Depicting Trees with Kimberly Mullarkey

The presentation and the hand-out for this workshop can be found on the members resource page.

On April 26, 2025, members of the Reed-Turner Botanical Artists gathered together at for the workshop: Depicting Trees with Kimberly Mullarkey. A presentation about trees preceded an outing into the woodland to observe and sketch. Members reconvened for a critiques of their sketchbooks and shared their experiences of tackling these enormous plants.

Kimberly Mullarkey has an impressive curriculum vitae. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the University of California-Santa Cruz with an emphasis in Printmaking and Drawing and a Master’s of Fine Art degree from Northern Illinois University with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting. She studied early Northern Renaissance painting while living in France for six months. Her artwork is included in the published book series “Best of Colored Pencil” and is also in The Morton Arboretum art collection. Kimberly was also an Artist-in-Residence at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan in Lake Superior. She recently finished a large commission, of 34 paintings for The Clearing in Door County, WI. She is an instructor throughout the area from the College of DuPage to the Morton Arboretum to Chicago Botanic Garden.

In her presentation about trees, Kimberly simplified this intimidating subject of trees by breaking it down into its components: form and structure with a hint of botany.

Recognizing the general outline or silhouette of trees, gives an overview for the artist’s sketch.

She gradually went over the features - bark texture, roots, twigs and buds - details that the artist needs to review to clarify the type of tree. Kimberly provided reference materials - a handout and books - to research these details.

She also depicted trees seasonally. Sketching in April, when the trees were just coming into bloom, the artist needs to consider bare branches, as well as, buds that are just beginning to develop.

Members spent almost two hours out in the Reed-Turner Woodland or in the Nature Center working on sketches. When they came together to review the sketches, the variety of media, styles, and subject matter showed the observational skills and insights of the artists. A whole tree, a section of the trunk of a tree, the branch of a tree, all showing, all revealing the character and personality of trees, young and old.

Members reflected on their experience of sketching trees as being educational and a useful botanical practice. Members also found spending time focusing on this subject matter and attempting to interpret the personality of these overshadowing plants be relaxing and meditative.

This program was brought to members of the Reed-Turner Botanical Artist through the Carole Schumacher Fund.

The Zen of Trees

Depicting Trees with Kimberly Mullarkey

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