Wild Begonia in Flower

I purchased this plant as a tiny garden plant but thought it was far too delicate to plant outside. So it lives in a pot in my studio with its wondfully assymetrical leaves – velvety dark green on top and deep burgundy underneath – cascading down the brass pot and plynth. Every year, in the spring, tiny pink blossoms appear.

This is a very different plant to its flashier orange and pink of its commercial cousin, available in the local garden centres!

I painted this portrait of the wild Begonia one winter on Japanese Washi paper made from Mulberry leaves. I use traditional black Sumi and coloured mineral inks with brushes from China and Japan. The painting has been float mounted and framed in natural Ash.