Echinacea (Cone Flower)

Recently I visited the Weleda UK gardens. Echinacea is harvested there, and whilst reflecting on the impressions of my visit, this is the plant that touched me the most. It’s a go-to for cold, flu and immune system protection but I had never got to know it deeply. So, I decided to make a brief study by sketching it. So much can be revealed about the plant through the artistic process. It’s a place of investigation into the form and gesture. The colour reveals the warmth process the plant can imbue, and I also get to notice the indications of the illness or disorganisation in the body-soul the plant can potentially help with. This is a delicate picture process to talk about in words, because it’s something felt and experienced through a distinct observation technique - but yes, of course it’s different from the science of chemical analysis. I always invite people to try this way of getting to know the plant. Observation becomes food for your soul when your consciousness comes alive with the information the plant reflects back to you.