Passing the Floral Crown: Continuing the Legacy of Maria Sibylla Merian and Elizabeth Blackwell
I spent the first half of the semester exploring the work of female printmakers who focus on floral images. I learned about historic figures such as Maria Sibylla Merian and Elizabeth Blackwell, both of whom were pioneers of printmaking, botanical illustration and the natural sciences. With their art and research these women made enormous contributions to the advancement of science. Merian, to entomology with her book Metamorphosis (1705) depicting the detailed stages of metamorphosis, life stages and diet of butterflies and Blackwell, without botanical or medical knowledge, was the first woman to complete a comprehensive encyclopedia of medicinal plants, A Curious Herbal (1737-1739). I am deeply inspired by both Merian and Blackwell’s art. Women artists have been pushing boundaries with botanical illustration throughout history and continue to do so today. Contemporary artists such as Lili Arnold, Rachel Newling, and Jeanne Amato create extremely dynamic floral prints rooted in botanical illustration. 
This series is in tribute to all of the female printmakers whose life's work is and was depicting the beauty of the natural world. Lady Slippers for me are a symbol of elegance and strength. They have great medicinal properties that indigeous communities across North America use to bring down fevers, cure headaches, menstrual, and labor pains. Daffodils for me represent warmth, home, springtime, and hope. Creating these prints and these flowers bring me joy that I want to share with the world.