Welcome, and thank you for stopping by. I am looking forward to showing you my original watercolor paintings of orchids available as limited edition prints.
This photo shows Amablis grandiflora, a Philippine orchid
My first paintings go back to 2003 when I began my creating watercolors of orchids blooming in my greenhouse. I have been growing orchids since the early 1980’s when I was introduced to them while working in the Philippines for Texas Instruments. The native species found in the Philippines are my favorite, and for that reason I love to paint them. See a slideshow of my paintings of Philippine Orchids here.
The incredible diversity that one experiences while growing, studying, and painting orchids can only increase one’s appreciation for the complexity and interconnectedness in all of nature. Every feature of an orchid defines its relationship to its environment, be it sunlight, moisture, nutrition, or pollinators.
Today, the delicacy of this relationship is increasingly evident as our major forests are being redefined by the ever-expanding encroachment of commercial agriculture. Natural habitats are being destroyed along with the unique diversity they provide. Mararet Mee, a talented artist from England, recognized this trend in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She spent her career exploring the Amazon and painting plants and animals in that region of Brazil. In the process of creating her world-famous orchid paintings she witnessed firsthand the destruction of habitat brought about by the demand for rubber and other commodities. During her thirty-year stay in the Amazon region she raised public awareness of the destruction taking place on a daily, ever-increasing, basis. Read more about Margaret Mee and look at some of her gorgeous paintings here.
Inspired by her art and passion for conservation, and my continued love of the Philippine species of orchids, Orchid Art by Charles Hess is dedicated to supporting the conservation efforts of the growing community of organizations whose mission is to save these habitats and the biodiversity that still exists today. The need to support these organizations is urgent. We owe it to future generations to preserve and protect the natural habitats that are left.
100% of all proceeds from Orchid Art by Charles Hess go directly to supporting the Rainforest Trust, The Orchid Conservation Alliance and the North American Orchid Conservation Center at the Smithsonian Institution.
The prints you purchase will be a continuing reminder of your generosity in helping to preserve the natural habitats of many endangered orchid species, as well as uncounted flora and fauna who share their habitat. Together we can show future generations that we cared enough to act before it is too late.
The whole of art itself is something lost in America. We see art as just entertainment, when entertainment is a byproduct of art, a residual. Its purpose is reflective and restorative. Art and the form of art is where we collectively reflect on where we’ve been, where we are and what our values are, and then we act on them.
— Wendell Pierce, actor and
author of “The Wind in the Reeds”