Botanical Celebration

I am delighted to have had 5 silk paintings accepted by the Society of Botanical Artists; four will be on show at their exhibition ” BOTANICAL CELEBRATION”. The theme is inspired by the celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jublilee and the Olympics and some of the flowers painted will have some kind of link with these celebrations.

Open 20-29th April 11-5pm every day, admission free. Westminster Central Hall, Storey’s Gate, London SW1H 9NH for more information click here The exhibition will be opened at the Private View by Elizabeth Banks, President of the Royal Horticultural Society. Some of the artists will be demonstrating their painting techniques throughout the exhibition.

Iris spuria Silk Painting (C) Tessa Spanton

The painting above is one of the paintings to go in this show. I am a member of the Kent group of the British Iris Society and was invited to an open day to bring some of my work and to draw some of the flowers on display. I was given a big bunch of irises to bring home which included several different Iris spuria flowers. these are what I used for this silk painting. During the day I drew a Space Ager iris. I chose it because of its unusual appearance. In place of a beard this iris had a little spoon shape emerging from its lower petals.

Strelitzia reginae silk painting (c) Tessa Spanton

This beautiful flower was named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenber Strelitz, Queen Consort of George 111. She was an enthusiastic amateur botanist who helped expand and develop Kew Gardens.

This flower is a favourite of mine to paint. The one in my painting was growing in Madeira and glowed with sunlight streaming through it. It seems to me to have an almost regal bearing with its vivid crown of orange yellow petals.

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Painting at the Mall Galleries

Entrance to the Mall Galleries London

My recently painted Strelitzias (previous post) has been accepted for an exhibition in the Mall Galleries in London. I also have cards and Giclee prints in this exhibition. It is the 150th exhibition of the Society of Women Artists. It will be opened by HRH Princess Michael of Kent on Wed 29th June at 11am and runs until the 9th July.

For more details of the exhibition click here

For more of my silk paintings that have been shown with this group click here

Strelitzia on Silk

It's warm enough to work in the garden. I made a drawing from a photograph taken in January in Madeira. There were lots of these flowers growing outside and I was interested in the way the light was coming through the petals and the patterns made by the light and shade. The silk was stretched on a frame. I have drawn on the silk with a pencil and outlined the flower with gold. I used a clear resist for the leaves.

This is the finished painting having worked on it over several days last week.

Strelitzia regina