Holly... December
submission | folklore | teatowel
welcome to behind the brush… I’m so happy you’re here. I usher in each month with a roundup of seasonal inspiration, current studio projects, notes on the botanical art world, and more. Whether you’re an artist or a botanical art fan I hope you find some inspiration in these letters. Keep an eye out mid-month for my botanical artist spotlight, too!
in the studio Alongside prep for 2025 painting projects, I have been working on a beautiful holly commission for a December birthday gift (see above). Did you know that in pre-Victorian times in the UK, ‘Christmas trees’ meant holly bushes? Holly trees were traditionally planted near houses to offer protection from lightning. European mythology associated holly with thunder gods such as Thor and Taranis. We now know that the spines on the distinctively-shaped holly leaves can act as miniature lightning conductors, thereby protecting the tree and other nearby objects. Science occasionally catches up with an explanation for what may previously have been dismissed as superstition!
submission: I have also been polishing my Veratrum nigrum piece below-remember her, the weird purple flower from the summer? This month I am handing her in as my second submission, on The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society’s Submission Day. It’s always exciting to see all the new artwork produced by Artist Members, excitement accompanied by nerves as we wonder if our pieces will be accepted into the Garden’s Archives. My first submission was rejected a couple of years ago, and rightly so because I had not captured the plant correctly. My second attempt at the same iris was accepted which felt fantastic! I appreciated the constructive feedback I got from the Selection Panel which made the painting 100% better.
Our aim since 1995, as a Florilegium Society, is to support the Chelsea Physic Garden by documenting, through botanically accurate paintings or drawings, the plants growing exclusively at The Garden. Using living material provided especially for the artists by the Horticulture team, painting members submit one painting annually to the Selection Panel for consideration. If judged botanically and aesthetically acceptable by amongst others, botanists from Kew and the Head of the Chelsea Physic Garden Living Collection, the original artwork is donated by the artist to the 30-year-old Collection held in posterity by the Chelsea Physic Garden. The 800+ paintings are currently being digitised by The British Museum. It is such an honour to be part of this prestigious Society.
show reco: If you happen to be in London over the next four months, visit the Science Museum for this hot new show: “From iconic royal residence of the past, to Olympic and Paralympic venue today, the Palace of Versailles is famous around the world for it’s opulent architecture and rich history. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it also became a major site of scientific thinking. Opening this December, at London’s Science Museum Versailles: Science and Splendour will explore the important role science played at the Palace.” (Science Museum website) A set of botanical studies by Claude Aubriet (c1700) are on loan to The Science Museum from the RHS. Aubriet was a painter for French Kings Louis XIV and XV. “He’s believed to be one of the first artists to travel with a botanist to record plants in the field.” says RHS Art Curator Charlotte Brooks. I’ve booked my ticket! (Illustration above, “Punica granatum” by Claude Aubriet.)
stocking filla: Looking for an original hostess gift or maybe a treat for your kitchen? Grab one of my 100% cotton pineapple teatowels (£16) online or they are stocked at The Chelsea Physic Garden in London if you are visiting.
Happy painting, and look out for my next mid month post spotlighting UK botanical artist Sarah Gardner.
Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season!