Story behind the art of Eunhae Jenny Lee
28th Annual International
American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art & Garden Center
Mixed Natural Flowers
Tropaeolum majus, Taraxacum platycarpum, Oxalis cv., Trifolium repens, Argyranthemum frutescens
On the way to my Seoul studio, I pass a small office in front of which are several potted plants. One large, old pot always catches my eye. Though it seems neglected, it overflows with life—each season brings a new set of plants that bloom freely, almost like wildflowers. Their unplanned beauty always makes me stop and look closer.
One early summer day, I noticed a few small nasturtium flowers blooming in that pot. I began taking photos of them each time I passed. Their delicate presence attracted me. Hoping to one day turn them into a piece of artwork, I started studying the photos. When I zoomed in, I was amazed to find other plants growing between the nasturtiums—stems and leaves jumbled together in an intricate harmony that I found incredibly beautiful.
Curious about what kinds of plants were growing together in that pot, I sat down in front it the next day and observed more closely. I identified Tropaeolum majus (nasturtium), Taraxacum platycarpum (Korean dandelion) Oxalis, Trifolium repens (white clover) and Argyranthemum frutescens (Marguerite daisy). No one knows when they were planted. Perhaps, over the years, the owner planted something new each season—and now, all those plants have come to bloom together, tangled and intertwined.
It was a natural composition no human could plan—random yet perfect. In this pot, so many different species had learned to grow side by side, sharing space. The scene reminded me of human relationships: how we also live together, adjusting, supporting, and coexisting.
To some, this pot might look like an unkempt mess. But to me, it represented a powerful connection between living things. I felt compelled to capture it in a drawing.
I created this piece in colored pencil. It took about six months to complete, from sketching to the final application of color. I hope that those who view this artwork will come close, take time to look carefully, and notice the different plants growing together—finding in their complexity and quiet harmony a reflection of the beauty in our own shared lives.
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