JOYFUL GRATITUDE #197
Recently I came across an event called A feminists’s guide to botany, and since those are two of my favourite topics, I was intrigued. At closer look it turned out to be an online botanical painting session, so I signed up as it sounded like a good opportunity to dust off my watercolours.
On the evening it was scheduled, as it got dark outside, I dug out my paint brushes, watercolours and thick paper, then covered my desk with some newspaper and settled down with a cup of tea.
The first half hour was an introduction about two women botanists of the 17th and 19th century, focussing on their art and how they evolved in the times when they lived. Forget boring art classes from high-school, this story-telling was captivating, nuanced and full of humour. I was so inspired by the tales of these bad-ass women who didn’t take no for an answer and went on to achieve ground-breaking work.
The second part of the session was dedicated to several short exercises with watercolour to loosen up, practise ‘really seeing’ our botanical samples and the negative space around them, playing with colours and learning some basic watercolour techniques. As the pace was quite fast, moving from one exercise to the next, there was no time for my inner-critic to come along and comment on my skills. Time flew by, I was in flow and really enjoyed experimenting with colours and techniques that were new to me.
It was a lovely way to spend the evening, the perfect Artist date, and I look forward to part 2:) The London Drawing group has a lot of different events coming up that you can join online, you can check the program here.
Cultivating joy 
I just looked it up and it sounds like a fantastic event for those who love plants and watercolour. I know absolutely nothing about different types of painting brushes or painting styles, but I love how people can still find a way to do and learn things together while living in isolation. Paying what you can for the session was a nice touch, too; there are so many people that struggle financially because of the COVID. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 😀 Aiva
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Aiva, yes it is great that this course is available online to people near and far. I think in non-COVID times the class takes place in the Kew Gardens in London (another garden that is on my travel dream list!), but I’m very grateful to have been able to experience it online:-) Also as you say the sliding scale for payment makes it very inclusive ❤ Take good care, Fanny
LikeLiked by 1 person
From your description, that sounds like a wonderful evening. Now I’m going to click on that link. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! Yes it was a great evening, it’s very inspiring to see creative people sharing their knowledge gifts with the world! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did they talk about Beatrix Potter? Her botanical illustrations were amazing. https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/07/28/beatrix-potter-a-life-in-nature-botany-mycology-fungi/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Euan! This session wasn’t about Beatrix Potter, but thanks for sharing the Brain Pickings link, I had no idea about her life story! Her mushroom illustrations are beautiful and so well done, and I love that she persevered and self-published her book because she knew what she was worth!!
The women we heard about were Maria Sibylla Merian (also linked to here : https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/09/18/maria-sibylla-merian/) and Marianne North (https://www.botanicalartandartists.com/about-marianne-north.html). They were prolific and determined, and travelled the world when women weren’t supposed to go on adventures… so inspiring!
LikeLike