Test Garden

"Shady Corner," wc/ink on paper, 3.5x9

In downtown Des Moines we have a hidden gem in the Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden, a private area of garden beauty owned by Meredith Corporation, the long-time publisher of Better Homes. Now absorbed by a digital media company named People, Inc, it opens on Friday afternoons, noon to 2 pm, May through September. Over the years I've spent some wonderful lunch times there with friends or alone, sketching. 

Last week I visited the Test Garden for the first time in a few weeks. As always it is a spectacular place, full of beauty and grace. I sat in a shady corner and sketched the southwestern and shady corner of the garden, which is dominated by big, mature trees.

The sketchbook I've been using is 3.5x5.5, just right to fit in a pocket. I carry a metal watercolor box that holds a pencil, kneaded eraser, and waterbrush, and I put a couple of folded paper towel in my other pocket. Makes for light travel.