Beyond Botanical Art Shows

For some time I have wondered how non-botanical art societies view botanical pieces that get entered into their exhibitions. The Mall Galleries in London is home to the Federation of British Artists which includes societies such as the Royal Society of British Artists, and the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. These societies hold shows every year at the Mall Galleries and demonstrate a wide range of painting styles and genres. The author Katherine Tyrrell is a great supporter of botanical artists entering non-botanical art shows and has featured this on her Botanical Art & Artists website.

After successfully exhibiting my work with the Society of Botanical Artists for the last couple of years I wanted to stretch myself further and see where it would take me. Finishing ‘The Gift’ seemed like the perfect chance. She’s botanical in structure, but also has a quiet softness which takes her out of that realm. I wondered if this painting might find a new calling.

Research was the next step and after looking at previous entries to shows, and missing a few Open Calls (note to self to prepare better) I noted the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour had previously accepted some botanical style pieces. With the Open Call deadline marked in the diary, it was time to buckle up and get on with it.

Read more on the Substack post

And get my free Takeaway Tips on how to enter an exhibition Open Call