The Botanical Collection

This collection is inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and explores botanical forms alongside hummingbirds introduced as dynamic elements within the compositions.

Each piece begins with observational studies, developed into drawn imagery and then translated into hand embroidery. Thread is used to build layers of colour, pattern, and texture, adding depth and variation to the original studies.

The inclusion of hummingbirds introduces movement and contrast, creating a dialogue between stillness and energy, observation and imagination.

Through drawing and stitch, the works aim to capture both the intricacy and vitality of the natural world.

Lincoln the Peacock, original mixed media artwork by Susannah Weiland, displayed in a black frame against a white background. The peacock is seen from behind, his long tail cascading downward in a sweeping triangular train of graphite pencil feathers. His head turns slightly to the side, the neck and crest hand embroidered in vivid cobalt blue and teal silk with seed bead detailing, the breast in fresh green. Dozens of feather eyes are individually embroidered across the tail. Close-up detail of Lincoln the Peacock showing the hand embroidery of the head, neck and upper body. The neck is densely stitched in deep cobalt blue and iridescent teal silk threads with a hint of violet, transitioning to a bright green embroidered breast. The dark graphite wings flank the body on either side, and the upper feather eyes of the trailing tail are visible below, each one individually worked in coral pink, green and teal.
Watson the Peacock, full artwork view, unframed. The peacock's tail fans across the entire composition in sweeping graphite lines, each feather eye embroidered in teal, green and deep red with seed beads catching the light. The crimson-embroidered body anchors the centre, with the bird's black-and-white head just visible above. Signed by the artist in the lower right corner. The original has sold; prints are available. Close-up detail of Watson the Peacock showing the hand embroidery. The peacock's body is densely stitched in deep crimson red silk threads, transitioning to an iridescent green chest. The surrounding tail feathers are drawn in graphite, each eye individually embroidered in layered teal, green and crimson with seed beads, their texture and lustre clearly visible against the pencil-drawn plumage.
Multi Hummingbirds, full artwork view. The repeating botanical pattern of dark graphite anthurium leaves, twisting stems and exotic flowers fills the white ground, with multiple hummingbirds embroidered in vivid green, blue and pink hovering mid-flight, and butterflies in red, pink, teal and green scattered throughout. Each bird and butterfly is individually hand stitched in jewel-bright colour against the monochrome background. Close-up detail of Multi Hummingbirds showing the hand embroidery. A hummingbird hovers with its throat and chest stitched in iridescent blue seed beads and green thread, its pink beak precisely worked. A large butterfly resting on an anthurium bloom is embroidered in vivid teal blue with white markings, and two further butterflies below are stitched in crimson red and bright green with teal detailing.
Hummingbirds — Pink full artwork view, unframed. The repeating botanical pattern is clearly visible across the full composition: sweeping dark graphite anthurium leaves, twisting stems, open morning glory blooms and delicate orchids fill the white ground. Embroidered hummingbirds hover mid-flight, their throats stitched in deep magenta pink with iridescent teal tails, while embroidered butterflies in pink, teal and green drift between the foliage. Close-up detail of Hummingbirds — Pink showing the hand embroidery alongside the printed pencil drawing. A hummingbird hovers in mid-flight, its throat densely stitched in deep magenta pink with teal tail feathers rendered in seed beads and thread. Nearby, two embroidered butterflies — one in hot pink and red, one in bright green and pink — are individually stitched with fine detail. A large anthurium flower carries a hand-embroidered butterfly resting at its centre.