BOTANICAL ARTIST: ANNE BLACKWELL THOMPSON
Anne Blackwell Thompson is a master botanical artist and owner of Blackwell Botanicals. Her beautiful botanical work is oftentimes mistaken for paintings. Although flattered, Anne is quick to point out that she works exclusively with freshly cut specimens. It’s her perspective, process, and attention to detail that can easily fool the eye. I was instantly blown away when I spotted Blackwell Botanicals at the Birmingham Antiques and Garden show several years ago. Since then, I have shared and incorporated her work with my own clients who now cherish her art in their home. So you can imagine how excited I am to share her work with all of you as this month’s feature artist. Enjoy our interview and to learn more visit www.blackwellbotanicals.com
What’s a day like in the life of a botanical artist?
I typically start harvesting mid-morning, around 10 or 11:00 because of the dew on the ground. Pressed plants have to be dry before harvesting — something you wouldn’t normally think about. Ultimately, what you’re doing is drying out the plants. So you don’t want to put them into a press when they are the least bit damp because you’ll end up having a mildewed mess. I often work out of the back of my SUV. So, after I forage, I’ll lift up my trunk, which I have tricked-out with everything I need. Pressed plants need to go into the presses immediately or they’ll wither up. So I have my scalpels and all my tools that I use to dissect the plant material right there in the back of my car along with some plant presses and I will work on the dissecting and get them in the press within 30 minutes. It’s so quick. Then, I have a ticker system in my herbarium (plant library), which lets me know how often I need to change out the blotting paper because the blotting paper in the press will absorb the moisture and constantly needs to be dried out. From this point, it is very much a scientific system.
When did you discover your gift?
Twelve years ago, while homebound and recovering from surgery, I decided to contact Stuart Thorton, a renowned botanical artist in Italy whose work I deeply admire. We instantly connected and are close friends to this day. I was able to apprentice under him as well as work with a lot of botanists and experts who specialize in botanical gardens. However, it was really a lot of trial and error where I learned the most. Some people think that the yield from harvesting is always very high and that everything turns out but that is not the case. It would be kind of fun to show people that Mother Nature drives my bus! Hailstorms and tornadoes can wreak complete destruction on plant material. I am completely dependent on weather conditions for my job and I can’t control Mother Nature. She controls me.
Photo 1: Mentor: Stuart Thorton. 2. Anne working in the herbarium where Mother Nature rules.
what’s the best part of your work?
I love getting to know my clients and educating them about botanical arts. I also love talking to them about the process. I want my clients to understand what they are purchasing. Botanical Prints will fade and become more valuable over time. And being in nature makes me flourish. It is restorative to me. It is so healing. It’s just hard to have a bad day when you’re in a garden. I’m so lucky to get to do what I do.
any design tips for decorating with botanicals?
There aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to decorating with botanicals. In bedrooms, colors tend to be more serene, placed over the bed in collections of six to eight and not necessarily huge statement pieces. In living rooms and foyers is where you’ll see larger-sized gallery walls. Mid-century homes seem to attract more of a statement piece. I feel it is important to explain that these are not prints — they are a different art medium. I am not painting them. You don’t want these pieces to be in a hot steamy bathroom or out on a porch that isn’t climate-controlled. Because they will fade over time, I caution people to not necessarily match their fabric swatches to the plant. I want my clients to understand that the hydrangea that starts out bright blue will become more muted over time much like aging. There’s beauty in aging.
Above: Interior Design by Donna Gilliam Interiors. In this casual dining room, we grouped ten smaller botanicals, which Anne calls “Baby Bots” in bamboo frames. Photo Credit: Laura Rockett Photography
Photo credits: 1. Anne Blackwell Thompson 2. Donna Gilliam Interiors. 3. Janie Molster Designs 4. Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design