Australian Botanical

Today I discovered the work of Julie Hickson, an Australian artist. I find that botanicals inspire me the most (watch this space for the 2018 Pickle Design calendar!!!). Nature can be represented in seemingly endless ways. I like how Julie focuses on her native plants capturing them accurately yet still stylised.

After a 20 year career in television production Julie decided to focus on her own art. She uses a technique popular in the Art Nouveau period in France, the ‘pochoir technique’. Matisse used this method during his ‘Jazz’ series. Pronounced posh-wah, this involves drawing her subject and creating a stencil then hand painting over it. Julie loves the reveal, you never quite know what you are going to get!

The oldest form of print making, stencilling means the elements need to be linked, solid in some way. I respect Julie’s focus on Australian botanicals, I know so little about the flora and fauna of the other side of the world I find her forms captivating. The work also has a retro feel, a nod the the psychedelic fabrics of the 60s and 70s.

I have always had an affection for line-making in art and Julie Hickson’s structure appeals to me. You can find out more about her in this article at Garden Drum.