Visit the online exhibition of works at the Johnathan Cooper Gallery, and see some amazing works by botanical artists including SBA Fellow Fiona Strickland. www.johnathancooper.co.uk
Author: Claire Kathleen Ward
I am a botanical and nature artist based in the beautiful and inspiring scenery of West Wales. I have studied botany, horticulture and field ecology and am a mostly self-taught watercolour, gouache, oil & pastel artist. I have always drawn a variety of subject matter but became hooked on botanical illustration in 2005.
Capturing the beauty of nature, which I feel can be so often overlooked in our busy lives is my intention. I am passionate about the conservation of the native flora and fauna of the British Isles and this is my main focus.
At the moment I am working towards an exhibition with the RHS on the theme of meadow habitats in west Wales.
In 2007 I completed the diploma in botanical illustration with distinction from the Society of Botanical Artists and then became a full member in 2010. I am now a tutor on the SBA diploma course for the 'working in the field' assignment.
Learning Botany
Want to learn more about botany? Here’s a comprehensive 4,000 word ultimate beginner’s guide to Botany and Plant Science by Rachel Brown.
Shirley Sherwood collection
Shirley Sherwood is keeping busy during the lockdown at her home; She is going to be filmed telling stories about all 1,020 paintings in the Shirley Sherwood Collection. The videos will be posted on her website so be sure to tune in and find out more about her wonderful collection. The beautiful painting of a winter bonsai is featured first, and is called Chinese Elm Bonsai (Ulmus Parvifolia) by Jeannetta Van Raalte. You can find more details on the Shirley Sherwood website here at: shirleysherwood.com You can catch up on the videos via Facebook too, with the link below. Shirley Sherwood on Facebook
Plantae 2020
Mall Galleries have now informed us that the gallery is closed with immediate effect (March 19th) until further notice. This is to inform you that as well as ‘hand in’ being cancelled, the gallery has closed until further notice. We do not know what this means for our show, Plantae 2020. Right now it is hard to envisage the show going ahead as so much has to happen before it, but we are just not in a position to say much. So we won’t! We have no more information right now, so are really unable to answer questions, not least as many of us are holed up with vulnerable relatives and or trying to sort out other urgent arrangements. We are thinking of all our… Read more
RHS LONDON
Unfortunately this event has now been cancelled (March 17th). RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show in London is on next month. It’s great to see SBA Fellow Julia Trickey’s wonderful Anemones on the main flyer. Click here for more info and to book tickets. Unfortunately this event has now been cancelled (March 17th).
Yumi Henderson
An announcement from our Co President Billy Showell redarding Yumi Henderson: SBA Fellow Yumi was a bright up and coming star of the botanical world, she was on the cusp of becoming a Fellow of the SBA when she suddenly passed away. The SBA council decided to award Yumi a posthumous Fellow membership to recognise her devotion to the art and celebrate her talent. I knew Yumi well and considered her a trusted friend so her loss has truly shaken me, she was so young and had so much talent still to show us. She was determined and yet humble about her achievements. Many of us caught up with Yumi at the annual SBA shows where she was much loved. We hope you will agree… Read more