TECHNIQUES
Watercolour on paper and vellum. On paper, I build transparent layers of watercolour using wet and then dry watercolour painting techniques. When painting on vellum, I work slowly with meticulous attention to detail to build many layers of dry brush watercolour.
APPROACH AND INSPIRATION
There is something about flowers and plants that stirs me. They make me stop in my tracks and take a second look. They evoke a memory, a deep emotional response. I enjoy capturing the essence of a plant with its sensuality and frailty. Colour, light, form and movement fascinate me. I have a particular interest in botanical art as a personal process while at the same time striving for excellence in my art practice.
BIOGRAPHY
I pursued the Diploma in Botanical Art and Illustration with the Society of Botanical Artists, graduating in May, 2014 with a diploma with distinction.
My work belongs in the collections of Dr. Shirley Sherwood, Kew Gardens, London and the Hunt Institute for Botanical Art and Documentation, Pittsburgh, Penn. US. In Ireland, my work is held in the collections of the Office of Public Works, Bank of Ireland, and Áras an Uachtaráin among other prestigious private and public collections.
I enjoy teaching botanical art in Ireland, Europe, the UK, and the US. While the current challenges around ‘in person’ workshops have changed the face of botanical art education, I have transitioned to delivering a comprehensive programme of workshops online using the Zoom platform. Having worked on the teaching team at the Chelsea School of Botanical Art in London, I currently work on the teaching team of the New York Botanical Gardens. I find teaching botanical art particularly rewarding as it provides the perfect opportunity to bring together my three passions of watercolour painting, plants and working with people.
EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS
With the Irish Society of Botanical Artists, I’ve exhibited in Aibítir – The Irish Botanical Alphabet, 2014; Plandaí Oidhreachta – Heritage Irish Plants, 2016; and Éireannach – Celebrating Native Irish Plants in 2018. My work was selected for the 16th International Exhibition of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Art and Documentation, Pittsburgh and the 22nd International Exhibition with the American Society of Botanical Artists. I’ve shown regularly with the Society of Botanical Artists in London, Madrid and Frankfurt. I am represented in Germany by Forum Botanische Kunst. I was honoured to receive the Anne Marie Carney Award and the Jean Emmons People’s Choice award at the ASBA Exhibition ‘From Golden Gate to Garden Gate’, San Francisco, October 2017. I was awarded Gold Medal and Best in Show in Botanical and Floral Art at Bloom, Dublin, 2016, and Gold and Silver Medals at Bloom, 2017.
MEMBERSHIP
Member and Founding Chairperson of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists.
Member of the Watercolour Society of Ireland
Fellow Member of the Society of Botanical Artists, UK.
Member of the American Society of Botanical Artists
Member of the Vienna School of Botanical Illustration
CONTACT
marydillonbotanicalart@gmail.com
Instagram: @marydillonartist
www.marydillonbotanicalart.com
