selfie art - botanical illustration
selfie art - botanical illustration with watercolours, graphite and coloured pencils.
It gave me a change to develop my skill a little more--a never ending process--am I right fellow artists? It was so refreshing to just do little sketches in my personal book, not for the purpose of sharing it, but, just for myself.
That's right, the Botany Babe has made a self portrait to join the Botany Babes collection. It only makes sense, ha. I feel like every artist has done a self portrait at one point or another for practice or another reason. When I look at it, I do see myself but I see the atmosphere it creates. I feel like I've walked into a garden and... become part of it. With plants, flowers, leaves, stems, petals swimming around me.
This art piece I turned into a digital download for my Etsy Shop. Click here or on any of the pictures to get a closer look and get one for yourself.
Bedroom Makeover - my dream bedroom
I had done nothing with decorating my room for the longest time -- THREE YEARS, can you believe it? So, I realized it was time to do something about that, and make it as botanical as my imagination. Yes... I wanted it with ivy and lights... I wanted to feel like I was outside instead of in. Maybe quarantine got to me, would you agree? Enjoy the video, comment what style or colour your room is, I'm curious to know! Maybe yours is green, too.
VLOG of an artist - Me!
Vlog. Cleaning routine. Grocery shopping. Laundry. Working for myself while working a full time job. Artist on the side, with a cup of inspiration. Too cheesy? Well, watch the video. It's less cheesy. Or, is it?
If you want to support me as an artist, visit my Etsy Shop. I make my botanical portraits into digital downloads so you can print them for your home or gift them to family or friends.
month long flower art challenge
#ABACHALLENGE2020
From October 1st to November 21st 2020 I was working on this art challenge created by my mother. There were 26 flower pieces in total, one for each letter of the alphabet. A for Apple Blossom, for example. Take a look! I'll be adding these flowers to my Etsy Shop soon so stay tuned, my friends.
Studio Makeover Tour
Studio MakeOver Tour
I've been busy as of late revamping my home, which includes the studio I create my artwork in. I'm happy to share the process from beginning to end with you. I took footage of me taking down my studio furniture and decorations, painting and redecorating with new artwork. Have a look and let me know what you all think!
work in progress art, cannonball tree flower study, draw with me
Get a glimpse into the behind the scenes process
of making my most recent botanical portrait!
From the graphite pencil to the pencil crayons,
you get to see the piece being created from start to finish.
Get the digital download here.
Review my last post on this website to view
the botanical writeup for this cannonball tree study...It's something you don't want to miss.
cannonball tree study
The Tree that Speaks a Thousands Flowers
Written by Sarah and Bethel
Beautifully fragrant. Vibrant in colour. Intricate in design. With the power to heal.
We know it as a cannonball tree; it's scientific name is Couroupita guianaesis.
Merci, monsieur J.K. Aublet, from Sarah and Bethel. For he was the one who made the discovery of this significant tree in 1775. Because of him, we are now able to learn about the tree today and reap its benefits.
Think of the cannonball tree as a grand fortress protected by spherical, woody fruits. When the fruit matures, it falls to the ground and makes an explosive noise as it cracks open, unexpectedly letting out a foul odour beyond anything imaginable. The smell does entice animals, however, who willingly eat the pulp that comes out. Later, they propagate the seeds so that another tree can grow elsewhere. Without this fruit, the tree wouldn't have its name. Why? The fruit holds the shape and size of a cannonball. And some say, as the fruits hit one another on a windy day, it simulates the sound of a cannonade.
Just as its name speaks a thousand words, the tree blooms around a thousand flowers, every single day! The flowers grow straight from the trunk itself in clusters, which can be up to twelve inches in length, roughly the size of your forearm. The individual flowers resemble a small painting by their assorted colours--ranging from soft yellows and occasional reds on the outside, to crimson or lilac shades on the inside. In contrast to the fruit, the flowers emanate the sweetest aroma, which many even use for perfumes. This pleasant scent allows humans and bees to appreciate them, even with the absence of nectar.
Encased within the flower is a ring around the style, which contains the fertile stamens. From this ring, there is a curved extension that loops around. Growing from that prolongation are the staminodes and antherodes, which are yellow. The colour, along with the fragrance of the antherodes, attracts bees so they can gather the sterile pollen to feed their larvae. While they do so, their backs rub against the fertile stamens from the ring. Once the bees carry this pollen to another tree, this assists with cross-pollination.
As with anything worth our attention, seeing it less makes us appreciate it all the more. On that note, this tree is deciduous; a seasonal bloomer. It's native to Central and South America and is a member of the Brazil nut family. It grows particularly well in rainforests and humid areas. If given direct sunlight, it can reach up to around forty metres tall, adding to its beauty and pure magnificence.
Besides the visual artistry, fragrance and grandeur of the tree, it also has the capability to heal. Many parts of the tree play a role: the bark, young leaves, and the inners of the fruits. Accumulatively, it can cure colds, treat malaria and skin ailments, soothe toothaches and disinfect wounds.
All in all, without this tree, we'd be missing out on a feast for our eyes and animals would be missing out on a feast for their stomach. Bees would have one less resource to feed their larvae. Other plants and trees wouldn't benefit from the pollen. No one would have known what such a horrible odour from the fruit and what such a beautiful fragrance from the flowers would smell like. But, most importantly, we'd be suffering all the more if we didn't have this treatment for our injuries and ailments. The cannonball tree evidently serves many needs, all the while doing it in style. Just remember one thing... Don't stand under it while there is fruit on the tree. Otherwise, watch out for falling cannonballs.
If you wish to get a digital download of a cannonball tree flower, click here.
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Thank you, how Sweet the Sound for allowing us to come together!
botanical beauty
Wild Flower Botanical Portrait
This piece is rather significant to me. Why? It was the starting point of my entrepreneurial journey of creating Botany Babes. The concept, style, idea of all the other pieces in my shop have stemmed from this one piece!
How it was made? I started with softly sketching the portrait. Then, it was shaded with different graphite pencils. Flowing around the girl, I knew there had to be something beautiful--in came in the delicate flowers. The light watercolour wash was added after, and I enjoyed watching the pigment gently flood areas of the page. To finish it off, pencil crayon was applied to add contrast and depth to the piece. And, there you go, with a signature written in, the piece was done.
When was it made? This botanical portrait was hand drawn in my sketchbook a few years back when I was in high school. My parents taught me artistic skills from a young age, which therefore turned my pastime into a passion by the time I reached teen-hood. I remember creating the piece with inspiration, all the while hoping that one day, not only would I get to enjoy the finished product, but others, too! Now that's possible.
What inspired it to be made? This piece gives me an outlet for two of my greatest passions, that of art and nature. Incorporating botanicals allows me to express my interest in nature artistically. It is a way to remind myself and others that there is always beauty to be inspired by no matter our circumstance.
What's the story behind it being made? The flowers I watercoloured weren't just from any ordinary picture. These were actually referenced from flowers that grew at my Nona's house. I simply had to take a snapshot--to take the beauty with me when I left. Every time I go back and visit, I still see them in the same pot, bringing me back to the first time I saw them.
All in all, this was the piece that started this journey of mine, was a pleasure to make, holds a part of my past, inspires me to look at the beauty in life, and combines two of my greatest interests into one. And, now, it is my pleasure to have made it into a digital download, so that you may carry it with you on your own journey, whatever it may be.
botanical decorations
gathered a few inspiration items
from my botanical friends online shops!
spring is here, let's remind ourselves
by decorating our homes with these floral decor items
during this quarantine.
the links for each item are below.
enjoy, my fellow nature lovers.
1 - Botany Babes
2 -
9 - Creations Manu
art print - botanical portrait
available for download.
this new botanical portrait is available for download in my shop!
i created this by hand originally in my sketchbook using watercolour and graphite pencils.
then i scanned it in and edited it precisely. it is now a 5x7 piece that you can purchase and print to decorate your home, or hang for inspiration in your studio!
quality quarantine
stay botanically busy inside,
my fellow nature lovers.
we can't go out,
so bring the flowers in!
enjoy the moodboard below...
if you want them, get them online.
- links below -
1 - pictureskphotos
3 - Damlarose
5 - Botany Babes
7 - Sister Organics
8 - Oh Sew Sew Co
share it with others.
floral frenzy round-up
floral frenzy
fresh spring ideas
it's time for spring colours and florals!
we may not be able to go shopping at stores
during this quarantine life of ours.
but nature is only one step away.
here's a collection of items
for those nature lovers out there.
be prepared for springtime everyone!
rosa chinesis. the "flower pick with me" series.
this one originally grew up in southwest china. throughout the years, its shown its true potential. yes, it does more than inspire beauty on its beholder.
it has come to the rescue for those in pain many times. how? it treats sprains, wounds, arthritis and even cancer. full of vitamins, it is a healthy, nutritious one.
now that you've come to know its personality and profession, you must desire to know what such a powerful flower can look like. without it being persuaded, it naturally becomes a busy shrub. but, with a little motivation, it can climb ten feet tall on its strong branch of a purplish hue.
the flower itself blooms into an intense pink, with delicate yet determined petals reaching out as a group. a few leaves accompany each flower for support.
it likes being in the spotlight of the sun in springtime, but can do with a little shade. no matter the soil of its upbringing, it thrives. one would say, a fairly easy going flower.
that's all for today but...hey, if you're a true botanist and want a copy, go and get it to hang in your own home!
let the botany babes begin.
A N N O U N C E M E N T
The day has arrived.
Botany Babes has officially launched!
P R O C E S S
December has been filled with creativity in preparation for this moment.
The original art you've seen me make is now available for you!
I've scanned in each piece, edited it precisely, and uploaded the files to my shop.
You can now print out and hang your favourites in your own space.
B U N C H O B O T A N Y B A B E S
Want to be part of the Botany Babes family?
On Instagram, post what the Botany Babes art pieces looks like in your home!
Be sure to add #bybotanybabes to the description.
W H A T H A P P E N S N E X T ?
My plan is to use this platform to research botanical studies
for other nature nerds like me out there to enjoy.!
for other nature nerds like me out there to enjoy.!
Want to learn more about the name behind the business?
Check out the "behind botany babes" link at the top of the page.
Thanks for your support!
Have a good time shopping around.
Find me on instagram and subscribe to this website.
I'll keep you updated on the news!
Ciao, my fellow nature lover.
botany babes
"Human nature. Delicate yet strong."
original artwork. pencil. watercolour. pencil crayon.
made digital. scanned. edited to precision.
ready for you to print and hang in your own space!
online shop opens JAN 2020.