Inspired by the flora of the oldest, continually operating Botanic Garden in the United States these illustrative renditions are the result of hours of study. The gardens are one of my favorite haunts when I visit Washington DC, so I always make time to sit and sketch plant after plant in great detail. Once back in the studio it is a favorite pastime to take these sketches and recreate them from memory. The result is a unique version of each flower or stem that reflects my own personal style of art.
I love using my stencils and masks with acrylic paint and my GelliArts® Printing Plate. The combination of paint, stencils and masks makes the printing process simple, yet interesting, and allows me to create prints that offer the illusion of depth and texture. I love the magic that happens each and every time I print using stencils and masks. No two prints are ever the same, something that is refreshing and exciting when making art. These colorful, busy prints make perfect pages in my Pocket Journal and when cut apart into smaller pieces become even more detailed and beautiful.
UPROOTED - BOTANICAL STEM STENCIL & MASK was inspired by the Botanic Gardens room dedicated to herbs, and their medicinal properties-specifically a beautiful oversized sage plant which intrigued me with its large weeping leaves and delicate stems.
GATHERED - BOTANICAL WILDFLOWERS STENCILS & MASKS were inspired by the many rare and endangered plant species inside the Botanic Gardens Conservatory. These dainty, intricate plants begged to be sketched with their interesting roots and delicate leaves, petals and stems. Once home I took what I had studied and combined it with what I knew about some of my favorite plants to create these all new botanicals. Left to right: Uprooted Stem, Giant Maidenhair, Lady Slipper, Wild, Indigo, Columbine, Hartford Fern.
Learn how I use these beautiful botanicals with my Gelli Plate to create gorgeous papers for my journals, collage work, and more, in the free art process video below!
And learn my favorite tips for cutting apart those delicate masks in the video below.
