STORY BEHIND THE ART OF MONIKA DE VRIES GOHLKE

16th Annual International

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

Pineapple

Ananas bracteatus var. Striatus

I am happy that for this year's show my "Ananas" was chosen. I found the specimen displayed in the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, where it grew in a very sunny spot in one of the greenhouses. I loved the elegant look of the plant, not commercial at all, with its relatively small fruit on top of an elongated stem and the pink tips at the ends of the spiky, bi-colored leaves. The large size of the plant called for a large copperplate once again and I was glad to oblige. 

The difficulties I encountered with this etching were the same as the ones I worked with on last year's "Papaya". This size, 18" x 24", is about the largest that the printing press I work with can hold. I should add "fortunately", or I might look for even bigger pieces of copper. 

It's not a huggable plant, but I hope that people will enjoy its self-sufficient, independent spirit and handsome looks.

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 Read more about this artist's work: 15th Annual