Two years ago, botanical artist and horticulturist Miffy Gilbert made the move to Sassafras, drawn in by the Dandenong Ranges’ lush greenery and misty gardens.
After getting to know locals at the Kallista Market, Ms Gilbert opened her studio doors to share her love of botanical art and what began as a small offering has quietly grown into something quite special.
Ms Gilbert, who already teaches at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and the Botanical Art School of Melbourne, said her move to the Hills came with the desire to build something more personal.
“One of the big reasons for moving to the Dandenong Ranges was the amazing amount of greenery you are surrounded by,” she said.
“I really wanted to create a space that was infused with my slant on botanical art and my art philosophy.”
That idea began to take root not in a gallery or classroom, but at the monthly Kallista Market, it was from here that locals first encountered Ms Gilbert’s unique style and, for many, something about it resonated.
“There were so many people who spent time getting to know me and my art at the market that it felt right to start offering classes in the Hills,” Ms Gilbert said.
“I have two lovely ladies who have completed classes with me and would love to re-connect with more budding artists in my studio.”
Her Sassafras studio now hosts small, intimate sessions designed to help participants see nature with a new level of attention.
Through a blend of watercolour and coloured pencil, students explore not only the techniques of illustration but the fine detail and character of each plant from the folds of a petal to the edge of a leaf.
“My classes and workshops are created with a learning journey in mind and then the content is tweaked to respond to each student’s needs,” Ms Gilbert said.
“It enables me to cater for a variety of skill levels, beginner, intermediate or advanced and often in the same class.”
With each series of sessions, students start with a blank page. By the end, they’ve produced a detailed botanical sketchbook study and, in most cases, a finished artwork. But for the Sassafras artist, it’s not just about the final result.
“It is always a revelation to me how each participant has their own style, and it is so exciting to see that come to life on the page as their confidence grows,” she said.
Nature itself plays a starring role.
Her studio, set in the heart of Sassafras, is surrounded by native birds and the occasional grazing deer, adding a sense of calm and connection to the experience.
“We are deep diving into a natural plant specimen, studying all the important features that we want to capture in the artwork to tell the botanical story of the plant. It is educational as well as meditative,” she said.
Ms Gilbert believes it’s that slower, more deliberate connection with nature that appeals so deeply to people living in the Dandenongs.
“We live in a way that is closer to nature already, and so getting under the bonnet of specific plants to really see how they tick is an extension of where we call home,” she said.
“Botanical art is not a fast art form. It helps people to slow down, take stock and really look at the natural design and beauty that surrounds us.”
As a qualified horticulturist and experienced garden writer, Gilbert brings a rich depth of plant knowledge into her teaching – she weaves scientific accuracy with creativity, describing botanical art as “where art and science meet”.
“My horticultural training and my garden writing background help me bring the respect for the plant’s detail and the accurately depicting that detail to my teaching,” she said.
“I enjoy weaving the plants’ story and folklore into my teaching and my artwork equally.”
With winter sessions underway and more planned in the months ahead, Ms Gilbert is encouraging locals to get involved – whether they’re seasoned artists or first-time dabblers.
“If you are interested but have never drawn or painted with watercolour before, don’t let that stop you,” she said.
“At each step you are supported and in a safe environment where everyone is learning something or extending their knowledge. We all learn from each other which makes for an amazing community.”
She runs her botanical illustration classes from her Sassafras studio, with upcoming sessions diving into the delicate beauty of camellias, snowdrops and daffodils.
To find out more or book a spot, visit: www.horticolour.au.
