Hello! I haven't been on the blog in a bit, and that's ok because a lot has changed! It's been a big year for my art practice, creatively in business, and in life. I won't bore you with all of it, but there is a bunch of new artwork I've created and I'm now married!
I'm currently recovering from knee surgery, which allows me the time to get all my ducks in a row with my project planning, and there are a lot of things to get organized.
I have a bunch of projects that I'm working on and I'm excited really excited to share them with the world. Here are a few that will be coming up in the next few months.
DOPE NOPES
Are you into the mix of fascinating and freaky when it comes to nature? Do you make an embarrassing sound when something with too many legs runs at your face, only to look up' cool spider facts' later? Then Dope Nopes is the site for you!
I'm on a mission to illustrate and describe the weirdest, creepiest, most unique, scary, silly, and fascinating species on earth. I will be researching and painting the coolest of creatures for you, and you will get to vote if it's a DOPE or a NOPE.
DN will be its own site but will be associated and connected here to marthaiserman.com
NATURE JOURNALING
I imagine everyone can narrow in on the core memory that led to their love of the outdoors, and it was a real moment in nature experiencing something in real-time. Sometimes as a science illustrator it's easy to forget what it's like to feel the sun and smell the air of the worlds I'm trying to portray. That's why I'm going to get back to the elaborate, but also the beautifully basic world of nature journaling! And I want to invite you as well!
During my recovery from my surgery, I've been going through my resources (mostly by John Muir Laws) and getting my supplies in order. Once I get back into the swing of things physically and can make it up and down the hill from my house to Birdsland, I hope to start leading groups on Nature Journaling seminars for anyone who would like to join!
Nature Journaling is a great way to interact personally with the outdoors. It's a practice in observation, meditation, and education while increasing your art, writing, and naturalist skills! The great thing is there is no requirement to start, you can be a total beginner in both nature and drawing, or an expert in either or both and still benefit from the practice! If you are interested in attending one of my tours email me at bigredsharks@gmail.com to get on the list.
FIELD GUIDE
That leads to my ultimate goal! In the next 5 years, I want to illustrate and write the first (that I know of) nature field guide to the Dandenong Ranges! I'm inspired by the work of Obi Kaufmann in creating something both aesthetic and informative. Using my sketches from nature journaling and the research I've been doing on the flora and fauna I plan on doing a fully illustrated guide to the plants, birds, animals, insects, weather, and landscape of this unique ecosystem. It's a big goal. A LIFETIME goal. But I think I can do it. If you have any resources or know of any naturalists who might be able to help me with the science side of things please reach out. Otherwise, stay tuned because I'm excited to share the process as I embark on this major endeavor. It would be an honor to document this place as it has been so special to us.
If you are interested in any of these projects, please feel reach out to me at bigredsharks@gmail.com.