Story behind the art of Mary Dillon

28th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art & Garden Center

So This is Spring….. Snake's head Fritillary

Fritillaria meleagris

Out of the greying winter the pinks and greens of Fritillaria meleagris emerge. Tremoring with anticipation their curious hieroglyphics tell our stories of life and new beginnings.

These fritillaries are the first plants for my new garden. I found myself drawn to the beautiful kaleidoscope of colors and the intriguing patterns of their nodding ‘snake’s heads’ atop elegant stems. The curving bracts, like dancers’ arms, draw attention back to the play of light through the richly colored petals. …so much joy and delight… so intricate and so fascinating.

Any of us who love plants will share the simple pleasure of dreaming up that space where we can find our peace and nourishment. A space to breathe, to look and listen, to play, to gather with friends and family, to share stories, to enrich our personal resources and of course to find inspiration for our painting. I was compelled to paint these first plants for my new garden.

The natural elegance of my subjects needed very little tweaking to form a sense of dynamism and flow in my drawing. I simply right aligned my composition, allowing my eye to flow in and through and around, so that my eye rested on the unopened little bud, from time to time pausing, as it catches the play of light on the indented undulating surface pattern on the petals.

That little bud is a cutie and a late but irresistible addition. As soon as I drew it, I felt it elevated the painting. In the process of creating a painting, occasionally my choices require me to grasp the nettle and to go for it! On this occasion I was happy I did just that.

My palette was simple, just six colors, cool and warm, of each of the three primaries. My only stipulation was that they were all transparent, allowing me to mix and mingle my way through the vast range of beautiful pinks, rich reds, and deep purples of the flowers with each layer adding value to the one above.

Working in soft layers of controlled wet, damp, dryish and dry paint allowed me to slowly, slowly build from delicate and dilute colors to sensuously saturated deep colors.

So, this is Spring… a time for planting, for new gardens, new paintings, new beginnings, and for gratitude, hope and delight.

Next Story

Back to List

Read more about this artist's work: 27th Annual