TECHNIQUES
Mainly watercolour, but also pen & ink drawing, soft pastel and oil.
APPROACH AND INSPIRATION
I have recently been painting groups of botanical subjects, adding in whatever gives me joy on that particular day, and carefully considering the colour combinations and layout. I love the work of Marianne North, Rory McEwen, Georgia O’Keeffe and Elizabeth Blackadder.
BIOGRAPHY
I am a Dublin-born artist living in the Glen of Imaal, West Wicklow. I read Botany at Somerville College, Oxford (MA), then went on to study Illustration and Photography at Edinburgh College of Art (BA). On my return to Dublin I was based in the Botany Department herbarium at Trinity College, where I drew pen and ink illustrations for the 7th edition of Webb’s ‘An Irish Flora’, and I made extensive botanically correct drawings for researchers at Trinity College and other universities around the world. I now paint in my studio at home overlooking Lugnaquilla mountain.
EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS
2016, 2015, 2013, 2011 Royal Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition
2016 Plandaí Oidreachta, Heritage Irish Plants, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin
2016 Art in the Garden Exhibition, Tourin House, County Waterford
2016 Water Colour Society of Ireland Annual Exhibition
2016 New Little Habitats, Ballydorn, County Down, Northern Ireland
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 Botanical Art in Bloom (silver-gilt medal)
2015, 2013 Galway Garden Festival Botanical Art Exhibition, Claregalway Castle
2014 Aibítir: the Irish Alphabet in Botanical Art, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin
2010 Grangecon Cafe, Blessington, Co. Wicklow (solo)
2001 The Garden House, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow (solo)
1999 The Kennedy Gallery, Dublin (solo)
1999 Exhibition of National Trust Paintings, Ulster Museum, Belfast
1996 Royal Ulster Academy Summer Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
1996 Artists’ Day on Botanical Illustration, Botany Department, Oxford University, UK
1995 The Bay Tree Gallery, Holywood, Co Down
MEMBERSHIP
Water Colour Society of Ireland
Irish Society of Botanical Artists
Fellow, Ballinglen Arts Foundation
CONTACT
http://www.hollysomerville.com
