Jennifer Larsen

A fascination and a desire to learn more about the delicate intricacies of plant life was instrumental in my decision to study for a qualification in botanical art.

As a lecturer in Psychology, I had no background in art but a keen interest in the natural world and a desire to paint, encouraged me to attend some workshops in flower painting. I loved the attention to detail required and formally started this journey with a Certificate in Botanical Illustration at RBGE. This led to a progression to apply to the RGBE Diploma course.

Title of the Project:

Plants with purpose

About the Project:

Plants have a number of purposes, one of which being, that they provide us with a long and rich history of medicinal use. For centuries, the medicinal rather than ornamental value of plants influenced our cultivation efforts as they may provide a source of remedies for common ailments.

This project afforded the opportunity to research and capture the intricate structures of a selection of plants, which have played a medicinal role in the treatment or prevention of diseases since ancient times. I aimed to select five plants, both with medicinal properties and ones which exhibit a variety of forms in relation to leaves and roots. Whilst challenging, this diversity would require me to explore new techniques, in an attempt to further my skills in botanical illustration.

Illustrations: