If you’re looking for a unique Christmas present – or if you just enjoy seeing superlative art – get along to Bon Papillon in Howe Street, whose winter show opens on Friday evening. Two botanical illustrators and a land/seascape artist will be exhibiting new and original work (and some prints) in this lovely gallery and cafe.
Rachel McKean studied at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating with an MA (Hons) degree in Fine Art in 2013. Her achievements include The James Cumming Award for Draughtsmanship (RSA) 2013 and The Andrew Grant Bequest and Scholarship Award 2010, and she gained a Distinction in the RBGE Certificate in Botanical Illustration. Rachel is a woman of many talents – when she isn’t beavering away in her studio, she helps serve Edinburgh’s best scones* in the cafe – so when she gets fed up with drawing plants, she can always start a new line in bakery art…
Heather Raeburn has a passion for portraying the natural beauty of plants through her detailed botanical studies. Since her graduation from college, Heather has steadily become recognised as one of Scotland’s foremost professional botanical artists and her works can be found in private collections throughout the country and beyond. Her original work is also reproduced in various formats and is marketed by the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh amongst others. Heather has also recently been commissioned to paint a selection of rare snowdrops for The Alpine Garden Society and to produce a set of line drawings for gifts and merchandise.
Melanie Williamson moved from Australia to Scotland to explore the natural landscape that captivated her; she studied printmaking in Melbourne and painting in Leith, and says ‘the weather was definitely superior in the former, but the latter spoke volumes to me’. Melanie’s paintings are inspired by the sometimes dramatic, often beautiful scenery that is found in Scotland. ‘I believe the seasons north of the border boast a range of colour unrivalled in any natural palette. I build up colour using oil and pure pigment and enhance the landscapes through the use of pure bees’ wax, which gives the paintings more depth and texture – and gives my studio a great aroma!’
Everyone is invited to the show’s preview from 5.30pm on Friday 20th November. Bon Papillon is at 15 Howe Street and is open 9am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). All images copyright the artists.
*Source: me – and I know a thing or two about scones… (see The Edinburgh Reporter here).
