Crinoidal Limestone, The Rock from Hell

1993 - 13.85" x 9.75" - Graphite Pencil, Strathmore drawing paper

During a botanical art class at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, I chose a crinoidal limestone fossil rock to draw. Crinoids look like plants, but are actually marine animals. They are also know as sea lilies or feather stars. In cross-section, parts of the crinoid fossils reminded me of ancient, stone Cheerios. That was …