Helen Cook | Weeds

Helen Cook

Weeds

Some flowers are categorised as weeds, but on close inspection, are no less beautiful than those that are not slighted with this label. This series presents common so-called weeds abstracted in loose watercolour, the fuzzy edges suggesting a fuzziness to their categorical boundary as well.

Loose watercolour painting looking down on a poppy. The watercolour bleeds indicate veins in the magenta petals, and leaves or grass are loosely suggested in the background

Loose watercolour painting of 3 thistles, where the bleeds of purple watercolour mimic the pointiness of the flowers, on a grey-green background

Loose watercolour painting of 3 thistles, where the bleeds of purple watercolour mimic the pointiness of the flowers

Loose watercolour painting of ragwort, yellow flowers with orange centres in a sea of green leaves

Loose watercolour painting of two clumps of ragwort, yellow flowers with orange centres in a sea of green leaves

Loose watercolour painting of one clump of ragwort, yellow flowers with orange centres in a sea of green leaves and stems on a purple background

Loose watercolour painting of a close up of a poppy where the petals meet the stem. The form is suggested in the foreground, fading into watercolour bleeds by the petals in the background.

Loose watercolour painting of a close up of a poppy on the centre of the flower. The stamens and pistils are defined, and the red petals bleed into the green background

Loose watercolour painting of 4 or 5 thistles, where the bleeds of magenta watercolour mimic the pointiness of the flowers

Loose watercolour painting of 4 or 5 thistles, where the bleeds of magenta watercolour mimic the pointiness of the flowers