New beginnings

I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember, and my interest in plants and things Botanical has been ever present in my life.   When I married, my first home, a small flat in the centre of town, was dubbed Kew Gardens by my family and friends, who would battle the profuse growth of herbage to come visit.

Despite my interest in plants and painting, it was only a couple of years ago that I had the opportunity to think about a course to hone my skills.  The most relevant courses were full time and/or based in London, neither of which were suitable to someone based in Wales with family commitments.  It seemed distance learning was the best option, but how to find a really demanding course?

 I did a few short Botanical Painting courses at the National Botanic Garden of Wales and found I really enjoyed the discipline.  And of course, that was when I broke my arm, just above the wrist.   The left arm, the hand I write, draw and paint with -naturally.

There's nothing like having an incentive to make you do your physio, and once I was getting full movement, the real work started.   I had to teach my fingers how to hold and control paintbrushes again, and not drop them all over the paintings or flick them to the floor!  After six months of Kolinsky Sable brushes flying all over my studio area and unexpected daubs of paint landing on my artwork, I felt ready to do the Introduction to Botanical Illustration weekend course at the same venue and found that it was like coming home.  I wanted more!
 
Researching courses online, I found a post by Katherine Tyrrell, on her Making a Mark Blog, about the artist, Shevaun Doherty, painting carrots in the middle of the Egyptian revolution.   And that's when I learned about the Society of Botanical Artists.  It was like being struck by lightning.  I had to apply for a place on the SBA Distance Learning Diploma Course.   I rummaged through my paintings for something half-decent and sent off the letter of application with a sample of my work.

The Sample sent ot the SBA - Bindweed Study

I didn't tell them about my arm, just sent in my application and hoped they'd accept me on the course.   And after a long wait, I received the offer of a place.   My Botanical adventure had begun.