Celia Hart's blog about what's going on in and around her studio.
Art, printmaking, inspirations, gardening, vegetables, hens, landscapes, wild flowers, East Anglia, adventure, travel.

Friday 19 February 2016

Fleeting flowers . . . my illustration for February's Gardens Illustrated


When I wrote about my linocut for January's Gardens Illustrated magazine, I mentioned that Frank Ronan's piece for February was one of my favourites . . .

it's about Crocuses . . .


I read the article and worked on the linocut in the first week of the new year, even in this strangely mild winter and premature spring it was long before the Crocuses appeared in our garden. Now in February, perfectly timed with the publication of Frank's column, the Crocuses are in bloom – but as Frank observes, they only open when the sun shines so unlike Snowdrops their beauty is often a brief encounter.



I started by making some careful studies of crocuses from various references including bulb catalogues and my old sketchbooks. 




At some point I had an idea for the composition and scribbled it on a scrap of paper. As well as close ups of Crocus flowers I wanted to include birds on some Ash twigs (mentioned by Frank) and in the background is the gardener admiring the Crocuses open in the winter sunshine.




Frank talks about Galanthophiles arranging Snowdrop parties to admire their treasured plants in flower and muses that to arrange a Crocus party would be impossible as there would be no guarantee of sun on the day. I loved the idea of a Crocus party! In my illustration the gardener's cat is running over to join in the admiration of the flowers.


Here is the finished print and the illustration printed in the magazine. I like the dropped cap and quotation picked out in orange, like the stamens in a purple crocus.



Frank was right, there's often no-one else around to share your excitement of seeing the crocuses fully open in the sunshine . . . but wait – Mr Cheep's come along to the party!


As with all my Gardens Illustrated linocuts, after 6 months this design can be available as a limited edition print and also a card. Designs from last year have been printed and will soon be appearing in my online shop, I'll keep you posted.


The March Gardens Illustrated magazine is at the printers and will soon be on the news stands and now I really should get down to work cutting the block for the April illustration, which means I've completed a full year as a regular contributor to Gardens Illustrated!



Celia
xx

15 comments:

  1. I love the cheeriness of crocuses, they seem to smile out of the bare ground at this time of year. Good to see a gardener's cat in your illustration too. X

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    1. My tabby assistant modelled for this one :-)

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  2. it has been a good year. So much enjoy as you share the journey!

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    1. Yes a very busy year and now the start of another year of linocuts for GI, it certainly increases the work flow!

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  3. What a beautiful collection of prints these make. I never knew crocuses only open in the sun!

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    1. I'm thankful to GI for making me speed up the work flow!

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  4. The crocus illustrations look lovely with the crocuses opening out into the winter sunshine. I love the idea of a crocus party, too - but as you say, it would have to be spontaneous.

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    1. This had made me want more crocuses in our garden, though I suspect they get pecked by the hens.

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  5. Love the idea of any sort of party or gathering to celebrate the blooms of a particular flower...Even if the crocuses aren't open, they can still be enjoyed...Several years ago I used the initial bloom of my Cardiocrinum giganteum as a great excuse for a gathering on a summer's day, with old-fashioned crustless sandwiches, tarts, and lots of wine. The lily doesn't bloom every year, unfortunately, but when it does, it's now a much-enjoyed annual summer's tradition. Always enjoy your posts, and will look for the current copy of Gardens Illustrated : )

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  6. Celia, I join Mr Cheep in admiring colorful crocus blooms, on sunny days. I also very much admire you newest print created to illustrate that marvelous back page of GI. I'm looking forward to seeing that issue appear over here. (Right now, it's the January issue that's on the B&N news stands, and I am going to acquire my very own copy this week.)

    I am so glad that there's another year of your GI illustrations to anticipate. You and Frank make a great team.

    xo

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  7. You seem able to get right to the essence of the flowers you print, it amazes me.

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  8. I can't believe you've been doing these pieces for a year. Where did that 12 months go? Enjoying the illustrations and Frank's words to accompany them. Perfect companions together on the last page... and worth reading first!

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  9. what a beautiful illustration! The crocuses and birds are wonderful and the gardener's cat is such a perfect little addition to the scene

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  10. What a wonderful experience to be rightfully seen as the fantastic and unique artist you are! I love your work and recognise it as you immediately, long may your relationship with Garden's Illustrated continue :)

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  11. I always love your work but for some reason this illustration in particular really delights me. I think it is the presence of gardener and cat as well as crocus which makes it come alive. Fabulous.

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