Take time to appreciate autumns bounty

Posted:28 October 2011

All of us love gardening and our gardens, but are perhaps sometimes guilty of not actually enjoying our plants!  And it’s usually all about time (or lack of) isn’t it?  It’s hard enough to find a few hours every week to keep on top of each season’s work (especially now as we try to put the garden to bed in advance of damaging wind, rain and frost!), let alone time to look closely and appreciate the autumn’s beautiful hips and berries, fruits, seedheads and grasses…

Well, at the recent Garden House workshop on Botanical Drawing, led by Leigh Ann Gale, a small group of us did just that.  We slowed down, sharpened our pencils, focused closely on the detail and beauty of various hips and berries found in the Garden House garden, and thoroughly enjoyed a day just drawing…

Leigh Ann is a professional botanical artist.  She holds a diploma in botanical illustration from the English Gardening School, Chelsea Physic Garden; is a member of the Society of Floral Painters and was invited to join the Hampton Court Palace Florilegium Society as a fellow member.  She now has five paintings held in the royal archives.  Do check her website www.la-botanicalart.co.uk

Her work is, not surprisingly, quite amazing.  She is also an excellent teacher, with the most exacting eye – and masses of patience as she guided and encouraged our hesitant amateur markings!

As ever, Bridgette and Deborah provided the most delicious lunch (and glass of wine!) the day was crisp and sunny, so lunch could be enjoyed out in the garden a real autumn treat.  One participant, Angie, said “I so enjoyed my day with you recently on the botanical drawing session, hard to believe it was the middle of October and we were able to eat outside in your lovely garden.  Such a relaxing day, thank you!”

Leigh Ann is now a regular on The Garden House workshop schedule – her next workshop will be Friday 27 July 2012 – definitely one for the diary!