Behind the scenes of a botanical artist....March

studio | reels | menu | brand work | madrid | tea towel | review

studio: My main focus this month has been completing my piece for the SBA Exhibition, which will be online this year instead of The Mall Galleries, London. I am obsessed with the hyacinthus so I am paying tribute to them in this five piece portrait. Nearly finished! The scent stops me in my tracks and the complexity of it’s blooms is mesmerizing. I can’t resist a good bulb with a ton of wispy pale root system either. I have exhibited with the Society before during the Pandemic but this will be my first exhibition as a newly appointed Fellow.

The hyacinthus can be blue, pink, lilac, purple, yellow, apricot, red, and white. There are three types of hyacinths: single hyacinth (with closely-packed single florets), double hyacinth (with closely-packed double florets), and multiflora hyacinthus (with loose floret arrangement and multiple flower stalks). I have illustrated my favourite, the double variety.

reels: I had an intense course with the very fab-u-lous Kirsty Raper of Rebuildagram, learning how to make vibrant Instagram reels, crucial for my marketing. In just two short intense hours we gave my IG a thorough spring clean and made it 2024 proof. Her main critique was that my face was nowhere to be seen on my account which has now begrudgingly been remedied. The short reel we made together has received the most number of views I have ever had in my 9 years on Insta. So definitely the way forward for me!

menu design: I am thrilled to see my illustrations on all the seasonal menus for London’s Trinity Restaurant for a second year running. This month it’s all about wild garlic which I have planted in my garden because I can never find it in local London food shops. It is just beginning to emerge….This Michelin star restaurant is voted in the top ten restaurants in London 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.

brand work: I have submitted this illustration bid to an independent UK cocktail craft brand looking for a new Mojito label design for their cans which would showcase the ingredients of their drink. This explosively fresh cocktail is rich with crisp white rum, fragrant garden mint, refreshingly tart lime juice, and a hint of golden Demerara sugar. The brand also wanted to convey a passion for travel coupled with an adventurous spirit. Fingers crossed, it would be a dream job for me.

madrid: I was lucky enough to make a flying visit to see my narcissus painting (above) now showing at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Madrid in a new show “Ellas Ilustran Botanica”. I was so thrilled to be at the Artist Meetup on the 2nd of March and to meet some of the other artists. Thank you to the four fabulous female Curators!

This exhibition showcases the work of women botanical illustrators from the 17th century to the present, uncovering links between Art, Science and Gender. The selected works offer a glimpse into the role women have played in the study, classification, documentation and representation of plants from the beginnings of botanical illustration to the present day. So thrilled to be part of this! Updates on this exhibition can be found here and YouTube show here.

teatowel: Looking for an original pressie for Mother’s Day? Grab one of my 100% pineapple teatowels (£16) here or stocked at The Chelsea Physic Garden in London if you are visiting.

review: I have reviewed award winning botanical artist Jarnie Godwin’s new book “Vibrant Botanical Painting” (2023: Crowood Press) on behalf of The Association of Botanical Artists. A very sensible and thorough ‘how to’ book with lavish illustrations for the beginner to intermediate artist. Available in the UK here, as well as in the US.

Until April, happy plant painting,

Emma x