Worldwide Day of Botanical Art - May 18th 2018

by Larissa Gill May 02, 2018 2 min read

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.

View these exhibitions or visit a botanical garden or park near your and create your own botanical art this May.
Tag us on facebook @GranthamsArtDiscount or Instagram @artdiscountuk

Cover Image: © 2013 Joan McGann,Arizona Barrel Cactus

Larissa Gill

Also in ARTdiscount Blog

Arts and Culture Events in 2022

by Catherine Peters January 12, 2022 7 min read

Art art events art exhibitions Artist arts and culture blog articles creative events Events

EVENTS & FEATURES

We are all more than ready for creativity and inspiration this year. To help you, we have begun collating Arts & Culture events that are happening during 2022 (continually updated) we hope this gives you plenty of opportunities to quench your creative thirst!

An Artists' Guide to Charcoal

by Ellie Jakeman January 06, 2022 0 min read

artists charcoal charcoal charcoal artists Charcoal Pencils Charcoal Set Compressed Charcoal Liquid Charcoal Powdered Charcoal Soft Charcoal willow Willow Charcoal

Compressed charcoal was developed in the 20th century to strengthen the natural structural weakness of Willow and Vine charcoal. To create compressed charcoal or charcoal pencils natural gum or wax binder is added to powdered charcoal. This makes the charcoal stronger to draw with and produce less dust. Many grades of this compressed charcoal can be found in stick forms or in the form of charcoal pencils.

Artist Interview: Tim Muddiman

by Catherine Peters January 01, 2022 4 min read

Artist artist interview Artists contemporary artist

Tim Muddiman is an English artist, musician and creative. In his own words, Tim's work is "an exploration of the human condition through contrasts: strength and fragility, depth and height, colour and monochrome"and has been described as 'hard-edged, abstract and contemporary' Tim takes us through his journey from successful musician to Professional Artist.