Story behind the art of Jessica Walker

28th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art & Garden Center

Beneath the Petals

Rosa canina

Every year in autumn, botanical artists begin posting photos of their lovely, bright red rose hips. For years, I’ve searched for ones that truly called out to me. I explored wild roses in our nearby mountains in Utah, and kept an eye out on my daily walks around the neighborhood. I saw many and took countless photos, but none felt quite right.

Then, one Sunday morning, while walking through a neighborhood we don’t usually visit, a flash of glowing red caught my eye. There they were—the rose hips I had been searching for. They were located right in the center of someone’s yard. If it had been a neighbor's yard, I might have asked permission, but here, with no one home and not being local, I knew I couldn’t collect anything. I never take parts of a plant without permission. Instead, I took as many photos as I could from every imaginable angle, noted general measurements, and documented the surrounding area.

Back in my studio, I played with composition to create a natural diagonal flow, guiding the viewer’s eye through the fruit and foliage in a way that felt organic and not overly staged. I’m drawn to imperfection in leaves—these were beautifully imperfect, with subtle color degradation, chew marks, and crisp, curling edges that hinted at seasonal change and vulnerability.

Red has always been a color I find both exciting and challenging. It’s not a regular part of my palette, and when I have used it in the past, especially in shadows, it often felt frustrating and flat. But recently, I painted a double red tulip that forced me to work through some of those difficulties. That experience gave me confidence going into this piece. I tested and layered colors until I found the right formula for cool red shadows: a mix of alizarin crimson, permanent magenta, and just a touch of Payne’s grey. This mix gave me the depth I needed while preserving the vibrancy I always aim for, even in shadow areas.

Rose hips themselves are fascinating, both botanically and historically. Rich in vitamin C, they’ve been used since ancient Egyptian times for medicine, food, and skincare. During World War II, Britain processed rose hips into a syrup to supplement vitamin C intake especially in children, because citrus was scarce. Today, they remain a treasured ingredient in herbal remedies and beauty formulations.

Rose hips’ long legacy, paired with their bold color and subtle fragility, made them a deeply rewarding subject for me to explore.

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