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Inspiration from Artists Wk 165 Bonus Artist Edith Hilder

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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Welcome to this weekends bonus artist thread, my choice of artist this weekend is : Edith Hilder, 1904-1992. Edith was a British floral artist who painted in watercolour, illustrated books and decorated pottery.  Born Edith Blenkiron , the daughter of a boot and shoe buyer, she studied at Goldsmiths School in London. It was at Goldsmiths she met fellow student and future husband Rowland Hilder . She collaborated with Rowland on many projects including the Shell Guide to the Flowers of the Countryside. Rowland painting the background in his style and Edith adding the detailed flowers they went on to produce books for the Ladybird Series. After the Second World War they set up heron Press which produced greeting cards which depicted scenes that became known as Hilderscales, once again Edith adding any detail flowers etc.  bio via Wikipedia. It’s difficult find a some of her own work so I have included work the did together. The first floral painting are Edith work , those with the loose background scenes are the joint ventures . I hope you enjoy my selection.

Sylvia Evans

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Those are just beautiful Paul, thanks for posting them. Y
Entwined, abstract

Sandra Kennedy

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A really attractive selection Paul.
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Lewis Cooper

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What a marvellous combination of talents.
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Carol .

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An insightful choice, Dixie. Back in the day the oil products we used for the running of every-day life and industry was not thought that much about. That said, looking at Edith Hilder's work, the beauty of her flowers, hybrid and natural, I find now, is a delightful juxtaposition.  
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Now, there's a partnership made in Heaven - I don't know that I'd have expected that to work, in theory: and yet, it did.  Two very different techniques - Rowland Hilder very rarely did this sort of detail, if ever, Edith presumably avoided his broad sweep approach - which he managed to do even with, for example, his painting of Petworth House: not necessarily my favourite painting of his, but still an incredible piece of work.   It IS indeed difficult to find individual pieces by Edith Hilder - I'll go looking, because while they worked beautifully together, she deserves to have recognition apart from her husband - as he has apart from her.  (I'm writing as if I know a lot about Edith Hilder, but in fact my awareness of her work before this post appeared was dim: it's been a revelation.)

Jenny Harris

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Love the Shell Guides she did in conjunction with Rowland Hilder - we touched on these when looking at his work some time ago.  This one shows a good combination of their different styles.

Edited
by Jenny Harris

Tessa Gwynne

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Lovely and skilful work indeed. I find it a little curious that they produced work together like this, and wonder would anyone have realised that if they didn’t know? It’s surely an idea that no one would think of and I guess wouldn’t have happened if they weren’t a couple. It certainly works but I can’t “unsee” it now I know! As has been said, it’s difficult to find much of Edith’s work alone apart from her flowers which are very lovely. 
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Lewis Cooper

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These really are exceptional pieces of art.  Edith’s flowers are sublime.  Paul’s intro says she worked in watercolour, that being so, her work is the kind of watercolour I really admire… strong vibrant colour.  I’m left wondering about the practicalities of producing such work.  It seems unlikely they worked on the same piece of paper, unless Edith drew her flowers first and then Roland painted the background…watercolour doesn’t lend itself to that.  Gouache for the flowers might work?  It seems more likely two separate paintings were made, and, during the printing process, the flowers were overlaid on top of the background??  My knowledge of printing is scant.  Perhaps Alan might have views on that. It matters little I suppose, the result is wonderful art.
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Well I feel much happier now as I thought I was probably the only one who didn’t know they had collaborated ,let alone on several projects . It’s finding out such things that I would not have known about unless I was doing the research for the thread, that’s what makes it worthwhile doing it , it’s having a reason to research not just feeling like doing it occasionally.  The other great thing is getting your comments on the artist and description of the the work from your points of view , It’s even more rewarding when someone posts  , new to me , or didn’t know that. I often think why haven’t I sen this artist work before , but now knowing that there are literally thousands of unknown artists yet to be discovered by us it’s nit surprising at all. More names need for the list or you will be suffering from my love of maritime art and get fed up of shops , boats and seas .

Norrette Moore

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Interesting work, I like the first one that Tessa posted, as a lovely composition. But reading Lew's comments I now wonder if the credit for layout should go the print designer.  They can certainly liven up what could be flat landscape. Might look back through some of my earlier attempts.

Alan Bickley

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She produced some wonderful work in collaboration with Rowland - in particular the Shell guide to the countryside as Jenny has mentioned. What better combination could one wish for… a brilliant landscape painter and a beautifully detailed botanical painter!
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