PaintingsDIRECT.com - Exhibition

While we may disagree whether or not all life began 'in the garden', we will surely all agree that life would cease to be so beautiful without the plants and flowers we tend in our gardens, and observe in their native habitat. Our mission, and that of our contributing artists, is to preserve that life and beauty in artistic renderings, in our disappearing open spaces, and in our gardens.

This exhibition includes artists who represent plants and flowers in their art. It includes works by Dorothy Churchill-Johnson, Polly Griscom, Susan McGrew, Catherine Ramey, Deborah Sudran and Mary Weinstein-Backer.

From an early age

It is not accidental that our contributing artists have a deep affinity for the plants and flowers that they study and interpret in paintings. Some of them learned about plants and gardening from an early age. Mary Weinstein-Backer tells us "My grandmother was a world class gardener and as a child I worked alongside her in the garden. She taught me the beauty of natural things. When I didn't think that the colors blue and green 'went together', she told me to look up at the sky and then to see the green of the grasses and trees - it was my first lesson in art". Similarly, Catherine Ramey remarks "My memories are full of the smells and images of the extraordinary flowers my mother grew. I contemplated them for long hours as a young child." Some, like Polly Griscom, remain avid gardeners, and "...enjoy others efforts as well as my own in the garden."

Enchantment
(1997)
Mary Weinstein-Backer

Convergence #8
(2000)
Catherine Ramey

The out doors

Unlike floral still-lifes or bouquets that are sometimes unexpected yet often staged, these artists encounter nature's bounty in the out of doors. Dorothy Churchill-Johnson is enthralled by the opportunities she finds in her chosen state. "Moving to California was the biggest influence for change in my work. Santa Barbara has one of the widest ranges of botanical species in the world". Susan McGrew tells us "I develop my ideas for botanical paintings while hiking. I find I am drawn to a specific area and will explore the area repeatedly to view it at different times of the day and under different light conditions". Deborah Sudran finds her subjects within and beyond her home. "I live in New York City, but am able to find the beauties of nature close by in botanical gardens and parks. But my greatest connection to nature is in tropical and desert environments; the forms of nature seem otherworldly".

Hydrangea
(2003)
Dorothy Churchill-Johnson

Rose Grape III
(2002)
Deborah Sudran

Capturing the essence

The process of rendering botanical art in its natural environment is wrought with challenges. Susan McGrew doesn't want her paintings to "capture frozen moments in time" as early botanicals sought to do. She adds "I want them to exude life, movement, growth. To capture this essence on a two dimensional, fixed surface is my biggest challenge." Mary Weinstein-Backer agrees that capturing "the essence of the subject" is her primary challenge. "Nature cannot be duplicated, only interpreted by the artist." As a watercolorist, Polly Griscom "...likes the 'accidents' that happen when one color bleeds into another. Also, it dries quickly and I can add another glaze of color". Catherine Ramey, whose images are the most abstracted of our artists here, adds "Since my work is not a direct rendering, my challenge is in using the devices and strategies of representation towards abstract ends. Like a recollection they have layers with one aspect moving in and out of another. The painting process itself informs the subject".

Coneflowers II
(2000)
Susan McGrew

Flight
(2006)
Polly Griscom

Observe and appreciate

Yet our artists persist, as nature's issue holds more meaning for them than pretty subjects. Dorothy Churchill-Johnson expresses this importance as "The way petals and leaves radiate from their centers is a metaphor for the way the universe was created. Mysteriously, many plants grow according the Fibonacci sequence of numbers". She adds "I feel it's our obligation to the universe to avidly observe and appreciate its myriad forms. If we don't, who will?" Polly Griscom tells us "We are all connected to animal and plant life. I hope my paintings make people more aware of their natural surroundings and hopefully help to preserve rather than continue to destroy our planet." Mary Weinstein-Backer agrees, suggesting "Every day more of our natural resources are being snuffed out by development. I enjoy capturing the essence of the quiet rural life that is fast disappearing".

Matilija Poppies
(1998)
Dorothy Churchill-Johnson

Poppy III
(2003)
Polly Griscom