Book extracts

Botanical and natural history art are all about capturing the found object; first seek your object. The finding can take place anywhere, but the treasured found object is the one in your own home or garden. The found object will reflect its life, used, affected and then renounced by nature, and like us, its imperfections are part of its story. The painting of the object in detail gives rise to a perfect imperfection.

The act starts within. It may be on a journey, perhaps on a lonely stretch of road, passing verges with hints of white (snowdrops in winter), chalky pale yellow (primroses), deeper shades of mustard (cowslips), sharp blues (bluebells), magenta (foxgloves), soft dilute blues (harebells), sunny yellows (toadflax)….. these are the flowers of the nature table of childhood; the flower names carrying myths and legends of the natural kingdom...”

It was the setting that sold the whole property. It was the garden that sold the cottage. It was the red-berried holly that sold the garden. The cottage sat in the middle of one half of the plot. The plot is 3.5 acres, bisected by a shingle drive. As we approached slowly we looked either side of the drive, deeply curious. This was a place that we have driven past innumerable times. We liked the setting. There was no need for us to drive along the lane but we did. The situation opposite the church seemed special; a place for contemplation and reflection. That this very place was now available, open and possible seemed beyond belief...”

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