Pulcherrima Solum ex Labore (Beauty Only Through Hard Work)

   Last June I graduated from the Botanical Art and Illustration program at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, New York. Many hours were spent back at the drawing board completing my final project. I painted plants that grow in this zone that are used in Chinese herbal medicine. The final project consisted of images of persimmon, Asian pear, aconite and gingko. A fifth image was painted with elements from each plant. The idea for the project began many years ago when I completed the foundational work at the NYBG. When I decided to finally finish my certificate, I enlisted the support for the approval from gifted teachers and mentors. 

      The very first drawing was sketched on a little sheet of 3x5 paper (shown below). The four principle plants were roughly drawn with graphite and colour pencils. Once the concept was established and the project was approved by the director at NYBG, I proceeded to do the five graphite drawings on vellum tracing paper. I am including one of the images in this post, the Gingko. Another round of approval was needed to then proceed to the final painting process for the five images.  The final images were watercolour and color pencil. Once the images were completed they were presented to a jury. After I was passed by the jury, I was then eligible for graduation. 

The day after graduation, there was a small and wonderful miracle that happened. I saw a beautiful botanical image by an artist in Europe. Her piece had been granted an award. When I read about her, I learned that she had just graduated from a program based in England through the Society of Botanical Artists. (SBA). Their website is soc-botanical-artists.org. The moment that I saw the quality of the work of their graduates, I knew that I needed to apply. And so I did, and I was accepted. 

During the period between my graduation from NYBG and my new program in England, I spent many hours drawing and taking pictures from my garden and the East End of Long Island. I also slowly amassed a substantial watercolour paint collection. I have been collecting paints for almost two years, trying the best ones and generously giving each brand and style a chance in my botanical journal.

  

     In January, I had the good fortune of meeting my tutors and cohort in London. I saw them demonstrate their beautiful work. They shared their techniques, gave us guidance on how to proceed with assignments and lent us their sincere encouragement. 

   My first assignments have been shipped to England, and so the new journey for the next 27 months begins. I now draw and paint on average of 2-3 hours a day in addition to attending to my private practice. It will be a big journey but I am delighted to in the company of such skilled professionals and serious botanical artists. 

   

   The moto for the program is 'Pulcherrima Solum ex Labore'. This translates as 'Beauty only through hard work'. This motto is one that I personally live by myself. It is through time, patience and persistence that meaningful and true beauty emerge, and we are rewarded with excellence and inspiration. 

Transitions Toward the Energetics of Spring and New Beginnings

 The days are growing longer and the quality of the light is rapidly changing as we enter the energetic time of early Springtime. While the air has been deeply cold, crisp and brittle in the Northeast, our skin may be drier, our lungs may be feeling irritated, accompanied by a little dry cough, we are at the end of the coldest days. The afternoons are growing brighter as we are entering more Yang and fluid days. We are transitioning from the deep freezes of Water to more buoyant and expansive time of Wood in the Chinese medicine calendar. Buds are beginning to swell and widen, as the earth slowly begins to thaw. It s a delight to see the shockingly beautiful greys, blues and yellows in the refections of the snow and ice.  

   We are entering the time where the body begins to slowly move from the density of the Winter cold  and constriction to the softening of the Wood element. We are simultaneously shedding the year of the Snake and leaning into the year of the Fire Horse. The last remaining shedding is happening now...
and the opening to the newness of the year ahead is palpable. 

   As we turn our attention towards the return to longer days and the excitement of the energy of the Fire Horse, I invite everyone to visit my instagram feed Prettymedicine_press, and Prettymedicine.com where I will be featuring new printed journals, didactic materials and my latest botanical art. 

This past month I began a new botanical art program based in England. It is a twenty seven month program rich with many layers of botanical art, research and assignments that will require dedication and commitment to drawing and painting.  New relationships will be forged with tutors that are steeped in excellence and incredible craftsmanship. 

Please join me as I begin this special new journey and share my botanical art, Chinese medicine, botany and healing while exploring the relationships that tie all of these these beautiful systems together.