Worldwide Day of Botanical Art - May 18th 2018

Artists around the globe are inspired daily by the natural world. Native flora speaks volumes about where you live; it's not just bland vegetation.  Each region has something unique to offer, from the shape and texture of the foliage, to the colour of the flowers.

Worldwide Day of Botanical Art is May 18th, to celebrate these plants 25 countries are showcasing an exhibition. Here in the UK we're privilege with two exhibitions based on native species:  “Any wild plant indigenous to a country, including natural hybrids, but excluding any cultivar, man-made hybrids and naturalized exotics."

Scottish Botanical Art Collective (SBAC)
Currently has an exhibition titled Flora Scotia at John Hope Gateway at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
All artwork is by Scottish residents too; including Edinburgh based Sharon Tingey who's (below) spiny evergreen shrub you may be have seen in the wild, with its bright yellow flowers in early spring.
Exhibition open daily from 10.00 am — 5.45 pm, and will run until 3rd June.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) © Sharon Tingey. Watercolour on paper 2017.

Association of British Botanical Artists (ABBA)
Launches their exhibition titled In Ruskin's Footsteps at Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster.
Open from 18th May to 8th June. (See below)

John Ruskin was a Victorian art patron and watercolourist who immersed himself in many subjects, including, politics, architecture and botany. Leading the way in social thinking at his time.
The below piece is by Mally Francis, of a Babington’s Leek (yes it's edible) native to the Cornwall coastline, these unusual plants can reach 6ft which must make it a challenge to paint! Mally is also the Eden Project Botanical Art tutor and runs art courses at the enchanting Lost Gardens of Heligan.