Janet Beck Clark is taking plants from the garden to the gallery in her "Botanical Art" exhibit at Gallery One Ten in Provo.

Clark is showcasing 78 different framed pieces of her pressed flower art work -- the culmination of a hobby that started in the 1960s.

The daughter of a biologist father, Clark grew up loving the local flora and fauna.

"He had such a love of the botanical sciences," Clark said. "He is the one that has been very influential in my life and my love of plants."

Around 30 years ago, Clark's father presented her with a plant press, a tool of botanists and plant lovers. Since that time, Clark has compiled an extensive collection of pressed wild plants from the Rocky Mountain West.

"Plant diversity in Utah is remarkable," Clark said in a news release. "This show has specimens from deserts, forests, fields and mountainsides. I have also included cultivated garden varieties."

Clark said she never dreamed that her love for plants would transform into a gallery show someday.

"I have been involved in this for many years, but I never really thought of it as art," Clark said.

At the encouragement of several artist friends, Clark submitted her works to the gallery for consideration.

"I knew I had an art talent," Clark said. "But I never thought of myself as an artist before."

Each of the botanical arrangements have been hand-colored with a translucent glaze to help preserve their natural colors.

Accompanying each art work is information about the history and folklore about the plants displayed.

"I couldn't resist sharing some unique information about each tree, fern and flower," Clark said. "Included in each arrangement are their delightfully descriptive names, historic uses and folklore. These plants delight my soul."

An example of the descriptions includes history about Johnny Appleseed accompanying her piece titled, "Little Green Apples," or the information with "A Bunch of Violets," which talks about the edible plant that is actually rich in vitamins.

Raquel Smith Callis, Gallery One Ten director, said the show has already sold 75 percent of the pieces -- within days of the exhibit opening.

Smith Callis said she thinks it is the extra history along with the beautiful art that has made the works so appealing.

"They love that the lore and the history of the plants was documented," Smith Callis said. "I feel like people connect to the pieces through the lore."

Gallery One Ten generally specializes in cutting edge artworks from very passionate artists. The board, which voted to accept Clarks work for a show, saw that Clark had that same love for her art.

"She has such a passion for botanicals," Smith Callis said. "We were just excited to stand behind her in this wonderful exhibit."

If you go:

Botanical Art Exhibit

Where: Gallery One Ten, 110 S. 300 West, Provo

When: Through Sept. 23 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Friday from 6-9 p.m.

Info: 623-0615