Botanical Illustration

Botanical illustration is one of the most intimate forms of art. It involves a close relationship between the artist and nature in a bid to catch the personality as well as the anatomical detail of plants. I have spent many years painting landscapes outdoors in the south of England and in Scotland where I work quickly to catch the moving light, shapes and colours. Botanical illustration reinforces this pleasure by giving me a close insight into the life that makes that countryside, revealing its beauty in the fascinating detail. Through this process I have seen things that are not visible in the fleeting image of a camera and I have learned more deeply about the value of nature. Botanical Illustration has a long tradition throughout our discovery of the world. Through its many demands on botanical knowledge, observation and technical skill it will remain for me the most rewarding approach to understanding and recording the plants around us. I paint from life, never use photographs and work purely in watercolour on paper.

Solo Exhibitions

Oxford Playhouse, Oxford, UK, June 1986 – Exhibition of watercolour landscapes
Amulet Arts Centre, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK 1996 – Exhibition of watercolour landscapes

Group Exhibitions

Sadler St. Gallery, Wells, Somerset, UK, 1995-2000 – seasonal group exhibitions
Somerset Arts Week, UK, 1994-2006 – regular group exhibitions every 2 years
Yeovil Arts Centre, Yeovil, Somerset, UK, 2001 & 2004 - 2 group exhibitions
Sheffield Open-Up, at Hangingwater Studio, Sheffield, UK, 2001-2006 – annual group exhibitions
Royal Horticultural Society Show, Westminster, London, UK, Jan 2005
South Mull Art Exhibition, Isle of Mull, UK, 2005
Glengorm Castle, Isle of Mull, UK - Summer Exhibition, 2006
Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, USA, Sept 2007- 12th International Exhibition of Botanical Art

Awards

Royal Horticultura;l Society Gold Medal, January 2005

Teaching & Painting

I have been teaching landscape and still life painting in watercolour for 18 years. I currently teach in and around Sheffield, undertake commissions and have many paintings in private collections. The Hunt Institute in Pittsburgh, USA recently purchased a painting for their permanent collection.

Qualifications & Memberships

BSc University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, Botany & Geography, 1979
City & Guilds Further & Adult Education Teachers Certificate. 1992
Certificate in Botanical Illustration, University of Sheffield, UK, 2003
Member of Florelegium Society, Sheffield, UK
Member of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA)

Contact

Original works, prints and cards are available for purchase. Signed limited edition Giglée prints are produced on Hahneműhle photo rag 308gsm paper and the printing inks are guaranteed lightfast for 75 years.

email: holleybotanicals@yahoo.co.uk
For more images see http://www.hangingwater.co.uk