{ botanica 2016 }

Alpinia zerumbet - Shell Ginger. 700 x 930mm (framed). $2800

Banksia baueri - Woolly Banksia. 700 x 930mm, framed. $3000 (sold)

 Banksia in progress

 Ginger in progress

The two pieces before heading off for framing

I'm pleased to share these two paintings with you that were selected  for hanging at Botanica 2016. Shown annually, Botanica is Australia's leading contemporary art exhibition and is open for the month of April at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney. The exhibition has been running for 17 years, and attracts artist from across Australia and internationally, too. It is considered one of the foremost of its kind; so it's a real honour to have my work hung there is such esteemed company. 

This year, the theme for the exhibition was drawn from the site where the seeds of colonial Sydney's first farm were sown - what is now the Royal Botanic Garden. I chose to capture one of the plants that was brought to Farm Cove with the First Fleet - the shell ginger - as well as a species that is native to the area, the woolly banksia. 

The exhibition is open till this Sunday 1 May, at the Lions Gate Lodge (in the Botanic Gardens). Entry is free. All artwork is for sale as well - contact the exhibition curators and organisers, the Foundation and Friends on 02 9231 8182.

{ some recent work }

Detail of ‘Deep Garden’ 

Detail of ‘Moreton Bay Fig' 

 ‘Deep Garden’ in progress... many veins in those frangipani leaves!

‘Deep Garden’ - 90cm x 120cm (framed)

Work-in-progress shot - these leaves took many, many layers from deep purples and browns through to fresh greens

 
The final piece, 'Moreton Bay Fig' - measured 104cm x 74cm (unframed)

It's been a long time between posts - but I wanted to share a couple more larger commissions I've completed over the last few months. 

I have really enjoyed working on both of these pieces. It always begins as quite a challenge to compose these larger ones as the realism of the shadows and light is important to me; however it is inevitably difficult to find my 'real' references moving and fitting in the shapes I need! But of course these are the joys of art-making and why I love getting up every day to a new and different challenge. 

I will post again soon!

Pip x