Herbarium and Other Things

I've always been fascinated by the early botanist that sailed around the world and observed, drew and collected plant specimens.  Mostly men, including Darwin, but women trapped in the shackles of the day also threw off suffocating social conventions and set sail to study and paint plants.

I love to go to Kew Gardens to see Marianne North's paintings.  She was an intrepid globe trotter.  In those days, some of the voyages and locations must have been rough indeed. Imagine wearing a full length buttoned up, long sleeved Victoria dress, probably black, carrying supplies while skirting wet rough terrain in the panting heat of the jungle.  If you haven't seen the documentary about her extraordinary life and you are interested in plants and botanical art you can watch an excerpt in the above link.

The other intriguing, lady that I admire: Margaret Mee.  Margaret went to the Amazon to paint  flowers. Her masterpiece: the moon flower. A wondrous white flower that blooms under a full moon. Talk about right time/right place. Can you imagine being in the jungle at night waiting for the flower to bloom?  Thrills and chills! In the link: an excerpt from a documentary; you can watch her in the Amazon waiting for the flower to open. 

Of course there are too many women to list, but Beatrix Potter was also a wonderful naturalists who observed and painted many plants. And Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) was absolutely amazing. As well as Emily Dickinson who kept a grand herbarium. Harvard University holds the rights to Emily Dickinson's works, including her herbarium which they have printed.  Sadly, and much to my chagrin, it costs a small fortune.

And on the home front: early pioneers Catherine Parr Trail her sister Susan Moddie and Agnes Fitzgibbon.  Canadian Wildflowers  was written by Catherine and illustrated by Susan Moddie's daughter Agnes Fitzgibbon. 

              My little herbarium pales in comparison, but I've always been fascinated by plants.
                                                            The common and the exotic.

Horsetail also known as a "living fossil." The horsetail was the first plant on earth.  In early spring they rise dressed in a vibrant green. How vivid? It makes my heart sing.

 

                                                                           Solomon's Seal.

                                                                          Purple Violet.

* * *

                Organizing art supplies. I may send for a small cabinet to further the
                                                                 process along.

Paper and paint at hand. Yes!

Parts of lilies.

A very quick study to try out my trial package of Gouache. 

What an interesting substance. Unlike watercolour you can re-activate it with water and

it doesn't ruin your painting. I also admire the silky feel of it. Because I wasn't sure how it would

react I didn't use a good brush, but the brush did wash out okay. 

I've heard Schmincke makes the

best Gouache but Holbein does cover black paper well. The trick is to play around with how much water to use. A little goes a very long way.

An oldie.

Linking with My Corner of The World.

'Til next time...

Cultivate your dreams.