Discover the delicate beauty of botanical art in this inspiring episode of AART the Podcast, featuring celebrated botanical artist Carol Woodin. Known for her meticulous and vibrant plant illustrations, Carol takes us behind the scenes of her creative journey—from her early fascination with nature to her acclaimed works that bridge art and science. In this in-depth interview, Carol shares her insights into botanical illustration techniques, the process of translating plants into detailed artworks, and the balance between accuracy and artistic expression. She also discusses her experiences exhibiting her work, collaborating with botanical institutions, and the role of contemporary botanical art in today’s art world. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, aspiring botanical illustrator, or simply captivated by the natural world, this episode offers a rich exploration of creativity, observation, and the timeless beauty of plants. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes, professional tips, and inspiring stories from a leading voice in botanical art.

Keywords:
botanical artist, botanical illustration, Carol Woodin, AART the Podcast, plant art, contemporary botanical art, art interview, nature-inspired art, art techniques, artist journey, fine art, creative process, botanical illustration tips.

Botanical Artist, teacher and exhibition organizer, Carol Woodin was born in 1956 in Salamanca, Upstate New York inside the Allegany Indian Reservation, one of two governed by the Seneca Nation of New York. Her father James was a construction worker and her mother June, a library clerk who also enjoyed oil painting and playing the piano. Carol is the middle of six children with four brothers and one sister. Her childhood was one of making her own fun outdoors and with sketchbook in hand she pursued an early interest for art. At first this would be still life and landscape paintings until an introduction to orchids became a passion and one that developed into a level of expertise she did not plan on. In fact, she never wanted to be a botanical artist; her foundation for illustration started in high school and then at the Williamsport Area Community College (now known as the Pennsylvania College of Technology) as a technical illustrator where she was one woman amongst 50 men. But before she could make art her career, Carol spent time as a draftsman, surveyor’s cartographer, UPS manager and for three years a tractor-trailer driver. In 2016, she married Paul Harwood who is also a painter and gardener. For the past 30 years Carol has focused exclusively on botanical art; as a painter, teacher and exhibition organizer. Most recently her work has been shown at Jonathan Cooper Gallery, London; Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; Shirley Sherwood Gallery, Kew, UK: UBS Galleries and Newhouse Galleries in New York; Museum de Zwarte Tulp, in the Netherlands; and the Marciana Library, in Venice, Italy. Her work is also in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the Americas and Europe. Carol was recently invited to contribute to the Grootbos Florilegium, a project to document and raise awareness of the Cape Floral Kingdom in South Africa. In 1995 Carol received a Gold Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society for her watercolors of Paphiopedilum orchids, and was the recipient of the 1998 “Bouchier ASBA Award for Excellence” from the American Society of Botanical Artists. In 2013 she received the first Lankester Award for Orchid Art in Cartago, Costa Rica and in 2016, the Orchid Digest Medal of Honor. Carol lives in Catskill, New York where she also cultivates her own flora and fauna.

Carol’s favorite contemporary artists:
Tanya Marcuse (contemporary photographer)
Rosie Sanders (botanical artist)
Jean Emmons (botanical artist)
Asuka Hishiki (botanical artist)
Mieko Ishikawa (botanical artist)
Katie Whipple (oil painter)
Andrea Kowch (oil painter)

Playlist:
Bill Staines- Travelling Shoes Les Paul and his Trio – It’s only a Paper Moon (That Crazy Rhythm) instrumental Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Bach: Contatas BMV 82 and 199 Mike and Ruthy The Farmer (Bright as You Can) Dianne Reeves – Nine

Podcast: In Defense of Plants

Books: Anne Cleeves’ Vera series Mick Herron’s Slow Horses series Ron Chernow’s historical biographies (Hamilton, J.D. Rockefeller, J.P Morgan, Washington, just started Grant) Geraldine Brooks—historical/contemporary novels—People of the Book, Horse, The Secret Chord, Caleb’s Crossing


Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
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