Story behind the art of Denise Walser-Kolar

28th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art & Garden Center

The Last Raspberries

Rubus idaeus

One of the first things we planted when we moved to this house over thirty years ago was raspberries. We started with Heritage raspberries from a garden center. A few years later, we were gifted some raspberry plants from my sister’s garden (she didn’t know what they were – they had been left by the last owner) and then, much later, we got some canes from my parents. We just kept planting raspberries. Since we planted our first raspberry, the patch has grown and spread (and escaped into the grass) and we can no longer tell the difference between the various plants.

Raspberries are my favorite fruit to eat. They are also one of my favorite subjects to paint. Whenever I am struggling with painting, or I have taken a long break from painting, I always come back to raspberries.

A couple of years ago, long after the other raspberries had finished for the season, this branch remained. The raspberries never finished ripening. One berry almost made it, turning this curious shade of purple, but the others stayed as they were. I loved the colors of the unripe berries, and I loved the look of the leaves – half green, half dying away. It was all so beautiful, I just had to paint it. It took me over two years to finish and it was the most difficult subject I have ever painted. 

Next Story

Back to List

Read more about this artist's work: 26th Annual