Since moving on from tonal pen and pencil work many years ago watercolour has been my medium preference for painting Flora and Fauna. Although better known for my Australian bird studies I do like to portray remnant grassland featuring the terrestrial orchids that occur there. As a Forest Officer for the past 40 odd years working in and around the Grampians area I have been blessed with the opportunity to observe and study much of the wildlife of the area. If you can imagine a peregrine falcon swooping down from a ledge, echidna playing trains, goanna striding to a tree or a sittella placing shingles on the nest This has been much of my life as a forester and artist.

This work is one of a number painted by the artist after bushfires in the Grampians. Roger Edwards was a Forest Officer, posted to Cavendish, in SW corner of the Grampians, in 1975. In the 1980s he photographed details of the wildflowers and their recovery after fire. He retired in 2018, enabling him to devote more time to his art.

Environment, Wildflowers, Landscape, Botanic art

Gift of Rob Youl to commemorate artist, Betty Conabere.

This painting shows orchids and other native plants regrowing after Grampians bushfire. It is an aesthetic depiction of important ecological processes.

wildflowers, lanscape, orchids, bushfire, grampians, environment, recovery after fire, botanic art

The irresistible appeal of our unique Terrestrial orchids will often find native plant enthusiasts down on hands and knees following a hot summer bushfire surveying the forest floor where flowering colonies may emerge stimulated by the ‘Ash Bed’ effect and the symbiotic relationship with a particular soil Hyphae. Many like the small Hare orchid and Red Beaks depicted in this work may not be seen flowering again on the site until the next fire event.

This work is one of a number painted by the artist after bushfires in the Grampians. Roger Edwards was a Forest Officer, posted to Cavendish, in SW corner of the Grampians, in 1975. He retired in 2018, enabling him to devote more time to his art.

Environment, Wildflowers, Landscape, Botanic art

Gift of Rob Youl to commemorate artist, Betty Conabere.

This painting shows orchids and other native plants regrowing densely in an ashbed after a Grampians bushfire. It is an aesthetic depiction of important ecological processes.

wildflowers, lanscape, orchids, bushfire, grampians, environment, recovery after fire, botanic art

The artist: Marianne Louise Charlotte Amalie Wehl (19 Sept. 1867, Mt Gambier; 26 Oct. 1926, Melbourne), a flower painter who was active in South Australia and Victoria, and not to be confused with Marie Magdalene Wehl. Connection with Baron von Mueller: Von Mueller’s younger sister, Clara married Doctor Eduard Wehl and they lived in South Australia. They had 14 children, 6 of whom collected and painted botanical studies – some now in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. A cousin of Doctor Wehl – Carl Wehl – married Sophia Caroline (née Gorte) and one of their daughters was Marianne Wehl. It is recorded that von Mueller visited the Wehls and D’Altons in Halls Gap (Henrietta D'Alton was also a painter of wildflowers), so it is hard to believe that there is no influence at least. Von Mueller had over 1,400 collectors/artists working for him and 225 of them were women and children. Their work is housed in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. The donor believes that Marianne contributed to this work. There is no record of that, however, as only 169 of the artists have been identified, it may be a possibility. Marianne was one of six children of Carl Jakob Wilhelm Wehl (1830–1899) and Sophia Caroline Wehl (née Gorte) (1843–1920). She never married. https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/JABG34P001_Dowe.pdf The plants: All of the plants painted by Marianne Wehl's in this donation were identified by Botanist Neil Marriott & Wendy Marriott, in July 2022. Neil Marriott said that the quality and beauty of these botanical studies made it easy for them to identify all the plants. He suggested they may be some of the first paintings of Grampians wildflowers. This makes the paintings highly important scientifically and botanically. Visitors to WAMA will be able to compare them with today’s plants in the Endemic Garden. Neil marvelled that Marianne found the specimens, as some of them are endemic and found only in the highest parts of the Grampians (Mt Rosea, Mt William and Major Mitchell Plateau) and are listed as rare and endangered. Some of these same rare plants have now been propagated by the WAMA team and in winter 2022 were planted in WAMA's Endemic Garden. Neil says "This one is a composite of Purple Sarsaparilla Creeper Hardenbergia violacea (common and widespread throughout SE Australia), and Fairies Aprons Utricularia dichotoma - reasonably common and widespread in SE Australia." NB In some records she is called Marianna (as the donor calls her) and in others Marianne.

Wildflower art, Wildlife art, wildflowers, Marianne Wehl, Marianna Wehl, Flower painter, Botany, works on paper, von Mueller, Baron von Mueller, Henrietta D'Alton, WAMA, Wildlife Art Museum Australia, Wild Art Museum Australia

Gift of Barbara Cricks

Painting of purple pea flower and pink fan-shaped flower, intertwined & placed asymmetrically to left, trailing to right. On textured brown paper with mottled brown matt.

Signed “M.W.” left of stems. Reverse side backed with stained brown paper shield-shape stamped centre top: “J.A. Reynolds. Decorator & Picture Framer, 28 Sturt St., Ballarat”. Hand-written right side (in black felt pen) “McLennan, 106 Bennett Rd. (5)”.

wildflowers, flowers

The artist: Marianne Louise Charlotte Amalie Wehl (19 Sept. 1867, Mt Gambier; 26 Oct. 1926, Melbourne), a flower painter who was active in South Australia and Victoria, and not to be confused with Marie Magdalene Wehl. Connection with Baron von Mueller: Von Mueller’s younger sister, Clara married Doctor Eduard Wehl and they lived in South Australia. They had 14 children, 6 of whom collected and painted botanical studies – some now in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. A cousin of Doctor Wehl – Carl Wehl – married Sophia Caroline (née Gorte) and one of their daughters was Marianne Wehl. It is recorded that von Mueller visited the Wehls and D’Altons in Halls Gap (Henrietta D'Alton was also a painter of wildflowers), so it is hard to believe that there is no influence at least. Von Mueller had over 1,400 collectors/artists working for him and 225 of them were women and children. Their work is housed in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. The donor believes that Marianne contributed to this work. There is no record of that, however, as only 169 of the artists have been identified, it may be a possibility. Marianne was one of six children of Carl Jakob Wilhelm Wehl (1830–1899) and Sophia Caroline Wehl (née Gorte) (1843–1920). She never married. https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/JABG34P001_Dowe.pdf The plants: All of the plants painted by Marianne Wehl's in this donation were identified by Botanist Neil Marriott & Wendy Marriott, in July 2022. Neil Marriott said that the quality and beauty of these botanical studies made it easy for them to identify all the plants. He suggested they may be some of the first paintings of Grampians wildflowers. This makes the paintings highly important scientifically and botanically. Visitors to WAMA will be able to compare them with today’s plants in the Endemic Garden. Neil marvelled that Marianne found the specimens, as some of them are endemic and found only in the highest parts of the Grampians (Mt Rosea, Mt William and Major Mitchell Plateau) and are listed as rare and endangered. Some of these same rare plants have now been propagated by the WAMA team and in winter 2022 were planted in WAMA's Endemic Garden. This framed work is considered by him to be the most significant botanically. Boronia pilosa – Hairy boronia. [Wikipedia says it’s a plant in the citrus family Rutaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia MH] Pultenaea subalpina - Rosy Bush-pea. Grampians endemic listed as endangered and only found on the tops of Mt William, Major Mitchell Plateau and Mt Rosea - named for the Rosy Bush-pea that grows on its top! This is the only rose-coloured bush pea in the entire genus, which occurs right across Australia!! We have plants ready to plant in the WAMA endemic garden! Boronia latipinna - Grampians Boronia. Grampians endemic only found on the higher peaks of the central Grampians ranges - listed endangered. NB In some records she is called Marianna (as the donor calls her) and in others Marianne.

Wildflower art, Wildlife art, wildflowers, Marianne Wehl, Marianna Wehl, Flower paint, Botany, works on paper, von Mueller, Baron von Mueller, Ferdinand von Mueller, Henrietta D'Alton, WAM, Wild Art Museum Australia, Wildlife Art Museum Australia

Gift of Barbara Crick in memory of Marjorie and Lachlan McLennan

Three small paintings of pink wildflowers mounted together in original frame. The central image is an oval, flanked by two rectangular images. The frame is probably original – smooth gloss olive green simulating wood or bamboo. It has a new backing paper.

Each image LL ' MW' (underlined), central image has signature obscured by oval vignetted matt. On the reverse side it is marked in black felt pen, “McLennan 106 Bennet Rd (4)” This refers to preparation (rematting / framing?) for exhibiting at Horsham Art Gallery in 1981.

wildflowers, flowers

The artist: Marianne Louise Charlotte Amalie Wehl (19 Sept. 1867, Mt Gambier; 26 Oct. 1926, Melbourne), a flower painter who was active in South Australia and Victoria, and not to be confused with Marie Magdalene Wehl. Connection with Baron von Mueller: Von Mueller’s younger sister, Clara married Doctor Eduard Wehl and they lived in South Australia. They had 14 children, 6 of whom collected and painted botanical studies – some now in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. A cousin of Doctor Wehl – Carl Wehl – married Sophia Caroline (née Gorte) and one of their daughters was Marianne Wehl. It is recorded that von Mueller visited the Wehls and D’Altons in Halls Gap (Henrietta D'Alton was also a painter of wildflowers), so it is hard to believe that there is no influence at least. Von Mueller had over 1,400 collectors/artists working for him and 225 of them were women and children. Their work is housed in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. The donor believes that Marianne contributed to this work. There is no record of that, however, as only 169 of the artists have been identified, it may be a possibility. Marianne was one of six children of Carl Jakob Wilhelm Wehl (1830–1899) and Sophia Caroline Wehl (née Gorte) (1843–1920). She never married. https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/JABG34P001_Dowe.pdf The plants: All of the plants painted by Marianne Wehl's in this donation were identified by Botanist Neil Marriott & Wendy Marriott, in July 2022. Neil Marriott said that the quality and beauty of these botanical studies made it easy for them to identify all the plants. He suggested they may be some of the first paintings of Grampians wildflowers. This makes the paintings highly important scientifically and botanically. Visitors to WAMA will be able to compare them with today’s plants in the Endemic Garden. Neil marvelled that Marianne found the specimens, as some of them are endemic and found only in the highest parts of the Grampians (Mt Rosea, Mt William and Major Mitchell Plateau) and are listed as rare and endangered. Some of these same rare plants have now been propagated by the WAMA team and in winter 2022 were planted in WAMA's Endemic Garden. Neil identifies this particular plant as Daviesia brevifolia - Leafless Bitter Pea - a widespread but very showy plant in the heathlands. "It's very difficult to propagate, but due to its extremely showy nature, we have plants ready to plant in our Grampians Endemic Garden as ‘filler plants’." NB In some records she is called Marianna (as the donor calls her) and in others Marianne.

Wildflower art, Wildlife art, Wildflowers, Marianne Wehl, Marrianna Wehl, Flower painter, Botany, works on paper, von Mueller, Baron von Mueller, Ferdinand von Mueller, Henriette D'Alton, WAMA, Halls Gap, painter, gouache, Wildlife Art Museum Australia, Wild Art Museum Australia

Gift of Barbara Crick in memory of Marjorie and Lachlan McLennan

Unframed pinky orange pea flower painted in gouache on smoother side of brown card

LL ' MW' (underlined)

wildflowers, flowers

The artist: Marianne Louise Charlotte Amalie Wehl (19 Sept. 1867, Mt Gambier; 26 Oct. 1926, Melbourne), a flower painter who was active in South Australia and Victoria, and not to be confused with Marie Magdalene Wehl. Connection with Baron von Mueller: Von Mueller’s younger sister, Clara married Doctor Eduard Wehl and they lived in South Australia. They had 14 children, 6 of whom collected and painted botanical studies – some now in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. A cousin of Doctor Wehl – Carl Wehl – married Sophia Caroline (née Gorte) and one of their daughters was Marianne Wehl. It is recorded that von Mueller visited the Wehls and D’Altons in Halls Gap (Henrietta D'Alton was also a painter of wildflowers), so it is hard to believe that there is no influence at least. Von Mueller had over 1,400 collectors/artists working for him and 225 of them were women and children. Their work is housed in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. The donor believes that Marianne contributed to this work. There is no record of that, however, as only 169 of the artists have been identified, it may be a possibility. Marianne was one of six children of Carl Jakob Wilhelm Wehl (1830–1899) and Sophia Caroline Wehl (née Gorte) (1843–1920). She never married. https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/JABG34P001_Dowe.pdf The plants: All of the plants painted by Marianne Wehl's in this donation were identified by Botanist Neil Marriott & Wendy Marriott, in July 2022. Neil Marriott said that the quality and beauty of these botanical studies made it easy for them to identify all the plants. He suggested they may be some of the first paintings of Grampians wildflowers. This makes the paintings highly important scientifically and botanically. Visitors to WAMA will be able to compare them with today’s plants in the Endemic Garden. Neil marvelled that Marianne found the specimens, as some of them are endemic and found only in the highest parts of the Grampians (Mt Rosea, Mt William and Major Mitchell Plateau) and are listed as rare and endangered. Some of these same rare plants have now been propagated by the WAMA team and in winter 2022 were planted in WAMA's Endemic Garden. Neil identifies this plant as Epacris impressa - Common Heath - white flower form. Common and widespread. NB In some records she is called Marianna (as the donor calls her) and in others Marianne.

Wildflower art, Wildlife art

Gift of Barbara Crick in memory of Marjorie and Lachlan McLennan

Painting of white heath spray, on brown paper

LL ' MW' (underlined)

wildflowers, flowers, marianne wehl, marianna wehl, flower painter, botany, works on paper, baron von mueller, von mueller, henrietta d'alton, wama, wildlife art, painter, goache, halls gap, wildlife art museum australia

The artist: Marianne Louise Charlotte Amalie Wehl (19 Sept. 1867, Mt Gambier; 26 Oct. 1926, Melbourne), a flower painter who was active in South Australia and Victoria, and not to be confused with Marie Magdalene Wehl. Connection with Baron von Mueller: Von Mueller’s younger sister, Clara married Doctor Eduard Wehl and they lived in South Australia. They had 14 children, 6 of whom collected and painted botanical studies – some now in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. A cousin of Doctor Wehl – Carl Wehl – married Sophia Caroline (née Gorte) and one of their daughters was Marianne Wehl. It is recorded that von Mueller visited the Wehls and D’Altons in Halls Gap (Henrietta D'Alton was also a painter of wildflowers), so it is hard to believe that there is no influence at least. Von Mueller had over 1,400 collectors/artists working for him and 225 of them were women and children. Their work is housed in the National Herbarium, Melbourne. The donor believes that Marianne contributed to this work. There is no record of that, however, as only 169 of the artists have been identified, it may be a possibility. Marianne was one of six children of Carl Jakob Wilhelm Wehl (1830–1899) and Sophia Caroline Wehl (née Gorte) (1843–1920). She never married. https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/JABG34P001_Dowe.pdf The plants: All of the plants painted by Marianne Wehl's in this donation were identified by Botanist Neil Marriott & Wendy Marriott, in July 2022. Neil Marriott said that the quality and beauty of these botanical studies made it easy for them to identify all the plants. He suggested they may be some of the first paintings of Grampians wildflowers. This makes the paintings highly important scientifically and botanically. Visitors to WAMA will be able to compare them with today’s plants in the Endemic Garden. Neil marvelled that Marianne found the specimens, as some of them are endemic and found only in the highest parts of the Grampians (Mt Rosea, Mt William and Major Mitchell Plateau) and are listed as rare and endangered. Some of these same rare plants have now been propagated by the WAMA team and in winter 2022 were planted in WAMA's Endemic Garden. This particular plant is Correa reflexa variety angustifolia – Grampians Correa. It is endemic to the Grampians and listed as rare. It has been propagated by the Marriotts and planted in the new Endemic Garden at the WAMA site. NB In some records she is called Marianna (as the donor calls her) and in others Marianne.

Wildflower art, Wildlife art

Gift of Barbara Crick in memory of Marjorie and Lachlan McLennan

Small painting of red/yellow Correa reflexa angustifolia showing 2 flowers and 1 in bud, painted on brown paper

LL ' MW' (underlined)

wildflowers, flowers, marianne wehl, marianna wehl, flower painter, botany, works on paper, von mueller, baron von mueller, henrietta d'alton, wama, wildlife art, halls gap, painter, goauche