Biography

In November 2009 Guy was elected as a painting member of The Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society, and in 2011 as a full member of the Society of Botanical Artists, having received a Highly Commended Award at the Society’s Open Show in 2010. At this years SBA Open Show he gained The President’s Award for his whole body of work in media other than watercolour and a Certificate of Botanical Merit judged by Maureen Lazarus from the Department of Biodiversity and Systematic Biology at the National Museum, Wales. Guy had two pieces accepted into the 13th International Exhibition of Botanical Art & Illustration (September-December 2010) at The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh, USA. The exhibition is held every three years and featured 110 works from just 72 artists representing 15 countries. Both pieces are now held in their permanent collection.

Suffolk-born Guy William Eves has had drawing in his blood since a very early age. He converted the drafty old garden shed into a studio and spent many a childhood hour there until the cold set in.

His natural talent gained him a studentship at the Ipswich School of Art in the 70’s, the era of local greats Colin Moss, Bernard Reynolds, Lawrence Self, et al. Graduating in Fine Art & Design, Guy chose to pursue a career in design initially, working at the prestigious Oxford University Press for several years before joining an advertising consultancy, finally returning to his Ipswich roots in 1987. Here he set up his own freelance design and illustration practice, and it is only in recent years the he has been able to dedicate more of his time to his first love of botanical drawing.

His most recent work sees Guy foregoing the use of colour entirely, preferring the clean, unobliterated lines that he can achieve using carefully selected grades of pencil and paper. His plant and flower subjects are not cut stems, but are living specimens, drawn in complete isolation from their natural habitat. By choosing to omit any signs of background, container or supporting structure, Guy ensures that the viewer’s eye is never detracted from the main focus of attention – the subject.

His attention to detail is such that the resulting imagery attains an almost photographic perfection, but to liken Guy’s drawings to a black and white photograph would be nothing short of blasphemy. Closer examination reveals the infinite number of lines and strokes built up over many hours that make up the very essence of the subject, making them exquisite and exceptional works of art.

Jo Banthorpe - Manager, The John Russell Gallery