STORY BEHIND THE ART OF ANGELA MIRRO

Wildly Exquisite: Florida’s Native Plants

Encyclia tampensis

Encyclia tampensis

During a visit to South Florida in the late spring of 2019, I visited Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in Coral Gables, Florida, with a friend, as well as exploring the areas surrounding Coral Gables.

Although it is rare to see these plants growing in situ, at one point, we saw some Encyclia tampensis in bloom, overhead, growing high up in the trees. The small, delicate blossoms were lovely, dancing in the breeze, and every so often, we could smell the faint fragrance of honey from the flowers. It was enchanting, and I knew I wanted to paint the plant in bloom.

During that same visit, we also attended the Redland International Orchid Festival in Homestead, Florida, where I met up with an old friend who grows Encyclia tampensis. He generously gave me a division, which I then brought back to my small greenhouse in Brooklyn. I have been growing it on a piece of wood, as it would grow naturally as an epiphyte.

I started studying the plant by carefully drawing it, using layers of tracing paper, slowly perfecting the proportions and details. I then did color studies of the flowers as they were blooming, while also taking some photos. I transferred my pencil drawing, very lightly onto a sheet of 300 lb hot press watercolor paper, and then started painting with watercolor from light to dark, faintly blocking in the pseudobulbs, leaves, stems, and flowers; and then building layer upon layer of transparent washes to achieve depth and details. I was able to refer back to my drawing, color studies, and photos once the flowers had faded.

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