Story behind the art of Connie Scanlon

29th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and the Society of Illustrators

Apple Branch #1

Malus domestica 'Honeycrisp'

I have been known to enjoy painting a few fruits through the years, but the loveliness of the apple has intimidated me until now.  The apple has been a subject of a great many paintings by an equally large number of very great artists.  What did I think I had to offer that might be different, or even of interest?

The story begins on the last night of the ASBA conference in Saint Paul, in October 2025. The remnants of an apple branch class had been brought to the volunteer desk. Since many of the artists were flying home, most had decided to leave their apple subjects out of their suitcases.  I immediately felt that overpowering tingling in my fingers. I could not wait to take them home with me, but not wanting to appear a hoarder, I politely asked if anyone else wanted some of the apple boughs. No one else had started to tingle. I knew that I had hit the motherlode.

The diligent looking, touching, and turning of branches began early the next morning.  Each apple bough was painstakingly given its moment in time, as if trying to get cast in the next big play, and I was the casting director.  I knew that we would have to feel a deep sense of connection in order to spend countless hours together during the upcoming painting process. 

And then, I saw it.  I knew that this apple had star appeal.  Its leaves created a beautiful bunch of supporting actors.  The final coup de grâce was the small childlike green apple hidden in the wings of the branches, like an understudy watching the main character apple learn its lines and act its part with perfection. With the passing weeks, camaraderie grew amongst the cast and crew.  In the memorizing of lines and polishing of acts, the apple developed depth of color, earning the admiration of those around it. The apple knew that it was the main character yet allowed the supporting leaves to garner attention as they curled and danced outside of center stage.

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