Botanical Printing: Letting Nature Begin the Painting

Sometimes a painting begins before I know what it wants to become.

This time, it began outside with early spring branches, fresh leaves, and small white flowers. I placed the branches directly onto a large canvas and let them become part of the first layer.

Then came color.

I used fabric spray paints, acrylics, bright tones, soft mists, and golden ink splashes. I made curved marks with bottle lids and pressed crumpled foil into the surface to create small unexpected textures.

The process felt playful and alive.

Not fully planned, not fully controlled — just a conversation between nature, color, and curiosity.

After the layers had dried, I removed the branches. What remained was a bright botanical background: leaf shapes, soft traces, golden marks, and open spaces waiting for the next phase.

I do not know yet exactly where this painting will go.

Maybe it will become more cosmic. Maybe something quiet and earthy will remain underneath. But I like this beginning — nature has already left its marks on the canvas.

And now the painting can continue.

You can follow more of my botanical printing experiments and nature-inspired art process on Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/cosmicaelina/

or I’ve just opened a small shop with art mugs and visual pieces inspired by this world — feel free to take a look: https://shop.cosmicaelina.com/