WHAT IS A FLORILEGIUM?
Historically, a florilegium (literally meaning a gathering of flowers) is a compilation of drawings and paintings which depict collections of rare and exotic species. During the 16th and 17th centuries when new plants were being introduced into Europe from the middle east, artists were often commissioned by wealthy patrons and landowners to record newly discovered species that they acquired for their gardens.
Traditionally, a florilegium (plural florilegia) was produced as a publication, especially as printing techniques advanced and improved, and the time taken to produce the artworks made them expensive and lavish to own.
Today, modern florilegia exist, mostly at botanical gardens around the world and at other significant gardens and places of interest which own unique and important floral collections, as a way of preserving knowledge of often endangered species, and as a legacy for future generations.
WHY DOES LEONARDSLEE HAVE A FLORILEGIUM?
The founding members of the Florilegium approached Leonardslee with the proposal to botanically record the floral collection, after recognising that many species -including some rare and endangered species which are unique to Leonardslee -were almost lost during its seven-year closure.
It became apparent that the recording of such plants would be an important asset and contribution to the rich heritage of the gardens and a way of retaining as much information about the historical collection as possible, in the event of loss or extinction of species.
HOW IS A BOTANICAL PAINTING ACHIEVED?
The Florilegium artists all have the common goals of striving to achieve botanical accuracy and aesthetic qualities in their work and continuing the long tradition of botanical art into the modern age. Their use and range of media is diverse, and includes graphite, watercolour, coloured pencil and uniquely, photography.
It takes many hours of meticulous observational study and drawing to produce initial sketches of the species to make them botanically accurate. Many of the artists produce ‘working drawings’ before composing an illustration which conventionally includes the plant’s growth habit, botanical structures, and seasonal variation. An illustration is then produced using the artist’s chosen medium. Botanical photography involves photographing each element individually before layering them digitally to create a composition. With careful attention to detail and handling of the media, each portrait is brought to life.
THE AIMS OF THE FLORIEGIUM
It is hoped that over time, an extensive archive of botanical portraits will evolve and become a recognised and important collection at Leonardslee, which will also contribute to the remarkable heritage of the gardens.
Additionally, the Florilegium artists aim to expand their presence at Leonardslee by getting involved in events such as holding botanical art exhibitions; teaching and demonstrating the art of botanical illustration and producing merchandise depicting Florilegium paintings for sale in the Gift Shop.
WHO ARE THE ARTISTS?
The painting members currently comprise eight talented locally based botanical artists and illustrators. Many of them have achieved national and international recognition in the field of botanical art, illustration and photography by winning medals at the RHS botanical art and photography shows; contributing work to other florilegia; teaching and writing books about the subject and having their work held in important botanical art collections around the world.
The members form the majority of the original group of artists who were selected in 2018 by Jeremy Knight, then curator of Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, who are collectively known as the Horsham School of Botanical Artists (HSBA). HSBA staged a successful inaugural exhibition at the Museum to celebrate the Horsham Year of Culture in 2019, and to help establish their presence in the local community. Alongside contributing to the Leonardslee Florilegium, the group also seek to exhibit their work at other local venues and to bring to the public’s attention the richness and diversity of botanical art and illustration in the Horsham District.
To introduce you to the artists, you can read short biographies and see examples of their Florilegium and personal work here.
Deborah Crago was born and brought up in Cornwall until studying woven textile design at Loughbourough University of Art and Design and graduating with a BA Hons in 1999. Following a career as an interior textile designer for over 20 years, she now works from her home in Horsham, West Sussex as a floral artist.
Deborah has a passion for flowers, gardens and the environment that is forever increasing and provides her with endless inspiration. Her floral illustrations are all created using either watercolour, pencils or graphite. For Deborah, pencils have always been her favourite medium, and she loves the sheen they create on the paper giving the artwork a luxurious finish.
After exhibiting at Horsham Museum’s ‘A Garden of Botanical Art’ exhibition in 2019, she continues to work and exhibit as one of the Horsham School of Botanical Artists founding members. Deborah has also been a member of Horsham Artists since 2019 and regularly exhibits her work with this diverse group of artists and makers.
With her background in textiles, she still enjoys working with fabric and uses the sewing machine as another means of drawing. She incorporates hand pressed flowers into layers of fabric to create unique and delicate artworks.
Deborah is currently working on her first portrait for the Leonardslee Florilegium: Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree, which will be drawn using watercolour pencils.
If you would like to see more of Deborah’s work please visit her website: www.deborahcrago.com or face book: www.facebook.com/deborahanncrago and Instagram: @deborah_crago
Deborah Ann Crago
Working as a botanical artist in West Sussex, I moved to the Horsham area in 2016 after retiring from my main career in antiques and sales and running my own business for many years. I have always had a passion for watercolour painting and combined with my love of nature and plants, botanical art was my natural choice. I particularly love very detailed work and draw a lot of inspiration from my garden and varied travels worldwide.
I have exhibited in and around Sussex, London and Scotland and have enjoyed sales of my originals, prints and cards in the UK, Europe and New Zealand. In 2011 I completed my Diploma with The Society of Botanical Artists (SBA), and exhibited with them at The Westminster Halls, London. Since 2016, I have been a member of The Association of Sussex Artists and have exhibited annually with them.
Additionally, I have taken part in the Artists in Residence programme at the Horsham Museum and Art Gallery. As a member of The Horsham School of Botanical Artists (HSBA) I exhibited at The Horsham Museum and Art Gallery during The Year of Culture in 2019 and shall be exhibiting at Parham House and Gardens in Summer 2022.
Previously, I was a member of The Society of Floral Painters and more recently have become a member of The Nymans Florilegium. I have completed one painting for the Leonardslee Florilegium; Pseudolarix amabilis Golden Larch and will also be painting Cornus kousa ‘Miss Satoumi’.
My work can be seen on Artists and Illustrators web page: https://portfolio.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/LindaLasham
Contact llasham@hotmail.com
Linda Lasham
Hazel grew up in rural Broadbridge Heath in the 1950s, where painting, drawing and the natural world featured strongly in the school’s curriculum. The watercolour illustrations in Edith Holden’s Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady inspired Hazel to develop her love of flower painting, and today she uses subject matter from the surrounding countryside and her garden, often favouring less glamorous specimens. Later, Hazel further developed her skills attending adult education classes in botanical illustration at Collyer’s College in Horsham, as well as local workshops, tutored by Leigh Ann Gale.
As an active member of Southwater Art Club and the Association of Sussex Artists, Hazel regularly displays work in the annual exhibitions. In 2015, she contributed to Horsham Museum’s exhibition on Capability Brown, and in 2019, at the same venue, she exhibited in “A Garden of Botanical Art” as a member of the newly formed Horsham School of Botanical Artists.
Hazel lives in Southwater, and today continues to enrich her work, exploring new techniques and broadening her knowledge of botanical illustration.
She is currently working on preparatory drawings of the Japanese Citrus trifoliata Japanese Bitter Orange for the Leonardslee Florilegium.
Hazel Barnard
Heather has always loved plants and flowers and grew up in the Surrey countryside. As an adult she was originally taught by Pat Harby, a botanical artist who also produced illustrations for books and cards. Since then, Heather has attended many short flower painting and botanical art classes including three at RHS Wisley. She is a member of several local art groups including the Association of Sussex Artists.
In 2010 Heather was asked by the Horsham Museum and Art Gallery to paint a book of flowers from their Museum garden and she completed this in 2012. She has also undertaken some local commissions; in 2017 one of these was presented to the Friends of Chesworth Farm depicting their relatively new wetland area, and two others were painted papier-mâché animals in 2013/15 that were sold raising money for charities.
Heather obtains enormous pleasure from her painting and recommends art as a brilliant therapy, especially so in difficult times.
Heather is delighted to be currently working on some paintings for the Florilegium at Leonardslee. This is a lovely and exciting project that will take a considerable time to complete. Her painting of Paulownia tomentosa Foxglove Tree in the Courtyard Cafe will be finished after the flowers open in Spring.
Heather Glenny
A professional botanical artist, tutor, and author, Leigh Ann began her artistic career as a graphic designer after graduating from Ravensbourne art college with a BA (Hons) in Visual Communication in 1989. Following a move to Sussex, she took up botanical illustration and in 2004 completed a diploma in Botanical Art and Illustration at the English Gardening School, Chelsea Physic Garden, London. This was followed in 2008 with a post graduate teaching certificate.
Leigh Ann has been awarded medals for her work and has exhibited extensively around the world. Many of her paintings are held in private collections, as well as the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh, USA. She has extensive experience of working with, and contributing artwork to several florilegia, including The Florilegium Society at Sydney Botanic Gardens, Australia; the Hampton Court Palace Florilegium Society and the Nymans Florilegium in Sussex. She teaches a wide range of botanical art and illustration courses and workshops from her home near Leonardslee, and at various locations throughout Sussex, Surrey and south London. With her wealth of teaching experience Leigh Ann is renowned for her encouraging and supportive approach and is highly regarded as a mentor and advisor on the subject. She has taught two members of the Leonardslee Florilegium and is looking forward to teaching at Leonardslee in the near future. She has written two books about botanical illustration published by The Crowood Press: ‘Botanical Illustration – the complete guide’ (2018) and ‘Colour for Botanical Artists and Illustrators’ (2021).
Leigh Ann has played a pivotal role in establishing the Leonardslee Florilegium and is currently painting several species for the archive: Decaisnea fargesii Blue Sausage Shrub, Rhododendron Loderi ‘Game Chick’, Rhododendron ‘Leonardslee Primrose’ and Rhododendron ‘Sussex Bonfire’.
To find out more about Leigh Ann and to see further examples of her work, visit www.la-botanicalart.co.uk and www.facebook.com/leighanngalebotanicalart
Leigh Ann Gale
Suzanne is a keen gardener and grows many of her favourite subjects herself, particularly lilies.
She holds the RHS Silver-gilt medal for a collection of eight heritage vegetables nurtured from seed in her Sussex Garden. Her theme was “Grow it, paint it, eat it”. She follows this practice today feeding family and friends with bumper crops of soft fruit, asparagus and organic vegetables, and cooking and preserving still play an important role in her life.
In her thirties she studied botanical illustration at Flatford Mill under Mary Grierson, the Kew Illustrator, and was taught and inspired locally by Jill Coombs, highly acclaimed RHS Gold medal winner, and the doyenne of Horsham School of Botanical Artists.
Whilst a member of RHS Rosemoor Painting Group in Devon, she was privileged to pick any subject in that glorious garden, each year the best studies going to the RHS Lindley Library. Other work is in Horsham Museum as well as private collections, both in the U.K and abroad.
Recently she has been recording the heritage collection of apples in the Steyning Community Orchard. Of particular interest, amongst other wild trees found along the Victorian branch railway line, is the rare Golden Pippin Apple which originated from Parham near Storrington.
Suzanne is currently illustrating Primula pulverulenta Candelabra Primrose, and Illicium floridanum Florida Anise for the Leonardslsee Florilegium.
Suzanne Merrikin
Helen started botanical illustration classes with Leigh Ann Gale in 2010 and fitted painting around looking after two small children. In 2019 she competed a two-year full-time diploma with the Society of Botanical Artists, gaining a higher credit. Lockdown schooling forced a break in painting, but since September 2021 she has been working on a number of commissions, including a selection of cards for local flower grower, InTheFlowers.
As well as using traditional watercolour paints for detailed paintings and graphite drawings, Helen also works in water-based oils for larger pictures.
Helen will be illustrating Gunnera manicata Giant Rhubarb and Araucaria araucana Monkey Puzzle for the Leonardslee Florilegium.
Helen Andre
My interest in flower and plant photography began when I retired and followed the conventional path of making flower portraits and close up images of both cultivated varieties and wild species.
In 2017 during the process of moving house the discovery of a book, long forgotten, containing several 18th century botanical paintings led me to consider whether the medium of photography could emulate this artistic genre which I have always admired.
Research at the RHS Lindley Library and experimenting with different techniques has resulted in the development of my own photographic botanical style.
In 2018 I achieved the Associate Distinction awarded by The Royal Photographic Society for a panel of 15 botanical prints. In the same year I won a gold medal in the Portfolio Category of the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual photographic competition.
In 2019 I exhibited with The Horsham School of Botanical Artists at Horsham Museum & Art Gallery and my solo exhibition there opens at Easter 2022.
In May 2022 I achieved the Royal Photographic Society's Fellowship Distinction with a panel of 21 prints which explored three wild flower habitats with the intention of drawing attention to the current threat to many species due to climate change, urban development and some farming practices and the need to record these plants before many are lost.
I have further developed my work by creating more complex compositions with wildflowers and grasses and also composite prints depicting a species or habitat.
I have completed three pieces for the Leonardslee Florilegium: Halesia Carolina Silverbell Tree; Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley and Succisia pratensis Devil’s-bit Scabious. I am currently working on Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree.
The elements in all my prints are photographed individually. Each composition can then be created in stages using a layering technique in Photoshop.