Hello Everyone! I want to welcome all visitors, both old and new, here at InkTorrents. This is where I have been sharing a bit of my atelier and my life. This winter break was a tough one for me, which made a longer break necessary. I do love the company of trees and mountains, so I visited a few natural places in Northern California for recovery. At other times, I had my head buried in a sketchbook. I look forward to sharing the photos and artwork with you over the next few posts.
As you know, photography is a very integral part of me. For those of you who are new here, I took one photo of my everyday surroundings per day for a year. These photos played a big part in my life, and I have been sharing them here every now and then.
Here is the next set of my Simple365 photos.
Simple 365 – Set 9
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos and read the captions.
I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. I continue to add photos to that page as I share them here. That way I can relive the journey through the year via black and white photos like in an old album.
Every now and then I make botanical paint from things I forage from my garden.
I shared the basics of botanical ink making here.
A few years ago, I got Indigo and Coreopsis seeds for the purpose of paint making. I collect the seeds from both plants each year and save them in little seed packets. Last week I had a great time sitting on the patio, sowing them in tiny little pots. These green trays are great for a plant nursery.
Much to my surprise, I saw little seedlings emerge within just a few days. I love watching them grow and look forward to the beautiful flowers and colours they will make.
I will write up a little tutorial on how to make these cute seed packets soon, in case you want to save or share seeds from your garden.
With a very frail 19+ year-old kitty at home, we have been limiting our travels to just a couple of days at a time, mostly within California. I often spend the last afternoon of a trip drawing in a sketchbook while my husband reads.
Visiting Yosemite in winter is a must for me. I did this sketch in pencil while I was at Yosemite, didn’t have a pen with me then. I wanted to leave it as-is, but my dear husband loves inked drawings. So, later on, I used a $10 fude pen for all the lines and a white gel pen for the snow.
I look forward to showing you more drawings and telling you a bit more about this sketchbook soon.
With the advent of March, my outside time became very limited due to severe allergies. Since I couldn’t be outside enjoying the fresh air and flowers, I started sketching and then carving this block. This will join the everyday journal wildflowers collection covers. I am very excited about printing this one and making a book with it.
These are just a few things from my winter break. I have so much to share with you – ideas, tools and supplies, the makes, and of course photos from my travels.
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please consider paying a visit to some of them.
48 thoughts on “Little Stories – Seedlings”
Eileen May 25, 2023 at 02:53
Hello,
I missed this post, your sketches are all beautiful. Well done! Your Winter in Yosemite is a favorite.
So happy you are back! Have a great day and happy weekend ahead.
Anne May 24, 2023 at 05:14
I love the idea of 365 black and white photos, the peaches look so strange. Sending much love to your old cat, I have one that’s 16 years old.
Rain Frances May 14, 2023 at 06:10
Sending lots of hugs to you and your old little kitty! ♥ It’s so hard to see them age isn’t it? I loved all of our photos Soma. Your sketched tree is simply gorgeous! Thanks for joining in! ♥♥
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs May 14, 2023 at 05:10
It’s so nice to see you back Soma. I hope all is well with you!
Happy belated birthday to your kitty! That’s a fabulous age.
Your work is as awesome as ever, love the trees capture on your mountain walk, so pretty. I love getting my DSLR out and going on nature walks. x
RachelSwirl May 13, 2023 at 09:38
WOW, JUST WOW! Look at that skyline in the first image – it’s stunning! Thanks for sharing and for linking up with #MySundaySnapshot.
Peabea May 12, 2023 at 20:00
With all that you know how to do, I think you are so talented. Making the ink, the tea DIY, and wow on the carving. The daily photos are great, and for keepsakes. I look forward to your post on how to make the seed packets.
Breathtaking May 12, 2023 at 00:19
Hello :=
WOW! You have certainly made a great impression on me. Your botanical ink project is fascinating. and your sketches are beautiful.I like being outside too, weather permitting, always with my camera. Your black and white photos are great.
All the best.
Sonjia
Sarah MumofThree World May 10, 2023 at 22:52
I love your wintry sketch and what a great idea to grow your own plants to make ink!
Anne M Robinson May 10, 2023 at 12:04
Your talent shines! Wow! Beautiful artwork.
Sandee May 10, 2023 at 07:49
You’re most talented. Wow.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Alison Hall May 9, 2023 at 14:24
A great post Soma! I love seeing your black and white photos, and your sketch is beautiful. I’m glad you made the most of your outside time.
Alison
Juliet (craftygreenpoet) May 9, 2023 at 11:46
I love your illustration of Yosemite! I visited Yosemite when I was on a family holiday in California when I was 9 years old!
The Joyful Quilter May 9, 2023 at 07:35
Sorry to hear that you had a tough winter and hoping you are beginning to feel better now! Your “working on too many things” photo had me chuckling, Soma. I resemble that remark. My art table/cutting table MIGHT look just like yours (all the time!)
Carol May 9, 2023 at 02:28
I’m so happy to see your post and visit you again. I’ve missed you. Your creativity always is amazing. Happy spring!
Angie May 8, 2023 at 22:03
Soma – last fall, my brother and sister-in-law gave me several Indigo seeds. I am delighted to say that a couple of them sprouted and I just put them out into the garden this week. I am excited to see how they do!!! And I have stopped collecting and spreading Coreopsis since they seem to do that quite well on their own!
Veronica Lee May 8, 2023 at 19:27
What an amazing project!
So happy to have you back, Soma.
Hugs and blessings
image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup May 8, 2023 at 14:18
Wow! You have such talent! And just the idea of using botanicals to create your own colors is stunning to me.
Thanks for sharing at
Lillian May 8, 2023 at 14:17
What an amazing sky
Debbie May 8, 2023 at 10:09
what a wonderful project…i think we have forgotten the beauty of black and white pictures!! lovely sketch of the trees!!
Catherine May 8, 2023 at 08:49
I had no idea you could grow plants to make botanical ink – how fascinating!
#MMBC
Catherine May 8, 2023 at 08:51
That’s odd! My comment should have come up on your seedlings post!
Natalie Ogbourne May 8, 2023 at 08:14
What a delightful collection from your break. What a gift to see someone well in tune with creativity. As you mentioned, I find the outdoor world sparks my creativity and soothes my soul. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Cathy Keller May 8, 2023 at 07:42
What an interesting post. I especially like your sketch! You are very talented. Thank you!
Kim Carberry May 8, 2023 at 03:10
What a wonderful collection of photos. Lovely to see you back.
Andrea Jacqueline Priebe May 7, 2023 at 08:53
If doing everything from scratch is being a wild child, then you are a wild child. Your posts are always interesting, educational and beautiful. The idea of 365 days of photos is so appealing to me … a way, perhaps, to leave the story of your life for your children and friends. I am pondering giving it a try. At my age is would be fool hardy to wait until the first of next year so maybe a Spring to Spring book would work. As today is the first day that it is warm enough to go work in my gardens, I think that would be a good start. I love your brilliant mind, Soma … looking forward to hearing more from you.
Andrea @ From the Sol
Bill May 7, 2023 at 02:06
I’m so glad you are back, I have missed your posts. Good on you with the 365, I started off this year but in the end had to give up, A spell in hospital would not have helped anyway. I like how you collect seeds to grow, some of mine do not seem to have been that successful this year this year. I mentioned my son got his BA in illlustration so I have put a couple of links to his sites
@tylo_tan
Tammie May 6, 2023 at 10:10
So wonderful that you save and use your seeds, would be a great practice for everyone. Plus growing plants from seed seems like a basic sign of life in balance.
Fun also that you make ink sometimes.
your art is lovely, all of it. Lovely weekend to you.
Amy Johnson May 6, 2023 at 05:18
Welcome back! I’ve missed you in blog land. I love your drawing of Yosemite!
Mary May 5, 2023 at 14:48
It’s always nice to see a post from you. You have such a great eye for photography. I love the simple thing series. We all need to look at our world through the simple eye. Your seedlings have done well. I saw a thing the other day about using empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls to make seedling cups that can be transplanted right into the ground. Brilliant idea! That carved stamp is gorgeous!
NatureFootstep May 5, 2023 at 13:02
what a nice way to remember the year with one image a day. :)
I love your painted forest and the carvings. It is beautiful :)
A ShutterBug Explores May 5, 2023 at 10:01
So good to ‘see you’ again ~ your photography and pen and inks ~ are wonderful ~ do hope your kitty will be okay ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Connie Griffin May 5, 2023 at 07:03
I can only imagine how your allergies must be because my husbands is very bad this year and I even have had a bit of them and usually I do ok. I am glad you were able to get away for awhile before the allergies hit. Your sketch is beautiful and I do love the block you are carving too, I am glad you have things you enjoy to do when you can’t get outside.
Christine May 5, 2023 at 06:39
Wonderful Soma!
Nicole/DVArtist May 5, 2023 at 05:26
Wow! This is a lovely post. So much beautiful art. Have a great weekend.
gillena cox May 5, 2023 at 05:12
Luv the variety of interesting art you shared. Hope the weather is kind to you.
Thanks for linking to AFFF
Muchlove
tomthebackroadstraveller May 5, 2023 at 03:22
…I LOVE the silhouette of the tree!!!
Sue May 4, 2023 at 19:37
Lovely to read your post Soma, beautiful photos and drawing of Yosemite. Hope the spring is not too hard on you.
Susan May 4, 2023 at 18:12
So glad to have you back. I totally understand the Spring allergies. The photos are great and I really like the book carving.
Karen May 4, 2023 at 16:45
nice to see you back and looking forward to all you share
John's Island May 4, 2023 at 13:43
Hello Soma, Wow, it is great to see you back. I have definitely missed your posts on InkTorrents.com. Seeing you again is like getting a fresh breath of inspiration! Just the way you started this post, “Hello Everyone! I want to welcome all …” just sets a perfect tone for a new post after a break. Everything about InkTorrents is like a bit of enlightenment. Thank you for continuing Simple365 and for the link to the page with all previous photos. I did go back and look at all of them. Next, of course, I was fascinated with your making botanical ink. I went back and studied Wild Child, June, 2021, which was posted before I discovered InkTorrents. I love the opening image in Wild Child. And what a great project that would be to make some ink! Looking at Wild Child also raised a question … Is there a way to see a history of your older posts? I’m betting there are some older ones I’d love to see. Getting back to Seedlings … Another image I love … your pen art of the trees, mountains, and snow. Can you make me a notebook with that on the cover? And, yes, I will probably want a book with your carving as well. Your new post just makes my day. Thanks for sharing, Soma! John
Carola Bartz May 4, 2023 at 12:07
Itis so nice to see you back here, Soma. Winter in Yosemite is actually my favorite season there. We used to go every year. Yosemite truly is my happy place and it has been way too long since I was there the last time. Maybe next winter.
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal May 4, 2023 at 11:11
It is good to see you back! Looks like you have a nice collection of teas. I like peaches, both fresh and cooked, especially in pies. :) Hope your kitty is doing well.
Kathleen Kingsbury May 4, 2023 at 09:51
Good to hear from you Soma. That peach photo made me want one :o)
Kathy May 4, 2023 at 09:49
I didn’t realize you are making botanical inks-I made several this past winter and really enjoyed the process and writing with my dip pen and using them like a watercolor paint. awesome photos too. good to see a post from you hugs Kathy
Joanne May 4, 2023 at 07:45
Your Yosemite sketch is gorgeous! I finally got a pen and ink set for Christmas but have got to break it out of the box and get drawing again. I’m weirdly nervous after taking such a long break for so many years.
Christine May 4, 2023 at 04:47
Lovely post. Wow a 19 year old kitty!
Erika N May 4, 2023 at 03:05
Black and white photos are always so stunning. Especially when the photo doesn’t need the color. And your seedilngs are popping up. Spring is always so exciting isn’t it? And I liked seeing the graduated cylinder. I haven’t seen one of those for awhile. Happy May to you. (Oh by the way, my post won’t link when I try to post this, but I am stopping by from Rain’s Thursday post.)
Luisella May 4, 2023 at 00:08
Your photos are always well done and meaningful. I wish you all the best for your springtime!