The Complete A-Z of Botanical Art

In the current November 2012 issue, Australian Artist magazine has just published the first in a 3 Part series of my article The Complete A-Z of Botanical Art.

Everything you ever wanted to know about botanical art is contained in this comprehensive series. The explanations are easy to follow and concise, with many examples and visual demonstrations.

Part 1 is eight pages of information from A-Accuracy to H-Heavier Paper. See the November magazine cover and the first two pages in the article below.



To read the next six informative pages in the Australian Artists magazine, buy a copy at your local newsagent. You will not be disappointed.

Botanical art is such a meditative and toally relaxing form of art. It takes you into another place, and opens up a new world to you as you discover the magic of flowers and plants.

"I have learned...that what I have not drawn I have never really seen - and that when I start drawing an ordinary thing, I realise how extraordinary it is - sheer miracle."

                                                                               Frederick Frank in "The Zen of Seeing"

If you are interested in learning how to draw and paint botanically, see information on my Botanical Art External Course, which can be done at your own pace, from the comfort of home. I have successfully taught people throughout Australia and worldwide. www.botanicalart.com.au

Dryandra formosa

This is the scene I was greeted with early this morning. The sun bursting over a solid silhouette of the skyline. Sometimes I think it doesn't get much better than this. Early mornings are so peaceful and still.....



Finally! It has taken a while but I have finished my drawing of a Dryandra formosa in preparation for my next botanical painting. It was done between sorting paperwork that came out of the office, actually clearing out the office and keeping abreast of work committments.



Apologies for the quality of the images, but it was drawn directly on to 300gsm HP Arches watercolour paper with HB pencil. Due to the intricate nature of the work it would not have been feasible to complete a separate master drawing and transfer that.



I love the twists and turns, curves and arcs of the delicate leaves. I love the overall movement and chaotic growth of the leaves. The flowers grow at various angles from a slender branch.

I like to leave the initial drawing for a while so will look at it again in the morning to ensure I am happy with the balance and composition. Always view your work on a vertical surface and anything that is not right will jump out at you.

Not sure when I can begin the first washes, and from there I will probably work on it every day until finished, which should (all going well) be about 5-7 days. Life does tend to get in the way.

On Monday the removalist is taking away all the furniture in my office/studio and on Tuesday the builder is coming in to do the installation. More photos to post. I will naturally have to spend some time putting everything back in to the office but do not see that as a problem. I can put my hands on anything (except for 2 free movie tickets and a DJ gift voucher). I am sure I must have put them in a "safe" place that I would remember!

The genus Dryandra is a member of the Protea family of plants and is found only in Western Australia. Many authorities now include the Dryandra within an expanded Banksia genus  as they are closely related, although there is some opposition to this occurring.

Happy drawing and painting! And join me on the journey through the various stages of painting the Dryandra formosa.

Botanical Sketching

Having just finished publishing a sketchbook on Fiji, I thought I would share some of my botanical sketches with you. Again, these are quick sketches which capture the essence of the plants and other subjects.

 

Torch lily, hibiscus, leaves and coral

 

Butu seeds, an iridescent insect, crucifix orchid, a shell and coral



These studies are not all done at the one time. When I have some spare time I just sketch another one or two and add it to the page. There are so many exotic and colourful flowers around Daku Resort, or shells and coral found on the beach opposite the family owned resort, where I have spent a week and more every year since 2007 teaching both botanical art and holiday sketching. I am so fortunate to be able to travel and experience so many wonderful places and to share my knowledge with others.

Some hibiscus flowers and croton leaves, which all grown in abundance



I never tire of the beauty of the area around Savusavu on Vanua Levu, the second largest island of the Fiji group. It is definately a hidden paradise, with no commercialism, where the Fijians live as they always have and life plods along at a very relaxed pace. Visiting the small town of Savusavu is like stepping back in time.

 

More hibiscus flowers

 

Incredibly colourful heliconias and rare species of orchid are sourced from the resort and I bring in special plants from others gardens nearby and sometimes from the local villages. My painting groups produce some magnificent paintings.

Why not think about coming along on my next trip in June 2013. Perfect weather, perfect location. See www.holidaysketching.com.au and www.botanicalart.com.au and view some photos from previous trips and learn a little more about Savusavu.



Sketchbooks & India Art Tour

I have been working on various projects lately, but it has taken a little longer as I have been unwell - pleased to report I am now back in my stride. Was up this morning at 5.30am finalising my India itinerary for next year and also editing my new sketchbook 'Fiji Sketches 2007-2012', which I am self publishing, but only for personal use at this stage. It is not a particularly cheap exercise.



Yaukolo Beach on Vanua Levu

I have taken 15 art tours to Daku Resort on the island of Vanua Levu, which is the second largest island in the Fijian group, and an absolute uncommerical hidden paradise. I consider my annual trips a pilgrimage and I look forward to each trip, where I not only take the group around to various locations to sketch, but I teach botanical art as well. There are so many amazing tropical plants around Savusavu and I source some extra rare plants from the gardens of a local ex-pat, as well as from the resort.





Above is the sketch of a bure at Daku, which is the family owned resort accommodation, and it is nestled beside the calm waters of Savusavu Bay. Just a walk across to the beach to enjoy kayaking, a swim or snorkelling. Add to that the incredible Fijian meals, the relaxing ambience and the perfect climate. Who wouldn't want to spend time here?

In between all that, I have completed a sketchbook on 'Bali Sketches 2009-2012'. Bali is another destination I never tire of. There is always something new to see and sketch, but I love the temples and in particular the Gunung Kawi 11th century temple, with its moss covered bricks, its colourful painted wooden decorations and sculptures.



A protector at Gunung Kawi Temple. Sketch on handmade paper



INDIA SKETCHING ART TOUR 2013

I am very excited about my holiday sketching art tour to India in November 2013 which is 'Sketching the Highlights of India'. This comprises 13 days travelling from Delhi in the north to Cochin in the south and experiencing and exploring the culture, the people and the country. Details of this trip and an itinerary can be found on my website www.holidaysketching.com.au



Luxury houseboat at Alleppey where the group spends a night aboard



A traditional Kathakali Dance performance

What can be better than to create a visual souvenir of your wonderful experiences?

BOTANICAL ART

I have finished the last painting in a series on botanical art commissions on Australian native plants, and it is now time for me to begin work of my own. I have an incredibly intricate and beautiful Dryandra that is begging to be painted. Not being well does not inspire motivation. So now I have my mojo back I am itching to begin this new work.

DE-CLUTTERING

Yes, I have had to spend a few hours a day moving everything out of my office/studio, in anticipation of my new built-in office. I will be unstoppable then. I have two more weeks to prepare the room, or rather to have moved out my paperwork and art materials, computers etc and have all the current office furniture and desks removed and clean up before the installation. I can do it! For a while it seemed such an insurmountable task, but I kept picturing the finish result. At present everything I have moved out is now in the loungeroom.

I will post some pictures of this at a later date. You would think I was a hoarder if you saw how much I have kept in the office, but it is all necessary and all things I use on an almost daily basis. I have been very disciplined and thrown out things I havent used in years and not likely to use again. Isn't that when you are looking for that particular item that you no longer have?

More later.......



Centennial Park, Sydney

Not only is Centennial Park a beautiful part of Sydney, but it has an amazing history and is still significant today as the largest freshwater wetland system in inner-metropolitan Sydney. It is approximately 189 hectares of open space and it is a "people's park" for the enjoyment of the public.

Water Lily Pond

It was designed as a grand park in the Victorian tradition with formal gardens, ponds, statues and wide avenues for the early Sydneysiders to drive their carriages around to ‘take the air’.

Centennial park is also vital for stormwater management and drainage of the local areas and to alleviate local flooding by its detention basin.

On 26th January 1888 Centennial Park was officially opened to celebrate the centenary of Eurpoean settlement in Australia, and this day is known and celebrated as Australia Day.

In 1825 convict labour was used to bore a 3.5 km subterranean aqueduct to gravity feed the pure water from the Lachlan Swamps (as it was then called) to Hyde Park in Sydney, underneath Oxford Street. This served as Sydney's main water supply until 1859. This aqueduct is now known as Busby's Bore and is one of the most important examples of early industrial development in Sydney.

Centennial Park is also a special place for me, and I often take my sketchbook down as there is never a shortage of things to sketch and record. The water reflections are wonderful, especially very early morning, just after the sun has risen. There is dew on the grass, the lakes are like mirrors and birds leave a wonderful pattern as they glide silently over the water.

Enjoy some of my sketches I have done of Centennial Park.





Within its diverse environment, almost 124 native bird species and 18 introduced species of both land and waterbirds have been recorded.

The Centennial Gates and some of the fantastic garden sculptures found in certain areas of the park.

Balance in Life

We all need balance in life, and to me this includes doing things out of the norm. As I spend most of my days in my office/studio working, it is good to get out and enjoy the fresh air, and find a little time to unwind and "smell the roses".

So when the opportunity presented itself to volunteer to man the drink station for the Sydney Runing Festival, in aid of Sydney Children's Hospital, I eagerly jumped at the chance.

My alarm went off at 6am and it was a cool but clear morning. Unfortunately I had been battling some dreaded virus but felt better that morning. So off I went to Centennial Park, which is only a leisurely 15 minute walk from  home and I was really rugged up, no wanting to invite any further complications to my slowly recovering health.



Dawn breaking on Centennial Park as we set up the drink station



There was ample time to set up, and the whole event was incredibly well organised. The wheelchair athletes were the first to come through. Kurt Fearnley, the London Paralympics Champion sailed past with an enormous grin on his face, obviously having a great time. He was fresh back from London and was spectacularly fit.

The marathon runners came through next, firstly the elite athletes who did not slow down as they grabbed the water we enthusiastically offered, along with our encouragement. Slowly the middle of the pack appeared and there were literally hundreds of runners descending on the water, not just to drink but to thrown over themselves. 

Me at the drink station

By the time the C grade runners approached, most were walking, but we cheered them on and gave them further congratulations and support to spur them along to the finish.

In the end they were all champions! 



Bushfire Burnoff

Early yesterday morning my husband and I noticed great plumes of fire and smoke spectatularly rising many hundreds of feet into the air. Helicopters were circling. As we live high above Sydney Harbour it was clearly visible. Was it a terrorist attack? Had a warehouse caught fire?

There was nothing on our news reports, and the fire was obviously spreading and reminded me of volcanic activity we had recently experienced in Kagoshima Japan with Mt. Sakuajima Volcano.

  

            Smoke seen from my balcony                  Smoke from Mt Sakurajima volcano



This morning I discovered the smoke was caused by a controlled hazard reduction burnoff, which was conducted not only around Sydney, but this one was from Wyong on the Central Coast, which is an hour's drive from Sydney. The freeway was closed for some time resulting in a lot of disruption for travellers to and from the Central Coast on a Sunday.

25 hectares of bushland was burnt throught the afternoon to establish containment lines as a very hot summer is predicted. Our wonderful NSW Rural Fire Service does an amazing job in conducting burnoffs and fire information to protect areas throught NSW, particularly those with forests and bushlands where fires can take hold and are very difficult to control, as we have experienced in past years, with loss of many lives.