Erythrina lysistemon - Sacred Coral Tree Drawing

Botanical artists illuminate what current global societies are dramatically experiencing: significant imbalances in our relationship with Nature.* My botanical fine art and plant portraits are situated at the nexus of art and science**, and use both artistic freedom of expression plus the requirements of botanical science, to produce images of exacting realism and poetic beauty. The verdant slopes of the Eastern Cape's Amathola mountains and vast dry expanses of the Great Karoo were childhood inspirations urging me to observe, draw and model. Above our farm garden-oasis a vast crystalline blue sky, sometimes bursting with cumulus-headed thunderstorms of spectacular drama. Dusty earth and shimmering skies - primal textures, scents and light. Nature's forms and vibrating colours are my guides. Especially the powerful sculptural qualities of a blossom or seedpod. Drawing attention to exquisite metaphors for our own, transient, Earth presence in the face of man's unbalanced exploitation of nature. I focus on rare, often endangered flowers and plants living on our planet, magnifying fascinating tiny details. Aided by photographs, I portray these on canvas in translucent oil glazes or on paper in watercolour and powdery coloured pencil. I adore thick, luxurious, handcrafted paper or fine linen canvas made in traditional mills. With pure, organic materials, and cured during natural drying processes, my painted oil surfaces develop a supple luminance resisting crackling. Varnishes are satin/matt or dammar/glossy. My work is based on drawing, is slow and artisanal, uses the very best materials and strives for technical mastery. I care about beauty, detail and sophistication - just like nature. Artisanship allows me to position my gift of seeing the outer world differently - as a way of living and being, ​engaging tactiley, physically with the world. As an ordinary person wanting to do extraordinary things, my artistic purpose​ is to develop a powerful body of work that leaves a lasting impact on viewers. I attempt a poetic, drawn commentary on the originality of natural forms.