A Celebration of Cape Bulbs

Just like the bulbs featured in our new show, there is more to the art of painting botanical specimens than meets the eye. For one, there are strict conventions to abide to; the artist should include as many aspects of the plant’s natural cycle as possible and the plants should be life-size. Painting autumn bulbs is one step more complicated than painting flowers, leaves or stems, as they take two full, flowering seasons to complete. The artist paints from life, starting with the seeds, leaves or flowers – the parts that are exposed to the sun. Once these have been captured, the bulb is carefully replanted and its life cycle continues. Many months later, after the flowers and leaves have disappeared, the bulb itself is unearthed and painted, thus completing the full cycle of painting the specimen. 

Three of the original botanical works are available as high-quality, signed and editioned prints and they can be ordered in five different sizes. To view the prints, and to purchase them – click HERE.