Crocus 
Olivia Roses 
Tulip Section Biography
I was born in 1951 and have always loved drawing and painting. Early memories are of painting by number kits and spending every lunchtime at school in the art room. My ‘A’ levels were Art and Sciences and I studied Zoology and Botany at university. I worked as a research scientist and primary school science teacher, returning to painting once retired.
How I work:
I strive to copy the perfection of nature, it’s never even close, but amazingly the brain and eye helps fill in the gaps. You have to enjoy the process, the journey and the hours spent applying the paint, witnessing how the colours spread and develop.
I work from observation, something must capture my eye, and use reference sketches, photographs and ipad, preferring small brushes to control the watercolour. I ‘feel’ my way around the subject, like a paw and get lost in pushing paint around. You don’t have to make it up, it’s there. Going for a walk, rotating the work, taking a break, can clear a painter’s block.
Recently I have experimented using different backgrounds and reflections. A contrasting, energetic background can create a synergy with the main subject and make the whole thing more alive. I search for the complex and unexpected.
Website: www.janicegazetas.art
Exhibition History
2023 Society of Botanical Artist Exhibition Plantae 2023 at The Mall Galleries, London.
Received SBA Exhibiting Excellence Award for the Most Innovative Composition for 'Canna Lily'
2022 Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition Plantae 2022 at The Mall Galleries, London
2022 Botanical Art Agency Of Korea, 8th International Botanical Art Exhibition, South Korea.
2021 Botanical Art Agency of Korea 7th International Botanical Art Competition and Exhibition South Korea
2021 Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition Plantae 2021 online
2021 Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours 209th Exhibition at The Mall Galleries London and online
2020 Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition (online)
2020 Society of Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition Plantae (online)
2019 Became a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists
2019 Society of Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition at The Mall Galleries
SBA St Cuthbert's Mill Award for ‘Wisteria’
2018 Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition at The Mall Galleries
2018 The Richmond Magazine “Glorious Richmond” Art Competition: One of top ten finalists
2017 Society of Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition at Westminster Gallery