Do you want to learn a little (more) about Scottish Wildflowers? Do you want to broaden your watercolour knowledge and create movement and expression in your art? Do you like spending restful time doodling and adding little details to your projects? ….and heck, who doesn’t!.... then this manageable class is made for you!

We’re going to be creating a characterful ‘tribute’ to the Cuckoo flower, also called Lady’s Smock or Mayflower. It's named after the Cuckoo bird which arrives in early June, where we live in South East Scotland.

Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese! :O)

Start your video playing
Go to bottom right of screen and select your choice of language
Please let me know if you would like support in any other way, in accessing my classes. :0)

We’ll be laying down achievable steps as we become more familiar with this exquisite flower. We’ll start by preparing our palette of greens and dusky pinks, then continue on to our practise lesson.

The main project is just 13 minutes long, and in real time, for those of you who find it challenging to watch speeded up videos.... or prefer to follow along as I paint. Little details will elevate your watercolours and provide a nice doodling experience, whether you choose to use a fine liner or your pen of choice!

Latin name: Cardamine Pratensis
Family: Brassicaceae
Flower Meaning: Cuckoo flower was considered to be sacred to fairies, so would not have been picked or brought into the house, out of reverence for our fairy folk!. It was never used in May Day garlands for this reason. I like to think that’s why it has a healthy presence in Scotland.
Herbal Properties: used as a remedy for scurvy and fevers. It was also good for treating kidney stones, digestion and to stimulate appetite.Habitat; It loves meadows, damp grasslands, and riverbanks and burns (brooks/streams)
Culinary Use: It has a powerful flavour, akin to watercress or rocket. The leaves, shoots and buds are all edible and can be added to salads. It’s lovely with a dressing of oil, vinegar and salt.

Who Is This Class For?

Designed for those of you who want to take a little step beyond a one-layer watercolour, to bring in quick and easy detailing.
For those wanting to paint gestural, expressive watercolour florals.
For those wanting to learn a little more about painting Scottish Wildflowers, as well as a little dip into the ‘back-story’ of the Cuckoo flower.
Often art classes don’t feel achievable for chronically ill, disabled & Neurodivergent artists…. We can become overwhelmed easily. So I wanted to create a gentle way to explore wildflowers and for this reason have focused attention on just one wildflower, so that I can provide a shorter class.
And lastly, to provide a nurturing space where you can relax, with some doodling and gentle music!

My 'Mission Statement' is to provide quality classes which are:

Informative; Easy but effective: Using newly discovered techniques in a variety of media to create results which if painted the 'traditional' way might take a much longer time to achieve.
Relaxing: In a former life I was a therapist, off and on, for over 30 years, so adding relaxing elements to my classes feels really important to me. We all struggle with the onslaughts of life, and if I can provide even a few moments of relaxed quality time, then my job is done!
Fun!: I firmly believe we develop our confidence and skill most when we are engaging in a fun activity. Frustration is a natural part of learning. However, getting caught up in the frustration for too long can then lead to a creative block, as we become head-led, rather than heart-led. I've worked with so many clients in the past with this process, so I feel really passionate about bringing this ethos into my teaching too :O)

What does the Cuckoo flower mean to me? When I first lost power in my legs, when I was 25, I could not walk very far at all, and not at all on many days. I was newly diagnosed and I remember being really scared of walking outside, with a stick, for the first time. I lived opposite a field, filled with wild flowers and grasses. I’m not one to turn down the sight of wildflowers, and I had been inside for many weeks.

I was alone, but got my new stick out, looked at it with some ambivalence, it has to be said…. But ultimately decided to embrace it. I crossed the small road separating the house and the field. I felt like a fraud, like someone was going to stop me and say ‘hey, you’re not disabled, what’s with the stick!!?’

I lacked confidence, but as I stumbled, very slowly down a gentle slope through long grass and buttercups, only maybe 25 yards or less, I reached wetland. And there, like someone had just handed me a new vibrant heart, i saw a cluster of Cuckoo flowers. It transformed, what was a difficult day, into an invigorating and inspiring one…. And I remembered my deep love of nature.

I was always fond of nature as a kid, but this day was a catalyst… I suddenly remembered that my love of wildflowers was sustaining and healthful… and would always be my friends. .. a constant in life. I still feel this way. I say to my partner…. If I have cabin fever… it’s simple…. park me somewhere by the sea, up in the hills, in a wood or meadow… and the magic will happen.

I hope that you also have this incredible balancing gift in your life too, even if we have to wait many days, weeks or months sometimes to reconnect.

"A few moments in nature is as mighty as a thousand hugs" HT :0)

Piano Music: Holly Tomás Music

'Show Machine' (Intro) & 'L'A'' (Finishing Touches) Jazz The Glass

Ruth Shanley

Creative, teacher, explorer

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