Recently we went to see a great film called "Painting The Modern Garden Monet to Matisse" at a local film festival. It is the only time I have sat in a movie theatre and scribbled notes - into my phone! My hubbie (DH, Dear Husband)) thought I was being rude and texting people! Afterwards we were talking about the movie and I commented on how much the movie resonated with me and DH said it had given him a greater insight into who I am as an artist - we have only been married for 25 years!! It was nice to hear though.
These are my notes :
"An artist can see a whole universe in a flower" oh, that is so true!!
"The garden has been an underrated theme in art."
"These artists were obsessed with their gardens, and the garden itself becomes an artwork."
"Horticulture links art and science."
"Creating a garden with an artists eye and for subject matter."
The movie touched on "the restorative powers of nature".
Discussed Robinsons book "The Wild Garden" , "allowing plants to express themselves in a natural way."
The artists discussed maintained constant curiosity in the garden.
"Monet lived according to the light."
"Look, look and look again."
"The artists observed patterns of light and colour in their gardens."
Gardens and urban wandering - which includes flowers and plants in local reserves have been a great source of inspiration for me in my work. The above image of work in progress is from a photo at the end of last summer with slightly bedraggled flowers from my garden but nonetheless made an interesting composition.
While I get much inspiration from gardens I don't think I can claim to be much of a gardener!! I would love to have the time to put into creating a garden that becomes an artwork in itself but that might have to wait until retirement..... However I do find that doing gardening does ground me and that walking in nature restores balance for me so I can relate to the comment about the restorative powers of nature.
Constant observation and curiosity in the garden or nature are second nature to me and I am constantly look, look and looking again in many of my favourite spots. Always pushing myself to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, always observing the play of light through and off plants. Always looking for the patterns of light and colour, line and shape in the world around me.
As I write I am reminded me of an art quilt titled "Reflected Light" where Autumn colours are emphasized or accentuated due to the play of light across and through leaves.
While on the subject of gardens, I am booked to have a solo exhibition at the Carlton Gallery, in the Arts Junction at KatiKati, from the 10th Nov to 1st Dec 2024. At the time of booking I was not aware that the Garden and Art Festival is on for four days, 14th - 17th November while my exhibition is open - how splendid is that. Hopefully lots of visitors to the region. My exhibition may even have a garden theme!!
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