There is something especially magical about a wildflower: its smallness, its determination, the way it appears quietly at the edge of a path or among long summer grass.
For our North American Wildflowers theme, we have been inspired by the remarkable work of Mary Vaux Walcott (1860–1940), an artist, naturalist, photographer and mountain explorer whose botanical paintings still feel wonderfully alive more than a century later.
Often called the “Audubon of Botany,” Mary created exquisitely detailed watercolours of wildflowers from across North America. Her work reminds us to look closer—to notice the shape of a leaf, the freckles on a petal, or the tiny flowers that might otherwise be missed entirely.
A life spent looking closely
Mary was born in Philadelphia in 1860, but much of her inspiration came from time spent outdoors in the Canadian Rockies. She travelled there repeatedly with her family, hiking and exploring in landscapes that were both beautiful and demanding.
She was far more than an artist. Mary was also a keen photographer and an early glacier observer, helping to document changes to glaciers in the Canadian Rockies over many years. At a time when women were often excluded from scientific and outdoor pursuits, she built a life shaped by curiosity, courage and close attention to the natural world.
Her flower paintings were not imagined from a studio. They were carefully observed from real plants, often painted while she was out in the landscape. That is why they feel so fresh: each bloom has its own character.
North American Wild Flowers
In 1925, the Smithsonian Institution published Mary’s extraordinary collection, North American Wild Flowers. The original work appeared in five volumes and included nearly 400 colour illustrations.
Each illustration gives a single flower the space to be admired. There is no crowded background or unnecessary decoration—just the plant itself, rendered with such care that you can almost imagine finding it beside a trail.
Her paintings helped bring the richness of native flowers to a wider audience, celebrating blooms that might have seemed ordinary or overlooked. Today, they feel like a beautiful invitation to slow down and notice what is growing around us.
Why we love her work
At Libby & Alice, we love art that makes everyday life feel a little more beautiful—and Mary Vaux Walcott’s work does exactly that.
Her paintings are delicate but never dull. They are full of colour, personality and the gentle imperfectness of nature. A wildflower is not arranged for us; it grows where it can, often in the most surprising places.
That feels like a lovely reminder for creative life too. You do not need a perfect desk, a full afternoon or a finished plan before you begin. Sometimes you only need a scrap of paper, a cup of tea and a few quiet minutes to make something lovely.
Bring a little wildflower wonder to your table
This month, take inspiration from Mary’s way of looking closely.
Try noticing one flower on your walk. Press a fallen leaf into your journal. Use a small botanical image in a scrapbook page. Paint a bloom in colours that make you happy—even if they are not quite true to life.
The point is not botanical perfection. It is the pause.
Because the world is full of small, beautiful things—and sometimes all we need is a reason to notice them. 🌼
Mary Vaux Walcott’s North American Wild Flowers was published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1925. Her work remains a beautiful celebration of native plants, art, exploration and the quiet joy of paying attention.
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