Story behind the art of Ronda Dick
29th Annual International
American Society of Botanical Artists and the Society of Illustrators
Footpath Finds
Pinus resinosa, Stereum ostrea, Cladonia cristatella, Caloplaca arenaria, Xanthoparmelia sp.
My painting, Footpath Finds, is a personal piece. It is a collection of objects that document and remind me of a wonderful day of hiking in northern Minnesota. My husband and I have a yearly tradition of hiking the same trail in June to see what wildflowers are blooming. The flowers are always eye-catching, but on this walk I was more focused on what I saw around my feet, or at foot level!
The red pine root takes the main stage in this painting since the forested portion of this particular trail was strewn with exposed roots that created intriguing patterns of open spaces. To avoid tripping, I had to watch where I placed my feet and in doing so, I discovered how interesting the roots were in themselves! I was attracted to the lines created in the roots as they twisted and turned to find their way around rocks.
Looking up from the path, I noticed all the new ferns happily growing among fallen trees. Many of these trees had fruiting mushrooms growing on them, and one tree was covered in these wonderful false turkey tails. I needed to find a place for both of them in the painting!
The trail broke out into a rocky meadow area where we sat on some rocks to rest and hydrate. Looking down I was delighted to see all the lichen on the rocks - such a variety of subtle colors and all the random patterns created by the lichens. I just loved the rocks that were broken so geometrically in contrast to all the organic shapes around them! I found it amazing how the lichen grew on the surface of the rocks and then continued to turn around the corner to another side. The soil between the rocks was filled with a variety of lichen that were growing together in fantastic mini communities. The ones I chose to highlight in the painting were those that struck me the most, the small British soldiers that were quiet and yet loud at the same time.
When painting collections, I find the most difficult part is deciding which specimens to include in the composition and which to leave out. I love each one for a reason, but when playing with the composition, I see that some just are not going to fit well, so I must let them go, with the consolation that they may fit into another painting.
Documenting plants is a huge aspect of botanical art. But I am discovering how documenting time and place is just as valuable to me when I paint, making the whole experience more personal. This brings me joy in the whole painting process.
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Read more about this artist's work: 28th Annual