Picture of the Month for June 2026 is Nasturtiums by Helen Lieber. It was chosen from the Members Gallery by Martina Hildebrandt, our archivist and an honorary life member of the RGA.

I have always been drawn to Helen’s paintings, without necessarily asking myself why. For this one the obvious answer is that I love Nasturtiums, having grown them in primary school where you could win a certificate, to now where they grow on my allotment, popping up where I least expect them with their distinctive leaves, they get added to a summer salad. 

Helen’s paintings are not the traditional “paintings of flowers”, for although there is an instant recognition of the plants depicted, Helen’s have a boldness of colour with the added dark and moody interpretation which I particularly enjoy. There is a sense of pattern, with the stylised darker outlines encircling the leaves, petals and tangle of vines. All rising from a decent solid terracotta pot on a vivid modern background. I would happily hang this on my wall all year round.

Martina Hildebrandt