Botanical Art from COMMON THREAD: Quiet Rhythms of Land and Lineage
I am very pleased to announce my upcoming solo retrospective at Zach Gallery in Easton, MD.
In the weeks leading up to the show opening I thought I would share details on the 3 bodies of work in the show. This week’s focus is “Garden of the Soul” ~ my series of delicate and thoughtful botanical watercolors.
All works shown are available for purchase through Zach Gallery. Please send me an email with your interest and I will gladly put you in contact with the gallery director ~ erindanielsart@gmail.com .
COMMON THREAD: Quiet Rhythms of Land and Lineage
Though distinct in medium and visual language, these three bodies of works follow a common thread of devotion to the quiet rhythms of land and lineage. Hand-stitched textiles, atmospheric paintings, and exquisitely detailed botanicals each emerge from slow, deliberate acts of making that resist urgency and invite contemplation.
Together these works speak to art as a meditative act, one that gently stitches past to present, inner life to outer landscape.
“Garden of the Soul” explores Legacy, Lineage, and a Sense of Place as expressed through Botanical Watercolors.
Botanical watercolor in progress. All of my botanicals are painted “from life” - many specimens - including “Borage”seen here - were grown in my own cottage garden.
“A Selection of Medicinal Herbs From Historic Yellow Springs” Original Watercolor on Paper. 19 x 23
A study of plants from the 18th century garden at Historic Yellow Springs in Chester Springs, PA. The garden, which was recently renovated, includes many of the plants for medicinal use available locally in the 18th century. The list of plants was taken from a lecture on herbs given by Dr. William Shippen in 1765.
“GARDEN OF THE SOUL”
These botanical watercolors are the culmination of years of work and research inspired by a small, tattered book gifted to me after the loss of my beloved Nana.
The book belonged to her great-grandmother, Elizabeth Kelly, and was a gift to “Eliza” when she embarked on her emigration to Philadelphia from Greencastle (Belfast), IRE in 1875.
The spiritual tome, worn ragged by generations of hopes and worries, is titled “Garden of the Soul” and upon first holding it and reading the heartfelt inscription inside it’s cover I felt as if I held a living link to my past.
The seed of inspiration was planted.
That tiny seed has flourished over years of research and contemplation, to finally blossom with this series. A diary of sorts, the paintings of the “Garden of the Soul” series explore Legacy, Lineage, and a Sense of Place as expressed through botanical watercolors.
All of my artwork is rooted in a detailed observation of Nature.
On the drawing board - “Garden of the Soul”. Original watercolor on paper. 28”x28”. Framed.
“Garden of the Soul”
Presented To Miss Elizabeth Kelly As a Token of Esteem And Respect on the Decision of her Leaving Ireland for America by her loving Friend Annie Murphy
Greencastle 13th June 1875
Erin Daniels’ hand-stitched textiles, atmospheric paintings, and exquisitely detailed botanicals emerge from slow, deliberate acts of making that resist urgency and invite contemplation.
Opening Reception ~ Saturday, March 7, 2026. 4 – 6 PM
Exhibition on view March 7 – April 18, 2026
Zach Gallery 17 S. Washington Street, Easton MD
If you are unable to attend the opening but would like to meet me for a tour of the exhibit please do get in touch ~ I look forward to seeing you there.
