STORY BEHIND THE ART OF PAMELA GEER GORDON

15th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists at

The Horticultural Society of New York

Rome Apples

Malus domestica ‘Rome’

What is your personal view of the artwork, for instance in terms of media, colors, composition? 

I love painting both color and form. Looking for a color challenge and finding color depth is something I am always aiming for in my paintings. I also try to create a sense of air and movement and often a sense of whimsy.

Why did you choose this subject to portray? Why this particular apple?

Apples really signal the beginning of autumn in New England. They put me in mind of the crisp air and clear skies and the slight sense of urgency that comes with it. The way these apples clung together at the end of the branch provoked an emotional response in me. Responding on an emotional level is how I hope to put something of myself into each piece I paint and I hope that perhaps a memory or feeling will be stirred in the viewer as well.

Did you face any unique challenges as you worked on this piece?

The apples are a dense and solid subject so I had to work with the shape and composition to create the feeling of air I was looking for.

What would you hope people would notice or appreciate when viewing this work?

I hope it makes them think back to their childhoods or experiences in the fall.

How does this work relate to your body of work?

When I first began botanical painting I was attracted to beautiful exotic plants, but now I find that it’s the old friends that I have planted and watched growing in my garden, or found on my hikes and on walks through New England’s woods and fields, that keep my interest.

Tell me about your background.

I have painted other subjects and in other media for a long time, always with color rather than detail as my main focus. The scientific accuracy required in botanical art has trained my eye and led me to research each plant that I paint. This has given me a heightened appreciation of the interconnectedness of nature and the reliance that every living thing has on the next, from the smallest pollinator to the largest tree. As botanical artists, I hope that we can help maintain an interest in the natural world.

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