STORY BEHIND THE ART OF JUDITH SIMON

15th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists at

The Horticultural Society of New York

Variegated Pineapple

Ananas comosus ‘Ivory Coast’

When I work on larger pieces, such as the pineapple, I work on either hot press watercolor paper or plate finish bristol, because the smooth finish allows greater detail. For smaller works I've been working on vellum. Watercolor is a traditional medium for botanical paintings, however there is a lot of variety in materials in the HSNY/ASBA show.

I've seen botanical paintings of pineapples, but usually the fruit is the star of the show, and I wanted to use more of the plant in my composition. I was at Longwood Gardens for their annual orchid show, and I saw these (mostly) spineless variegated pineapples on display. I returned after the show, when it wasn't as crowded, to sketch details of the plants, and to take over a hundred reference photos. I marked my drawings with some colored pencil to get the correct colors, then went home to work on my composition. I've painted other bromeliads, and especially enjoy working on getting depth in the base of the leaves at their attachments. I had to run back to Longwood to get some more information about the fruit, because, when using reference photos, no matter how many you have there always seems to be missing information. I used another bromeliad and a pineapple from the farmer's market to help me round out the lights and shadows, so it wouldn't have that “flat” look you get when working only from photos.

While in the drawing stage of a painting, I try to be conscious of the negative space in the work. I usually paint with a group of artists every week, and we really critique each others pieces. It is so helpful in avoiding mistakes, like stems that fail to follow through or uncomfortable juxtapositions of plant material in the composition.

I try to vary textures, colors, and sizes of paintings, maybe working on a primrose, then an orchid, then perhaps some dried seedpods.

I love to paint plants from my own garden, but it can be difficult because you are working on one plant when another reaches an interesting stage, and you find yourself working on many things at once. Meanwhile the garden has to be weeded and cared for . . . and the snail vine is finally blooming! 

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