The Art of Pressed Leaves
New Ideas in Pressed Leaves and Flowers
Jennie Ashmore
As a child, I was taught to document the passing of time, through foraging for items found on walks within our locality - namely leaves. I fondly remember hand in hand with my mother, coming home to open books to store these treasures. Often the leaves were lost, the book misplaced and always the question of.,…what book did we put them in? Or maybe that very book had gone to the local barters. On successful leaf location, we played with techniques, very similar to those in this very book. I was of course age five and upwards at this stage, but the methods can be altered to suit any age…..let us have a look.
The book is written by the flower artist Jennie Ashmore. In brief, it covers how to use your findings in nature to create art. But it is a lot more complex and detailed that that.
She educates us within the Techniques section, in many printing methods, such as rubbings and etchings. Imagine even makings ink from the natural forms.
One part of the book I particularly liked was its attention to colour. In my mind, it was simply a technique which comprised of pressing leaves in a book (or a flower press made for the job if you are feeling fancy). But no, this artist opens up our minds to the possibility of thought - what would happen if I….? I love the bold palette of suggested painted backgrounds, such as the blue on the book’s cover and also explored in the colour section inside. The leaves themselves as well as the flowers can produce colour naturally too - so many options here.
Really though, what does this book teach us?
The lesson I learned, is to stop, appreciate the glory of the natural world around us. There is something very grounding, when on ones’ waking, we feel ‘head-stuck’….then we venture out and notice life all around us, no matter the season. On the bleakest raw ridden day, there is always light, even if it comes from the skeleton branch whcich in earlier moments proffered a gift offering of colour. I know that on my return post-walk, nothing has indeed changed in my life, but I have changed in my mind, I have seen not the limo status of a home, but the shoots that will be living just outside.
Age range? Although some methods may require adult support and safety, children would get great joy from this book. It is all about the adventure that is nature. I also know personally during my Fine Art and Textiles studies that many projects can be directed to one theme. I did trees and mushrooms for mine, so an exploration on leaves could be employed. You do not have to be an artist, but this book would make you want to be one…