ArtQuartet News – Summer 2025
Summer 2025
by Sally Parker
Summer Solstice Blessings!
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be exhibiting my artwork at the upcoming Hampshire Open Studios event this summer 2025! This is an especially exciting opportunity, as the event is celebrating its 25th anniversary. I’m honoured to be a part of this milestone celebration and to share my creative work with the community. I look forward to welcoming you into my garden and studio, where we will have the opportunity to chat about my work. What is happening in the garden? Well, many of the early summer flowers arrived three weeks earlier due to the warmer temperatures. ‘The Healing Garden’ in my blog, therefore, still features the peony this season, a majestic flower that typically continues to bloom well into the early summer months.
- Hampshire Open Studios
- Earth Pathways Contributor 2026
- Earth Pathways
- Healing Garden: Peonies
- The Regal Peony
- Greco-Roman Myths and Legends
- Peonies during the Middle Ages
- Peonies in art and gardens
Hampshire Open Studios 2025
I will be taking part in the Hampshire Open Studios this year, which is celebrating 25 years of Creative Discovery!
“We’re thrilled to be celebrating 25 years of Hampshire Open Studios, and to be showcasing the incredible talent and creativity thriving across our communities, this annual event goes from strength-to-strength.”
Lesley Self, HOS Creative Director “
In my garden studio, I will be exhibiting a collection of contemporary, poetic artworks. My process is rooted in observation, environmental consciousness and a meditative exploration of myth and philosophy, resulting in pieces that resonate with both emotional depth and awareness of our natural world. My artworks weave poetic tales of mythic sisters, recalling ancient frescoes while celebrating the ethereal seasons. There will also be prints and cards available to purchase, as well as my book ‘Four Noble Ladies of the River Garden’.
“Step inside the homes, studios, and galleries of Hampshire’s vibrant artistic community. From painters to potters, sculptors to printmakers, the event provides a unique opportunity to meet the makers, see behind the scenes, and discover the stories behind the work.”
Do check for up-to-date opening times for my studio event on my website, or follow this link for further information: http://www.hampshireopenstudios.org.uk
My opening times are:
16th August, 17th August, 23rd August, 24th August, 25th August – 10am – 4pm
22nd August – 6 pm- 8 pm (by appointment only)
The Hampshire Open Studios event is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the local art scene free of charge and connect directly with the creators. Visitors can also enter a £100 prize draw to win a voucher towards purchasing artwork from a favourite artist at Hampshire Open Studios. I look forward to meeting fellow art enthusiasts and sharing the inspirations behind my work. Who knows, you may even find the perfect piece to brighten up your own space this summer!
Earth Pathways Contributor 2026
It is with great joy that I share the news of my selection as a contributor to Earth Pathways. My painting, “Mother Earth II,” adorned with the rich hues of natural ‘acrylik’ earth pigments, will grace the hallowed pages of the 2026 Earth Pathways calendar, page 8 to be precise. I am deeply humbled that my work stands alongside the heartfelt prose of Kamini Gupta. In her words, “The Wild Call of Summer” echoes the very essence of the changing seasons, with hope, faith and healing for our beloved Mother Earth. These calendars and diaries, meticulously crafted with care and artistry, are now available for purchase. https://www.earthpathwaysdiary.uk
They are treasured keepsakes. Remember, the supply is limited, and the EARLY bird prices will not linger. Secure your copy without delay, and let the beauty of our Earth’s rhythms guide you through the year to come.
(Painting: ©Sally Parker, ArtQuartet,
Prose: ©Kamini Gupta)
Earth Pathways
‘Since 2007 the Earth Pathways Cooperative have been creating and publishing an eco diary and calendar. Our products are hope-filled and heart-led. Always.
Each year we gift money to seed-fund initiatives that help the Earth and plant trees.
Our products are full of original artwork, poetry and prose by artists and writers who are inspired by this amazing planet.’
Earth Pathways
Diary/Calendar 2026
Cover Image: ‘Living Earth’ Rosalie Kohler AKA Spiral Shores (watercolour)
On June 21st, Earth Pathways will be unveiling their stunning new collection of thoughtfully crafted calendars and diaries for the year 2026. Please follow this link to the Earth Pathways website to read more and to discover ‘Early Bird’ offers. There will also be an opportunity to view and purchase the calendars at my Hampshire Open Studios event in August.
HEALING GARDEN
Peony (Paeoniaceae )
The Regal Peony: A Flower of Myth, Medicine, and Majesty
The peony, with its lush, multi-layered blooms, has long been revered across cultures for its captivating beauty and profound symbolism. The history of this royal flower is woven into the tapestry of ancient traditions, from its healing powers ascribed to it in Chinese medicine to the mythic tales that have elevated it to the status of “Queen of Flowers.”
For millennia, people in the East have prized the peony’s roots, leaves, and seeds for their restorative properties. Furthermore, writings from an imperial Han tomb revealed that the peony’s root, known as “danpi,” was used nearly 2,000 years ago to treat blood stagnation, a testament to its enduring place in the Chinese herbal canon. Even today, this magnificent bloom continues to be celebrated for its ability to invigorate the blood, soothe inflammation, and nourish the skin.
In addition, in ancient Chinese folklore, this flower was imbued with mystical powers, symbolising good fortune, prosperity, and marital bliss. People believed that gifting peonies to newlyweds could bring them luck and abundance, making it a cherished tradition.
Greco-Roman Myths and Legends
The peony’s symbolic resonance also found expression in the myths and legends of the Greco-Roman world. For instance, according to one captivating tale, the peony was named after Paeon, a talented Greek physician who used the flower’s roots and seeds to save the life of Hades, the god of the underworld, when he was wounded in battle. This myth speaks to the peony’s power to unite the forces of light and dark, a testament to its profound spiritual significance.
Peonies during the Middle Ages
Throughout the Middle Ages, the peony continued to be revered for its mystical properties: It was believed that its roots possessed the ability to ward off evil spirits and cure ailments such as epilepsy.
Moreover, one particular superstition stipulated that the roots could only be unearthed during the night. This may refer back to the flower’s associations with the ancient Greek moon goddess, Selene.
Additionally, Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century German abbess, philosopher, mystic and writer, details the medicinal and spiritual properties of various plants, including peonies. Furthermore, the peony became associated with Christian symbolism. It was assigned to Mary and her many festivals. Hildegard of Bingen believed that peonies had a cooling effect on the body and could be used to balance the humours and restore health.
Peonies in art & gardens
As the centuries passed, artists found new ways to express the peony’s symbolic legacy in the realm of art. For instance, painters such as Ambrosius Bosschaert, Brueghel the Elder, Jan van Kessel II and Rachel Ruysch favoured the flower’s lush, sensual blooms. The flowers were perfect subjects for their Dutch and Flemish still-life paintings. Notably, this marked the point at which the peony transitioned from its medicinal significance, within convent gardens to its use in ornamental and country gardens.
Additionally, honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies are attracted to the enticing fragrance and abundant nectar and pollen available in the flowers. Moreover, ants are attracted to the nectar on peony buds too. While ants don’t directly pollinate, their presence can be beneficial as they may deter pests that could harm the flowers.
Today, as we gaze upon the peony’s sumptuous blooms in our own gardens, we glimpse its enduring power. The flower is testament to the enduring human fascination with nature and its many wonders.
Thank you for reading, and I wish you a happy and healthy summer season!
Best wishes
Sally
This blog is for educational purposes only. As with all herbal and foraged ingredients, it is your responsibility to research the relevant safety information. This includes contraindications and correct dosages, before consuming them.
Sources:
Dietz T (2020) Language of Flowers
Heilmeyer M (2006) Language of Flowers