BOTANICALS: Environmental Expressions in Art, by ArtPlantae Today

“Isaac Sutton believes in the importance of integrating a garden and art into daily life. They transport us from the rigors of an urban life and nurture us in body and spirit. Through observation, education, cultivation and practice, we learn to be more aware of the importance of a symbiotic relationship with the natural world, and we realize that we must value and protect it for future generations.”

– Co-curator, Alice Marcus Krieg, Integrating the Garden and Art Collection

I recently discovered a great website called ArtPlantae Today that seeks to connect artists, naturalists, and educators through the art of botanical drawings. Having little personal talent, I find myself consistently awed by the detailed intricacies of these illustrations and their ability to convey the ethereal and delicate beauty of the plant world.

It is on this website that I came across Botanicals: Environmental Expressions in Art, an exhibition showcasing the largest private collection of contemporary botanical drawings in North America.  In his introductory essay titled A Passion for Nature and Collecting, Isaac Sutton tells his own personal story, reflecting on how his childhood and adult experiences ignited his love for nature and awakened a deep concern for the environment. He speaks of the role of art in helping connect people to the natural world in mind, body, and soul. I invite you to look through the samples and check out the essays.