Melinda Edstein Australia
FIRST TIME RHS EXHIBITOR
Why botanical art? I had taken art in my junior years of high school, and had enjoyed it, but hadn’t pursued it since. My mother was a very keen gardener and I have inherited her interest in plants. Botanical art combines my love of science, art, and nature. Mediums: I started my journey learning to use watercolours, which is the more traditional medium for botanical art. However, I don’t think my personality suits the free- owing techniques required for the medium. My teacher suggested I try coloured pencils, and I have never looked back. Favourite owers or plants to paint or draw? Australia is full of unique plants and owers, many of which are threatened. For these reasons, our natives are my favourite subjects. The downside is, most of our owers have very complex structures, making them quite a challenge to draw. How long do they take? I am often asked this, and I don’t have a denitive answer. I usually spend weeks on a project, sitting at my desk for hours each day. However, life does get in the way; I am often interrupted. The importance of the RHS show: It is a great honour to have work exhibited here. To my knowledge, it is the only exhibition of its kind in the world and is the highlight of my artistic journey.