Elaine Searle

An award-winning botanical artist and educator

Approach

Elaine Searle is internationally recognised for her watercolour paintings of plants, fruit and vegetables. Often described as ethereal and moving, her art challenges perceptions of contemporary botanical practice. It’s intent is not documentation but plant portraiture.

Searle is fascinated by light on form, textural contrasts and creating an illusion of depth.

Plant selection

Specimens are often commonplace rather than rare or exotic as she enjoys the challenge of revealing their unique character. Her singular vision may focus on the back of a flower or the hidden aspects of bulbs and roots, often intentionally cropped and composed to add focus. Ideas may gestate for years before being committed to paper or animal vellum using many layers and a limited palette of pigments.

Art Bio

Awards & Residencies

2022
Botanical Artist in Residence, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, VA

2019
Bourn Award for distinction with an emphasis on horticulture, 21st Annual Exhibition Filoli

2019
Society of Botanical Artists Award 'Exhibiting Excellence, London

2015
People’s Choice Award, ASBA Annual Meeting, Miami, Fl

2013
Talas Award at 16th Annual International ASBA at The Horticultural Society of New York

2008 RHS Silver Gilt Medal, London

2006
Diploma (Distinction) in Botanical Painting English Gardening School, London

Collections & Florilegia

2017
The Huntington Library Collection, San Marino, CA.

2014
Virginia Robinson Gardens Florilegium, Beverly Hills

2012
Transylvania Florilegium created under the umbrella of the Prince of Wales's Foundation Romania to record in a permanent way the flora of Transylvania.

2008
The Highgrove Florilegium

2007
Hunt Instiute Permanent Collection, Pittsburgh, PA

Society Membership

American Society of Botanical Artists – Member

Association of Botanical Artists – Member

Linnean Society, London – Fellow

Group Exhibitions

2021
24th Annual International ASBA Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross CA.

2019
‘Plantae’ Society of Botanical Artists, Mall Galleries,London

21st Annual Exhibition, Filoli Historic House & Garden, Woodside CA.

2018
Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition, Palmengarten, Frankfurt, Germany

The College Herbal, Royal College of Physicians. London

2017
Amicus Botanicus
The Halesworth Gallery, Suffolk

‘The Tradescant Orchard’ The Garden Museum, London

2013
16th Annual International ASBA at The Horticultural Society of New York

2010
Amicus Botanicus, London

2008
Amicus Botanicus, London

2007
12th International Exhibition, Hunt Institute, Pittsburgh PA

Teaching Bio

In-person delivery

American Soc. of Botanical Artists
Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California
Chelsea School of Botanical Art
Chicago Botanic Gardens
Dutch Soc. of Botanical Artists
Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
House of Illustration, London
Friends of Virginia Robinson Gardens, Beverly Hills
Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens
Leicestershire Soc. of Botanical illustrators
Minnesota School of Botanical Art
New York Botanic Gardens
Soc.of Botanical Artists, UK
Transylvania Masterclasses for James de Candole

Zoom delivery

American Society of Botanical Artists 2020 & 2021 Virtual Annual Conference
House of Illustration, London (Intro to Botanical Illustration 2020 x10 sessions)
North Carolina Botanic Gardens (White Oak-leaf Hydrangea 2021 x 4 sessions)