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Janet Matthews


Janet's work has been described as “weaving magic” with pencil. 

“My art is my passion, especially pencil, colour pencil and graphite.  I love to draw our botanical and wildlife subjects with intensity, personality and precise detail.  I want to engage and inspire viewers with the beauty and uniqueness of our natural world.” 

Janet is a multi-award winning artist exhibiting regularly in Australia and overseas.  Accolades include:

  • Excellence Award WAMA works on paper exh 2021 (Wildlife Art Museum of Australia)
  • Artwork in the collection of the New York State Museum, USA and the Roberson Museum and Science Centre, New York, USA.
  • Represented Australia in the World Wide Botanical Exhibition 2018
  • Focus on Nature Award 2014, New York State Museum (top 14 artworks);
  • Commissions by Australia Post for stamp images released in 2006 and 2009 and 2021;
  • Wildlife Artist of the Year- 2017, 2013 and 2011 - (WASA-Wildlife Art Society of Australasia). 
  • Kenneth Jack Drawing Award- 2013, (AGRA-Australian Guild of Realist Artists.)
  • Fellow of WASA and AGRA
  • Diploma and a Graduate Diploma of Visual Arts, Monash University.
  • Published in many magazines as well as books, including “50 Top Australian Artists”, “Wild Inspirations“ (Wildlife Art Museum of Australia) and “Flora of Australia” 2018.
3 photo(s) Updated on: 8 Nov 2021
  • Anigozanthos manglesii - Kangaroo paw
  • Caleana major - Large duck orchid
  • Eucalyptus macrocarpa

Anigozanthos manglesii
Kangaroo paw

$875

Coloured pencil

560 x 520 mm

"Hmm, nectar!"

These kangaroo paw are magnificent flowers.  Their beautiful “fingers” have such intriguing shapes, especially as they open up and extend their stamen.  Covered in fine fur, the detail of the flowers is fantastic to draw, for someone who is obsessed with detail.  Colours really “zing” with the two complimentary colours next to each other, the green making the red much more intense.  I love to show the world within the flower, with the bees coming in to drink nectar.  A beautiful and alive subject, so proud and stunning.

Colour pencil is my passion.  Drawing intricate detail and intriguing, slightly “not normal” shapes that have their own personality is my way of inspiring others to appreciate nature and be aware of the beauty that surrounds us all.

To see progress shots of this work click the image below.

Caleana major
Large duck orchid

$450 (unframed)

Coloured pencil

370 x 330 mm

"This way! No, this way!"

Flying ducks - what a fabulous flower.  They all have such amusing poses and really inspire my imagination to run wild with the visual of ducks flying out every which way.  A frenzy of excited activity.

These are tiny flowers, as most native orchids tend to be.  So I love to make them monumental by drawing them larger than life.  Engaging the viewer so they become involved in the action and life of the flowers.  Detail to bring them closer to the image to see the details more clearly.  Many of our most stunning botanicals are tiny and easily walked past without being seen.  My drawings aim to make viewers stop and take time to absorb the beauty of the flower.  Colour pencil is ideal for this, with beautiful rich colour and sharp points to create the minute details.

To see progress shots of this work click the image below.

Eucalyptus macrocarpa


$1400

Coloured pencil

660 x 610 mm

"Save some nectar for me."

Macrocarpas are a favourite flower of mine; they are eye catching, bold, stunning and yet weirdly messy.  They often have scars and broken petals, as well as an entanglement of spider webs.  Their brightly coloured stamens attract the bees, so there is always lots of activity and life happening within their leaves, making it a busy home environment for bees, spiders and other insects.

Colour pencil is my passion.  I love spending hours drawing, paying minute attention to creating intricate details.  The overall beauty of the flower attracts the eye, then the detail and insects activity brings the viewer into a wonderful and intriguing world.



To see progress shots of this work click the image below.


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The Botanical Art Society of Australia Inc.
PO Box 1007
Mitcham North VIC 3132

ABN 14 809 478 761

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