I personally love to paint nature anyway, but having a class that focuses so much on the plants that impact us so greatly, makes me appreciate having them in the artwork so much more. Here are a few plants that are either ingredients in art supplies or have made several appearances in artwork from the Bahamas.
1) Aloe Vera
Species: Aloe barbadensis Miller
Description: Aloe is known worldwide for its healing properties, but most do not know it is also used in art. Aloe gel can dilute paints and inks and in artistic molding clay.
2) Tomatoes
Species: Solanum lycopersicum
Description: Tomatoes are grown throughout the Bahamas and even in Juanita's garden but are also used to make natural paper.
3) Casava
Species: Manihot esculenta
Description: Casava root is another plant found in Juanita's garden for consumption. Casava can be used in art in many ways, but one example is grounding it into a paste to paint on fabric.
4) Yellow Elder
Species: tecoma stans
Description: Yellow Elder is the national flower in the Bahamas since it is native to the multiple island nations and blooms year long. The yellow elder is used in many national artworks, such as stamps.
5) Palm Tree
Species: Arecaceae
Description: The palm tree is used consistently in most pieces of Bahamian art. Palm trees are all around the artists, so their being a primary source of inspiration for the artists is understandable.
6) Red Hibiscus
Species: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Description: Red Hibiscus is not native to the islands; it came from Asia. This flower is known for its beauty, so many art pieces from the Bahamas hold this flower within it.
7) Coconut Tree
Species: Cocos nucifera
Description: Coconut palms or trees are known for their sweet water and flesh used in snacks, oils, and beverages. Coconuts are a primary source of export and income, especially in more rural parts of the islands. Coconut trees are a reoccurrence in artwork in the Bahamas. These trees being so vital makes artists want to appreciate them further.
8) Silver Top Palm
Species: Coccothrinax argentata
Description: Silver top palms are used mainly in basket weaving. Basket weaving is an art form; many love watching this occurrence and buying the products. In addition, this art form creates jobs for those who want to carry on traditions to newer generations.
9) Frangipani
Species: Plumeria
Description: Frangipani is one of the exotic flowers constantly shown in artwork, whether it's a fake flower clip (like the one I had as a child) or a painting. The frangipani is hard to miss since it is so popular.
10) Royal Poinciana Tree
Species: Delonix regia
Description: The big red tree can be startling at first since it is so vibrant. Many locals would call this a flamboyant tree because of its demand for attention. One can see this tree appear in art throughout the Bahamas, here is one example of Eddie Minnis's work, a native-born artist.
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