went back today in search of the plant to mark in my brain where they were for this upcoming spring. But they were impossible to find again after 3 hours of searching. I'm not sure as to why it is they dissapeared, there's no snow here!

This turned out to be a neat find for the day, lots of golden rod long gone by, but with their little seedlings still intact. It was neat in some spots where there were nice slender stalks rising from crevices in the rocks.

Some Blueberry bushes still had their leaves intact as well. I saw many of them, including wintergreen plants. They both looked almost the same other than the fact that the wintergreen were very low to the ground.

These neat dead black mushrooms were scattered here and there. Some were uprooted laying atop the pine needles, while others still firmly planted in the ground.

This was definately the best find of the trip! loads of trailing arbutus' scattered all along the ledges. I have no idea how they went unnoticed before. They had their spring buds on them, although they're going to be dormant for quite some time.

After searching the forest floor for quite sometime I looked up to be greeted by the city of Manchester tucked away behind the rocks and pines. The photo headlining the very top of my blog is the entire view from Rimmon Rock.

This scraggly little guy has been a favorite of mine throughout different trips over the past 4 months.

Some rather interesting ferns with there spore cases seen on their undersides.

And all these cool lichens that almost carpeted some areas of the woods!

Overall it was a nice little outing aside from the lady slippers being M.I.A. Thankfully in the spring their pink blossoms will make them easier to find, because the search for them today was rough!

Until next time;

Dan Wall

My first botanical illustration; Pitcher Plants

2012-01-08T14:37:00.000-08:00

I have officially started my title as a "young botanical illustrator". This is an 11x17 graphite of a Pitcher plant. I've seen many of these in the wild, and lately I have been very fond of them. Growing in acidic bogs pitcher plants are a carnivorous plant. The leaves of this plant (or pitchers) collect rainwater. The inside of the pitchers have fine downward facing hairs that trap an attracted insect and devour it for food. The pitchers range from a bright yellow green color to sometimes even a striking red. The pitchers are also typically veined with deep red veins throughout. The flowers of this plant are amazing. Usually as I have seen they always have crooked stems. The blossoms are umbrella like over the leaves. Striking red in color as well the flowers add an interesting touch to this prehistoric looking plant. I am currently in the process of looking at ordering one of these online. Overall this is a favorite wildflower of mine. I love to walk across squishy carpets of sphagnum moss in search of these wild gems. That's all I have to post interesting for today.

'Til next time;
Dan Wall

Taking a break from nature

2012-01-07T13:06:00.001-08:00

Stepping aside from my interest in nature, today I sent an e-mail to political pioneer Christiane Amanpour. I was first introduced to Christiane through CNN's documentary "Scream Bloody Murder", based on the genocide that occured in Rwanda in 1994, where an estimated 800,000 people were killed between the months of april and july. Risking it all in the streets of violence, Christiane was there with her crew documenting and reporting all that was happening. A truly brave soul and a wonderful woman in my book. I sent an e-mail this afternoon to Christiane to express my love for her reports, and my gratitude for all she has done as a reporter for CNN. She will always be a wonderful and brave political figure to me.

2012-01-06T22:51:00.000-08:00

It's been some time since I have posted on this blog. I've also been confusing in the way that I have switched the theme to this blog so redundantly it must be annoying. Second semester of my first year of college begins on monday at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. Upon my return I plan to keep up on the blog by posting photos from outings, my new series of oil paintings that is slow in coming, and finally discusing my intentions of using my time at school to try and study to become a botanical illustrator. I'm making my move from the Adirondacks of New York to Manchester New Hampshire. A place where the geography is totally different to me and I know nothing on certain blossoms and where I can find them. But I am about to change all of this by taking in my surroundings and starting fresh and on my own. I am hoping all of this will give me a great feeling of accomplishment to learn, explore and discover everything New Hampshires wildlife has to offer!

until then;

Dan Wall

Country Road

2011-11-29T18:49:00.001-08:00

This is the first of a new series of paintings that I am doing. All of these paintings are done in oil in an impressionistic impasto style. This painting reminds me of my original home in the Adirondacks, and living in the countryside. Original painting size 9x12 oil on stretched canvas;

$250.00