Illustration of single purple orchid flower on long stem, inscribed 'ORCHIDACEAE Masdevallia coccinea'. Etching and Spit-bitten aquatint on copper. Printed from one plate in red, yellow, purple and green, inked à la poupée.
The introduction text written by the artist for the portfolio states; “The idea of this portfolio of etchings came about when John Mackechnie invited me to exhibit at the Glasgow Print Studio Gallery at the time of the 14th World Orchid Conference in Glasgow in 1993. Intrigued by orchids, I have drawn and painted them for many years now. I have been helped to understand and appreciate at least a little about this fascinating family of plants by Paddy Woods of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. The choice of the etchings in the portfolio has been a subjective one. I chose the plants which appealed to me as an artist and which I found visually exciting in terms of shape, colour and structure. I make no claims to botanical truth or accuracy.”
