Selected Irish Artists for Éireannach Exhibition (Botanical Art Worldwide #7)

 The judges have chosen paintings of 48 native plants - indigenous to Ireland - painted by 43 artists for the upcoming Éireannach exhibition organised by the Irish Society of Botanical Artists - and part of the Botanical Art Worldwide initiative taking place in May 2018. (For more details of this initiative see the note at the end of this post)

The names of artists whose work has been selected are listed below along with the names of the plant they have illustrated in terms of:

• the English common name
• the Latin name
• the Gaeilge Planda

The images included are scanned and cropped from the artists' paintings and are provided with their permission. Many thanks to the ISBA for their co-operation with this blog post.  

In addition

• the website of the artist is embedded in the name (if available)
• a short profile is provided (if available online). 
• Botanical artists who also contributed to the 'The Heritage Irish Plants – Plandaí Oidhreachta Exhibition are indicated by an asterisk *

Exhibition details are as follows:

• Venue: National Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland 
• Dates: May 5 @ 10:00 am - May 27 @ 5:00 pm
• Admission: Free

An open day is being held on the 18th May which will feature painting demos, a ‘tour’ of the wildflower paintings by Zoe Devlin, renowned wildflower expert and the mentor for the Irish project, and a chance to meet the participating artists.

The Steering Committee for the exhibition comprise: Zoë Devlin, Yanny Petters, Jane Stark and Lynn Stringer. They have received assistance from a number of the other participating artists.

Large-flowered Butterwort, Pinguicula grandiflora, Leith uisce, by Holly Somerville

If I've made an error in any of the profiles below, I'm happy to revised and correct if notified - please contact me

Hazel Beehan

• Marsh Thistle, Cirsium palustre, Feochadán corraigh

Janet Bockett *

• Marsh-marigold, Caltha palustris Lus Buí Bealtaine

Developed a strong appreciation of the natural world as a child and was encouraged to paint plants. More recently and since retirement, has been inspired by the botanical art of Patricia Jorgensen and has pursued her studies with her. Contributed to the 'The Heritage Irish Plants – Plandaí Oidhreachta Exhibition.

Fionnuala Broughan *

• Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, Sceach gheal

Background in botany and geology and writing about nature. Fionnuala began drawing plants, trees in recent times.

Ann Burn

• Wood Anemone, Anemone nemorosa, Lus na gaoithe

Heather Byers

• Cowslip, Primula veris, Bainne bó bleachtáin

Contributed to the 'The Heritage Irish Plants – Plandaí Oidhreachta Exhibition.

Marcella Campbell

• Great Willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum, Lus na Tríonóide

Michael Campbell *

• Bloody Crane's-bill Geranium versicolor Crobh stríocach

BFA (1976) Southern Illinois University. Certificate and Diploma in Botanical Art from the School of Botanical Art at Denver Botanic Garden. Participated in a number of botanical exhibitions in the USA. Member of the Irish Watercolour Society and the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society

Giulia Canevari (Facebook)

• Hazel Corylus avellana Coll

Born in 1986 in Milan. Diploma in Illustration and Multimedia Animation, IED Milano and subsequently worked as a graphic designer. Came to Ireland in 2012; based in Dublin and inspired by nature, environment and ecology. Studied botanical art with leading Irish botanical artists in recent years. Involved with NCAD Community Garden in Dublin 8 

Grainne Carr

• Elder Sambucus nigra Trom

Betty Christie *

• Wild Carrot Daucus carota Mealbhacán

Graduated with First Class Honours from the Belfast College of Art and Design in 1975, followed by an Art Teachers’ Diploma in 1976. Taught art. Lived in Belfast for over 40 years, but her work is still influenced by her rural upbringing, in Limavady, Co Derry. Also a member of the Arts’ Society of Ulster, the Pastel Society of Ireland, the Water Colour Society of Ireland, the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club. Exhibited extensively and internationally and won many awards for her art.

Janet Colgan *

• Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia Lus an dá phingin
• Navelwort Umbilicus rupestris Cornán caisil

Jo Cummins (Facebook)

• Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris Lus an sparáin

Diane Davison

• Ash Fraxinus excelsior Fuinseog

Sally de Bromhead

• Red Clover Trifolium pratense Seamair dhearg

Marie de Lacy Clancy

• Crab Apple Malus sylvestris Crann fia-úll

Mary Dillon *

• Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Féithleann

Diploma with Distinction, Society of Botanical Artists, 2014. Founding Chairperson of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists 2014. Elected member of the Watercolour Society of Ireland. Elected Associate Member of the Society of Botanical Artists, UK. Has exhibited her botanical art internationally, most recently in San Francisco, Madrid, Frankfurt and London. Teaches botanical art. Awarded Gold Medal and Best in Show in Botanical and Floral Art at Bloom, Dublin, 2016, and a Gold at Bloom, 2017.

Shevaun Doherty * (Facebook)

• Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra Mínscoth

Diploma with Distinction, Society of Botanical Artists 2012. Works as a Botanical Artist, Natural History Illustrator and Art Tutor. Founder member of ‘The Irish Society of Botanical Artists. Also a full member of the Society of Botanical Artists and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. Has exhibited her botanical art in Ireland UK, Egypt and at the Botanic Gardens in Frankfurt and Madrid. Taught internationally including a workshop at the American Society of Botanical Artists National Conference. Designed the cover image and logo for The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Won Gold Medals for her botanical artwork on vellum in the Botanical category at Bloom Botanical Art in Dublin (2014, 2015, 2016). Won Gold Medal and Best Painting in Show (Botanical category) at Bloom 2017.

Noeleen Frain *

• Ragged Robin Silene flos-cuculi Lus síoda
• Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis Magairlín na stuaice

An Irish artist and Calligrapher based in Dublin covering a wide variety of subject matter.

Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis, Magairlín na stuaice, by Noeleen Frain

Niamh Harding Miller *

• Hart's tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium Creamh na muice fia

Honours graduate of NCAD who paints a variety of subject matter

Tim Hatatip

• Thrift Armeria maritima Rabhán

Ann Kane *

• Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus Crobh éin

​Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, Crobh éin, by Ann Kane

Mary Killion *

• Wild Pansy Viola tricolor ssp. Tricolor Goirmín searraigh

Tara Lanigan O'Keeffe *

• Sea Bindweed Calystegia soldanella Plúr an phrionsa

Essentially a plantswoman and gardener who came to botanical art as a way of recording the growth of plants. Based in Co. Kerry with family connections to Wexford. 

Siobhan Larkin *

• Bramble Rubus fructicosus Dris

Won Gold Medal and "Best in Show, Botanical Category" at Bloom 2015. Winner of Best in Show for Botanical Art (for the second year ) and a Gold Medal at Bloom 2016. She has also exhibited at the 15th International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration at the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh, PA. 

Sarah Lewtas

• Sea Holly Eryngium maritimum Cuileann trá

Claudia McManus *

• Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Caorthann

Sandra McTurk

• Strawberry-tree Arbutus unedo Caithne

Ida Mitrani * (Facebook)

• Sessile Oak Quercus petraea Dair ghaelach

A Turkish born French artist living in Dublin, Ireland since 1997.

Elaine Moore Mackey (Facebook)

• Foxglove Digitalis purpurea Lus mór
• Round leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia Drúchtín móna

Studied  English & History at UCD and initially worked in the Pensions and PR Industries, Latterly introduced to Botanical Illustration at IADT in 2013/14 and completed a course at the Burren College of Art in 2014. Studying for her Distance Learning Diploma in Botanical Art with the Society of Botanical Artists (London). Has exhibited with ISBA and at Bloom Botanical & Floral Art Exhibition 2014, 2015, 2016 

Patricia Morrison * (Facebook)

• Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus Caor chon

Began painting in her late thirties and went on to study Botanical Watercolours with Wendy Walsh. Inspired by her artwork, she determined to specialise in Botanical Portraits. The OPW recently bought her painting Our Four Seasons - a map of Ireland full of flowers for its collection. The painting was a winner in the Winsor and Newton Worldwide Millenium Art competition/exhibition. 

Helen Noonan *

• Bush Vetch Vicia sepium Peasair fhiáin

Rita O'Mahony *

• Primrose Primula vulgaris Sabhaircín

Yanny Petters * (Facebook)

• Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca Sú talún fiáin

Yanny paints plants in County Wicklow in Ireland. She works exclusively from life, either in her studio in Glendarragh, Newtownmountkennedy, or in the midst of plant habitats. She paints using oil and water colours, draws and produces fine art nature prints. She also specialises in Verre Églomisé, or painting on glass, an old and rare technique which she has developed to suit her plant portraits. Her paintings are in a number of important collections including the Dr. Shirley Sherwood Collection at Kew Gardens, London, and the Office of Public Works in Dublin. As well as ISBA she is a member of Visual Artists Ireland, the Water Colour Society of Ireland and the Dublin Painting & Sketching Club.

Oonagh Philips *
Maidenhair Fern Adiantum capillus-veneris Dúchosach
Learned to love the wild flowers along the lanes of Donegal when she was growing up. Became even more interested in plants while living in East Africa in the 70s. Volunteer gardener in Central Park, New York when living there in the 90s. Completed the Certificate in Botanical Illustration offered by the New York Botanical Garden in 2002

Liz Prendergast *
Blackthorn Prunus Spinosa Draighean
Lives in Dublin. First degree in History of Art and Archaeology and an MA from University College Dublin. Also a Fine Art student at Crawford School of Art, Cork. She has been a full time botanical artist for a decade and her work is widely collected and sells internationally. She is a founder member of ‘The Irish Society of Botanical Artists’. She exhibits on the East side of Merrion Square most Sundays of the year – weather permitting. 

Nayana Sandur * (Instagram)
Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp. fuchsii Nuacht bhallach
Graduated in Computer Science Technology andorked as a Software Engineer in India before moving to Limerick, Ireland in 2008.  Became interested in painting botanical subjects using watercolour and had her first solo exhibition in 2012 at the University of Limerick. Since then, has been a regular participant in various annual exhibitions held in the country and offered demonstrations for Limerick Art Society. 

Susan Sex *
Marsh Helleborine Epipactis palustris Cuaichín corraigh
One of Ireland's foremost botanical artists - based in Dublin. in 1996, she had a solo exhibition in the National Botanic Gardens which sold out. She has won three RHS gold medals (2000, 2001, 2002) for her paintings of orchids. Awarded the Jill Smythies Award for excellence in botanical illustration by the Linnean Society in 2010. She designed the definitive series of An Post's ‘the wild flowers of Ireland’ postage stamps. She has also illustrated Brendan Sayer's book about Ireland's Wild Orchids.

Joy Shepherd
Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca Peasair na luch

Helen Simmons

• Harebell Campanula rotundifolia Méaracán gorm

Holly Somerville *

• Large-flowered Butterwort Pinguicula grandiflora Leith uisce

A very experienced botanical illustrator with an MA in Botany from Oxford. She has extensive experience of drawing plants from herbarium specimens and was based in the herbarium of the Botany Department of Trinity College, Dublin. Commissioned to draw new illustrations for the 7th edition of David Webb’s ‘An Irish Flora’. She has also done extensive botanically correct pen and ink drawings for researchers at Trinity College and other universities around the world which have been published in papers for various scientific journals.  Gold medal at Botanical Art in Bloom 2017. Member of the Water Colour Society of Ireland

Jane Stark *

• Lords-and-ladies Arum maculatum Cluas chaoin
• Common cotton grass Eriophorum angustifolium Ceannbhán

A botanical artist living in the west of Ireland.  Jane graduated from Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Canada and worked in graphic design and natural history illustration in Canada, the US and Ireland, specialising in high quality publication design. She is a founding member of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists and curator of the annual Claregalway Botanical Art Expo, held in conjunction with the Galway Garden Festival at Claregalway Castle. She is also artist-in-residence at the Castle. Jane also enjoys teaching botanical art and drawing and runs regular classes and workshops in the Galway area.

Common cotton grass, Eriophorum angustifolium, Ceannbhán, by Jane Stark

​Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, Airgead luachra, by Lynn Stringer

Lynn Stringer *

• Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria Airgead luachra
• Yellow Horned-poppy Glaucium flavum Caillichín na trá

Botanical artist living and working in Co. Wicklow. She regularly holds botanical art classes on  Mondays in the the Booterstown Parish Centre, South County Dublin. Exhibits botanical art with the Watercolour Society of Ireland. She attends Plant Fairs around Ireland with original artwork for sale.

Alison Walker

• Water Avens Geum rivale Machall uisce

Studied Art and Design at the University of Ulster then went on to specialise in the History of Art. She completed her PhD in 2005. Completed  the Society of Botanical Artists' Diploma course in 2017.

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Botanical Art Worldwide: 
​Selected Artists - Other Countries
​

​​​You can read the equivalent posts about other countries contributing to the Botanical Worldwide Art Exhibition below

• USA - Selected artists for America's Flora (Botanical Art Worldwide #1)
• Brazil - Selected artists for Brazil's Botanical Art Worldwide Exhibition (BAW#2)
• New Zealand - Selected New Zealand artists for ‘Ngāi Tipu Taketake - Indigenous Flora’ (Botanical Art Worldwide #3)
• UK - Selected UK artists for 'In Ruskin's Footsteps' (Botanical Art Worldwide #4)
• Scotland - Selected Scottish artists for 'Flora Scotia' (Botanical Art Worldwide #5)
• Canada - Selected Canadian artists for 'Art of the Plant' (Botanical Art Worldwide #6)

Do please contact me if you'd like this sort of blog post listing for the selected artists for the Botanical Art Worldwide Exhibition in your country. 
Botanical Art Worldwide - more information

​​​For more about the Botanical Art Worldwide initiative you should view

• EITHER the dedicated Official Website  which has comprehensive information about the purpose of the exhibition and exhibitions in other countries
• OR the official Facebook Page 
• OR the World Wide Exhibition of Botanical Art 2018 page - on this website - which has brief details about all the exhibitions on ONE page