STORY BEHIND THE ART OF JEAN EMMONS

18th Annual International

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

Mouse Plant

Arisarum proboscideum

Beloved of children and photographers, the mouse plant is a charming member of the aroid family. After the leaves come up, the mouse-tails of the flowers emerge, poking straight up out of the ground like tiny fingers. Everyone gets down on their knees to look at them.

I’ve grown it forever and painted it several times over the years. The first time, I concentrated on the peculiar flowers. The second time, I concentrated on the glossy leaves. This time, I concentrated on the petioles and the tails and the negative space between the forms.

In an effort to add some dynamism to my work, I’ve been looking at calligraphy at the Seattle Asian Art Museum and thinking about the spaces between things.

Next Story 

Back to List

Read more about this artist's work: 17th Annual International