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.
* * *
Organizing art supplies. I may send for a small cabinet to further theprocess 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.
'Til next time...
Cultivate your dreams.
6 comments:
I can see you in my mind's eye, Dixie, sitting in the jungle in the middle of the night with the moon smiling at you, your sketch book and pencil in hand, waiting for the "wondrous white flower" to open so that you could capture its beauty. Though I don't suppose you would be wearing a black dress. I would imagine yours would be a beautiful shade of blue. How adventurous and difficult it would have been for a woman in bygone years to travel the world following her dreams. Maybe one day you will fulfil your dream and visit Kew Gardens and see for yourself the paintings of Marianne North.
The details are so amazing in such artistic work. That includes you, my bloggy friend! Thanks for linking up to My Corner of the World.
It's incredible, isn't it, that nothing could stop these intrepid women! Thank you for sharing, I will definitely make an endeavour to learn more about them. I had the most wonderful time taking a peek at your excellent little herbarium. Such a lovely collection. I love your Gouache study, Dixie! You draw the sweetest birds. You are quite an intrepid lady yourself :)
-Soma
Just getting away from family who would have been frowning on such an idea would have been a feat in and of itself. Especially since a women's only option, at that time, was to marry well and entertain guests. These woman are truly amazing!
Margaret Mee's journal is on the way. Can't wait to read it.
Thank you,Betty.
It's always nice to visit your blog and see your wonderful part of the world!
It's all in the details! Yes, I think so too. :)
Apparently, Margaret Mee sent her guide home and stayed all night in the Amazon jungle by herself, with her paint in hand. Imagine! She said she had slept with the Jaguars before. An extremely brave soul!
Yes,I'd love to go to Kew (it's on the bucket list)to see Marianne North's paintings!
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