I recently discovered the beautiful work of artist, Lara Bowen and today’s post features some of her floral prints, followed by a selection of her paintings.
I love the vibrancy of the prints in particular! And bought a couple of Lara’s greeting cards, when I visited her stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.
Lara very kindly answered a few questions for me:
When did you start your business and where are you based?
I started the business of fourwalls, the collective gallery, in 2000 in Brighton. All of the artists I represented then were friends who were looking to get more exposure for their artwork. I still represent these lovely artists and have a few non-Brighton based ones on the books now too.
I then moved to London in the autumn of 2007 and started work on my own painting and prints which I show through fourwalls and also independently and with other galleries.
Where do you get your floral inspiration for your designs?
Mainly from my garden! And also on trips to landscaped gardens, nurseries, walks to the park past local houses and drives past wild flowers on roadsides. Showing at Chelsea Flower Show in May has given me a heap of new inspirations too.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2011?
I’m having an open studio for the Sydenham Arts Festival tomorrow and Sunday (16th/17th July), then taking the rest of the summer off to hang out in the garden with my little boy and take a family road trip through Cornwall to the Scilly Isles.
That’ll give me some fuel for a new series of landscapes. I’ll start painting again in September for exhibitions planned for October and November.
Do you have a favourite flower?
I love hydrangeas for their nostalgic value and longevity of blooms. And hellebores for their fighting spirit and braveness. They struggle through the snow and come up all proud and graceful when everything else is still asleep.
I also have a long-lasting thing about orange ranunculus, which are just incredible flowers. And daisies and poppies are a long-standing favourite.
I’m not really into fancy flowers, I prefer the characteristics and sentiments attached to traditional favourites.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing Lara’s prints and paintings. If you’re in the Sydenham area, why not pop to the Arts Festival taking place there this weekend?
(Images : Lara Bowen)
