Story behind the art of Sora Han

26th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art and Garden Center

Scarlet Geranium

Pelargonium inquinans

One summer day, when my daughter was around four years old, the geraniums that I grew at home died. She picked up the fallen flowers and cried, “Mom, the flowers are all dead.” On that day, I made a promise to her to “grow” geraniums on paper, that would not wither away. This promise led me on a journey. I went looking for a geranium to keep my promise to her. I wandered around flower shops and flower markets, but I couldn’t find the right geranium. I almost forgot about it. Three years later, in 2019, I discovered a dark pink geranium shining brightly by the side of a road, by serendipity. The striking color of this flower inspired me to create this painting.

The geranium, which is a plant native to South Africa, is known for its vibrant colors. It is highly adaptable to its surroundings, is long-lived, and is a popular plant for home gardens. Most geraniums have a mounding habit, with palmately lobed foliage that is soft and fluffy. The geranium I painted has a lovely shade of pink, which reminds one of sweet candies and childhood. I arranged three flowers on paper, like my family.

The one aspect that I focused on the most when creating this painting was the color of the flower. To capture the specific shade of pink, I tested with colored pencils, watercolors, acrylic paints, and marker pens. I decided to create a slightly fluorescent color by using both marker pens and colored pencils. It was very difficult to balance the color, not too strong and not too pale. I had to minimize the use of marker pens as a base color to accurately capture the desired tone. After several tests, I became confident that I could express the desired color. I started working in earnest. The process was not easy, but I was pleased to think about how my daughter would like the finished work. I remember asking her from time to time while drawing if she liked the flower. Finally, a geranium “bloomed” on paper, in her favorite pink color, that would never wither away.

It was a long journey but the fact that I was able to keep the promise I made to my daughter made it all worth it. In my paintings, I wish to capture various stories related to plants. This work signifies the love I have for my daughter. I hope that the audience will be able to feel and enjoy the essence of love in my painting.

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