Category: Botany

2016 Botanical Art Workshops

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Botanical Art – Painting the flowers and bulbs of Spring

with experienced artist and tutor, Mary Dillon

Tulipa ‘Black Parrot’ WIP,Mary Dillon

 

Friday April 22nd and Saturday April 23rd 2016

Located in Kilkenny city

close to the ring road around the city – with easy road and rail access

(1hr 12mins by car from the Red Cow, Dublin)

Paint in an easy relaxed atmosphere.

Whatever your level of experience, learn techniques to enhance your painting.

Numbers limited to allow for one to one tuition

Subjects will be included

Morning and afternoon refreshments included

Please bring your own materials for watercolour painting

Euro 120

For more information: phone – 087 2224260 / email – dillonmary@eircom.net

Tulipa rococco Mary Dillon
Tulip MD

 

I have been involved in Art Education for many years, both with students in post primary school and in the area of providing continuing professional development for teachers.In 2011 I decided to focus specifically on my interest in Botanical Art and pursued the diploma in botanical art and illustration with the Society of Botanical Artists, graduating in May, 2014 with a diploma with distinction.

In March 2014, I became the founding Chairperson of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists. I coordinated the team responsible for the inaugural ISBA exhibition project, Aibítir, involving over  seventy five participating artists.

In 2015, I was invited to become an associate member of the SBA.

I find teaching botanical art particularly rewarding as it gives me an opportunity to share my skills and to encourage others to see the world of plants in a new and exciting way.

Learning the beautiful art of painting plants!

Published on by MARY DILLON6 Comments

 

What is it about flowers and plants that stirs us, that makes us stop in our tracks to take a second look? Is it colour, form, or the complexity or simplicity of their structure? For many of us, seeing a flower will evoke a memory, bringing us to another time or place.

 

Nasturtium, MD
Nasturtium, MD

 

Sweet Pea, MD
Sweet Pea, MD

 

White Tulip, MD
White Tulip, MD

 

Each of us will have our own personal response to this question. That’s the wonder of what makes us just as, if not more diverse and intriguing as these beautiful objects of interest that capture our imagination. If you are like me and you also love to paint then you too will be compelled to learn the art of painting plants!

 

 

Fuchsia magellica, Deora De, Mary Dillon
Fuchsia magellica, Deora De, Mary Dillon

 

Life throws us lemons every once in a while and happily for me some time ago, just when I most needed a focus, I embarked on a course in botanical art and illustration. For me the SBA distance learning diploma course was a huge challenge, stretching me in ways beyond my expectations. In time, painting botanical art proved to have powers of healing both in body and spirit!

 

 

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Canna ‘Black Knight’ WIP Mary Dillon

 

 

Learning the skills required to paint botanical art was invaluable. Albeit from a distance, I reaped the benefit of constructive criticism and unwavering encouragement from experienced tutors, like Margaret Stevens, Founding Director of the SBA course, among others. Simon Williams became the new course Director in the latter months of my studies, ably forging the way forward for the course.

 

Having spent many years as an Arts Educator both with students in post primary school and in providing continuing professional development for teachers, I firmly believe in the value of face to face tuition. While the SBA diploma course fulfilled so many of my needs, I felt I needed to learn directly from others too.

 

I’m grateful to inspiring artists and teachers, Susan Sex, Fiona Strickland and Robert McNeil for their generosity of spirit marking them out as true teachers. Just as we learn to love from those who love us, I feel we learn to teach from those who teach us.  Margaret, Simon, Susan, Fiona and Robert all belong to a wide group of artists and teachers, whose wish is not just to keep their artistic talents to themselves, but who want to share their experience with others, simply because they love painting and plants!

 
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Botanical Painting Days

In recent times, I’ve enjoyed the privilege of guiding people as they explore this beautiful art form.
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced and keen to learn some new exciting approaches to painting plants in a systematic and enjoyably relaxing way, these days are for you.

Come along and join me!

Where:         Kilkenny City

When:           Saturdays, March 28th, April 18th and June 6th. 10am – 3pm

 

If you’d like to join me for a day painting flowers and plants,

Contact :        +353872224260 / dillonmary@eircom.net

 

 

Painting Tulipa 'Rococo' MD
Painting Tulipa ‘Rococo’ MD

 

‘ Voyage of discovery……!’

Published on by MARY DILLON2 Comments
Tricyrtis formosana, Toad lily.
Tricyrtis formosana, Toad lily.

I was recently introduced to this beauty and commissioned to paint it in all its glory. Tricyrtis formosana or Toad lily is full of interesting features. From its deep magenta unopened buds through to its curiously spotted flowers, its seed head and its magenta marked leaves.

Tricyrtis formosana, Work in Progress
Tricyrtis formosana, Work in Progress

Here are some photos of the work in progress…….

Tricyrtis formosana nearly completed
Tricyrtis formosana nearly completed

Finally….. Ready for its new home!

Detail of Tricyrtis formosana
Detail of Tricyrtis formosana

Mary Dillon           +353 87 2224260            dillonmary@eircom.net.