Carolyn working in her studio

Botanical Interests: Tell us a little about yourself.

Carolyn Crawford: I received a bachelor of fine arts degree in education from Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. My preferred medium is watercolor pencil, although I do occasional scientific illustrations for botanical journals in pen-and-ink. I also love field botany and plant taxonomy. My specialty is the Milkweed Family (Apocynaceae) and I have taught several classes on this topic for the Colorado Native Plant Society. I also led two field trips to the U.S Army Pinon Canyon Tank Maneuver Site in Las Animas County, to search for the rare Dwarf Milkweed (Asclepias uncialis) in 1997 and 1998.

Primula specuicola

BI: Your work has received national and international attention. What were some of your most memorable exhibits?

CC: I was honored to be included in The Royal Horticultural Society’s Westminster Fortnightly Show where I received the Grenfell Silver Medal (1988); The Hunt Institute’s Sixth International Exhibition (1988); The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators’ Picturing Natural History held at the Smithsonian (1996); and The Eccentric Artists’ Gardens shows at the Boulder Public Library (2006 and 2011).

Papaver rhoeas

Cleome serrulata

BI: How did you become interested in botanical illustration?

CC: My interest in botany began over thirty-five years ago when I subconsciously became interested in plant taxonomy. Then in 1981, I ventured into botanical illustration. In early 1982, a seminal exhibit of the botanical paintings of the late Ida Hrubesky Pemberton went-up in a small museum gallery in Lakewood, Colorado. To this day, I consider Ida to be my “mentor” even though we never met. The greatest honor was the chance to prepare a biography and co-curate the 2003 retrospective exhibition for Ida Hrubesky Pemberton at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh. In a manner of speaking, this was my opportunity to thank my mentor for all the years of inspiration she’s given me.

CC: I have worked as a contract illustrator for Botanical Interests since 1996, and have created over 180 seed packet designs. The seed packet for the Mesclun Lettuces “Gourmet Baby Greens” presented the greatest challenge. The complexity of the various colors and textures, plus the fact I was doing the painting in February of 2011 when it was negative 17 degrees outside! The large packet assortment of morning glories “Something Old, Something New” was the most fun. I love painting morning glories!

Carolyn has produced more than 180 botanical illustrations for Botanical Interests seed packets!  As a tribute to her prolific artistry, we are offering two prints for the month of December. Click here to purchase.