Botanica 2009 - Residency Exhibition

'Family Traits - Proteaceae' ©2009. Nicola Moss.

I would like to extend a warm invitation to attend Botanica 2009.

I will be exhibiting artworks from the 'Family Tree' series, developed during my Artist-in-Residence experience at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha in 2009. Each day of the exhibition I will be in attendance and look forward to seeing you if you have an opportunity to visit. Thank you.

Botanica opens on Thursday, 3rd December from 6.30 - 9.00pm. Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong.

To be opened by Dr Gordon Guymer, Director, Queensland Herbarium.

RSVP for opening night by Friday 27th November to Jay Stewart, Ph: (07) 3403 2535.

Exhibition continues Friday 4th - Sunday 6th December, 10am - 4pm. (Sunday closing 3pm)

Bombax ceiba

During my residency at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha, I have grown to love this tree, Bombax ceiba. It has a beautiful form with branches departing its main trunk at regular intervals. Its leaves are a soft grey green, with a cooling feel in Summer. In September it put on a spectacular display of large crimson red wax like flowers on bare branches; the overall effect a little like a giant candelabra. This month the flowers that have pollinated are dispersing seed. Huge puffs of translucent white, cotton wool like material carrying a single small black seed, were being carried off the tree in a gentle breeze. Observing the various stages of a plant cycle has been one of the great experiences of my residency.

The Bunya Forest

I haven't posted many images of the fabulous Bunya Pine forest at the entrance to the Australian Plant Communities; it is striking all year round, but even more so this month in a flush of lime green new growth.

The pointed leaves almost appear soft in their fresh growth form. It is a wonderful sight if you have an opportunity to visit the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha this month.

Layers of Life now in print

As part of my Artist-in-Residence at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha I decided to make a book about my experiences, observations and artworks developed during the nine months.
Last year a good friend, Susan Buret, introduced me to a self publishing site called Blurb. On checking out their site I was quite excited about the opportunity to make a book, I just needed a suitable project to base it on - the residency has been that project.

I started this blog as a way of keeping track of my experiences and to assist with the eventual making of the book. This blog has provided me with far more than I initially envisioned, support and comments from colleagues and friends, making of new friends, and my family in Melbourne having a much better idea of what I 'do' are just a few.

I would like to extend a generous Thank you to all the people who have supported me during my residency and assisted with the making of the book. THANK YOU.

'Layers of Life' features monthly chapters of seasonal highlights in the Australian Plant Communities, with accompanying chapters presenting visual inspiration from the Japanese, Temperate Region and Arid Region gardens; and a chapter dedicated to artworks resulting from the residency.

Signed copies will be available at Botanica in early December, or orders can be placed online.