Oak Spring Garden Foundation Botanical Artist Residency
In July 2024, I had the honor of being selected as one of three botanical artists for the prestigious Oak Spring Garden Foundation Botanical Artist Residency. I made my way to Upperville, Virginia — a charming spot nestled near Washington, D.C. — and found myself on the most breathtaking property I had ever seen.
The gardens were masterfully designed to appear effortlessly beautiful from every angle: fountains, statues, archways of apple trees, and perfectly placed garden chairs tucked into quiet corners. Even the stone walkways, though immaculately laid, allowed a few wild companions to break through — striking giant mulleins and dainty blue chicory — subtle reminders that nature always finds its way, softening the edges of human design and adding to the space’s welcoming charm.
The balance of elegance and wildness spoke volumes about the vision of its founder, Mrs. Rachel “Bunny” Mellon, whose thoughtful touch could be felt in every corner.
This residency felt like a dream from the very first day to the very last. Our accommodations were in a beautiful historic home on the farm side of the property, and each week we were treated to a box of freshly harvested produce. Deep purple eggplants, heirloom tomatoes, okra, squash — it was nourishment for both the body and the soul.
My assignment was to complete a botanical painting of a plant found on the property. The hardest part, by far, was choosing which subject to focus on. During the first few days, we toured the grounds with ecologists, gardeners, and historians, learning about the rich biodiversity surrounding us. It was during a group lunch at the Pony Barns that I spotted a vine covered in vibrant orange-red flowers, hummingbirds darting in and out of its blossoms. I was instantly captivated.
The plant was called "Trumpet Vine" — its twisting stems were adorned with clusters of buds in various stages of life: some bursting open, others fading, and a few already developing long, sculptural, bean-like seed pods. I spent the next two and a half weeks carefully measuring, colour matching, sketching, and finally "painting" the piece using coloured pencils.
I could hardly believe I had my own studio to work in. Just down the road from the botanical artist residence house was an old airport that had been transformed into a bright, open studio space. Huge windows wrapped around the building, flooding it with natural light — and thankfully, it was air-conditioned!
I’m not sure if the weather was typical for July in Virginia, but I struggled a bit with the relentless 40-degree (Celsius) heat, and in the three weeks I was there, it only rained once. The fields were dry and sun-bleached, but the landscape still held so much beauty.
Because the studio was set slightly apart from the other buildings, I was lucky enough to spot wildlife while I worked — a fox, a deer and her fawn, a skunk, vultures, and even a red-headed woodpecker — all of which added to the quiet magic of the experience.
The property includes a rare and historic library, home to an extraordinary collection of botanical artwork and books that we had the privilege of studying. The inspiration was endless. Some of these volumes were one-of-a-kind, hand-painted treasures dating back hundreds of years, filled with delicate butterflies, elegant plants, and glimpses into the memories and observations of artists long past.
My Trumpet Vine piece, which I brought home to complete, has since been returned to Oak Spring and now resides in their permanent collection. The collection is displayed on-site at Oak Spring and also travels for various exhibitions. My piece has already been exhibited at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina (2025).
I stayed with Botanical artists Lee McCaffree (left), & Mary Dillion (middle). It was an honour to learn from these women, and I was continuously inspired by their work, and their knowledge.
The Nora Mellon House, where the botanical artist group stayed! My bedroom was the top-most window. I had an incredible view of the fields, the birds and the forest beyond.
I hope to apply for the "Perennial" residency program in a few years — a unique opportunity for alumni artists to return and be inspired all over again. I can easily imagine coming back year after year and never tiring of the space, the incredible people who work there, or the artists who are chosen to stay. Being part of this community has been one of the greatest honours of my life.