As a botanical illustrator and painter, I have spent much of my professional life working on illustrations that are plant-based. My artwork has been included in over 45 books, numerous garden magazines, an herbal calendar, wallpaper, and note cards. I continue to work on such projects when presented, while also working on more serious botanical paintings and teaching.

Plant taxonomy—the science of naming, describing, and classifying plants—provides the structure scientists use to understand and communicate about plant diversity. Lauren’s article traces the history of this science and shows us how it influences and informs our botanical artwork today.

Ann Wood has had a long career in the arts. Seeking the opportunity to move into a more personal direction, she was inspired by paper artwork that she saw on Instagram. “I thought that this was really interesting and I might as well give this a try.”

NESBA members gathered for a weekend of learning, creativity, and connection at the 2nd Annual Retreat on Cape Cod.

As artists, we often come across references to the related concepts of Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Mean. What do these terms mean, and are they useful in creating botanical artwork?

NESBA member Jan Boyd’s article defines these concepts and shows the ways they can impact our understanding of plant structure and growth. She points out how these concepts can impact our botanical artwork in a useful way.

NESBA member Bobbi Angell is an ardent admirer of the artwork of Rory McEwen. She first saw her work in 1982 at the Staempfi Gallery in New York. She was so impressed by his paintings on vellum that she asked for his address and wrote to him. He wrote back....

Learning to keep a nature journal led me to discover botanical painting, and a sketchbook is still an important and enriching part of my artistic process. When it came time to pick a subject for my botanical art research paper, my interest in the origins of the sketchbook led me on a deep dive into Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci…

It was a chilly March weekend on Cape Cod when a group of talented artists gathered to enjoy a weekend of creativity, workshops, camaraderie and food.  NESBA had its first weekend retreat in Harwich in a light filled space at 204 Sisson. 

The Internet has so many resources that we as artists can use to locate new practices and review old ones for our botanical art journey.  The problem is honing in to find exactly what we want and also to make new discoveries…

It’s three o’clock in the morning sometime in April in the 1970’s, and Maryrose Wampler is sleeping soundly in a tent somewhere in a state park in southern Indiana.  She has an ax under her pillow, just in case…