Botanical Art Worldwide Exhibition

Botanical artists from countries around the world will join together to curate simultaneous exhibitions of botanical art to raise awareness of the rejuvenation of this art form and bring attention to plants and their importance to humanity.

Banksia sessilis - parrot bush © Vicki Lee Johnston

The second Botanical Art Worldwide Project will focus on and celebrate biodiversity in the crops that have been closely associated with the human species over thousands of years.

Botanical Art Society Australia Worldwide info

We have chosen to focus on botanical art pieces showcasing the beauty and cultural significance of native plant species that are Bush Foods, Medicinal and Utilitarian Plants.The Botanical Art Society of Australia has focused on First Nations' uses of plants. 'Bountiful Botanicals'.  

My chosen subjects include the Banksia sessilis - parrot bush. This extraordinary shrub is indigenous to Western Australia and we have quite a few outcrops in the hills of Perth where I live. It was never a favourite of mine due to the painfully prickly leaves - I would never have chosen to study, draw and paint it as we would complain about it when walking in the native bushland. After having spent quite some time researching its history and integral uses as an indigenous food source, I drew (pardon the pun) to really love this very important native plant.

I really took my time with observation, drawing, especially colour studies to ensure I was able to capture light, shadow, form and contrast - I usually paint subjects with colourful flowers - in this case the shrub itself is quite insignificant looking in the wild but I wanted to show how incredibly beautiful a plant could be when you look closer and see the many elements.

I am working in a new studio and it took some time to get used to the light and space.

Working carefully to portray this plant in a pleasing way to ensure the subtle shades and tones of green, cream and yellow found a way to create contrast and depth.

I tried my usual method of converting a photo of the artwork to neutral tones to ensure there was a satisfactory amount of contrast for interest, detail and wall appeal.

Banksia sessilis  - parrot bush - © Vicki Lee Johnston

I completed and scanned the finished watercolour paintings and submitted for jury consideration to be included in the Australian exhibition, 'Bountiful Botanicals'.  

I was extremely grateful to learn this artwork and another painting of Santalum acuminatum - quandong - had been accepted and were to be hung in Canberra at the national exhibition.  My quandong painting was also chosen to be exhibited virtually at the worldwide galleries on Worldwide Day of Botanical Art.

Santalum acuminatum - quandong - © Vicki Lee Johnston

Bountiful Botanicals
Exhibition info above

Sneak peak of the Worldwide Video series of chosen artworks

Botanical Art Worldwide video

A little footnote to this blog post ... the opportunity to observe, study, create and complete a watercolour botanical artwork is extremely finite and time consuming.  For most botanical artists it truly is a labour of love - a love of nature, science and a love of art.  

For me,  it has been especially poignant as since I completed these paintings  I have not been able to draw, paint or use my hands for much at all for many months due to both wrists being fractured after a fall and limiting most functional abilities.  I am finally getting movement back in my hands and wrists and although I may need future surgery - I am very excited to think it may be possible to draw and paint again!  I'm not sure the art will be as detailed or finite as these for a while - maybe it's time to try more loose work to get my hands working again.  If you've managed to read this far - thank you - I often wonder if this blog is being read but it doesn't really matter as it was and always has been a visual diary for me to reflect on my art journey over the past years.  I hope it has been able to show how it's possible to try anything at any age as long as you have curiosity and wonder in this unique world.

Botanical Art Worldwide 2025

Thank you!

Vicki Lee Johnston 

Pimelea physodes - Qualup bell

 

Pimelea physodes - Qualup Bell 

Recently I returned to my art studio inspired after finding two sought after Qualup bell specimens from a local native nursery.  I have always loved these plants and they were on my wish list to paint but being endemic to specific regions sparsely located at great distance in Western Australia they were very difficult to study and illustrate without being in situ.

Having found the plants I set to work carefully observing all the colourways - which were many - probably why I’m so attracted to them, as well as their showy nature, despite being somewhat ordinary looking when not in flower.

I began by colour matching the the bell shaped flowers to ensure I was happy with my portrayal and then set to work adding fine watercolour layers, taking care to work with a more dry brush approach to create the feel of a filmy somewhat transparent petal or bract.

I had been working seated in the conservatory area as I had really spread out to study the plant, however I found it was taxing on my neck and shoulders when I was painting in a seated position.

I moved back into my art studio to my usual standing desk option and it was so much easier and more comfortable to paint and work closely for longer periods.  I highly recommend using a standing desk or sit to stand option as it is easier to move about and not get stuck in an awkward position.

I took regular breaks and brought the artwork into another room to check progress alongside the real subject in different light.  I find it's a good habit to look at the painting in different rooms and alternate lighting situations to create a more balanced

I had underestimated the level of work involved in painting the myriad of leaves, so it became much longer working period to enable me to meet the emerging  deadline.

 I finished the first watercolour layers of most of the painting and then spent a couple of days adding depth and finer detail.

Thankfully I managed to complete the Qualup Bell with very little time to spare before having the artwork scanned and entered into a prestigious botanical illustration exhibition in Melbourne.

Qualup bell - © Vicki Lee Johnston

I was very happy to be notified that my botanical illustration of this amazing plant had been selected for the The Art of Botanical Illustration in Melbourne (TABI 2022).  I then set to work ensuring the paper was perfectly flat by dampening the back and resting under heavy books, it worked beautifully and the artwork was ready to be framed.

I very much appreciated the local framer, Angela at White Room Studios, who managed to help me meet the tight interstate deadline before sending the framed artwork across to Melbourne. 

  Thanks also to my sister in law who presented the artwork to the gallery on my behalf,  which was very much appreciated.  Perth in Western Australia is a long way from anywhere and it gets very expensive to be included in the national and international exhibitions, however with  great support it can be possible.

 

For those also at great distance and unable to attend the gallery in person you can view this beautiful exhibition of botanical artworks by national and international artists online for a short period.

https://tabi.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org/

The 16th Biennial The Art of Botanical Illustration (TABI 2022) run by the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is on show until October 2nd at Domain House Gallery in Melbourne.

Eucalyptus macrocarpa watercolour artwork ...

Mottlecah WIP  -   © Vicki Lee Johnston

Time to update the blog with a painting completed for an exhibition - thanks to the challenging year we had in 2020, many botanical art exhibitions have gone online, which is still a lovely way to explore and buy art -  especially for those at great distance from the usual venues.  

I know from my own experience, living so far from the art exhibitions makes it very expensive to participate with hefty shipping costs.  I welcome this new way of sharing art and enabling many more to come in contact with art in all forms.

My choice as a botanical subject for  'The Art of Botancal Illustration' was Eucalyptus macrocarpa - mottlecah.  It came about as I pass this unique small tree almost every day on my walks.   It is a wonderful subject, especially being endemic to Western Australia and I have strong memories of being fascinated with the life cycle in my childhood in the country.   It usually looks a bit scraggly and leggy but when the tree produces pods and burst into flower it is a showstopper.  

Layering the leaves and developing flowers and buds
© Vicki Lee Johnston

 It is quite a tricky colour to capture, a kind of grey blue greenish hue ... different in all lights but I decided to show the transitions of colour to highlight how interesting the leaves are as the light hits them.  The flowers are very fiddly and this is the first time I have used masking fluid in a painting, took a few practice efforts and now I may just be a convert!  It certainly widens the field of subject choice for the future.

 

The seed pods are powdery silver grey, clutched tightly to the stem of the shrub.  Once the flower is spent it becomes such an interesting subject to observe and illustrate, woody and architectural, full of nooks and crannies and so much character!

Ageing seed pod coming to life 
© Vicki Lee Johnston

 

Building the depth © Vicki Lee Johnston

Scanned the large artwork and digitally sent to Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
"The Art of Botanical Illustration"

Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

The Friends of the RBGM is a wonderful organisation and there are many varied activities, support for botanical art and illustration and a wonderful synergy with the natural world.  Sincere thanks to the organisers of this beautiful exhibition, my fellow botanical artists and hoping there will be many more opportunities for art to be viewed around the world in an online platform.

 

Thank you for joining me again on my blog, it is a visual journal for my art progression and started back at the beginning almost ten years ago.  I hope you find the time to create - it's food for the soul!

Rose Mallee ...

Rose Mallee - © Vicki Lee Johnston

It has been ages since I posted a blog update but sometimes I think we need to allow the process to find its own flow ... it should never be forced unless it's a commission or exhibition deadline but in terms of communicating in a social way sometimes less is more while you get your bearings.

The great thing about the creative process is being able to find a community that supports and encourages without constant expectation.  I belong to a few art societies which are very welcoming and always communicate upcoming projects, exhibitions, publications and invite participation wherever possible, despite where you are located.  One such project was run by the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to celebrate their recent silver anniversary.  

As I am a Member of the ASBA, I was invited to contribute to their publication by painting a subject within the theme of 'silver' whether it be silver leaves, silver in the name of the plant, etc.  I wasn't going to participate due to a very busy calendar and overseas travel at the time, but on one of my road trips I came across the Eucalyptus rhodantha, Rose Mallee, which happened to be in flower on the roadside.

It is a beautiful small tree, if somewhat scraggly and messy at times - however once it comes into bud and flowers - wow, it's a showstopper.  It's endemic to my region and seemed a perfect subject to choose to paint considering the glaucous silver blue leaves and powdery grey buds .... just right for the job description at hand - and especially meaningful being an artwork portraying a West Australian native plant published in an international publication.

WIP - first layers of paint going on ...

I realised once again I had put myself under the pump time wise, as was due to travel within days so I decided just get it done, I loved the subject and once all the colour studies were done, I really hurried the layers of silver grey/blue on the leaves and started building up the shadows to create depth and form.

The powdery greyish silver was a joy to paint, keeping in mind less is more and only painting the shadows and a very subtle silver grey hue.  I then added the raspberry red of the flower, trying to show the light and shade to highlight the details and finally the minute details of the stamen.  The photos are very poor due to me working late into the night.  I had three days from start to finish to complete the painting, which is probably a good thing to avoid overworking.

Probably the most difficult part for many artists could often be the technology associated with exhibiting, publishing and showing artworks.  Being able to photograph, scan, convert files, edit, then ensure you have met the technical criteria for a publication, as it could end up less than complimentary to your work if the colours and light are off.  Fortunately all deadlines were met and the artwork was sent digitally to the society and able to be entered into this beautiful book celebrating their members, their art and the society as an international and inclusive organisation.

It was a few months before the book was published and it took quite a bit longer to reach Western Australia.  It was published in limited numbers, so somewhat of a collectors piece and I am very grateful for my edition.

Excuse the poor quality photo, not easy taking a pic from a glossy book ... but you get the gist! 

For further information here is the website for the American Society of Botanical Artists:

https://www.asba-art.org/

I have a number of artworks in the members gallery - which reminds me, I need to update that too!  Never ending tech alongside art and creation ... guess it keeps both sides of the brain in tune!

https://www.asba-art.org/member-gallery/vicki-lee-johnston

Rose Mallee - © Vicki Lee Johnston 

All artwork and images © Vicki Lee Johnston 2020

Botanical Art Worldwide ...

Santalum acuminatum - Quandong © Vicki Lee Johnston

Australian artists were invited to submit for the Australian exhibition of the Botanical Art Worldwide initiative, to be held in Canberra in May.  

This exhibition is featured in a Worldwide Day of Botanical Art on May 18.

Botanical Art Worldwide website

Our Botanical Art Society of Australia  sent out expressions of interest a long time ago and I had made a choice for the native plant I wanted to paint as my submission.  I thought I had plenty of time and did my research, notes, planning etc ... only to find that when the plant came into flower we had a lot of very late storms and inclement weather - my only available flowering subjects had been battered by the high winds and heavy rain.  I realised because of my insistence on painting this subject that I was now left with very little available - the deadline was looming and I had to choose another subject quickly.   Back to the drawing board ..... literally!

My lovely Quandong bush has fruited for the first time!

It was during a gardening session on our property that I discovered our Quandong had begun fruiting for the first time since planting!  We planted this tree five years previously after another artwork assignment for the SBA - a part of my diploma portfolio.  Here is the first quandong artwork and the backstory. I had bought the small plant to study the leaf structure and growth habit.  Once I had finished we planted the shrub with its host plant (it is hemiparasitic) .    Being a desert quandong, it was left alone to do its thing and I checked on it frequently but until this time, five years on, it had not fruited.  I couldn't believe my luck.

Some of the bounty!

I was so happy to see the fruit, it can be quite tart and fleshy with a large brain-like nut inside, however I really love the quandong (or native peach) taste as I am quite partial to tart rather than sweet fruit.   I have to admit I ate the majority of the fruit, we had around forty and they were delicious!  Full of goodness and not to everyone's taste which is fine by me!

 Quandong can be eaten alone, added to sweet or savoury foods and contain vitamin C, the nuts containing complex oils and are a valued ingredient used by our indigenous people.  They are now becoming more widely used in high end restaurants and catering.

Because of my easy access to the plant, I was fortunately able to stage

my subject right in front of me to quickly study and draw.

On to my painting ... after the initial excitement of having my very own indigenous plant subject right in my back yard, I set to work very quickly drawing and composing the artwork.  I only had a week from start to finish, with no room for error.  Despite the rush I enjoyed working with this subject.

I was also lucky to have my sketchbook from the SBA course and found my old study pages for reference.  This really helps with colour selection and shortcuts a lot of the time spent colour testing.

First washes on the leaves ....

Bringing in the fruits ... starting with yellows, greens, oranges and reds

Gradually building up the layers of colour with the yellows, greens, oranges, reds and mapping out the stems and branches.

Getting a bit messy!

I like to look at my almost completed works from different angles, to check the liveliness, tones and form of the artwork so that it looks like a real subject viewed from all sides. 

Once I was happy I scanned the original artwork myself and also managed to get a professional        scan done.  As this artwork was to be submitted online to the jury via digital entry, the professional scan was the better option.  This took a few days and once ready it was sent off to be judged. 

 The judging took a couple of months and I was very happy to be notified that my artwork Santalum acuminatum - Quandong had been selected to be shown in the Flora of Australia exhibition.  It will be held in Canberra at the Ainslie Arts Centre from May 18 until May 27.  I will post another blog update as a reminder closer to the opening.

BASA information

Once I had been informed that my painting was chosen, I had some months to get it fine tuned and framed.  I always struggle with framing choices but usually go for something neutral.

So many choices!

This time I decided to coordinate with the native plant aspect by choosing a wooden frame which blended in with the colours used in the stems and branches.  Once the framing was completed I had now run out of time and it was straight to Pack and Send to head off to Canberra!

Childhood memories x

This painting has truly been a labour of love!  So many memories attached to my subject choice and the artistic experience reminded me of the plant itself, the difficulty struggling to germinate and flourish and the time taken to come to fruition.  Worth the wait for sure ...

On its way to Canberra

All images © Vicki Lee Johnston