Watercolor and Ink Mushroom Illustrations

Claire Loon Baldwin has found endless inspiration in the beauty of biodiverse mushrooms, growing wild in the forests of Maine.

Claire Loon Baldwin’s first exploration of this subject, 'the Mushroom Color Wheel', is a watercolor illustration that features a variety of mushroom species found all around the world, arranged in a circular formation, creating a vibrant color spectrum. At the top is the iconic red-capped fly agaric mushroom, surrounded by species like coral fungi, chanterelles, sows' ear, and pixie's parasol. She turned the pattern into a seamlessly repeating pattern that is available for purchase on fabric and home goods through Spoonflower, and on prints, stickers, and cards through Etsy and wholesale.

A detailed and vibrant watercolor illustration showcasing a variety of mushrooms arranged in a circular formation. At the top is a fly agaric mushroom, with its iconic red cap covered in white spots. Radiating outward are other fungi species, including coral fungi, chanterelles, sows' ear, and pixie's parasol. Each mushroom is labeled with its common and scientific names in delicate handwriting. The colors range from earthy oranges and reds to soft blues and purples, capturing the unique textures and hues of each species. The composition is clean and well-spaced, allowing each element to stand out individually.

A seamless botanical pattern featuring a repeating arrangement of mushrooms, flowers, and coral fungi. The design integrates various fungi species, such as the fly agaric with its bright red cap and white spots, alongside chanterelles and sows' ear. Interspersed between the fungi are delicate floral illustrations and labels written in cursive. The background is a muted cream color, giving the pattern a vintage, nature-inspired aesthetic. The repetition creates a rhythmic and cohesive design, perfect for applications like wallpaper or fabric.

Maine mushroom color wheel illustration by Claire Loon Baldwin.jpg

Flora and Fungi of Maine Illustration, 2021

Claire continued to explore the 'biodiversity color wheel' composition, and in 2021, created am illustration featuring specimens found in the Maine woods. The illustration has been featured in an ongoing exhibit by the Illustration Institute, and was published in the Maine Journal of Conservation and Sustainability: Spire, with the accompanying text by the artist:

This color wheel of mushrooms, lichen, and flowers, was foraged on the Harpswell Peninsula in Maine, and painted with watercolor and ink. While 2021 was an unusually warm and dry year in Maine, by autumn, cooler temperatures and rain brought a burst of mushrooms and color back to the woods. It was my first autumn living in Maine, and I was floored by the biodiverse beauty of forests so close to my home. While many of the nature preserves in Maine are pocket-sized, they are invaluable for keeping ecosystems resilient.

I gathered specimens that I felt were aesthetically related, even if ecologically they varied quite a bit. The species, going clockwise from the purple mushroom, are: Blewit (Collybia nuda), a little brown mushroom that is beyond my ability to identify, Common Green shield lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata), Golden Fairy Spindle (Clavulinopsis fusiformis), Golden Waxcap (Hygrocybe chlorophana), Orange Waxcap (Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens) Scarlet Waxcap (Hygrocybe coccinea), the Sickener (Russula emetica), and a flower called Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora).