Weird purple flower... August
Florilegium | reels | sketching
Welcome to Behind the Brush… I’m so happy you’re here. I usher in each new month with a roundup of seasonal inspiration, some of the projects going down in my studio, the botanical art world, and more. Whether you’re an artist, or a botanical art fan, keep an eye out mid-month for an additional letter, a botanical artist spotlight.
in the studio: This month I am preparing my submission for The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society Archives. My chosen plant is the Veratrum Nigrum, a tall skinny spike of tiny purple florets with large green leaves. Not the prettiest but I’ve grown rather fond of her! As a Painting Member of this 30 year old Society we attend a monthly meeting at the Garden to collect samples of the specimens and also to hear Speakers lecturing about all things botanical. We submit our paintings annually in November after the main growing season and they are reviewed by a panel at Kew Gardens to assess for accuracy. If they are accepted, the paintings are then scanned by The British Museum and archived at the Garden. It is an honour to be part of this group: many of these artists are living legends following in the footsteps of botanical artist giants.
The Florilegium Aims are:
To record, in paintings and drawings, the 5,000 plants listed as growing in the Chelsea Physic Garden.
to further general awareness of this exacting method of portraying plants - through occasional exhibitions of and books about drawings and paintings in the Collection
To help promote Florilegia worldwide
The description above is an excerpt from the most comprehensive webpage I have found on worldwide Florilegia by Katherine Tyrrell here.
reels: I have been working on my Reels content through an online course from Reels Rockstars, so if you see a new style appearing on my Insta feed, that’s why. You can be the best botanical artist in the world but if no-one knows about you and your platforms are not working hard for you, there’s no point. I’m learning how to grow my online Community, why some reels bomb, which trends work for my brand, how to create cool transitions, also how to film and edit more professionally. Enjoy and don’t forget to comment!
art material reco: I am always trying to increase the amount of sketching I do and using my green Perpetual Journal from WondaCabin, as recommended by Lara Gastinger. It was a gift from my parents for a big birthday last year. It has 60 pages of handbound Fabriano Artistico 100% cotton watercolor paper, hot press (smooth finish) and 140# (heavyweight). Especially designed for an artist's year of sketches, with a spread for each week's observations, imaginings and ideas. This is the original Perpetual Sketchbook concept conceived by Lara Call Gastinger for botanical art and illustration. Handbound to order in the leather of your choice-black, brown, red, blue, or green. Page size is 6”w x 9”h or 15.5cm x 23cm.
menu: I am delighted to see my illustrations on all the seasonal and ever delicious menus for London’s Trinity Restaurant for a second year running. This Michelin star restaurant boasts a top ten status amongst London restaurants listed by Hardens and Zagat and has been included in the top 100 restaurants in the UK. Chef Patron Adam Byatt’s enthusiasm for seasonality and the great outdoors fits seamlessly with the work of a botanical illustrator and it’s an ongoing collaboration I relish.
podcast: Check out this bonus episode #16 of “Talking Heads”, where gardener presenters Lucy and Saul are joined by Deborah Lambkin, Botanical Artist. Deborah is an award winning artist (and the loveliest lady) who has worked for many botanical institutions around the UK and Ireland including primarily at RBG, Kew and for the RHS Orchid Committee as well as journals such as Curtis Botanical. Lucy and Saul have an in-depth conversation about botanical art, how Deborah approaches the process and why it is important. Download wherever you normally get your pods.
tea towel: Looking for an original hostess gift or maybe a treat for your kitchen? Grab one of my 100% cotton pineapple teatowels (£16) here or stocked at The Chelsea Physic Garden in London if you are visiting.
