How to Create Botanical Artwork with Supplies On-Hand

When our children were growing up, I collected their artwork, and framed the best ones. These pieces were hanging in our back staircase until we remodeled and refreshed that area (see that post here). What to do with all of these now that our 3 are grown and living on their own? Of course, they do not want them and so I spent last weekend, taking the artwork out of the frames and keeping just a few. The frames are in great shape (don’t want to donate them) so I am inspired to try and create my own pressed botanical artwork.

Supplies You Will Need

Waxpaper

Scissors

Fresh greens-I cut a variety of sizes and shapes from the yard

Stock paper-this paper comes in a variety of colors and textures. I use mostly white with a linen texture.

Modge Podge

Paintbrush

Books

Spray Adhesive

Frames

Prepare the Greens

Determine the size of the surface you will mount the greens~8 x10, 9 x 12, etc. Select the greens that fit best in the space. Place the greens between 2 sheets of wax paper or one sheet folded over.

Lay the greens/waxpaper in between pages of a heavy book. Make sure your leaves are flat and not curled. I use 4 different books depending on the size of the frame.

Press the greens in the book(s) for a few hours. I left mine overnight in order to get a nice flat leaf.

You can stack the books on top of each other and provide additional weight. I use a 35 lb. kettlebell.

Position the Greens

Once the leaves are flattened, I play with how I want them to be positioned on the stock paper. Notice how the leaf on the lower left is a bit wonky.

Lightly spray the back side of the green with adhesive.

Note of caution: When using greens with delicate leaves, be extra careful when transferring them to the stock paper after applying the spray adhesive. I believe I had the ceiling fan on and the minute I lift the greens off the cardboard, the leaves stuck together. It is impossible to try and separate them once this happens.

Carefully place the leaf onto the stock paper. Gently tap it down to adhere. Use an adhesive that allows time to reposition if necessary. This one from Loctite is acid-free and photo safe. Here is where I fix the curled leaf and lay it flat using the adhesive.

Seal the Greens

Once the greens are secure on the stock paper, paint the leaves with Modge Podge, a water base sealer, glue and finish. Since these will be under glass, I use a matte finish but it also comes in gloss too. Personal preference. Modge Podge dries clear and rather quickly.

After the Modge Podge is dry, you can then insert the greens on stock paper into your frame. It would also be nice to calligraphy the name of the plant at the bottom of the picture.

I have 20 of various black frames. But if you don’t and are looking for some, Amazon has a very nice selection here.

This fig leaf is large enough to stand on its own in the 9 x 12 frame.

Not sure what these sweet fuzzy greens are but I love the color and the texture.

My youngest daughter just moved into a new house with 3 roommates and has a nature/boho theme for her bedroom. I am hoping she loves these so I can fill up the other frames. If not, I will use them in a gallery wall configuration somewhere. I love how easy these are to make, with their simplicity and nod to nature. Quite pleased on how this DIY turned out!

Now I want to try this with flowers! Happy creating!