Welcome to the sixth and final part of the Raising Rarity series (well for now) with my special guests RBGV Dr Meg Hirst and Mandy Thompson. Many of Australia's rare plant species are only found in ecosystems that are seriously threatened by climate change, habitat loss, fragmentation, and genetic isolation. We are blessed with a stunning array of natives in Victoria, but with so many challenges facing our flora how can we get involved to protect our native plants? That's what the Raising Rarity Program by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) seeks to do, in raising public knowledge and awareness of Victoria’s rare and threatened wildflower species by cultivating them so we can bring them into our gardens. It's quite a novel approach to assess the horticultural potential of rare species and provide opportunity for home gardeners to enjoy these plants while contributing to the ongoing conservation of these species in their gardens. In case you haven't visited yet, RBGV Australian Garden in Cranbourne features stunning vistas and maintained gardens, honouring Australian flora with a natural bushland experience alongside the Australian Garden. Celebrating the beauty and diversity of Australian landscapes. It also serves as a centre for important plant research, seed collection and cultivation. Over the last few weeks, we’ve learnt about some of the key species and got to know the team behind the program, this week we dive a little deeper to understand what’s happening behind the scenes and the challenges a long project like this brings. Watch the video above where Raising Rarity Founder Meg Hirst and Mandy Thompson, Team Leader of Nursery Horticulture, share about their roles and what it takes to get a plant to sale, starting with collections in the wild. And I’m gladly behind the camera for this one! Don’t forget the spring plant sale on the 22nd -23rd of October, come along and take some of the Raising Rarity species home! Since I was a child, nature has fascinated me. I’ve always been curious about every animal, plant, insect, forest, or waterway and that hasn't changed as I've grown up. Our lives are filled with amazing moments, both spectacular and ordinary, that are framed by nature. We gather those we love in our favourite natural places (parks, beaches and rivers) to celebrate and share, as people have done for thousands of years. Every time I walk out my door, I discover a world filled with adventure, excitement, inspiration, and discovery. Sir David Attenborough said it best "An understanding of the natural world is a source of not only great curiosity, but great fulfilment." But I don’t have to be out in the bush to feel like this. I find nature strips and gardens a real delight, you’ll often find me peering into someone's front garden or checking out the plants on the fence line. I’m just passionate about nature and I as I deepen my connection to it, I hope to encourage you to deepen yours, to share the beauty I see around me. It’s one of the reasons I became an artist. I truly believe that to save our natural world we must fall in love with it. Because when we fall in love with a flower, plant, or animal we become its champion. We take steps to understand what it needs, it’s habitat and what else is in its ecosystem. Most of all we are driven to share what we love, and that really is the key to projects like this, spreading awareness. The more we learn about the amazing world around us the more we can protect and nurture it. The devastating fires of 2019 in our alpine regions (where most of the Raising Rarity species reside), coupled with the temperature changes in their habit, means rare species are facing much bigger challenges than before. Identification of these species at risk of extinction and a focus on conservation efforts for those that are most seriously threatened, are important drivers in plant conservation science. Climate change predictions are that the weather will get wilder and fires more severe, so the Raising Rarity program is more important than ever, by cultivating these rare and threatened plants we can ensure they continue to be enjoyed in gardens by everyone and the research will help populations in the wild. The Raising Rarity team accomplish this by working with rare species that they believe have the potential for use in horticulture. They then collect seeds or cuttings from their research plants, setting them up in the nursery in containers, which then get transplanted in the Research Garden located within the Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) Cranbourne. Pop by when you next visit the gardens and see how the plants are doing! In creating this series I have got to know the Raising Rarity team pretty well, I hear the passion in their words, see it in their faces and the dedication they have to peruse their work is nothing short of inspiring to me. I'm very grateful for the time I spent with Meg, Russell, Matt, Caitlin, Mandy and Kaishan. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and work with us. And I'm especially thankful for their patience with me, as I've never filmed an interview or done anything like this before. I hope you have enjoyed these videos and blog as much as I have, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so please comment below. I'll be back in a months time with some coverage of the plant sale, update on my home research project and a highlight of the Botanical Illustrators group I'm part of. Are you a keen gardener or someone that would like more native plants around your home? I'm launching a home research project from the Spring Plant Sale, to show how well the Raising Rarity plants are doing in our gardens. You can get involved here! Awareness is so important to this program, please do subscribe, comment and share this with friends, thank you. OK now the fun stuff you can get involved with over the coming months: What's on at Cranbourne: Spring Plant Sale Sat 22nd and Sun 23rd October 2022 - 10.00am to 4pm A special feature of this year’s sale will be the RBGV’s Raising Rarity plants. Raising Rarity Tours Sat 22nd Oct- Embark on a tour through the Cranbourne Gardens and expand your knowledge about the wonderful world of rare plants. What's on at Melbourne: Climate Notes Sat 22nd Oct - An emotive, interactive exhibition and performance work that explores and communicates how we feel about climate change through music, letter writing and moving image. Botany Bootcamp Sat 24th Oct - Sat 26 Nov - Join Dr Meg Hirst from the Victorian Conservation Seedbank and landscape architect Georgia Warren and work up a sweat as they take you down the garden path. You will receive your very own botanist’s magnifying hand lens to take home. I'm on a mission to raise $2,000 (or even more as they are so close) in funding to help Raising Rarity meet their $20K goal and I would love your help! I am releasing 4 special edition, hand signed prints this year for sale with all profits donated to Raising Rarity. You can buy 2 of these prints now with proceeds going to Raising Rarity Rare plants are often under threat, but not for long if you help save them! The program Raising Rarity has an innovative approach that uses horticulture to acquire knowledge about rare species. Engaging communities to increase awareness and understanding so everyone can work together on protecting these delicate ecosystems. You can learn more here: www.fame.org.au/projects/raising-rarity **This is not a paid collaboration, the project was my idea, and I am volunteering my time, energy, and art to support the wonderful program and highlight the team of passionate people working hard behind it. Thanks so much for following along! Your support means so much to me. Please like, comment and share with other gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers and plant lovers so they learn about this wonderful native species 💚 Thank you!

Welcome to Wild at Home Part 5 with special guest Matthew Henderson RBGV “Those who have trekked through the subalpine wildflower displays over summer in Victoria’s high country, will attest to just how spectacular these rich, colourful tapestries are. One such plant is Veronica Nivea or the Snow Speedwell.” My special guest Matt Henderson is part of the Raising Rarity Horticulture team at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) He will be sharing another rare plant from the Raising Rarity program and his experience of going on a research and collection trip with the Victorian Seed Bank and why it’s important for all of us to get behind programs like Raising Rarity. Watch the video above, then read to the end for things to do and get involved with! Today we are imagining ourselves in Victoria's beautiful subalpine regions from Mt Baw Baw and Mt Buffalo Plateaus, Lake Mountain and Falls Creek. Have you visited any of these areas? Like many people you probably only visit these areas in snow season, but Matt will be the first to tell you that early summer is the best time to visit then these regions are alive with wildflowers! Matt shares that "Those who have trekked through the subalpine wildflower displays over summer in Victoria’s high country, will attest to just how spectacular these rich, colourful tapestries are. Although many of these plants are covered in snow during the winter months, some can happily survive away from these alpine conditions. One such plant is Veronica nivea or the Snow Speedwell. This low-growing herbaceous shrub has attractive fine foliage adorned with spikes of purple flowers on display throughout most of the year. These traits combined with its general appearance challenge what many would consider a native plant should look like, as it could easily be placed in a cottage garden as well as native gardens. It is a great source of nectar for insects and butterflies 🦋" This small, herbaceous shrub responds well to pruning after flowering, as pruning off spent flowering stems promotes bushier habits. Flowers from spring to summer, these beautiful little purple delicacies have masses of small purple flowers that attract insects and butterflies to your garden which helps with pollination. The fine foliage is a vibrant green and adorned with small purple to white flowers. Perfect as a border or anywhere in a cottage garden. Why is this species at risk? The climatic range of where the Snow Speedwell naturally occurs is beneath snowfall, it's at risk of rising temperatures that directly affect alpine ecosystems. Raising Rarity has been researching how this species performs outside of its natural climate and is trialling its success in suburban gardens. Climate change is altering the diverse tapestry of our subalpine ecosystems. A surprisingly, adaptable plant which challenges people’s perceptions of what a native plant should or could look like. Healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity are fundamental to life yet habitats of many species are being impacted by climate change. In Australia the climate is expected to become significantly warmer. CSIRO scientists predict that by 2030 average temperatures will rise above 1990 levels by around 0.7–0.9°C in coastal areas, and around 1–1.2°C in inland regions. On a continent already as warm as Australia, such an increase could have major ecological impacts as ecosystems can be significantly impacted by even slight variations in the global average temperature. Due to the interconnectedness of ecosystems, the extinction of a species may have an impact on a variety of ecosystem functions. I hope you enjoyed listening to Matt as much as I did, he painted a wonderful picture of the habitat of this beauty (make sure to watch the video above) and why we should get behind the Raising Rarity project. Thanks so much for joining me Matt! Learn more about Matt's work in the Forest Garden at Cranbourne here: Forest Garden Join me for Part Six next week Thursday 22nd September for my final interview in this series (for now!), I'll be speaking with Dr Megan Hirst, Raising Rarity Founder and Mandy Thomson, Team Leader Nursery Horticulture. Awareness is so important to this program, please do subscribe, comment and share this with friends, thank you. OK now the fun stuff you can get involved with over the coming months: What's on at Cranbourne: Spring Plant Sale Sat 22nd and Sun 23rd October 2022 - 10.00am to 4pm A special feature of this year’s sale will be the RBGV’s Raising Rarity plants. Raising Rarity Tours Sat 22nd Oct- Embark on a tour through the Cranbourne Gardens and expand your knowledge about the wonderful world of rare plants. Are you a keen gardener or someone that would like more native plants around your home? I'm launching a home research project from the Spring Plant Sale, to show how well the Raising Rarity plants are doing in our gardens. You can get involved here! What's on at Melbourne: Climate Notes Sat 22nd Oct - An emotive, interactive exhibition and performance work that explores and communicates how we feel about climate change through music, letter writing and moving image. Botany Bootcamp Sat 24th Oct - Sat 26 Nov - Join Dr Meg Hirst from the Victorian Conservation Seedbank and landscape architect Georgia Warren and work up a sweat as they take you down the garden path. You will receive your very own botanist’s magnifying hand lens to take home. I'm on a mission to raise $2,000 (or even more as they are so close) in funding to help Raising Rarity meet their $20K goal and I would love your help! I am releasing 4 special edition, hand signed prints this year for sale with all profits donated to Raising Rarity. You can buy 2 of these prints now with proceeds going to Raising Rarity These are true reproduction prints on thick 300GSM paper with lightfast professional inks will help you bring nature inside and create a warm inviting space. Rare plants are often under threat, but not for long if you help save them! The program Raising Rarity has an innovative approach that uses horticulture to acquire knowledge about rare species. They also engage with communities to increase awareness and understanding so everyone can work together on protecting these delicate ecosystems. You can learn more here: www.fame.org.au/projects/raising-rarity **This is not a paid collaboration, the project was my idea, and I am volunteering my time, energy, and art to support the wonderful program and highlight the team of passionate people working hard behind it. Thanks so much for following along! Your support means so much, please like, comment and share with other gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers and plant lovers so they learn about this wonderful native species 💚 Thank you!

Welcome to Wild at Home Part 4 - Guest blog by Dr Megan Hirst Have you ever fallen in love at first sight. That instant connection, butterflies in your belly and you want to know everything about it? Yes, I said it haha because I'm talking about flowers! I'd say if you are reading this blog, you know exactly what I mean. You revel in the delights that nature brings and celebrate nature through your work or like me, creativity. (More about how this series has inspired me at the end). I'm very proud to introduce you to a guest blogger this week, Dr Megan Hirst, Seed Researcher, Raising Rarity Founder and Botany Bootcamp leader! Meg splits her working week between the RBGV in the Victorian Conservation Seedbank and at Deakin University in the extreme plant ecology lab under the guidance of Dr Susanna Venn. Meg is a committed teacher, researcher and horticulturalist. Combined with her education, employment and research training she has extensive practical experience growing, tending and studying plants in both scientific public garden and experimental settings. You can watch the video here or by clicking on the image above! Over to you Meg... "Hi there, I've enjoyed this series so far and hope you have too! Let me tell you a little about what I do and introduce one of my favourite plants. Plants sustain us and all terrestrial ecosystems yet >20% of plants on earth are threatened with extinction. There are many strategies in place with amazing work being undertaken in plant conservation. However what troubles me is the limited opportunities for the community to learn about plants. The less we know about plants the less likely we are to act for their conservation. Botanic Gardens generally are well positioned to act for nature. Therefore it is important that they are appropriately funded to undertake a vital role in botanical education. Those of us who work in Botanic Gardens want to engage the community with knowledge to care for rare and endangered species. The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria plays a leading role in the conservation of plants through biodiversity research, management and education programs designed to protect rare and threatened plants. The Gardens connect over two million visitors to nature, inspiring them to act for nature in their own lives. The Raising Rarity project is designed to engage home gardeners in playing an active role in the protection of Victoria’s rare and threatened plant species within their own garden space, so taking the plants to the people so to speak. We want our project to be facilitated at a large scale and the popularity of these plants become welcome additions to suburban gardens providing a meaningful opportunity for the community to provide sanctuary and care for these precious rare and threatened plants. Working in the Victorian Conservation Seedbank is a mix of lab and field work, so really the best of both worlds, for example, getting up close with plants in the wild and seeing how they coexist with other species, and testing their germination responses in the lab. Tadgels Brachyscome (Brachyscome tadgellii) is one such plant. In nature, it is found growing high above the tree line in the Victorian alpine region. It is a vulnerable species (as many plants unfortunately are in the alps) and this is due to habitat loss and the threatening processes under a changing climate, such as less snow, warmer winters, and drier summers. It is a clumping perennial herb with quite a variable leaf shape, ranging from thin and linear to almost succulent, thick, and lobed. The large white flowers (technically inflorescences) appear throughout spring, summer, and autumn. Used ideally at the forefront of a mixed border or in drifts in a perennial border. This plant will require additional water in the warmer months. Cut back the flowerheads after seed collection. A few things you may not know about me... I was on a reality TV show the Singing Office…which is weird as I am tone deaf I am prone to anxiety (panic) attacks and have found the art of running as the best way to deal with it My primary school career ambition was to be a dentist. Being out in the field doesn't come without risks... I lost that broad brim hat in a high alpine wind not long afterwards and am still on the lookout for it whenever I go back there :) Selfie taken at Buckety Plains on the Bogong High Plains, Victoria I absolutely love this picture! It is on the summit of Mt Cope with Russell Larke and Danny White. We had the best day seed collecting, and I think it shows. Notice the new hat?" A huge thank you to Meg for her generous spirit, time, enthusiasm and generally being an awesome human! I really enjoyed my time with Meg and could have easily chatted all day. I'm sure you will find her as captivating as I do. Meg runs Botany Bootcamp at the RBGV with her friend Georgia Warren and together they introduce basic botany, and garden design along with a little exercise and a lot of fun to get participants motivated about plants and acting for nature. It kicks off this month so get booking! Hear what Costa Georgiadis has to say about it - watch it here Meg along with the team at RBGV are so passionate about their work and bringing these threatened rare species to our gardens, but they can't do it alone and need your help! Come to our Raising Rarity plant sale on Saturday 22nd October in conjunction with the Cranbourne Friends spring plant sale. Awareness is important, please share this program with friends and if you are an educator and would like Meg to speak at your school, please contact her via LinkedIn. I'm on a mission to raise $2,000 (or even more as they are so close) in funding to help Raising Rarity meet their $20K goal and I would love your help! I am releasing 4 special edition, hand signed prints for sale with all profits donated to Raising Rarity. The first print being released on Saturday 3rd September, is for this beautiful Tadgels Brachyscome (Brachyscome tadgellii). If you would like early access to these prints please subscribe to my list. These are true reproduction prints on thick 300GSM paper with lightfast professional inks will help you bring nature inside and create a warm inviting space. Rare plants are often under threat, but not for long if you help save them! The program Raising Rarity has an innovative approach that uses horticulture to acquire knowledge about rare species. They also engage with communities to increase awareness and understanding so everyone can work together on protecting these delicate ecosystems. You can learn more here: www.fame.org.au/projects/raising-rarity **This is not a paid collaboration, the project was my idea, and I am volunteering my time, energy, and art. Thanks so much for following along! Your support means so much, please like, comment and share with other gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers and plant lovers so they learn about this wonderful native species 💚 Thank you!

Welcome to Wild at Home Part 3 - Learn about another rare plant for your garden! Have you ever been walking along and spotted a plant you've never seen before and thought, "Wow, what is that?" You're not alone! There are many plants out there that are rare and unique, so when you chance upon one it can be a thrill. Some of the most fascinating plants are those we rarely or never see. We will learn about one very rare and unique species in Part 3 of Wild at Home. I had the chance to interview Caitlin Gray, who discusses her work with some of the rare Victorian plants she is trying to protect. You can watch the video above! A cornerstone of the Raising Rarity program is horticultural specialists observing and monitoring for specific characteristics of rare and threatened Victorian species. If something grabs their attention, the next question is, why isn’t this available to the public? One such species is the endangered Ovens Everlasting (Ozothamnus stirlingii). Hailing from montane forests (mountain ecosystems) in North Eastern Victoria, this medium-sized shrub is considered at risk of extinction. Caitlin describes how she first saw it at Mount Hotham and how it is being researched so you can add it to your garden. A stunning combination of bold and glossy foliage and clusters of creamy white flowers. The flowers are papery, similar to paper daisies, they make beautiful long-lasting cut flowers, and research shows that if kept pruned, it makes a beautiful garden plant that is guaranteed to give you months of joy. Since collecting samples and growing it in the Cranbourne Gardens, they have learned that it has a narrow habitat, growing up to 1.5 m, likes full sun, can handle frost, and unlike many other Ozothamnus, responds really well to pruning. These are all highly desirable traits in a garden plant, making it the perfect plant for Raising Rarity. Many of Australia’s rare plant species are restricted to ecosystems that are severely threatened by habitat loss. Sadly, when plant numbers decline in the wild, so does the genetic diversity within these populations, leading to an overall decline in species richness. Conservation strategies for the protection of rare and threatened plant species requires a multi-tiered approach, involving organisations across government, botanic gardens and industry bodies. The team's goal is to make the public aware of these rare plants and the benefits of adding them to your garden. From collecting cuttings in the wild, finding variations and sharing what works, they are trying their best to ensure that everyone knows about them so they don’t go extinct. So, the next time you're out in nature and see something that you haven’t seen before, take a closer look! If you find something cool, be sure to let me know! Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a rare plant or unknown species, or maybe your discovery will inspire someone else to go out and find their own new variety of plants. Help me raise funds for Raising Rarity by buying one of these prints! You get a beautiful artwork and Raising Rarity get a donation, doesn't that give you all the good feels :) Rare plants are often under threat, but not for long if you help save them! The program Raising Rarity has an innovative approach that uses horticulture to acquire knowledge about rare species. They also engage with communities to increase awareness and understanding so everyone can work together on protecting these delicate ecosystems. You can learn more here: www.fame.org.au/projects/raising-rarity I loved getting to know Caitlin and I'm sure you will to! Caitlin has been at RBGV Cranbourne Gardens for 2 years. Previously she studied Horticulture with Melbourne Polytechnic and CERES, and completed an internship with RBGV Melbourne. Caitlin curates the Stringybark Garden at Cranbourne Gardens which is a collection of fire adapted and responsive flora. Many species within Stringybark are wild collected through a series of field trips following the 2019/2020 Bushfire season that devastated much of south-eastern Australia. Caitlin is a proud New South Welshwoman, "Give me sandstone any day!" Her previous career was as chef working in Melbourne’s trendy restaurants, but as a kid she wanted to grow up to be a race car driver, park ranger or sports photographer. Mark your calendars for the next instalment of our series on Raising Rarity. It's sure to be interesting! I will be speaking to a very special guest, Dr Meg Hirst, Post Doctoral Fellow, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) at Deakin University. As Founder of Raising Rarity she will be sharing all the interesting information about the program and how you can get involved. In the meantime, stay tuned as there's lots more to come and a big announcement with Part 4 😉 If you like to learn more about the montane region mentioned I found some interesting info on Forest network which includes data on old growth tree logging in the area - http://www.forestnetwork.net/Docs/NE.htm **This is not a paid collaboration, the project was my idea, and I am volunteering my time, energy, and art. Thanks so much for following along! You support means so much, please like, comment and share with other gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers and plant lovers so they learn about this wonderful native species.

Welcome to Wild at Home Part 2 - A flaming beauty for your garden! If there's one thing I love almost as much as the painting, it's plants. I just wish I had a green thumb to match that love! I’m here with Russell Larke, Team Leader of Horticulture at the RBGV Cranbourne Gardens, today we are visiting the Raising Rarity research garden to learn more about the program, the work on the ground and spotlight one of the Russell’s favourite flowers that is only found in one location (for now). Have you ever wondered why there are so many different types of plants worldwide? It's because, over time, plants have evolved to adapt to their environment. They thrive in their own ecosystems and sadly, when plant numbers decline in the wild, so does the genetic diversity within these populations, leading to an overall decline in species richness. The battle to protect rare and threatened plant species is not a one-person or woman show; it requires collaboration between government organizations, botanical gardens, and industry bodies. This project aims to create a haven for rare and threatened plants in the form of home gardens. There are currently trials being conducted by The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV), which offer an opportunity not only to allow locals to grow these species in their homes but also to contribute to ongoing conservation efforts through dedicated planting sites across our great city. The Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species (FAME) is a force behind the scenes in helping us all conserve our native plants. They've funded this project, so RBGV can continue with it, and get some of their unique plants into your hands. Look out for the upcoming plant sale at the RBGV (Cranbourne Gardens) for your chance to get these plants from the Raising Rarity project! Now it’s time to talk about flowers, introducing the Grevillea dimorpha (also known as the Flame Grevillea), one of Russell's favourite flowers from one of his fave places, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, Victoria. Watch the video above! Only found in this one location, this exquisite flower will flame up your garden with its fiery red flowers. It prefers full sun to partly shaded positions and needs free-draining soil for best performance and is frost tolerant, perfect for Victorian winters! Want this beauty in your garden? Here's what you need to know! I am a huge fan of grevillea's, but as an artist their beautiful yet complex forms are a real challenge. My intention is to paint each flower in this series, more details to come in the next blog post! (So exciting hehe) With special thanks to Russell, Caitlin and Kai 💚I had an amazing day hanging out with this passionate team, thank you for everything! The gardens at Cranbourne are looking beautiful at the moment so make sure you come visit soon! Are you a keen gardener or would just like more native around your home? The join us for part 3 on the 18th of August 2022 where you’ll meet more people behind the Raising Rarity program Help me raise funds for Raising Rarity by buying one of these prints! You get a beautiful artwork and Raising Rarity get a donation, doesn't that give you all the good feels :) Rare plants are often under threat, but not for long if you help save them! The program Raising Rarity has an innovative approach that uses horticulture to acquire knowledge about rare species. They also engage with communities to increase awareness and understanding so everyone can work together on protecting these delicate ecosystems. You can learn more here: www.fame.org.au/projects/raising-rarity Then there will be a new blog out every fortnight for this series. **This is not a paid collaboration, the project was my idea, and I am volunteering my time, energy, and art Thanks so much for following along! You support means so much, please like, comment and share with other gardening enthusiasts, nature lovers and plant lovers so they learn about this wonderful native species. I'd love to hear your thoughts, please share your comments below or connect with me on socials.

Welcome to Wild at Home, my new (and first) blog series. It’s so lovely to have you here. Let’s start with a little about me… I’m the artist behind Loki Loves and through my art I’ve got to meet some amazingly passionate people, which I don't think I should keep all to myself! My art is inspired by nature and I’m a curious person. I like to read up on projects and find out what's happening to ecosystems. I like to feel that I’m doing good things, from recycling to using eco/ water safe cleaning products and donating to help fund projects. During lockdown 2021 I was inspired to do more. I found Remember the Wild and became their artist in residence 2021-22, volunteering my time and art to raise awareness and donations for threatened species and as they say, the rest is history. Now I would like to introduce my new blog, and I’m kicking it off with this interview series and blog on something close to my heart and home! Wanna hear more about it? Of course you do! Rather watch? Scroll down to the video at the bottom of the page 🔽 When were you last out for a walk and saw a flower you didn't recognise? Many beautiful and rare plants exist in the world, but unfortunately people seldom get the opportunity to see them, especially in their natural (and wild) setting. Botanic Gardens and other conservation organisations are working hard to introduce these plants to the public, so everyone can appreciate their beauty and learn more about them. Hopefully saving them from extinction. If you know me, you know I love the great outdoors, being in a green space is my happy place, no matter how small (meaning you may find me standing outside your house admiring a tree or plant in your garden he he). It's like meditation for me, observing and taking photos, wing present in the moment. I know being in nature benefits my health and mental wellness. Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is one of the spaces I treasure. I am a Friend of Cranbourne Gardens and part of the Botanical Illustrators group. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing chat with Russell Larke, Team Leader of Horticulture at the RBGV Cranbourne Gardens. We got chatting at the National Eucalyptus Day event and that is how I found out about his work with Raising Rarity. Russell has some fantastic news about the program and how we can all get involved in saving plants that are found only in Australia. It inspired me to reach out with an idea of how we can work together to raise awareness and support Raising Rarity. Russell and the Horticulture team at RBGV Cranbourne have partnered with the founder of Raising Rarity Dr Meg Hirst (RBGV Science) to produce an innovative way to create ex-situ living collections. Combining Meg’s expertise in seed science and the horticultural expertise of the Cranbourne team, they have created a program called 'Raising Rarity.' Raising Rarity, an initiative of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV), looks at horticultural approaches to help in the conservation of rare and threatened Australian wildflower and understorey species. The program aims to engage the public with these plants through a new approach. You can learn more here: https://www.fame.org.au/projects/raising-rarity I hope you can join us for part 2 on the 4th August 2022 where I'll be in the gardens with Russell and we can learn more about these rare species and Raising Rarity. Then there will be a new blog out every fortnight for this series. **This is not a paid collaboration, the project was my idea and I am volunteering my time, energy and art Do you plant natives in your garden? Do you have a green thumb? I'd love to hear your thoughts, please share your comments below or connect with me on socials.

By Vanda Cummins - Originally written for MELBOURNE & VICTORIAN ARTISTS INC Sept 2021 *Subscribe to get notified about my Inktober challenge running Oct 2022 This is my story of dealing with creative block and the one surprising thing that dragged me out of it and how it is fuelling my art. After two amazing years of creativity flowing out of me, exhibitions, some sales/commissions, I couldn't find my will to paint. Where had my motivation gone? My inspiration was still there. My need to go outside and find beautiful gum leaves or natives to photograph was there, so why couldn't I paint. It's almost the end of 2020, I'm sitting in front of a WIP painting for an exhibition, but all I do is sit, analyse, and then sit a bit more. My water jar was empty, and my brush was untouched. I thought I'd had some bumps in my creative road before, but this was bad. I didn't know if it was due to so many cancelled exhibitions, being stuck at home or what. I've always had a passion for nature. As a family, we watched every nature docos on TV. We were a family of animal lovers with huge indoor plants growing up to the ceiling. I think of Sir David Attenborough as an uncle who always guided me through and educated me about the natural world. It was an escape from city life and a passion that has never dwindled. I remember doing WWF's 'Pennies for Pandas' campaign in 1984 when I was a kid and being worried that all the animals would be dying off by the time I grew up. I've grown up, and although many are still here, we are losing fauna and flora at alarming rates now, and the threatened species list is getting longer. We need more awareness to drive conservation efforts. When I was diagnosed with a facial pain condition four years ago, my husband bought me some watercolour pens, and I immediately and inexplicably fell in love. What was I driven to paint? Nature, of course! It led me to learn about our extraordinary Australian biodiversity and fall in love with Eucalyptus in its unique colours, shapes, and forms. I eventually felt like I've found my passion, my driving force. Then, I found MAVA and off I went on my merry artistic journey. Ok, pardon me for going off on a tangent, back to my creative block and fuelling my art. So let's summarise by saying that nature is what inspires my art! To recap, it was the end of 2020, and I couldn't paint for shitz nor giggles. Come 2021, and I was looking for help, something to reconnect me, then I saw a post. One of our lovely MAVA artists did some work for Remember The Wild, and I loved what they were doing, and their message and I wondered "Could I do that?" I started to follow their journey, watch their videos and became a pretty big fan. After a few messages back and forth, I explained who I was and that I'd love to support them with my art. They arranged a zoom call, and it just escalated from there. For the last five months, my brain has been working nonstop, I have never been so creatively challenged, and my desire to paint is at an all-time high. I have had the pleasure of donating artworks to Remember The Wild for their Donation page, June and September newsletters and even had a commission. So it really has been a complete 360 for me. And there's lots more to come. I am always trying to think of new ways to support them and drive awareness. This month a great idea came to me late at night, an Inktober challenge to raise awareness for Australian Threatened Species, I created everything in a week with a little help, and I would love you to join in! Inktober is a month-long drawing challenge that runs in October created by Jake Parker. You can learn more about my Inktober challenge and how to join in below. So what's that ONE thing then?? Working alone as an artist for 2020 seemed to sap the enjoyment out of my work, less travel and only familiar roads to walk down and, well, just lockdown really, it got to me. I didn't know how to deal with that, but now I know one thing I can do. Finding a collaborator, whether another artist, group of artists or cause to support, can be a huge motivator to get those creative juices flowing and feel challenged. You may be surprised at how they work differently for you or inspire you to try something different. The subject matter of your work may change. Connection is so important, and as humans, we're always striving for that. It often fuels our joy and creativity because what is art at the end of the day but sharing our view of the world with others. So, if you are feeling a bit like I was, here are a few things you can do: Think about what you are passionate about, who shares those interests Reach out in art communities like MAVA and see what challenges they have that you can take part in Find a mentor, or someone to work with that can drive you to a deeper understanding of your art or creativity, and fuel discovery Connect with a charity and ask how you can support them Or reach out as I did and explain why you are passionate about working with them and can you collaborate on project, drives etc Look for other opportunities to grow like challenges, don't pick the easy ones, and push your limits Just remember, many organisations need help in raising awareness and gaining support due to government funding cuts. They would love to find new ways of getting attention, and maybe your art could help. Doing things outside of your comfort zone will always offer you the opportunity to grow as a person and an artist. Finding what you are passionate about will constantly fuel your life, and making connections with that passion is a win-win. Come and join my Inktober prompts! This year I wanted to combine 2 of my favourite things! Nature conservation is very close to my heart, and the more I learn about our incredible Australian biodiversity, the more I want to preserve and protect it. In collaborating with this year, I have learned so much more about threatened species, and I love their work. The list includes a variety of flora and fauna on the threatened and endangered lists. Some can be quite hard to pinpoint, so I have created a web page and resources where you'll find the name, scientific name, an image and reference links to learn more about the species and conservation efforts being made. Where I can, I have added links to conservation organisations because why not share that love around! Remember The Wild is Australia's first and foremost nature connection charity. Remember The Wild seeks to bring experiences of the natural world back into our lives to benefit both the environment and ourselves. Dedicated to improving public access to nature, we reconnect communities with the local environment and help people remember why the wild matters. You can learn more about them here https://www.rememberthewild.org.au/ As an artist, Inktober is a magical time for me as I first discovered it in 2019, and I enjoyed the challenge and community aspect of it so much I take part every year no matter what else is going on. I use this time to try new techniques/styles and learn more about myself as an artist. So if you take part in Inktober, what do you enjoy most about it? Visit the MAVA INC Artists Directory to see Vanda's Listing - https://www.mavacollective.com/artists-1/vanda-a-cummins

Everything now seems so fleeting, nothing made to last, even the seasons betray us. But there is nothing like being outside in nature, watching the golden hour as the sun sets against the gum trees. So many colours and shapes and patterns around us. I walk as often as I can mainly at the local river, beach and parks, and every time I’m struck by the beauty and ferocity even the smallest weed can show. The fragility of nature with its immense beauty is intoxicating. ​ The key is to feel a tiny part of nature's therapy, not a master over it. There's amazing pride to be found in seeing a seed grow into a plant, the sneak peek of a petal unfurling, watching a bee land on a flower you planted. It’s not the pride of creation but the joy of being able to join in. ​ I have chronic pain. My painting doesn’t mask my pain, it flows around it like gentle water, carrying it far away. Painting is my distraction and my wonderland, a playground of colour and form. I’ve escaped before, from a small child reading fantastic tales of worlds I’d never see. Now I have a way to create them and I cannot put into words the freedom and happiness it brings me. I feel that I’m also slowly unfurling, growing and understand more about myself that I’ll be able to solve some of my problems and thrive because of this journey. ​ The mark an artwork can leave on you is everlasting. The more I looked at Dali’s The Persistence of Memory, with its strange palette and ‘dream-like’ feel, the way it made me feel was excited, confronted and left me questioning my learned certainties. Manipulating time and memory for expression, tick-tock, time with its relentless rhythm steadfast yet intangible. Salvador Dali had a huge impact on me in my youth. The Great Masturbator where he’s biting his thumb at religion and culture felt like the most splendid rebellion to this catholic schoolgirl. ​ I love the truth, power and vibrancy of Frida Kahlo paintings. How her art shaped her and gave her a new way of life, expression and escape empowered me long before I got sick. (Now it is a source of strength and inspiration.) The loneliness of The Two Freida’s and the desolation of Without Hope has stayed with me long after seeing them. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with nature. I’m a self-taught watercolour artist from Melbourne, Australia and I originally grew up in London. I have very few bindings stifling my creativity, I have no fear of the blank page but rather see it as an exploration into my mind and environment. I am so effected by being in nature, since I have developed a passion for botanical painting it’s like a veil has fallen from I eyes and I see the rainbow of delights on every street, the treasure in a crack in the pavement, the resilience of life on a dead tree stump. My art journey will last my lifetime, it is now part of me, it connects me to my surroundings and gives me hope that things will improve with each changing season. I’ve never known this need and drive before; it’s consuming and gets stronger with each completed project, my passion for nature in art feels indissoluble. Continuing to hone my skills and knowledge, learn natural history illustration and botany to better communicate what I see on to paper, always playing with colour and form, evolving as we all must do. Download a copy of my artist bio - Click here