Acanthus mollis

Acanthus mollis

Bear's breeches

2015

29.7 x 42cm

Watercolour on Fabriano Artistico extra white cotton rag 300 gsm

SOLD - Private Collection

The spiky flower stalk of this plant is an attractive sight in a garden, perhaps more elegant than the busier Acanthus spinosus. The upper calyx lip is a beautiful dusty purple shade, and its stamens look a little sinister from outside the flower, like tangled spider's legs. The Acanthus is native to the Mediterranean and Asia. It grows well in the Middle East and is hardy.

The artists' specimens survived several years of winter snowfall in Amman, as well as 40 degree summer days. The calyx colour is a perfect candidate for the intense purple-brown of Winsor and Newton's Perylene Violet shade.

Heidi was awarded a Certificate of Botanic Merit at the 2016 Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition in London for this painting. This award was judged by Lucy T Smith of the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew.