Women Who Drew Australian Plants

By Rose Kerr

ABC Science

Topic: Nature

Philippa Nikulinsky's studio is like her mind.

Her studio has a desk, colorful pictures, and notes about plants.

Philippa Nikulinsky is in her studio.

Philippa loves plants because she grew up in a dry place.

She likes the red earth and wildflowers in her hometown.

Some flowers have special powers.

Philippa draws very detailed pictures of Western Australia's plants.

Her pictures show leaves, flowers, and branches.

Philippa is lucky to still have a steady hand.

She draws in the field and takes notes on plants.

Each drawing has its own set of field notes.

Here are some of Philippa's artworks.

Philippa used to work with scientists to draw plants.

Her drawings and notes help us learn about Western Australia's plants.

Philippa's pictures are not just pretty, they show what plants look like.

Philippa has notebooks like a botanist.

Philippa's work is part of a group of Australian women who drew plants.

These women's drawings help us understand plants and the environment.

The Scott sisters were important plant drawers.

Harriet and Helena Scott were two of the first women to draw plants in Australia.

A photo of Helena Scott and her drawing of Harriet.

The Scott sisters were born in 1830 and 1832.

They loved art, nature, and science.

The Australian Museum has the Scott sisters' artworks and letters.

The Scott sisters worked with their father on a science book.

They drew pictures of moths and butterflies.

The Scott sisters drew the backgrounds of the plants they found.

Their father made sure they got credit for their work.

Many male scientists did not give women credit for their work.

The Scott sisters sold their artworks to make money.

The Scott sisters' legacy shows how women contributed to science and art.

Women have always tried to understand nature.

The Scott sisters built on the knowledge of First Nations women.

The Scott sisters' work helps scientists today.

The sisters documented New South Wales' plants.

Peggy Svoboda is a scientist who used the Scott sisters' work.

Peggy worked on a project to restore the environment.

The Scott sisters' drawings were very useful for the project.

Margaret Flockton was another important plant drawer.

Margaret Flockton drew a plant called Hakea bakeriana.

Margaret was the first scientific plant drawer at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Margaret started drawing plants in her 40s.

She worked with the director of the Royal Botanic Garden.

Margaret created over 2,000 plant drawings.

For a long time, people did not recognize Margaret's work.

In 2003, people started to recognize Margaret's contributions.

Margaret's great great niece wrote a book about her.

The Margaret Flockton Awards were created to honor her legacy.

Margaret drew a picture of a prickly pear.

Lesley Elken and Catherine Wardrop appreciate Margaret's work.

They want to do justice to the plants they draw.

Art helps people understand science.

Lesley Elken and Catherine Wardrop work together at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

They call themselves visual communicators of science.

Lesley has been a plant drawer for three decades.

They work with botanists to draw plants.

Their drawings help people identify plants.

Catherine Wardrop's illustration of a plant.

People often ask why they use drawings instead of photos.

Drawings can show the important parts of a plant.

Drawings can translate scientific knowledge into simple language.

Drawings can speak to everyone, not just scientists.

Philippa Nikulinsky's drawings show the details of Western Australia's plants.

Philippa's artwork explores the unique ecosystems of Western Australia.

Philippa does not look for specific plants to draw.

She draws what she sees in nature.

Philippa's work includes two decades of drawing covers for a magazine.

Philippa's drawings have been given to Queen Elizabeth II.

Philippa's artworks show how the Western Australian landscape has changed.

Philippa has spent decades exploring Western Australia's bushland.

Philippa has noticed changes in the landscape over time.

Philippa's work inspires women in science.

Keelin Smith is a botanist who was inspired by Philippa's work.

Keelin says Philippa's drawings are detailed and show how plants fit into their environment.

Philippa's work continues to inspire Keelin to explore the outback.

Some of Philippa's artworks show how a place changes over time.

People who visit Philippa's studio often say nice things about her work.

Philippa is happy to hear that she has inspired someone to study botany.

Philippa's story is inspiring.

Here is a picture of one of Philippa's desks.

You can find more stories like this on ABC.

Related topics: Australia, Biological Diversity, Conservation, Environment, Horticulture, Native Species, Nature, Newcastle, Perth, Plants, Science, Science and Technology, Sydney, Visual Art, Top Stories

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