Botanica: A Mixed Bouquet, Art, Design and Ephemera

Encyclopedia of Inspiration #3

by Janine Vangool

Flowers and plants have long been a muse of artists and craftspeople. Personally, I can trace my career in graphic design and publishing to a childhood interest in botany and horticulture. I used to cut out photographs of flowers and vegetables from the seed catalogues that arrived in the mail and paste them in new layouts of my own making in tiny notebooks. And although I had my own little garden plot and earned a few ribbons at the local children’s gardening competition, I realized that my true love wasn’t for the hard, dirty work involved in growing vegetables (although it is satisfying to get earthy now and again)—it was an appreciation for the beauty of the plants themselves. Sketching flowers from life and collaging pictures of plants in a scrapbook was what I enjoyed most. In a simple and organic way, led by a genuine curiosity, I had discovered illustration and design. And for the many creative and enterprising people profiled within the pages of Botanica, an infatuation with florals informed their art, careers and businesses. I’ve also included some historical sources and botanical ephemera, illustrating that we have an evergreen fascination with all things floral. Arranged alphabetically by eclectic topics, Botanica collects a veritable mixed bouquet of art, illustration and stories of botanically inclined lifestyles. Perhaps they will help sow the seeds for your own creativity!

Genres: Crafts

448 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2017

About the author

Janine Vangool is the publisher, editor and designer of UPPERCASE, a quarterly print magazine for the creative and curious. UPPERCASE publishes content inspired by design, typography, illustration and craft. Her magazine and books celebrate the process of making, the commitment to craft and the art of living creatively. Janine got her start working as a freelance graphic designer for arts and culture clients and has also taught typography and publication design at the college level. She has been a shop owner and bookseller, gallery curator, sold a line of greeting cards wholesale, made 10,000 books by hand (with lots of help!) and has sewn her own products for retail. She has a particular fondness for typewriters, a passion inspired a book about their graphic history. She has designed two fabric collections with Windham Fabrics. She is often asked, “Do you ever sleep?” To which she replies, “Yes! By the end of the day I’m exhausted!” She lives in Calgary, Canada with her boardgame-designing husband and curious son.

-Source https://creativemornings.com/talks/ja...

Reviews

[Lilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own very rare books but I own the entire series of THE UPPERCASE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INSPIRATION (I even preordered the 4 last books of the series) because :
1/ I want to support this small Canadian publishing company
2/ They are fully supported by subscriptions only (for their Uppercase Magazine) and book sales
3/ They promote creative artists from all over the world from all fields and media
4/ The encyclopedia books are absolutely stunning. Gorgeous pictures and valuable text contents
Buying their books is a great way to help promote art, the artists and cultures overall.

[Grevick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's closer to the album or catalogue of art and design. In this case, very specific art and design - all kinds of things inspired by flowers and plants in general (by different people).

It's crazy how many directions can human creativity take from the same starting point. You would think that it's easy - just brainstorm a tone of random words and topics, and then try to connect them with "flowers". But somehow, before this book, I didn't think that you could freeze flowers and make art with the pieces. That collages from leaves (that many of us made in childhood) could be taken to the whole new level. This book is a cure against "artist block" - at least it pushes you to think about hundreds of possibilities everywhere, it encourages experimenting.

I think it's best not to read this book, but to open it on random page from time to time, and get inspired :)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically a giant magazine bursting with photos of gorgeous flower arrangements, floral-inspired artwork, and artist studios and work spaces.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series of art books . . as a botanical lover, this book really hits home. A treasure to own and share.