Did you know that there are communities around the world where many resident live to be 100 years or older? These are now called Blue Zones and include Okinawa in Japan, Barbagia region of Sardinia, Ikaria, Greece and the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica.

Surprisingly or not, gardening is listed as one of the key elements in their longer, happier and healthier life along with more obvious factors like a plant based diet, exercise and strong social connections.

For me, my extended family and many friends, gardening certainly became a lifeline, a tonic and focus during lock down. From nurturing pot plants and herbs in the house to veg patches and raised flower beds in the back, maintaining, feeding, watering and witnessing plants grow is a simple joy that has been rekindled in many of us.

As an artist, I’ve always been interested and inspired by plants, trees wild flowers the shadows of ‘wild things’ silhouetted on sunnier days. Growing up in the country and living in a busy city since my early 20’s, my appreciation of being around nature and being in quietly growing spaces always brings renewed energy and creative vision.

We’re lucky to have so many green spaces, parks and wild places in Edinburgh and can quickly get to them via the web of paths and cycle networks. One of my favorite local places is Starbank Park which has been restored to it’s former glory over the last 7 years by a group of volunteer gardeners. Opened as a public park since 1891 the current community action group Friend’s of Starbank Park run annual Halloween parties and egg hunts, the cherry blossom picnic, fundraising events as well as maintain the planting, restoration and upkeep of this beautiful space.

I walk, draw, photograph, sit, contemplate, breath and witness the seasonal changes regularly in this wee park. During lock down it became a haven and our evening ritual for our last neighborhood stroll each day. It was during one of my walks that I decided to create a series of prints to express my love and appreciation of the plant varieties I’d enjoyed seeing grow. Working with my drawings, sketches and photographs I’ve designed 4 prints based around the layered plant silhouettes of gladiola, lupins, alliums, dahlias ferns, cowslip and many more of my favorites.

This tribute design collection named ’FLOURISH’ are printed on beautiful matt archival grade paper called giclee prints, produced by local printers Bare Branding

Available from Monday 9th November in either A5 and A4 frame size.

As a thank you to the Friends of Starbank Park I’m donating 20% of my print sales to their fundraiser campaign.

I realize that looking at beautiful prints of plants won’t guarantee a longer life but it will make you smile by capturing a little of natures essence and bringing it into your home.

If getting involved in community gardening appeals to you then Friends of Starbank hold volunteer gardening parties at the park every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 10.00 to 11.30. A warm welcome, fresh air and healthy physical labour is guaranteed!

LONG LIVE THE GARDENING LIFE!