Catherine Kramer

“The making of a garden is the effort of the individual to attain unity with the universe... it is essentially an aid to contemplation.” - (The Society of the Four Arts Botanical Gardens in Palm Beach)

There is an innate beauty in nature that draws people in. It welcomes and soothes us, offering a connection to those who seek it. Public gardens are amazing sanctuaries for people to visit and are monuments of time-consuming care for the people who tend to them. I do not have the resources to cultivate a living garden, so I tend to an imaginary one. Personalizing each plant to represent a portion of my life and then pouring my time into their creation. My primary artistic method is printmaking, like gardening it is a time-consuming process with many tips and tricks you must learn along the way. In the past, I would draw directly from nature, my favorite being lily pads. I was fascinated with their lines and form, but mainly felt connected to the way they live; keeping their head above the water to bask in the sun, but still tied to the mud below. I was interpreting the state in which plants exist and applying it to my own experiences. Now I am creating new plants and landscapes inspired by my imagination to better explore the internal realm of my psyche. This process has allowed me to contemplate the state of my existence and by nurturing these illustrated plants, I find that I am nurturing myself.