Jo Self’s new paintings, bold and simple flowers, were done in the private garden of the Dalai Lama, in Dharamsala, north India. Having been the first artist-in-residence at Kew Gardens, Self is well-known for her floral portraits, but settling in to work amongst the monks and guards bearing Kalashnikovs proved to be a learning experience. The supposed drone of bees turned out to be the chanting monks, the peacefulness of the gardens somehow hampered Self’s creativity until she became more at one with her environment and followed the working hours of the Dalai Lama himself. The results are spectacularly bright flowers set against striking and vivid backgrounds.

Artist: Jo Self
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Jo Self is exhibiting at the Redfern Gallery in London through January 26th.

Chrysanthemum with Butterfly

Morning Glory