As a floral artist I grow flowers and natural materials to help me express my relationship with nature and the seasons. I love to see how other artists work with nature and am delighted to collaborate with these soulful creatives who bring their particular skill and understanding into my garden. I have several upcoming collaborations, including “Casting Nature in Silver – with Jessica Collin and “Capture Nature in Print” with Su France. Explore these key offerings below.

Capture nature in print

Su France is a wonderful artist who specialises in capturing nature through her beautiful print work.  Her art captures the essence of time, season and place and I am obsessed with her work – it is simply beautiful. We have two different workshops for you to choose from.

The first workshop will be making a beautiful botanical print using a gelli plate.

We will spend the morning doing a mindfulness walk in my garden and the wider gardens at Doddington Hall. You will be encouraged to forage as we walk to create a mood board which will form the inspiration for your creation.  As well as foraging for material to use for printing, the act of foraging allows you to access your creativity, to absorb and immerse yourself in the surroundings so your creation can be a true unique expression of that exact time place and season.

Su will guide you to create botanical prints using gelli plates.  Each print is unique, and you will have the opportunity to make several prints, experimenting with different materials and colours.  You will of course take all your work away but your favourite one will be framed so you can keep a truly personal piece of art inspired by nature.

The Practical Stuff

The workshop is held in my studio at Doddington Hall. We will be walking in the grounds whatever the weather so you will need sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothes, also please bring an apron. Lunch, refreshments and all materials are provided, and numbers are capped at 5 people. The date is 30th May 2024, timings are 10am - 4.30pm and the cost is £165.

WORKSHOP TWO - CONCERTINA BOOKS

The second workshop is a calming, mindful activity that engages your creative spirit. This workshop is gelli botanical printing on concertina books.
In this playful workshop, we’ll guide you step-by-step as you gather leaves and flowers to create unique plates. After inking these and imprinting the natural textures, you’ll make beautiful prints directly onto the pages of a simple-folded book to take home.

The repetitive motions of printmaking and unfolding in this class have a soothing, meditative effect. As you focus on the plants, paper and textures, you will find your mind calming. With each print, you build layer upon layer of organic patterns and colours directly from nature’s beauty.
Craft a keepsake that captures the essence of plants and reminds you of simpler joys. No experience needed – just an openness to slowing down and getting creative with natural botanical prints, shapes and colour.

The Practical Stuff

The workshop is held in my studio at Doddington Hall. We will be walking in the grounds whatever the weather so you will need sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothes, also please bring an apron. Lunch, refreshments and all materials are provided, and numbers are capped at 5 people. The date is 9th July 2024, timings are 10am - 4.30pm and the cost is £165.

CASTING nature Workshop

I am always inspired to see how other artists work with nature and Jessica from Cast and Found has a beautiful way of capturing the seasons with her nature inspired jewellery. Her detailed, soulful approach resonates very strongly with me and I own several pieces of her work. This course is designed to combine mindfulness, connection with nature and creativity to help you to produce a truly unique piece of jewellery that reflects you, the season and the place.

We will spend the morning doing a mindfulness walk, encouraging you to to switch off the chatter in your head and allow you to absorb the surroundings. You will be encouraged to forage as we walk to create a mood board which will form the inspiration for your creation. Foraging is so closely linked to creativity and can be the starting point for something beautiful and unique, allowing you to express your experience of nature and the garden in that moment. We have chosen early spring so you can be inspired by the first snowdrops, and emerging spring bulbs, as well as the rich diversity of seed heads and beautiful shapes found in the garden at this time of the year.

Jessica will then guide you to create your own signature cocktail ring inspired by the items you have foraged. You will carve the design from jewellers wax to create a bespoke organic design, which Jessica will take away and expertly cast into silver.

The Practical Stuff

The workshop is held in my studio at Doddington Hall. We will be walking in the grounds whatever the weather so you will need sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothes. Lunch, refreshments and all materials are provided and numbers are capped at 6 people. Timings are 10am - 4.30pm. You will carve your design using jewellers wax and Jessica will take your work away with her and cast it into silver in her workshop. This process could take several weeks and I will contact you to let you know when it is ready.

The date is Saturday 10th Feb 2024 and the investment is £250 per person.