We chat with visual artist Karin Miller about Garden Day, her creative process, and favourite florals to illustrate.

Tell us a bit of background about yourself?

I was born and raised in Pretoria and besides living in New Orleans for a year with my family when I was 5, and three years in Jhb as a young information designer, Pretoria is pretty much my town. I ventured into fine art when my children were at school so I could spend more time with them.

What inspires your work?

Old photographs, medieval art, pop culture, the female body and nature.

Can you tell us a bit more about your involvement in Garden Day?

I received a call from Koos Bekker in 2016 asking me if I would like to do a design for a new concept called “Garden Day”. After discussing the full brief I was super excited. I have always been in love with flowers and beautiful gardens so I enjoyed every minute of working on it. After the first year I was asked to do the next poster and banner again and have been doing the visuals for 5 years now. I have since gotten an assistant twice a week which makes the process go much smoother… as I do tend to stress easily. 

How are you planning to celebrate Garden Day this year?

What I personally love about Garden Day (which is taking place on 17 October this year) is the making of the flower crowns. For me, being social with a purpose is way more enjoyable than just sitting around talking about tedious things. This year I will have a small family celebration with my husband and my four adult children and their partners. 

What is currently growing in your garden?

A beautiful show of Petria and Irises as well as romantic climbing roses. My white bougainvillea is starting to bloom which makes me extremely happy.

Do you have a favourite flower or are there any you love to illustrate in particular?

At the moment the Helleborus Fire and Ice is my favourite. I research flowers online and sometimes I discover the most jaw dropping specimens. When I do not have access to a good photograph of a flower I do  an illustration either with watercolours and colour pencil or on the Procreate drawing app on my iPad Pro. 

What is the process for creating a piece?

After I receive the brief, I make a rough design. Once it is approved I start looking for a mode. When the model is approved I plan the shoot by looking for a suitable outfit for her to wear by searching in shops and looking online. After that,  props have to be found – anywhere and everywhere. Once the photoshoot is done we start deep-etching our model and the first part is done. I do a lot of research online to put together an idea of what I would like to see blooming in the garden. Plants need to be photographed and old botanical drawings accessible within the public domain need to be found and touched up. Slowly but surely my assistant, Donovan Drodskie, and I start building up the background and foreground, plant by plant by superimposing images on top of each other in Adobe Photoshop. Highlights and shadows need to be added everywhere to create a realistic digital “collage”. Finally the crown is carefully created by using indigenous flowers and foliage. 

Do you stick to one particular medium?

I work with photography, found images, botanical illustrations as well as illustrations done by me. It’s quite  an extensive process of moving in between ideas and mediums.

What are your plans for the future?

Art and design has been a constant in my life and have seen me through the worst of times as well as the best of times. I will carry on being creative until I drop.

Are there any local artists you admire?

I love the work of Caryn Scrimgeour, Mohau Modisakeng and Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai. Although they seem very different to each other, they have a common thread that really speaks to me.

Where can people see your work?

My work is always on show at manzart Franschhoek and can also now be seen at manzart Hermanus, Reuben’s & co, Val de Vie, Paarl and manzartplus Franschhoek.

For more information, visit karinmiller.co.za

Looking for more on local art? Take a look at all the local virtual exhibitions, here.

The post Artists We Love: Karin Miller appeared first on Visi.

Over the years, crafting flower crowns has become a Garden Day tradition. Thinking of making one this year? Why not extend the lifespan of your beautifully crafted creation? Simoné Griessel, founder of local brand Skaam, dries, presses and preserves flowers in custom-made frames.

After taking a 70-day sabbatical through Africa, Simoné launched Skaam on Spring Day in 2019. “Spending more time in nature and being connected to our source, it felt like I was exactly where I needed to be, mentally and physically.”

She started researching ways to preserve flowers, from ironing to microwaving, but found that the best way is still using books or a flower press.

“I frame the flowers between glass sheets and my most special pieces are framed with UV-protected museum glass,” she says. “The best way to preserve flowers for as long as possible is to keep them out of direct sunlight.”

Simoné designs the frames, which are then crafted locally using hardwood, which according to Simoné, becomes more beautiful with age. “I don’t treat them with anything, as I like the raw look of the timber framing the colourful flowers.”

Simoné says that you can press most flowers – the trick is to just have as little moisture in your flower as possible before pressing to ensure no mould forms during the preservation process. “Some flowers have a thick core (i.e. a sunflower), so in this instance, press the petals and middle individually and re-arrange it once it is preserved. You would need to keep an eye on the thickest part after a week and replace the parching paper, if needed, to ensure you get rid of as much moisture as possible.”

If you want to preserve your flower crown, Simoné suggests pressing the individual flowers/petals and rearranging it on the glass before framing. Skaam also hosts three-hour workshops where you can press flowers (including flower crowns), which include all materials, drinks and snacks. Find out more here.

Garden Day will host a number of virtual events in the run up to Sunday 11 October, including flower crown-making workshops. The final programme and details can be viewed at gardenday.co.za/events.

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This year, Garden Day falls on 21 October 2018. What better way to celebrate than by creating your own flower crown?

In this video, stylist, florist and creative director Blomboy shares a step-by-step guide on how to create one of these whimsical headpieces. Whether for a wedding, a celebration or just for fun, it’s the perfect opportunity to pay homage to our indigenous blooms.

Visit page 136 in the brand-new issue of VISI (VISI 98) to read more about the healing power of gardens.

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Garden Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fruits and flowers of your hard work.

Sunday, 15 October, the Garden Day movement wants us to celebrate our gardens and welcome summer back into our lives. This day is all about setting down tools, wiping your brow, and allowing yourself to appreciate the joys of a garden, whether it’s your own or a friend’s.

The organisers of this movement want to raise awareness around how gardens can bring communities and people together. Many of those who own a garden work tirelessly to maintain it, yet, statistically, these same people spend up to 20% more time gardening than they do revelling in its splendours.

“In this century of absolute convenience and consumerism, we have become disconnected from nature – especially those of us who live in cities,” says gardening author Jane Griffiths. “My organic vegetable garden is not only my oasis and sanctuary, but it also provides us with organic vegetables and herbs. I encourage everyone to put down their phones and switch off the TV and go outside, into your garden or a friend’s garden, and enjoy reconnecting with nature this Garden Day.”

You could arrange a flower crown-making party, host a tea party, have a deli-style picnic, swap plants or arrange a neighbourhood garden party. The possibilities sit entirely within the realms of your imagination and desire. In anticipation of this year’s Garden Day, a whimsical photo shoot was done that included fashion maven Jackie Burger and Babylonstoren gardener Constance Stuurman, among others. The images are wonderfully inspiring.

“Rosemary and slangbos are my favourite plants to work with in flower crowns,” says Constance, “as they create a beautiful, sturdy structure.” You needn’t have a sprawling property to have a garden – urban or rooftop gardening is something any city dweller can do. Start your garden now, and join in the celebrations.

Events To Get You Ready For Garden Day

Woodmead Flower Crown Workshop – Johannesburg

Join floral designer Jannie Olivier at Woodmead Shopping Centre, who will give a demonstration on how to make a flower crown. Jannie is the current Interflora tutor and judge and has been since 2015. He was the Interflora National Designer from 2004 – 2007.

When: Saturday 14 October – 11am to 1pm
Where: Woodmead Shopping Centre Main Entrance
Cost: Free, space is limited to ten participants per time slot.

Flower Crown Workshops – Cape Town

Join floral stylist Blomboy at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market for a free flower crown workshop.

When: Saturday 14 October – two sessions: 9am and 11am
Where: Oranjezicht City Farm Market, Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront
Cost: Free

For more information about Garden Day, visit gardenday.co.za. To win one of three Ludwig’s Roses vouchers, worth R600 each, enter here.

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Celebrate Garden Day on 9 October 2016 by enjoying the beauty and fruits of your garden.

The idea to celebrate Garden Day, says master gardener Gundula Deutschlander, came from a need to share the passion and excitement she experiences every day in her work on the farm Babylonstoren near Paarl. The intention is for garden enthusiasts to put down their rakes and shovels for one day and enjoy the fruits of their daily toil.

Gundula would like to see a garden movement take off, for young and old to appreciate the mental and physical benefits that come from gardening by cultivating their own piece of happiness.

Whether you have a balcony with pot plants, a patch of vegetables or a landscaped hectare of love, Garden Day is your opportunity to share it with others. Every-one is encouraged to gather with loved ones in activities such as a picnic with fresh produce from the garden or a scavenger hunt for the kids. Whatever your plans, let them find you in a garden on 9 October.

For more ideas on what to do to celebrate Garden Day, visit gardenday.co.za.

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