STORY BEHIND THE ART OF Angela Mirro

25th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and Wave Hill

Anguloa

Anguloa virginalis

It has been my love for orchids and painting them that led me to Peru. From my very first visit to Machu Picchu, over twenty years ago, I’ve been captivated with the cloud forest and the many orchids that grow in its midst, and since that first time, I’ve traveled to Peru many more times studying and painting its native orchids in situ.

During a visit several years ago, I encountered the orchid, Anguloa virginalis, growing close to the forest floor at the Orchid Sanctuary, at Inkaterra, Machu Picchu Pueblo, (an eco-lodge). This relatively large plant is a terrestrial orchid, with fleshy pseudobulbs, large plicated leaves, and flowers that tend to be cup shaped. Thus, it is commonly known as a tulip orchid. It can be found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru, growing in mountainous forests at elevations of 1250 to 2400 meters.

The orchid depicted in my painting was growing among some rocks, surrounded by mosses and ferns, and I immediately wanted to study and paint it, as its leaves arched so gracefully above and behind the flowers, which arched towards the sunlight. It was important for me to also include in my painting part of the rocks, mosses, and ferns that comprise its habitat, so vital for the orchid’s survival.

Sitting on the ground, I first did a careful pencil sketch of the entire plant and then painted a rough color study on site, while taking some photos. There are always challenges while working in the field, dealing with the elements such as wind and rain, as well as insects and the changing light. I needed to return several times during the week of that visit, as the daily afternoon rains would interrupt my studies. But the joy of capturing a plant growing in situ overcomes the challenges.

Work commitments meant I did not finish the painting immediately upon returning home, but I finally did complete it earlier this year, back home in Brooklyn, referring to my initial pencil drawing, color study, and photos.

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Read more about this artist's work: Wildly Exquisite