Of Mangoes and Clay
The Golden Isles beckon artists here and embrace a broad spectrum of creativity that finds appreciative audiences. Of Mangoes and Clay: The Fine Art of Botanical Watercolors by Hillary Parker | Modern Ceramics and Functional Design by Ross Edwards, an exhibit of the combined works of award-winning botanical watercolor artist Hillary Parker and ceramic artist Ross Edwards that will be on display at the new Glynn Visual Arts Center, offers a glimpse of exactly that.
Hillary Parker is a former resident of St. Simons Island who now makes her home in Coral Gables, Florida who competes internationally at invitational and juried botanical exhibitions such as The Horticultural Society of New York, The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and The Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh, and her watercolor commissions are collected and sold worldwide. As one of only 12 artists chosen worldwide to participate in their Royal Horticultural Society of London’s October 2014 Botanical Art Show, Parker did 5 months of research at the Fairchid Tropical Botanic Garden to create 8 paintings representing the dissemination and domestication of the mango as it spread across the globe. The background of each painting is a monochrome map illustrating each mango’s origin. The show was an award-winning success.
With a B.S. degree in Art Education, Hillary teaches at all levels, offering private art classes and workshops on an international level. Her courses and lectures to professional artists are technical and challenging, as opposed to the relaxed, social art gatherings she offers at resorts including The Cloister and at her upcoming workshop at Glynn Visual Arts.
Ross Edwards relocated his studio here in 2014 to expand upon a design career that was launched in 2012 when his work was discovered by Robert Abbey, a 67-year old lighting design company, at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. A young and prolific designer whose preferred medium is clay, he takes in the world and its cultural and technological influences, and applies both traditional and new age techniques he’s learned as a ceramic artist. Every piece is handmade from raw material to completed product, utilizing clean and simple designs, and environmental and food-safe materials.
Parker’s fine art botanicals, both prints and paintings, including the RHS mango series and Edward’s contemporary designs in ceramic clay will be on display at Glynn Visual Arts Center through April 16.
WORKSHOP
Join Hillary Parker on April 18-19 for a 2-day workshop exploring the foundations of botanical watercolors. Whether a notice or an experienced artist looking for a unique and different approach, this fun and innovative course uses the abundant local plant life for inspiration. Students are challenged to strengthen and reinforce their own observation and drawing skills as they develop and refine painting techniques that include washes, glazes, textures, and fine line detail work. Register online at glynnvisualarts.org or by calling 638.8770.
