Botanic art is an incredible intersection of both art and nature,
and it is a refreshing break from the the fast-paced,
technology-driven world which I had been part of.
Many industries are now valuing AI derived speed and shortcuts. Botanical art is about as far away from that world that you could be. It instead values stillness and deep focus: hours spent closely observing a subject, translating its form onto paper. To me, it feels healing and it's a practice I think everyone could benefit from.
There are surprising parallels between maths and botanical art that have perhaps drawn me to each field. Both require precision, patience and sustained focus (instead of spending hours over a single maths problem I now instead spend it drawing a single flower!). Both fields appeal to me due to the absence of technology and their pen-to-paper nature.
Since discovering the world of botanic art, I've studied in Melbourne under various tutors and I'm now developing my own portfolio of work in multiple mediums which I'm keen to share with you!
From a young age I loved art and drawing flowers! However, my perfectionistic style of art wasn't so suited to the more expressive style encouraged at school so I drifted to focusing on other subjects instead.
I therefore took an unconventional pathway into professional botanic art. I studied maths at Oxford University and continued on to do a masters there too. I then spent 4 years working as a software developer. While doing all this I put my passion for art to the side, other than the occasional floral doodle while I thought about maths or tech problems!
After struggling with burnout from years of intense study followed by full-time work, I took a year out to travel to Australia. There, in my first week, I stumbled upon botanic art classes at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. I was blown away by how the style of art I loved was an actual field, and I felt my doors open!
Hi! I'm Beth.
Some of the materials I use.