Category: Wildlife in the Garden

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The Iceni Botanical Artists (IBA) Fullers Mill Garden Exhibition is now up and running – Bury Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds

Another wonderful report from Doreen Taylor, IBA Member (and see Exhibition itinerary and a few photographs below:)

Preview of Iceni Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition at The Guildhall Bury St Edmunds “Fullers Mill Garden – A Jewel in the Forest”

After more than two years of dedicated and fascinating study, Iceni Botanical Artists were proud to present a very special exhibition—a celebration of all the beauty and calm of Fullers Mill Garden.

Three years ago Iceni were invited by Fullers Mill to record the flora and fauna of Bernard Tickner’s beautiful garden and we have been working on this unique project ever since. Twenty five artists, each with their own individual style, were given complete freedom to choose whichever plants they would like to paint from a list compiled by Fullers Mill.

Just like the garden itself the completed collection of artworks is a kaleidoscope of colourful plants and wildlife which have come together in one delightful and satisfying exhibition. In addition, most of these paintings have been made into a very beautiful and well designed book, with an interesting text written by Rod Leeds, a great friend of Bernard Tickner and his garden and additional script by Tina Bone (editor).

Our President, Isobel Bartholomew, opened the exhibition, explaining how the whole project came into being and invited Rod Leeds to present the first of three awards.

First, our prestigious Val Hesmondhalgh Trophy (a beautiful glass vase) for Botanical excellence was awarded to Isobel herself (and richly deserved) for her painting of the “Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense” (Giant Himalayan Lily). Rod commented that this life-size study in watercolour and graphite was a work of outstanding botanical accuracy showing every detail of the plant’s structure and life cycle.

Rod also mentioned the painting of Broussonetia papyrifera Laciniata (Paper Bark Mulberry), painted by Georgie Kuna saying that the overall composition was unusual and remarkable but also that Georgie’s depiction of this very complicated plant ran a very close second to Isobel’s work. He was most impressed with all the artwork in the exhibition and congratulated IBA artists on their wonderful achievement.

Then Isobel gave a very special award of a bouquet of flowers to our Chair, Tina Bone, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Iceni Botanical Artists. This was not only for all her hard work since taking the helm but above all for her highly professional work as project manager of our study of Fullers Mill garden and the creation of our beautiful accompanying book.

The third award, ‘The People’s Choice’ is in the hands of our visitors who have the opportunity to vote for their favourite painting. It is always exciting to see who will win.

So our project is complete and we can all now enjoy welcoming visitors to the exhibition, hoping it gives them as much pleasure as it has given IBA artists to study and paint all these wonderful plants. And above all it may inspire everyone to visit Fullers Mill garden and make it their own very special place.

Doreen Taylor, Saturday 28th June 2025

Cardiocrinum yunnanense (Giant Himalayan Lily) by Isobel Bartholomew which won IBA’s Botanical Excellence Award – the Val Hesmondhalgh Vase (chosen by Rod Leeds).
Broussonetia papyrifera (Paperbark Mulberry) by Georgie Kuna – a very close runner-up to Isobel’s painting.
Tina Bone’s stand showing a few draft versions of IBA’s new book about Fullers Mill Garden, as well as one of her own River Friend Series of published books all about rivers: “Drying Up”, with 5 versions of text and various illustrations used in her book.
Jan enjoying a coffee after a hard day’s toil on the exhibition floor!
Francesca and Louis ready to “pour” for the visitors.
Rosemary and Alison at the helm – in charge of the money, book and catalogue sales.
“Rob’s Corner” dedicated to our dearly departed member, Rob Dyke, who passed away in March 2025 after having completed 20 artworks for the Fullers Mill Project. Rob’s family were in attendance and had very kindly given permission for his paintings to be on display and for sale at this exhibition.
There are over 500 cards on sale as well as just 25 limited edition copies of IBA 2026 calendar commemorating this exhibition and project.
The fabulous Banqueting Hall showing half the collection of artworks during a lull in visitors!
Just a few of the fabulous paintings on show in the Court Room, where during the exhibition, the one-day workshops and demonstrations will also be taking place beneath the “Judge’s” seat.
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Only two days until Iceni Botanical Artists’ wonderful Book Launch at Fullers Mill Garden Friday 6th June 2025

IBA’s second publication, “Fullers Mill Garden A Jewel in the Forest”, will be available to purchase after 6th June 2025 in the Garden shop. See some of the beautiful paintings which have been done specially for the book below

IBA’s 2025 selling Exhibition at Bury Guildhall follows the book launch and showcases all the paintings done for the project. The new book will also be on sale here. The exhibition begins on Saturday 27th June and ends on Saturday 12th July 2025 (Open every day from 10.00am till 4.00pm). We also have a fabulous (posh) printed catalogue available as a visitor memento for £10.

The books have arrived and are all sitting patiently in their boxes under my staircase waiting to be distributed and sold. I noticed the desk on which I had piled them was sagging in the middle, so had to take most of the boxes off!!!! Fortunately, it did regain its shape:

Here are some of the stunning artworks published in the book and which will be for sale at the Bury Guildhall Exhibition from 28th June to 12th July:

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River Friend Books now available from Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve

A big thank you to Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve for showcasing our little River Friend Books in their shop. It is a wonderful place to visit and the scenery and wildlife are stunning.

Kingfishers Bridge itself
Time for tea and cake
Buffalo wallow
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1201: Tayabak with Critters (Jade Vine) Jigsaw Puzzle progress

Having completed the “Puffins and Thrift” Jigsaw puzzle my very-good-at-puzzles friend has kindly agreed to work on the Tayabak with Critters (PICTURE PROFILE) one, which totally defeated me – and I painted the picture!

Here is the progress so far (whole picture below the puzzle progress pictures).

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“Bringing the Gardens Indoors” Artist Code numbers 2311 and 2312

This was an unusual commission to paint two wall panels on canvas to then cut and fit between wall beams in a lovely listed cottage. Way out of my comfort zone, it took four times as long to complete as I had envisaged. But a wonderful experience nevertheless. Both panels measure nearly 50″ tall and 16″ at the widest part.

The Story behind painting Panel 1 “Bring the Garden Indoors” can be viewed here

Similarly, Panel 2’s progress “Bring the Wild Garden Indoors” can be viewed here

Here are a few photographs of the two panels’ installation, which in itself was a steep learning curve for me as I had to make paper templates by pressing old lining wallpaper into the shape between the wooden wall beams, then transfer these shapes to my specially purchased canvas which was silky and smooth and took 6 weeks to be delivered! Then I had to research the best glue for the job and learned all about fish glue and its archival properties. It is water based so that the artworks can easily be removed from the wall if needs be, and it worked a treat. The wall surface was extremely pitted and uneven, which meant that some areas of canvas had to be left unstuck in order not to stretch and damage the canvas and painting. I do not think I shall ever be easy about using acrylic paints. I never enjoy painting with acrylic nor do I much like the results—it will definitely NEVER be my preferred medium. The most nerve-wracking time was cutting the canvas to shape. Fortunately both times it went well and both are now nicely stuck to the wall (I hope for many years!).