NAME
Niamh Harding-Miller
TECHNIQUES
My Botanical Art work is done using graphite, coloured pencil, and watercolour or a combination of any of these mediums. I consider all the art elements in my observation of the subject. I examine the light source, the line, shape, form, colour, tone and texture down to the finest details.
For my other art work I use all of the above mediums plus oil, acrylics, pen and ink, pastels, egg tempura, clay, plaster, bronze, wax, and mixed media. Depending on what I am working on.
APPROACH AND INSPIRATION
The natural world has always fascinated me, from the panoramic to the microscopic. The geology, the plants, and animal life. I fell into Botanical painting by accident. My mother was widowed in 1994 and I wanted to encourage her to start something new. She is a plantsperson and has a magnificent garden. She did Botanical drawing in her youth. I suggested that I teach her watercolour so we could go away for a Botanical painting weekend with Wendy Walsh, and so it started. We both went to Wendy, then Susan Sex, Frances Poskit, and many others. The result for me was that I was smitten, I loved drawing and painting plants in both Botanical and Floral styles. Then I heard the ISBA was being formed so I joined in 2014.
BIOGRAPHY
I am a graduate of Waterford School of Art and the National College of Art and Design. I hold a first class honours postgraduate diploma in Art and Design Teaching awarded by the National University of Ireland.
From 1972, I taught fine art in junior and secondary schools and in Dunlaoghaire School of Art. In 1982, with the opening of the Adult Education Centre Bray, I decided to specialise in teaching adults. I ran my own courses starting from complete beginners through to the professional artists. The courses provided all the techniques and technical knowledge required for the production of professional works of Art in all medium and styles. I continued to paint myself and ran an exhibition each year for myself and my students.
I was presented with a “passion for the world around us” award by Bray Chamber of commerce and Vodafone for an outstanding contribution to the arts in Bray.
I retired from full-time teaching in 2017 to concentrate on my own artistic endeavour and to travel. I have been exhibiting in group shows since the late sixties.
Some other artistic works that I have done include being a colourist for the Cuala Press. Hand painted limited edition books and Heraldic painting. Book illustration. Stage sets and carnival heads. Silk and China painting. Bronze sculpture. The largest item I have designed and painted floral work on was a double-decker bus.
I occasionally travel as a guest tutor or give demonstrations to art groups. I accept commissions.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
Claregalway Castle Botanical Art exhibition, 2019
Bloom in the Park Botanical Art exhibition, 2019 (bronze medal)
Dublin Port exhibition, 2019 (painting purchased by the Dublin Port Authority)
Boat House Gallery Greystones, 2019
Dublin Painting and Sketching Club annual exhibition.
AIB Arts Society bi-annual exhibition.
Éireannach Botanical Art exhibition, National Botanic Gardens, 2018
Botanical Art Worldwide online exhibition, May 2018
RHS Malvern, England, Heritage Irish Plants, (Six Artists, Group Silver Medal), 2017
Plandaí Oidhreachta/Heritage Irish Plants., National Botanic Gardens November-December 2016
Aibítir, National Botanic Gardens, Derry, Belfast, Limerick, Bunclody, Waterford, 2014-15
MEMBERSHIPS
Irish Society of Botanical Artists
Dublin Painting and Sketching Club
AIB Arts Society
CONTACT
