STORY BEHIND THE ART OF INGRID FINNAN

16th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and the Horticultural Society of New York

Dahlia

Dahlia cv.

I have always been an admirer of dahlias - particularly in late summer when much of the flower garden has turned to seed. I chose a showy cultivar with what seemed like endless petals, each with its own twists and turns and color variations to paint. 

I began my composition with the dahlia head on a single straight stem just as it grew in the garden, but felt I needed to show additional foliage to avoid creating a “lollipop” effect. With more stems supporting buds at various stages of growth, the composition was expanded and, hopefully, the result was a more interesting piece of botanical art. 

I enjoy the challenge of a complicated piece now and then, but afterwards I need a break and turn to a simpler subject to paint.

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