The Humble Bumble by Barbara Gillmore

This beautiful little pressed flower bumblebee captures the essence of the humble hard-working bee, and the precarious future of all our pollinators, through the delicate fragility of pressed flowers. 

Measuring 10.8cm square including the frame, it captures the tiny detail of nature’s little workers through use of Pansy and Limonium flowers, Gypsophila stems, Asparagus foliage, Thlaspi seedheads and Acer and Photinia leaf. 

As well as being a botanical representation of a bumblebee, it is also a celebration of nature's artistry. The ephemeral beauty of pressed flowers, preserved and transformed, captures the fleeting yet essential role of the bumblebee in the ecosystem. It is a piece that invites the viewer to appreciate the intricate details of the natural world and the delicate balance of life within it. A small and stunningly beautiful creature who’s impact on our ecosystem wildly outweighs its physical presence. 

On the outskirts of Canterbury, you'll find Barbs, a passionate pressed flower artist, cultivating a vibrant array of flowers and foliage. Each stem is carefully hand-picked and pressed to preserve its natural beauty, before being turned into artworks rooted in her love for nature and gardens.

With a keen eye for detail, Barbs is captivated by the tiny wonders of the natural world. The delicate curl of a sweet pea tendril, the pollen-laden stamen of a flower, or the miniature lacy florets of Ammi majus are just a few of the details that inspire her work. More than just a visual artform, her pieces are often woven with the language of flowers to create meaningful depth to her designs and aim to express the peace and joy of time spent in nature. 

Find out more about Barbara on her website.