In conversation with botanical artist Susannah Taylor

Ahead of her debut exhibition “Flower Power” at our London showroom, we caught up with botanical artist Susannah Taylor to ask her a few questions about her sources of inspiration and artistic process.

1. What was the initial inspiration behind “Flower Power” and how did the concept develop?

I am hugely inspired by nature and its healing benefits and I started thinking about the symbolism of flowers. We all know a rose means ‘love’ and a poppy represents ‘remembrance’ but I thought to myself “What about the rest?!” and so I have put together flowers in the paintings and written on them what they represent. Each painting therefore takes on an extra meaning – each becomes a remedy or antidote to modern life.

I adore all the Edward Bulmer paints and have painted each background in a different shade – they are the perfect backdrop that will hopefully look at home in any setting.

2. Floral motifs are deeply symbolic in art, what do flowers represent to you personally?

I think flowers are pure magic – they are probably the most beautiful thing we have on earth and I feel we need to appreciate them more. The fact that their beauty is fleeting makes them even more precious. I have created a courtyard garden at home and it has become a haven for me filled with flowers and plants I love. There is huge evidence that appreciating the wonder of nature is makes us feel connected to the world and it definitely does this for me. In a world of digital everything nature is medicine.

3. What’s your favourite recipe transitioning from summer to autumn?

I love to make curries with lots of fresh ingredients and always go back to Curry Easy by Madhur Jaffrey. So fresh, so tasty. Also you can’t beat a crumble at this time of year – the hedges are full of blackberries right now – I must get out picking!

4. How does working with natural forms influence your choice of colours, especially when using our natural paint?

I wanted to use colours that reflect the beauty of nature and that’s what Edward Bulmer paints do in every sense. I am drawn to the softness of many of the EB shades and love that they are all so different but never garish. Their colours are elegant, romantic, dreamy, joyful and incredibly chic.

5. Can you tell us about your favourite flower to paint or draw, and why it resonates with you?

In this exhibition my favourite plant to paint has been definitely the wild pink poppy which I have painted on Saxony, a beautiful deep green/blue. It arrived on the wind in my courtyard (I didn’t plant it!) and I feel it was asking me to paint it. It is exquisitely and wildly ruffled like a can can skirt. I carefully kept all the seeds and have shaken them everywhere so I hope lots more pop up next year!

6. Which podcast are you enjoying at the moment?

I flit around when it comes to podcasts depending on the episode and listen to them when a friend recommends them. I absolutely loved the recent Diary of a CEO with neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart which is all about signs and the possibility of opening our mids to life after death. I also loved a podcast I listened to yesterday with Chris Martin on AB Talks where he talks about fame, mental health and what his music brings to the world. I’m a big fan of his. Also I started a podcast last year called Ways to Feel More Human about coming back to the wonder of being human in an over digitalised world.

7. Wellness is a big part of your life, what are the three things that are non-negotiable for you

As well as being an artist I am also a beauty and wellbeing editor and have a newsletter called The Glow Gazette which is all about holistic wellbeing and glowing from the inside out. You can sign up at www.susannahtaylor.com. My non negotiable are:
– I try and eat as much fresh food and possible and cook from scratch.
– Sleep – I love sleep and thankfully am good at it. I have to have 7-8 hours a night else I feel hungover!
– Weights and dynamic yoga – I started doing weights properly about half a year ago and am feeling so much stronger for it. I also love Vinyasa yoga and have been doing it for years. It makes me feel connected to my body.

8. Is there a particular season that inspires you the most, either in terms of mood, palette, or subject matter?

The Summer – I love the long days, the twinkly nights, the warmth, sitting in sunlight, having cocktails at sunset, being able to throw salads together all the time and of course the abundance off flowers and the garden.

9. Do you listen to music when you paint?

I do – I LOVE music. People say ‘What music do you like?’ I say ‘I love all music that is good music!’ That could be dance music in Ibiza (we’ve just come back from there) or Coldplay or 70’s music – I have a thing for 70’s music like Simon and Garfunkel, Billy Joel. I also sing a lot. All the time in fact! I also listen to the radio a lot.

10. Why is seasonality important in your work? Do you consciously follow the natural cycles of the year when creating?

I follow the seasons naturally as I’m inspired by what’s around me at the time. In “Flower Power” I have picked all flowers from my garden (or other peoples’ gardens!)

11. How do you decide which colours to use in a piece, is it an emotional decision, a technical one, or both?

I have mostly chosen flowers whose colours I love and then I have chosen Edward Bulmer background colours that I feel throw the flowers into relief. Often I think that involves using a colour that’s opposite to the flower itself. I hold up swatches of Edward Bulmer colours against the flower to see what works. The right one springs out!

12. Do you work from life, memory, imagination, or a combination of all three?

I mostly work from life as it feels important to me to create something from the source. However sometimes I take pictures of beautiful flowers and paint them afterwards. The large screen is inspired by a garden I recently visited in Ibiza and I took loads of pictures of plants and have worked from them.

13. How do you hope people feel when they see your work in this exhibition?

I hope the symbolism of the flowers resonates with them and that they bring beauty into someone’s life – we need beauty in our lives.

14. Do you have a favourite colour from the Edward Bulmer Natural Paint range? If so, why that one?

I have too many favourites but here are a few of my faves:
– Cuisse de Nymph Emue – the most beautifully soft, warm dusty pink. I think a modern neutral.
– Vert de Mer – a recent discovery and the most amazing green blue that reminds me of Mediterranean waters. Deep but bright and soft all at the same time same time.
– Brick – I recently painted my desk in this – it’s a amazing warm terracotta colour that’s inviting, lively without being garish and just WOW.

15. How has your relationship with nature evolved since beginning your artistic journey, and has this exhibition deepened that connection?

Creating a body of work based around flowers has really immersed me in the wonders and detail of nature which has super-boosted my appreciation for the natural world.

16. What advice would you give to us on how better to connect with nature in our everyday lives?

Dr Tara Swart the neuroscientist spoke recently about appreciating nature as taking a gratitude practise to the next level. We just need to stop and notice more. We are so busy buried in screens and digital to remember that the most beautiful thing is all around us, at our feet and we have to look after it. It reminds me of the quote “There are always flowers for those that want to see them” – Henri Matisse.

Follow Susannah on Instagram @susannahtaylor_
Sign up to her newsletter The Glow Gazette www.susannahtaylor.com