Every year, the Association of Botanical Artists (ASBA) has a call for entries. A themed, juried competition of its members artwork, ending in a show of the finalists work in a prestigious venue. In 2023 the theme was fungi- a subject I knew nothing about. I found myself flummoxed, so I signed up for a 2 day work shop at the NYBotanical Garden. I was wrestling for a concept for the artwork, so I asked my instructor if mushrooms come in every color, and the answer was decidedly yes.

     That was my cue, so I went on a deep dive, mostly at INaturalist.com, and even YouTube where I was enchanted, in awe and absolutely blown away to discover the world of fungi, in every shape, size and color I never knew exsisted.

I ventured to depict those that struck me the most, in the full spectrum of colors. This painting was the result of that.

     This painting didn’t make the show, but it did make me a brighter, happier person.