Melinda Edstein

I grew up in suburban Sydney, Australia, and it is still my home. Nature, gardens and animals were always important in my life, and science was my favourite area of study. When our children were reaching adulthood, and I had left my career as a veterinarian, I decided to try botanic art. It seemed the perfect combination of art and science. I embarked on lessons at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, in 2008, and haven’t looked back. Traditional watercolours are beautiful, but I tended to just draw with my brush. I decided to try coloured pencils, which better suit my personality.

I love the richness and saturation that can be achieved with coloured pencil. I tend to be quite heavy handed, putting down layer upon layer of colour, blending with pressure as I go. The subjects that appeal to me tend to be the slightly unusual. Australian flowers certainly aren’t mundane, and can be quite a complicated challenge.

2017 saw me complete the Society of Botanical Artists [UK] Distance Learning Course with Distinction. The highlight of my career thus far has been to have my ‘Monkey Cups’ included in the Hunt Institute’s 16th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration, 2019. In the near future I hope to complete a set of pieces to contribute to the Royal Horticultural Society London Botanical Art and Photography Show.

Awards/Exhibitions
'Botanica' exhibition, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney - 2010 to present.
Society of Botanical Artists, UK, Annual Exhibition -2019, 2020, 2021.
'Botanical Art Worldwide' exhibition, 2018.
Fellow membership awarded by the Society of Botanical Artists, UK, 2019.
UKCPS 'Inside the Lines 3', Runner Up Award.
Hunt Institute's 16th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration, 2019.
UKCPS 19th Annual Exhibition, 2020.
SBA 'Plantae 2021' - awarded 'Certificate of Botanical Merit' & 'Exhibiting Excellence in the Depiction of Wild Flora'.