STORY BEHIND THE ART OF KSENIA MAMONOVA

21st Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists at Wave Hill

Maple Samaras

Acer platanoides

The maple seed is my favorite thing in nature. I have admired this gentle, delicate, exquisite subject since my childhood. So I was sure about my choice for the ASBA exhibition.

There is a big old maple near my house. Every day I look at it and I am impressed with it. Of course, I have dry maple seeds at home. First, because I like them very much. Second, because exactly this state of them is a color perfect model for painting. The dry seed is full of different shades of green and brown and it has subtle color transitions. And the maple seed has a stunning texture. In dried form it appears brighter. It has given nature a great sophistication. I decided to show this beautiful texture and interesting state of the plant on paper.

For my work I applied a mixed technique of watercolors and graphite specially because it is my favorite approach. The colors shown are calm and extremely elegant. Graphite has a unique ability to give watercolors a noble silver coating. Some fragments of my painting are made only with graphite, to give them special lightness and grace.

I hope this painting will encourage viewers to look more carefully and to pay attention to the variety of details and shades in this object that fascinated me so much.

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