STORY BEHIND THE ART OF REGINA MILAN
15th Annual International
American Society of Botanical Artists at
The Horticultural Society of New York
Amaryllis
Hippeastrum ‘Apple Blossom’
Why did you choose this subject to portray?
I chose the Amaryllis because I love both order and lots of bits and pieces. Also, I like color and I pick things with strong color. Plus, I chose a bulb because you have time to attend to all these things with a bulb. You know, my sister, Dorothy McCauley, whose work is also in this show, gave it to me for Christmas!
Tell me about your background.
I had a graphic design business for many years and now I am a professor of graphic design at UMass Lowell. I completed the Society of Botanical Artists Distance Learning Diploma Course while working. I multi-task well and do well with deadlines! It was an incredibly rewarding course - it is a really successful program if you don’t live near a botanical art program. I live 1.5 hours away from Wellesley, so the distance course gave me extra hours to paint. As well, I love learning from lots of different people. You may not like every professor, but you can still learn what you do or don’t want to do.
My sister, Dorothy, who is older than I am, has influenced and inspired me over the years, even in my education choices. While I did a full-time MFA program for Graphic Design at Boston University, I painted oils, some botanical work in oil but much more in the form of landscapes and still life. It was Dorothy who suggested to me, pushed me (nagged me really) to do botanical art. She said “I know you will take off in this”. I thought that it was not my style, but it came to me so naturally. Dorothy and I have been in many shows together, in addition to this one. Our mother painted, and other sisters do too. I have 7 sisters and 6 brothers, and most of them have an art talent! We critique and encourage each other.
I think it is really important to pursue all types of art. They inform your work and give it far more depth. For instance, graphic design has helped me with composition and also making sure that my color is strong and vibrant. I encourage my graphic design students to think about art, because art continues to improve your eye. I talk to them about botanical art and show them that there are multiple ways to approach a subject, and we each have a viewpoint. There is an interesting crossover from botanical art into other disciplines. Did you know that Mondrian did botanical art? I show my students his “Chrysanthemum”. I believe that we botanical artists can attract a wider audience.
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