Introducing artist, Jan Harbon…

Today’s post features beautiful floral paintings from Jan Harbon, a very talented artist, who I met at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show back in May.

In the last 10 years, Jan has exhibited widely as a member of the Society of Floral Painters, at the Society of Botanical Artists exhibitions, plus at solo and mixed exhibitions across the UK.

I absolutely love her work, especially the three initial designs which combine intricately painted flowers and intertwined text.  Notice the words painted around the one above of Jane Austen’s garden and the one below of Shakespeare’s garden.

As well as original watercolours, Jan also sells limited edition prints and the card designs below.

Jan very kindly answered a few questions for me:

When did you start your business and where are you based?

I left my job in an illustration studio and took up freelancing. That was years ago! Then family came along and I didn’t return to painting seriously until about 1990.

I started the business a few years later in about 2000, and soon after began exhibiting at Chelsea Flower Show. It grew gradually to begin with. My home and studio are in the Hampshire countryside. (Near to the Surrey and Sussex borders).

Where do you get your floral inspiration for your designs?

I’m currently Artist in Residence at Gilbert White’s House in Selborne, which has a lovely garden – so lots of flowers there – and I’m also not far from RHS Wisley, where I teach a few times of year – so that’s a pretty inspirational place.

What are your plans for the remainder of 2011?

For the remainder of the year I’ll be finishing the residency with an exhibition in September, and will then be preparing new designs for next year’s greetings cards. For the moment, we’re getting prepared for an “Open Studio” event starting on 20th August.

Do you have a favourite flower?

Well, plenty of people apparently call me the ‘poppy lady’ when they’re looking for me at shows – so I’ll be happy to go along with that!

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing Jan’s beautiful work.  If you’d like to attend one of her workshops, you can find details on her website.

(Images : Jan Harbon)