Most of us are aware of the importance of bees and other pollinators, which is great and of course they are regular guests in my work, so it’s clear how much I love them! So as it’s World Bee Day on 20th May this felt like a great time to highlight these little guys and their absolute beauty, just a little more!
My recent work, ‘Lavender Meadows’ shows the joy bees bring not just visually but of course practically. World Bee Day this year is calling for ‘global action to support pollinator-friendly agricultural production and highlights the importance of protecting bees and other pollinators, particularly through evidence based agricultural production practices.’ They have produced this guide for people to be inspired and get involved.
Global action is a serious business for us all doing our best to help the environment but I don’t want that to overshadow the joyful playfulness that nature also gives us all. I am constantly inspired and motivated by nature, the colours, shapes, shadows, movement, an endless list of uplifting and positive images come from just looking at my surroundings. The bees, butterflies, ladybirds all playfully jostling for prime position in the lavender, each oblivious to their beauty in both colour and form. Yellows, reds, black, whites flicker amongst the vibrant blue, lavender stems with absolute perfection.
My unending colour palette is vital for me to be able to explore all these varying shades and pigments in nature and using slightly more unusual techniques allows me a broader element of freedom and unpredictability, which reflects very well my subject matters so I can do my best to fully capture the hustle and bustle of nature and its vibrancy. As an artist I love colour, and the absolute beauty that pollinators and flowers present, where colours reflect, enhance and balance each other so perfectly , it is something that really never ceases to amaze.
So here’s my 5 Top tips on how to help our little busy bees this year…
1. Plant Pollinator plants like Cornflowers, Alliums and Catmint
2. Encourage Wildflowers like Daisy’s & Dandelions with areas of uncut lawn
3. Avoid using pesticides
4. Build bee hotels in your garden
5. Give bees water trays
And enjoy the wonder of nature!
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