WILDLIFE and Botanical Artists Inc. is hosting Heidi Willis, a watercolour artist specialising in Natural History illustrations, for a talk titled ‘The Earthen Artist: Trekking Nepal’ tomorrow.

In March this year, during Nepal’s blossoming spring, Willis spent a month trekking into the remote wilderness of the Annapurna region to explore and work amongst the spectacular rhododendron forests found there.

This area boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including over 100 species of mammals, around 500 species of birds and over 1200 species of plants including rhododendrons, orchids and magnolias.

At this time of year the forests burst into life in a profusion of colour. Reds, pinks and purples infuse the landscape, often softened amongst blankets of mountain mist. The spectacular Annapurna Ranges dominate the landscape surrounding the forest.

In this presentation, Willis will be talking about her experiences in the field while gathering reference for her next body of work.

Heidi Willis, at Australian National Botanic Gardens Theatrette (behind the Visitors’ Centre), 1-3pm, August 24. All welcome.