An Art Fair for Botanical Artists!

I've been thinking for some time that it's about time somebody started running art fairs for those interested in artwork involving plants.

Not necessarily an art fair which is strictly botanical - because a wider range of quality artwork about plants brings in more people - and that, in turn, enables more potential art collectors to see and appreciate botanical art.

It would seem The Garden Museum in Lambeth had the same idea.....

Super Nature is London’s first fair for art inspired by plants
Dates: Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th October 2020
Hours: 10:30 am - 5:00 pm).
Tickets: £5 online and £7.50 at the door.
I'm also guessing there will be a limit on numbers so 'first come, first served"?

It includes artwork being exhibited by 25 participating artists and three workshops. for more details see below

UPDATE: I understand from Sarah Jane Humphrey that she is not now participating and I've written to the Garden Museum seeking clarification re events and artists.

​UPDATE 2: The page on their website has now been updated and the ONLY artists participating in this art fair are:

• Anita Gwynn  
• Fiona Wheeler  
• JamJar Edit  
• Julia Patience  
• Kate Friend  
• Kevin Dutton  
• Kit Boyd  
• Laura Gee  
• Mary MacCarthy  
• Natasha Coverdale  
• Tessa Pearson

which is a CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION on those originally listed when tickets were being sold.

Artists

I didn't see a Call for Entries so I'm guessing that the participating artists may have been invited as there are a limited number and a fairly eclectic mix (including established still life artists) - but all sound artists using a variety of media and approaches to portrait plants.

I also noticed that there were some names I recognised - from the Society of Botanical Artists - and another artist who has work included in my book!

The artists are listed below. Click the link to see their website. I've split them into botanical artists - or at least those who draw accurately and the remainder who are more impressionistic

Botanical Artists / Illustrators
Approximately 25% of the artists are grounded in one form or another of botanical art.

• Penny Brown (see image above) - one of the very few botanical artists who creates cut paper collage 
• Sarah Jane Humphrey (see image above) - an illustrator with a shop in Falmouth. She exhibited at RHS with her Lavendula collection before winning a Gold Medal in the following year. See my review of her book REVIEW: Botanical Art with Scientific Illustration by Sarah Jane Humphrey
• Hannah McVicar - modern botanical artist using multi-media printmaking to illustrate plants in all their forms; nationally known for the work that she has produced for Gardens Illustrated magazine and the RHS.
• Julia Patience - on the SBA Council
• Pamela Taylor  - works in pen and ink; awarded the SBA's Margaret Granger Silver Memorial Rose Bowl for her pen and ink studies of trees.
• Fiona Wheeler - full member of the SBA since 2013. She also exhibits in their annual exhibition.

The Remainder​
Drawing

• Liz Charsley - draws a lot - often in charcoal or pen and ink (she has drawings in charcoal included in my book) - see more of her pen and ink drawings of wild flowers in Dandelion, buttercup, sow thistle

Crafts / Design

• Hannah Brown - Interior designer who produces preserved plants in a waxed wooden frame
• JamJar Edit - specialises in flower pressing and beautifully designed botanically inspired gifts. 
• Alexandra Noble - an award-winning garden designer who creates botanic prints - abstract compositions of flower and foliage combinations.
• Clover Robin - a collage artist, crafter and illustrator who likes nature and all things botanical

Photographers

• Kate Friend
• Kevin Dutton 

Painters

• Jo Aylward - painter printmaker
• Penny Fleet mixed media artist
• Laura Gee - intuitive, abstract paintings which explore colour, emotion and nature.
• Jill Leman - President of the Royal Watercolour Society
• Mary MacCarthy  - painter and muralist
• Helen Riches - oil painter - paints still life (plants) and gardens

Printmaker

• Kit Boyd - painter printmaker
• Rachel Gracey - printmaker
• Anita Gwynn - Monotypes
• Rose Electra Harris printmaker
• Jeff Josephine Designs - Sophie Elms is an illustrator printmaker and ceramicist - with a brand name

Workshops

Abstract Floral and Foliage Painting with Laura Gee
Sat 10 October, 1.30pm – 3pm
Book tickets
Flower Pressing with JamJar Flowers
Sat 10 October, 3.30pm – 5pm
Book tickets
Botanical Drawing with Oak Gall Ink with Sarah Jane Humphreys
Sun 11 October, 11am – 12.30pm
Book tickets

Tip for other artists

If I put the above names into Google, virtually all come top of the page.
​Does yours?