This post begins and ends with a gift.
Just prior to the Christmas holiday, a very dear coworker of mine, Lorraine, presented me with a silver-wrapped package tied with a string of sparkling stars. She explained that when she saw this item, she thought of me. It was whimsical, she said, and she thought — or at least hoped — that I would understand.
Her only instruction was to open it on Christmas morning.
And so I brought the present home and placed it under the tree and stared at it, wondering what sort of whimsy was hidden beneath the silver foil paper.
Needless to say, it was the first present I opened on the morning of December 25 — and I soon found myself in the enchanting Secret Garden, a soft-cover book of imaginative black ink illustrations of flowers and foliage, hidden objects and doodle space.
And I immediately understood why my friend chose this book. It’s for children. It’s for adults. It’s for the child in all of us. And just as a child has a curiosity to explore, so too did I have a curiosity about the woman who dreamt of Secret Garden, artist/illustrator/ink evangelist Johanna Basford.
Working from her studio in Scotland, Ms. Basford has won numerous awards and honors for her intricate non-digital work. More importantly, though, she has shared her imagination in so many inspiring ways. In addition to her own books, she has also done work for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Starbucks, Nike, and Smart Car — to name but a few. Given her busy illustrating life, the pencil-and-pen artist managed to find time to graciously answer a few questions from NGDM.
Courtesy of Johanna Basford.
NGDM: I received your book, Secret Garden, as a gift from a co-worker — and as soon as I opened it, I was completely pulled into the rabbit hole, just as you inscribed on the inside cover. What inspired you to create this world?
JB: I’ve always had a pretty vivid imagination, possibly a result of not watching a lot of TV as a child. I’d prefer to make-up stories, play outside and build dens or little imaginary worlds in the garden. I think my illustration practice is just an extension of this childhood – I spend my days thinking up weird and wonderful worlds, then make them come to reality on the paper.
NGDM: You designed the book to be a coloring/activity book for adults and children alike, but I have a confession to make. I’m hesitant to spoil your illustrations with color. Is there anything you can say to convince me to add color to your world? What do you recommend I use?
JB: I think you should let your own imagination roam free and just use my lines as a foundation from which to create your own worlds. The pages in the book are a starting point, not the finished work! Think of it as a creative collaboration, I’ve done my bit, now you need to add your contribution. I’ve posted a blog about pens and pencils I recommend here. http://www.johannabasford.com/blog-article/382
NGDM: After exploring your website and blog, I’m quite impressed with your accessibility to people — especially since your illustrating time seems to be so solitary. You encourage readers of Secret Garden to submit photos of how they chose to color your work. What most surprises you about how others interpret your work?
JB: I’m very lucky to have a job that I adore, so when other people are equally as enthusiastic about the work that I create, well that’s just the icing on the cake! If people take the time to buy the book, colour the pages and send me photos of their creations, I couldn’t be happier! It’s a real honor.
Generally I don’t work in colour, preferring to create images in monochrome only, so it’s wonderful to see what colours people imagined for different flowers and leaves – until I see their colours I’ve only ever pictured the plants in black and white.
NGDM: Many of your illustrations are filled with hidden treasures, such as ants and butterflies, as a challenge to readers, and this in turn pulls them in. But have you ever met an insect you didn’t like?
JB: I’m not a fan of spiders, which is surprising, as I love to draw them! They often end up trapped under jam jars until my husband comes home or the dog eats them!
NGDM: You’ve christened yourself an ink evangelist. How did you come up with that title and what does it mean to you?
JB: I like to think I’m a champion of the (wobbly) hand drawn line. I put pen to paper and create all my work by hand instead of using a computer. I think digital illustration has a role to play and there are some of my contemporaries who do amazing work on the computer, but I think there’s something intrinsically charming, honest and characterful in the hand drawn line and the inky pen stroke. Also, like much of my creative content, the hand drawn line is organic and natural; there’s a nice sense of balance there.
NGDM: Clearly, you have an inky thumb — but do you have a green thumb? How often do you get the chance to follow in the gardening footsteps of your parents and grandparents?
JB: Not as much as I would like! Our garden is very much a “work in progress” — I’m planning on planting lots of cherry blossoms this year. I tend to go for the ornamental over the edible! I’ve also got a soft spot for a terrarium. I think the charm of creating a tiny encapsulating world appeals to my doll’s house mentality.
NGDM: What gardening lessons, if any, did your family share with you?
JB: I’m not sure if it’s a lesson, but this is my most vivid gardening memory…
My dad used to pay my sister and I 50p for every cabbage white butterfly we could catch (to avoid them laying their eggs on the greens and the caterpillars munching the veges!) We spent many summer holidays dashing about the veg patch with bandy nets in pursuit of the white winged creatures in an effort to boost our pocket money. I learnt that gardening could be good exercise and also financially beneficial!
In hindsight, we were a little naive. We both hated cabbage, so had we forgone the financial bribe, we may have spared ourselves a few portions of the loathed green stuff!
NGDM: What flowers inspire you the most and why?
I love ivy and honeysuckle. They grow around the door of my childhood home. There’s something wonderfully creative about the way they creep and entwine themselves around one another. And the honeysuckle is like a magnet to bees, my favourite of all the insects!
NGDM: You mention on the FAQs page of your website that if you could be an insect you would be a bee. Why is that?
JB: I love honey and flowers, so I think a bee and I would have a lot in common. I also admire their industrious attitude to work, as well as the beautiful shapes of the honeycomb they build. Clever little insects!
NGDM: When you were a young girl, did your teachers criticize you for doodling and drawing in your notebooks?
JB: Yes, frequently. I feel I got the last laugh!
If you would like to learn more about Johanna Basford and her fantastical world, you can explore her website, www.JohannaBasford.com. Also, please enjoy this time-lapse video of the artist at work.
The Giveaway:
As I said earlier, this post begins and ends with a gift. A copy of Secret Garden will go to a randomly selected commenter. If you would like a chance to win, just leave a comment about anything — from what inspires you to your favorite color in the garden to just introducing yourself.
If you would like another chance at winning Secret Garden, leave a comment on the NGDM FaceBook page.
A winner will be selected and announced next Sunday.
Happy Gardening!
Nitty Gritty Dirt Man 
Absolutely charming! I will most definitely go out today to buy two copies of Secret Garden to give as gifts…one for my sister and one for myself!But, I’m with you, I would hesitate to add my own color to the lovely drawings. I just might have to keep the color in my imagination!
Hi Laura. Or. . . Keep two copies for yourself. One to color and one to keep pristine. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
I love all of the different ways whimsy and magic and awe find their ways into our hearts, minds, and if we’re lucky, our work as well. What a thoughtful co-worker you have!
Yes, Lorraine is a keeper. 🙂
I adore the concept of this book. Inspirational or adults and kids.
Hi Kim. It’s really so much fun — a high-quality activity for parents and kids. Thanks for commenting.
“For” adults…
Got it. I do this all the time. It can get pretty comical! 🙂
I wish I had such a thoughtful co worker. To colour or not to colour, that is the question?? Sarah
Hello Sarah. It’s so important to work with thoughtful people, considering that we tend to spend more time with them than we do with our own family. Thanks for the comment.
Hi, I love this. Thank you for the chance to win such a wonderful thing.
Hi Terressa. It’s my pleasure — and when I fell into the book, I knew it was something that had to be shared. 🙂
If everyone had a secret garden the world would be a ‘blooming’ marvellous place. Unfortunately I have no space for a garden,but I do have the most photographed window boxes every summer.
Hi Christine. Remember, it doesn’t matter how large or small the garden is — as long as you can get your hands dirty. Thanks for the comment.
A Beautiful book, I am colouring in some lovely pictures at the moment and loving every second.
Hi Cherie. Are you a stay in the lines kind of person? Or do you like to venture out just a bit? Have fun coloring your world — and thanks for commenting.
I hope to be a winner here: batteling breastcancer feels beeing a looser. The beautiful drawings will maybe cheer me up
Hi Mincka. So sorry to hear of your illness. I’ve added your name into the running. If you need a pick me up, several of my posts are humorous. Here’s one:
I love Johanna’s work but not as much as my colouring mad son!!
Hi Sarah. I’m so glad I was introduced to Johanna — fascinating to watch her world come to life. Thanks for the comment.
I love this! I loved coloring as a kid. And when I say kid I really mean all the way up till my twenties and then life got too busy.
Hi Jessica. You’re never to old to color! 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
Hi Kevin 🙂 its really nice to meet you and I especially love your post.
My name’s kate leonard and I’m also a little illustrator I’d like to say like Johanna basford once was many years ago when she started out her creative venture as an inky illustrator.
More than anything I think my inspiration and appreciation is found in the little things in life, much like her book “the secret garden” I find inspiration and creative idea’s like seed’s grow from the things I see around me.
Walks through the park and over the fields with my muddy golden retriever might mean I happen to stumble upon a collection of feathers a bird left behind, the rustle of autumn leaves that fall to the ground or the branches that brush together in the wind help me to create a picture of an imaginative world in my head.
Delving into vintage books , flipping through old photos or simply admiring the world and people around me with a warm cup of tea just opens up the chance to see things that could creatively inspire me in a similar way johanna has.
I also have a wordpress blog so if you’d like take a look at my recent post you’ll see what I mean 🙂 but yep I think these are the things that inspire me in life, how about you ?
Kate Leonard
Hi Kate. Thanks for a beautiful comment. I find my inspiration comes best when I have the chance to be in the garden or in the greenhouse — just alone with plants so that my mind can wander. Morning is usually my most inspirational time of day. I’m on my way to your site. 🙂
sounds nice I used to spend alot of time in the garden myself afew years ago as I used to grow my own veggies . We used to grow anything from cabbages and all sorts really so I had green fingers then and who knows maybe this year I’ll get back into it. 🙂
Go for it!
After a stressful day, it’s wonderful to relax in the secret garden. Entering into a world of mystical delight. Every page brings warmth to your heart. With animals and insects to find along the way. Bring them to life with an array of colour. Wish there was a secret garden two. 🙂
Hi Tina. You summed up the whimsical wonder of “Secret Garden” beautifully! Thanks for the commenting.
I love it that you did this interview. You are in your element with this. Thank you for introducing me to this book and author. Alesia
Hi Alesia. Your kind words mean so much to me. Thank you. 🙂
I’ve had this book on my wishlist for a little while, it’s just so beautiful and inspiring.
I’m glad there’s nothing wrong with an adult enjoying colouring in! 😉
Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi Ela. From all of the comments, it would appear that there are many adults who love to color. Now, that would be an interesting house party. 🙂
Beautiful and creative! Reminds me of some papers that I used to color as a child, well, as a teenager actually. Nice interview too!
Ho Joylene. So glad you enjoyed the interview. Creativity is a gift! 🙂
I am not a good gardener, but a dedicated one. I love anything garden related and this book would warm my soul.
Hi Dianne. I think it’s the dedication that matters — and that you are able to find joy in your efforts. 🙂
Pastel is my medium for paper art, and a raised bed for flowers in and out of season. They mix well and I promise to wash my hands before coloring the Secret Garden!
Hi Shenandoah. And if you happened to get some dirty fingerprints on your art, well, that just makes it your own. 🙂
What a nice interview! Lovely illustrations, too…I still enjoy coloring, too!
Hi Cindy! I am amazed at the number of adults who enjoy coloring. It is rather soothing. 🙂
BEAUTIFUL.
Hi Ruth. So glad you enjoyed the interview and the photos. Be well!
Lovely post. Love the interview…gives a lovely insight into the book maker. Long may you enjoy your gift.
Thank you, Bridget. It’s one of the reasons I enjoyed the video of Johanna at work — it’s the process. Be well!
Thank you for introducing us to Johanna! Her art is stunning in it’s elegance and simplicity. Just wow.
Hi Mia. I’m afraid the photos don’t even begin to capture the intricate beauty that Johanna has created. It’s dizzying!
I adore thus book. I love flowers, nature, gardening, wildlife, colouring, creating so this book fills me with such excitement. I so enjoyed reading this blog & you asked many questions that I have wondered about; it was lovely to hear Johanna’s responses. Thank you for this opportunity to win this wonderful book. From a new, very happy liker & a loyal follower of the Secret Garden x
Hi Jane. I’m so glad you found my blog and enjoyed the interview. Thank you for commenting (and the liking). 🙂
I believe this is just an awesome idea and we ought be carrying such a book with us! I bought my 10yo boy Doodle While You Work by Staffan Gnosspelius … Same concept with a few verbal cues to encourage the artist!! Thanks for this!!
Hi Handy Helen. I would like to fall into many of the illustrations — especially the ones with a potting shed. It’s no wonder that Johanna’s favorite story is “Alice In Wonderland.” Could the sequel be “Nitty Gritty Dirt Man In Wonderland”? Or “Handy Helen In Wonderland”? 🙂
I used to color in “adult” coloring books while my kids colored in theirs. I chose garden themed books for grown ups. Colored pencils worked best for me. When I mentioned to a friend that I liked adult coloring books, she thought I meant naughty coloring. Then, I had to explain. Still makes me giggle.
Hi Lori. Very funny. I kind of thought the same thing — but the garden-themed ones are just as much about birds and bees. 🙂
a grown up coloring book, wonderful!
Hi Cindy. Who said being a grown-up wasn’t fun? Thanks for commenting.
I remember my mom gave me a few pages of some books with designs in them that I loved coloring. They were like prism designs, and I loved the details in each. However, they were not pictures of what I love: Flowers, Trees, Plants, Animals, Birdhouses, Insects. I have been doodling the same old boring butterfly design for years. I would love to have more inspired drawings to admire and possibly color. I also think it would be great de-stressing and calming therapy for me while I go through some difficult challenges of life.
I mean my mom gave them to me, when I was a little girl. I’m ‘grown up’ now but I miss coloring and I miss coloring books that maybe won’t get colored in because they are so lovely.
🙂
Hi Kaari. Judging from all of these comments, coloring could easily become the new therapy. It’s very de-stressing — a colorful way to take some time to breathe.
I enjoyed your interview of the artist and her process (in the video). I myself was a doodler in school and adorned everything, so I understand the creative outlet.
Hey Donna. I don’t think I could sit in class without doodling — all that empty space in the margins practically begged to be filled in. 🙂 The artist’s process is certainly fascinating.
This is awesome. You have such a sweet friend and your questions were spot on. She is very talented. Thank you for sharing and for the opportunity.
I’m glad you found your way here and that you enjoyed the post. Thanks for the comment.
I can imagine myself whiling away many, many hours with this book. Beautiful and inspiring. I must get back to doodling.
Hi Maureen. Doodling, coloring, mazes, hidden objects — it all sounds so much better than laundry, vacuuming, traffic, etc. 🙂
Right on, especially vacuuming!
🙂
I love secret gardens, I love colouring books. This one is beautiful.
Hello Annelin. I’m completely with you on this one — and now here’s a book that brings both things together.
Hi, Kevin – very nice interview – and, what a wonderful gift from your friend! It’s funny – as soon as I saw the pic of the large flower with the ladybug crawling up the stem, my brain started to debate – water colors, colored pencils, crayons, cray-pas – what would I use to color this? And, although the illustration is in black and white, in my mind’s eye it was already in color! Our imagination is a marvelous thing and the child in each of us should not be stifled! Stay young!
That’s my goal. Stay young — and speaking of young, I fondly remember many hours coloring with you. 🙂
Hi Kevin- This is fantastic… just what we need to capture our imagination and get us creating our own secret gardens. Our imaginations will be our limitation… How fantastic.
I understand the conundrum of not knowing whether you want to add colour or not. Would she have any issues with us making photocopies of our work and being able to apply perhaps different colour schemes to each!.. I have favorite colour schemes for different areas… I use whites and variagated foliage by the pond for a moon garden.. I use bright bold hot colours with contrasting foliage in my large bed and butterfly garden. I tend to use older favorite perennials from my grandmothers garden in my Fairy garden… I am working on a “Secret garden” area….I just haven’t gotten it right so far! It had a lot of taller spruce for the bare bones.. then carpet roses on a berm.. I use large mammoth ornamental grasses to create the rest of the hidden path and “secretness” of my secret garden…. The perennials planted with in are still being changed and rotated from other areas…… Its a work in progress as am I.
Thanks for sharing this… I so want one!
Hi Kate. I have a feeling that the artist really wouldn’t mind various colors on her work. I think that’s what she would love — and you can send her a photo of your finished work. Happy coloring. 🙂
This makes me want to try out that recipe for black walnut ink I found. We usually “golf” the black walnuts out of our yard every fall, but if I save a dozen or so…
Hey Ann — you might be onto something. Hmmmmmmm. 🙂
My favorite secret garden isn’t in my garden in Iowa but in Grand Portage, MN. I LOVE to lay on the forest floor while on vacation on Lake Superior and look at the miniature landscapes in the moss. My little piece of heaven.
Hi Carol. Thanks for stopping by — and for painting a beautiful and most relaxing scene. Like you, I also love looking at moss — and I think there are a lot of us moss lovers out there. 🙂
Kyoto temples in Japan are paradise for moss lovers…
Sounds beautiful!
Wow, how cool, and what a great gift! And it’s the gift that keeps on giving, as it hopefully inspires you to add color and make a world of your own. What a great artist!
Glad you left a comment. It’s a truly beautiful book — and the author is quite approachable and generous with her talent. I like her philosophy of being a partner in her art — just bring your own color. 🙂
This is such a beautiful book 🙂
Hi Cherie. It certainly is — each illustration is magical! Thanks for your comment.
what a wonderful interview & lovely book! Followed a pin of your potting shed & now thoroughly enjoying your blog
I’m so glad you found me! Welcome to my garden — and I’m thrilled that you’re exploring it at your own pace. Thanks for leaving a comment.
What a fabulous gift book. I have two friends I immediately thought of, and will buy this book as a birthday gift. It’s perfect for the artist/gardener in both of them. I have been thinking of how I’d like to add more spots of whimsey in my own garden this year, and the playfulness of these illustrations is a delightful inspiration. Ms. Basford is certainly an open and delightful person, and you are really great at making contacts and interviewing authors. That’s a very particular talent, too! 🙂
Hi Debra. Glad you’re all caught up — and this would be such a thoughtful gift for whimsical gardeners/artists. Your friends are lucky to have you!
Hi Kevin:
You are fortunate to work in such a special place. There are angels all around, and Lorraine is one of them. —K
She certainly is! And you’re one too. 🙂
I think Johanna’s work is enchanting and, like the others who have posted, have a friend in mind to share Secret Garden with!
Hi Anna. There are so many wonderful adjectives to describe Johanna and her work. I’m sorry to say, though, that the giveaway was given away a week ago. Thank you for your comment and please check in again for future giveaways.
This was such a sweet and wonderful post and a beautiful gift. The story warms my heart.
Hi Lee. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Be well — and stay warm!
I remember reading the Secret Garden a dozen times when I was a young girl. It was one of my favorite books!
Hi Barbara. This “Secret Garden” is a bit different — an illustrated vision that invites adults and children alike to add their own splashes of color. Like you, though, I love the novel, as well. Happy gardening!
Found another book for children at Barnes and Noble by Joanne and it mentioned secret garden. I knew I had to find it. When I saw it I was so excited it made me nervous. If I don’t buy it for myself it will be on my Christmas list. Just wonderful!
Great find, Suzanne. Her work is intricate and gorgeous — and you can let your imagination run wild with colors. Enjoy!
I like the patterns is amazing
Enjoy coloring in the patterns.
Beautiful , would be awesome to stitch them with thread into a quilt!
Hi Martina — great idea! I’m sure there has to be a way to scan the drawings, color them, and then transfer them to cloth. Thanks for suggesting!
OMG! I’ve looked and looked for almost a year for the SECRET GARDEN coloring book! I finally gave in and bout “substitutes, if you will, however I’ve not given up not given up on the search!! I could probably order it, but I like to do things on the spur of the moment
Hi Pat. I wish I could help you, but that giveaway has been over for some time now. I agree — “The Secret Garden” is a beautiful book, and Johanna has been credited with igniting the adult coloring movement. 🙂 Best of luck with your search.
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Thank you.