Florum 2016

Its that time of year again for florum. For details see below or to see a selection of some of the artists' works click here and go to the galleries.

I have 7 paintings in this exhibition along with prints and cards. 

Iris 1 silk Painting (c) Tessa Spanton

I have done 2 silk paintings of this iris, this one is heading East to florum and the other is heading West to Somerset.

 The Still Pond, Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park
   watercolour (c) Tessa Spanton

 Mayfield Lavender watercolour (c) Tessa Spanton

Here they all are waiting to be packed in bubble wrap.

Florum 2016
Exhibition of botanical and floral works and landscapes with flowers in various media by invited artists

10 - 17th September 2010 Open daily 10 - 5

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3DH

The Reserve is off the main A25 and is well signposted. Follow the track past the Riding Stables and bear left when it divides. Continue as far as the Wildlife Centre where there is ample free parking.

There will be works in different media including watercolours, oils, mixed media, etchings, machine embroidery on painted silk, silk paintings, coloured pencils, jewellery etc. and different styles and subjects including botanical, floral and landscapes.
62 different artists are taking part, many of them professional artists or tutors and over recent years nearly £10000 for the work of the Wildlife centre has been raised from sales at the exhibitions.

Right next to the centre there is a garden, a bird hide with information about birds and a lake as well as more extensive walks to other lakes and hides. Ideal for a family visit or for artists wanting to work en plein air!

The visitor centre where the exhibition is shown has displays illustrating the prehistory and history of the site, the creation of the nature reserve, its habitats and the wildlife which they support.Visitors can handle all sorts of 'treasures' such as nests, feathers and thirty-thousand year old mammoth teeth.

Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park

Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park   watercolour 11x14 (c) Tessa Spanton

This painting was commissioned as a wedding present. The proposal had taken place in the Isabella plantation and the couple are shown in the painting.
I have painted in this beautiful place and taken may photos there over the years. I first discovered it when I was teaching at White Lodge in Richmond Park. (The Royal Ballet school's lower school.)

In April and May bluebells, camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons put on a splendid show. Candelabra primulas grow by the streams and there are wafts of scent from some of the azaleas.

When I did the painting the bright colours had gone and the trees were bare. I went there to watch people strolling along the paths to help with placing the figures in the painting.
It was a pleasure doing a painting of this lovely place to mark such an important milestone in this couple's life.