Painting Botanical Cast Ornaments from Garden Blooms

Learn how to create your own plant-based pigments and paint one-of-a-kind botanical cast ornaments! Want to give a holiday gift that is not mass produced in a factory? Looking for a calming experience that beats the hustle and bustle? Join botanical artist Rebecca Fortin for an afternoon of natural paint-making and ornament painting. Under Rebecca’s guidance, you’ll explore how to create colour pigments from local botanicals such as goldenrod, nettle, berries, and more. Test your plant-based pigments on watercolour paper, including creating a holiday card. Participants will choose two plaster miniature botanical casts to paint and take home or gift for the holiday season. These ornaments are created by Rebecca, each made using impressions of live botanicals. This workshop features botanical casts made with flowers directly from Toronto Botanical Garden, capturing the garden’s beauty in artwork that lasts long after the blossoms fade. All materials will be provided. No prior experience required. This workshop is intended for ages 16+. Mature youth aged 12+ are welcome but must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Please note: Please wear practical clothes and footwear that you don’t mind getting a little messy. As with all handmade processes using real plants: results will vary, pigments may shift in colour over time, and each piece will have perfect imperfections that contribute to its unique character. Saturday, November 28, 1 to 4 p.m. Public $115, TBG Members $110 (plus applicable taxes and fees). About Rebecca Fortin Rebecca Fortin is a visual artist based in rural Whitby, Ontario, where she creates botanical artwork rooted in the textures, colours, and quiet beauty of the plants around her. After a 20-year career in public health administration, Rebecca pivoted to focus on her art practice, completing the Drawing and Painting program at the Haliburton School of Art + Design in 2022. She now works full-time as an artist, bringing together her background in community health promotion with her passion for connecting people to nature through art. Rebecca’s work has been shown across Ontario and is held in private and corporate collections in Canada and internationally. Her hands-on workshops invite participants to explore botanicals and natural art materials — offering memorable, calming experiences and the opportunity to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces to take home. www.rebeccafortin.com | Instagram Join Toronto Botanical Garden Join the Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) as a member to get a discount on this program, upcoming events and classes, and free parking. A TBG membership helps you deepen your knowledge and connection to the natural world, become a part of a dynamic community of plant people, and be inspired! Become a member! Additional Program Information • Please review our Refund Policy and Terms of Agreement. • For more information on accessibility at the garden please review our Accessibility Features webpage. If you have any accessibility requirements during your program please email [email protected]. • To learn more about the Toronto Botanical Garden and our programs, please review our list of Frequently Asked Questions.