NatureArt Lab Blog

Last month, we had the incredible opportunity to explore the captivating world of one of Australia's most iconic species. Snakes and lizards, often misunderstood or overlooked, took centre stage as we delved into their beauty and uniqueness in the course, Illustrating Australian Reptiles with Zoe Lawrence.

Over the course, our students were given the rare chance to intimately interact with live reptiles, gaining firsthand knowledge and mastering techniques to accurately capture their essence through coloured pencil illustrations. It was a harmonious fusion of art and science, allowing us to raise awareness and foster a deep appreciation for these magnificent creatures and our native fauna as a whole.

Nicole Crosswell is a practising visual artist, arts facilitator, and the scientific illustrator for The Queensland Herbarium at Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. Her arts practice embodies the phrase ‘to draw’; from contemporary manipulation of physical thread and line through to traditional methods of drawing and mark making. In both her professional and personal life is Nicole’s passion for the natural world and its dynamic evolution.

Lesley Wallington is a professional, award-winning artist and tutor with more than 30 years’ teaching experience. Her journey in water based media, through studies at the ANU School of Art has resulted in innovative approaches to her painting and competency across a range of mediums. With a background in Biology, Ecology and Mathematics Lesley brings together in her work, a love of art, science and nature.

Dr Anna Voysekhovich is an award-winning botanical artist and scientific illustrator based in Sydney. Her illustration of this beautiful Albany Pitcher Plant recently won the Best in Show at the BASA, and here is her story about this threatened plant species from Western Australia!

Located in the heart of Kabi Kabi Country, the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens was the perfect location for a month-long celebration of art, nature and science, Celebrating Nature Connections. This event featured a showcase exhibition of creative works by the NatureArt Lab South-East Queensland branch tutors Libby Derham, Zoe Lawrence, Petra Meer, Danny McCreadie and Sandra Pearce, alongside an exciting program of events and workshops.

To prepare for our 14 day Tasmania Fungi Season Nature Experience trip starting April 30, we spoke to our tour's expert guide and photographer Renee Prescott about her top macro tips to photographing fungi.

Valerie Kirk spent three weeks as an artist-in-residence at Namadgi National Park exploring concepts of time, impermanence, living in the present and being mindful of the past and future in this awe-inspiring natural landscape. During the residency she studied the granite rocks and plants, documenting the impact of fires, rain and climate change through expressive drawing and weaving “en plein air”. 

In April 2019 I was lucky enough to join the second NatureArt tour to Borneo as accompanying art tutor. Not having travelled to this part of the world and knowing very little about the plants and wildlife we would encounter I was very excited to be a part of the trip. From my perspective I can think of no better way to get to know and understand unfamiliar living things than by spending the time observing and drawing them. This is when the rest of the world quietens down and it becomes possible to feel an affinity with what is in front of you.

NatureArt Lab recently hosted a two-day workshop with well-known UK botanical artist Jessica Rosemary Shepherd. With a focus on creating 'larger than life leaves', a group of 15 artists explored the possibilities of creating drama with use of light - giving the plant center stage. Jess inspired us with her ideas about where botanical art might go in the 21^st Century. Jess’ artistic projects, whether art-based, soundscapes, media or publishing ventures, explore an evolving philosophy to do with botanical artistic expression and ‘how the strategies and techniques of the visual arts can be adapted to communicate the importance of plants in the modern world’. She spoke about combating ‘plant blindness’ and using art and other mediums to focus attention on the natural world. Her work is both profoundly personal and political, environmental and cultural.