STORY BEHIND THE ART OF SUSAN SAPANARA

17th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York

Crimson Collar

Hydrangea quercifolia

When fall arrived last year it came at a transitional time when I was faced with making a decision to extend my career as a home furnishings/textile designer or recalibrate my life. I had been steadily attending classes at NYBG with the goal of eventually completing my certification as a botanical Illustrator, but was not quite sure I was ready to fully retire as a designer. I was in a contract that was ending and I needed to make a decision. My husband is a master gardener and accordingly our yard is a botanical artist’s dream. I was distracted with my work and yet each day when I let our dog out into the yard I’d look at this most magnificent Oak Leaf Hydrangea transforming before my eyes and think, it really should be painted. One day as the leaves started to turn up some brown edges, I realized I had to seize the moment, or it would be lost. And so the decision was made.

It was the variety of colors evident at this one time that compelled me to capture it. The whirl of impressively large crimson leaves were collaring pyramidal panicles of faded parchment florets as well as smaller burgundy and, surprising fresh, green leaves.

I strive to illustrate the specimens I work on in as authentic a portrait as I can. I find them to be more engaging as they age. I really enjoy them most when the colors are starting to drain and there are captivating wrinkles and curls appearing, like the way the leaf edges here are turning up to show the pale silvery color of the back of the leaf which may not have been evident prior. I look for interesting, natural, dramatic or graceful lines when working out compositions that will draw the viewer into the painting and the rich detail. I work in watercolor progressing from wet on wet to dry brush and often finishing with glazes to really bring out rich color.

Classified by John Bartram and native to the South East, Hydrangea quercifolia is one of few native Hydrangeas to North America. This shade-loving shrub is not only spectacular in the fall. It has four-season interest with dramatic, white, long lasting blooms in early summer, and interesting woody cinnamon colored peeling bark in the winter. The blooms are excellent dried flower options. Now in mid August New Jersey, the blooms are turning to a lovely dusty rose as summer progresses…Hmmm, another portrait?

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