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by BAGSC Board Members, posted by Deb Shaw

From L to R: Norma Sarkin, Diane Daly and Cynthia Jackson in the BAGSC booth at the LA Arboretum 2010 show. It looks like this year's BAGSC show will be in Ayres Hall.
The LA Arboretum Garden Show is back! This year, “GROW! A Garden Festival” will be held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden on May 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2012. In the past few years we’ve been on the green under the canopies, it looks like this year we might be in Ayres Hall.
In addition to our artwork show and sales, “GROW! A Garden Festival” will offer all the wonderful attractions as in year’s past, plus:
- An introduction to the new “Garden for All Seasons”
- Exhibits by local sculptors and installation artists
- Sales of interesting, unique and exotic plants
- Sales of garden tools and accessories we can’t live without
- Garden Chats, demonstrations, and meet the experts
- Let’s Move! hands-on activities for kids and families
- Entertainment
- Food trucks and specialty vendors
“GROW! A Garden Festival” will be open to the public on:
Friday, May 4, 2012, Special Evening Hours, 5pm – 8pm (event fee)
Saturday, May 5, 2012, 9am – 4:30 pm, free with admission; members free
Sunday, May 6, 2012, 9am – 4:30 pm, free with admission; members free
Janice Sharp and Norma Sarkin will co-chair the L. A. Arboretum Show, and Pat Mark has agreed to assist. As always, we’ll need lots of volunteers. Watch for more information coming soon and Happy Painting!
by Clara Josephs, posted by Deb Shaw
At our March 3, 2012 BAGSC quarterly meeting at Deb’s house, we will be presenting information about the possibility of another show at Chapman University. This exhibit will have a theme of Drought Tolerant plants. We are working to set a date, but at the moment it looks like the earliest time would be December 2012 or spring of 2013.
Chapman University Dean Charlene Baldwin was so delighted with our previous exhibition, she encouraged us to plan another show and coordinate with the Chapman University Environmental Sciences department.
When we held our show last year, Chapman University Assistant Professor, Dr. Jennifer Funk, an ecologist, was on sabbatical in Woodside, California conducting research at the Jasper Ridge Experimental Station. Her interest is in restoration ecology. Diane Daly, Clara Josephs, and Deb Shaw recently met with Dr. Funk. She explained that restoration is more than putting back the plants that had originally grown in an area, but includes using climate change predictions to identify plants that will thrive in future conditions. Additionally, some California natives might not be hardy in their original locations due to weather shifts.
She is enthusiastic about our plans and will assist with a list of suggested plant specimens, sorted by drought tolerant mechanisms (i.e., waxy leaves, tap root, drought deciduous, etc.), which you will receive at the meeting. The show is not limited to California natives: the exhibition will be open to all drought-tolerant plants from around the world, including the Mediterranean, South Africa, Australia, Mexico, and the deserts.
Plan to come to our March 3 quarterly meeting at Deb’s house for additional information about the show, education about what makes a plant drought tolerant, and help with where you may find or purchase plants. Many of these plants are starting to flower now, so this is the time to plan your paintings!

California native, Penstemon centranthifolius, common name "Scarlet Bugler". Photo © 2012 by Deb Shaw
Bring your thoughts and ideas to share about where to see these plants or purchase them. Post special plant sales, nursery locations and gardens in the comments section of this blog article so all BAGSC members can see them. California natives are sold at the Tree of Life Nursery, the Theodore Payne Foundation, and Las Pilitas Nursery. Of course, our favorite gardens, including the Huntington and the LA Arboretum among others, have drought tolerant areas of plants from around the world. There are also nurseries that specialize in Australian and other drought tolerant plants; most nurseries these days have a section labeled “California Friendly” or “Drought Tolerant”. Lots more information will be supplied at the meeting and sent out.
By Joan Keesey
It was very gratifying to see the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) so well represented at the Botanical Art Exhibit at the CNPS Conservation Conference 2012 in San Diego at the Town and Country Resort. There were thirteen pictures by seven BAGSC members: Diane Daly, Estelle DeRidder, Clara Josephs, Joan Keesey, Janice Sharp, Deborah Shaw, and Dorthea Yellot. Members of our group won some prizes as well: Deborah Shaw received a second place ribbon for her watercolor on vellum of Thread-leaved Brodiaea; Joan Keesey won a third place ribbon for her watercolor of Snake Lilies and Elegant Madia; Estelle DeRidder won an honorable mention for her colored pencil of Hummingbird Sage.
My husband and I visited the exhibit twice—once on Thursday evening and again on Saturday afternoon. On both visits there were 12-15 enthusiastic conference attendees who had taken the trouble to make the trip to the ninth floor of the Regency Towers to see the botanical art and photography. Generally the conference attendees were biologists, botanists, geologists, environmentalists and land managers—a different crowd from the usual botanical art group. The focus at most botanical art exhibits is on the artistic aspects of a work—composition, values, and technique. While this group was very appreciative of the skill displayed in the compositions, they were equally if not more interested in and enthusiastic about the actual subject matter. You overheard people say things like: “Oh, that is my favorite plant”; “Have you ever seen that beautiful sage.”; or “This is such and interesting plant. I saw it for the first time on that hike along the Merced.”
This is the second CNPS exhibit that I have participated in, and I thought that the pictures were better displayed and of a higher quality. I am particularly interested in California Native Plants, so I find a show like this a real treat. I also like botanical exhibits where there is a focus or theme. I find the juxtaposition of “Turnips & Tulips”, “Corn and Camellias”, “Radishes & Roses”, jarring and difficult to evaluate. I hope BAGSC will consider sponsoring exhibits that are more focused—a plant family such as the mustard, pea, rose or lily family, plants of a particular region, trees, succulents, etc. The options are endless, but I think it makes a more interesting and informative exhibit.
by Akiko Enokido and Deb Shaw
The Horticultural Society of New York (Hort) is hosting a guided walkthrough of the 14th Annual International Juried Botanical Art Exhibition. Open only to members of the Hort and the American Society of Botanical Artists, the guided walkthrough provides a look at the show through the eyes of the jurors before the show closes on Wednesday, November 23rd. Forty-one artwork were selected from a field of 200 submissions by jurors Patricia Jonas, Kathie Miranda, and Derek Norman, by artists from the US, UK, Japan, Australia, Brazil, and Canada.
Images from the show can be seen on the ASBA’s Blog Posting. Catalogs from this show, as well as other ASBA exhibitions can be ordered through Tania Marien at ArtPlantae.
The walk through is from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Admission is free, although walk through is open to Hort and ASBA members only. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Chris Murtha at the Hort.
The announcement from the Hort for the walk through came with a photo of the opening, showing Akiko Enokido’s and Deb Shaw’s entries in the show. The photo is also part of the opening page slide show on the Hort website (without the labels of course). What fun!
by Bonnie Born Ash (posted by Deb Shaw)
As announced at our September meeting, BAGSC was offered the opportunity to exhibit a group show for three months beginning in July 2012 at Elements, a fine dining restaurant adjacent to the Pasadena Playhouse. The exhibition, entitled “Garden Variety,” will be curated by Karen Sikie and Gwen Samuels, who recently informed us that the restaurant gallery program is on hold until January. We will give you a status update on the show and send out a “Call for Entries” in January.
In the meantime, please keep painting fruits, vegetables, and flowers from the garden in preparation for when the “Call for Entries” goes out, after the first of the year.
by Deb Shaw
The University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Seattle, Washington, is inviting artists to enter original botanical illustrations and photographs for their Botanical Art Exhibit, to be displayed in the Miller Library, March 1 – 31, 2012, in conjunction with their world conference “Conserving Plant Biodiversity in a Changing World: A View from NW North America“.
The conference will focus on managing, researching or protecting native plant communities, rare plants and their habitats. Artists are invited to enter their original botanical illustrations or photographs that reflect the beauty of flora throughout northwestern North America. Conference attendees will vote, and winning artists will be awarded hundred dollar gift certificates to Powell’s Book Store.
The Art Exhibit will be juried. Deadline for digital submission is January 1, 2012. Artists will be notified by January 15th of selection. Please refer to the website for submission specifics. Questions about the art exhibit? Please contact 2012plantconf.art@gmail.com.
by Deb Shaw
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has issued a “Call for Entries” for botanical art, in preparation for their CNPS 2012 Conservation Conference: Conserving and Restoring the Roots of California’s Richness. The conference will take place January 12 – 14, 2012 at the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center, San Diego, CA.
THE ENTRY DEADLINE IS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15.
Artists are invited to enter botanically accurate, original artwork in any two-dimensional medium that depict plants indigenous to California (no introduced plants, please!).
Entry form specifics:
Please go to the Art Contest page on the CNPS website to download the (one and two page) PDFs for the:
- CNPS 2012 Conservation Conference Flyer
- Official Call for Entries
- Botanical Art Exhibition Prospectus
- Botanical Art Contest Entry Form
Click on the “Exhibit Opportunities” under the “Categories” section to read the original article that was posted in BAGSC News. Happy painting!
by Clara Josephs (posted by Deb Shaw)
Thank you to Clara for finding a news article about the ASBA Art Show and Sale in Texas (partially reprinted as follows):
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF BOVINE ARTISTS ART SHOW AND SALE SET
The American Society of Bovine Artists will conduct its third art show and sale October 15 and 16 at Cactus Jacks Gallery in downtown historic Gruene, Texas. The society is dedicated to the advancement of bovines as an artistic subject matter.
by Deb Shaw
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has issued a “Call for Entries” for botanical art, in preparation for their CNPS 2012 Conservation Conference: Conserving and Restoring the Roots of California’s Richness. The conference will take place January 12 – 14, 2012 at the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center, San Diego, CA.
Among the many objectives of this conference is to “foment a greater understanding and appreciation of California’s unique flora”. The juried botanical art exhibition will contribute to this goal. All winning artwork will be published in Fremontia, a CNPS publication and awarded the following prizes: 1st Place: $500, 2nd Place: $300, 3rd Place: $200, along with a “Conference Choice”- (voted on by conference attendees).
Criteria
Artists are invited to enter original artwork in any two-dimensional medium that reflects the beauty and uniqueness of California flora and adheres to high standards of botanical accuracy. All entries must depict plants indigenous to California (no introduced plants, please!). All work for the show must be framed and wired for hanging and “glassed” with plexiglass (no glass please!). The show will be hung for the duration of the conference and security will be provided. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Deadline for submission: October 15, 2011
Entry form specifics:
Please go to the Art Contest page on the CNPS website to download the (one and two page) PDFs for the:
- CNPS 2012 Conservation Conference Flyer
- Official Call for Entries
- Botanical Art Exhibition Prospectus
- Botanical Art Contest Entry Form
Entries may include up to three digital images submitted on CD. A separate fee will be paid for each entry. All work will be juried using digital images sent in jpg file format, at least 300 dpi. Accepted entries will be hung and available for viewing by conference attendees. Attendees will have an opportunity to vote for “Conference Choice” from those entries on display. Artists will be notified by November 30th if their work has been selected for hanging in the show. Winners will be posted on Saturday, January 14, 2012. The Exhibition will be open to the public Saturday, January 14, from 10 am – 3 pm.
Entries will be judged by: Kristin Jakob, Lee McCaffree, and Geri Hulse-Stevens.
by Deborah Shaw
Chapman University Leatherby Libraries are promoting the BAGSC Exhibition, “A Brush with Nature” through press releases, invitations to their mailing lists, signage and campus communications.
Here are two links to campus sites where the exhibit is being promoted. The first — Happenings — is available on the university website and emailed to the campus community each week:
The second is the online Events Calendar posted on the Chapman website.
See you at the show!
by Deborah Shaw
A Brush with Nature, an exhibit of botanical art by The Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) and presented by Chapman University Leatherby Libraries has been hung and is now open for viewing. Twenty-three BAGSC artists are exhibiting 75 works of art in watercolor, colored pencil, ink and graphite. (See list at the end of this article for participating artists.)
Exhibit dates are: Saturday, January 8 through Thursday, February 17, 2011
Doy and Dee Henley Reading Room and Clarke Gallery Wall
Leatherby Libraries, 2nd Floor
Chapman University
One University Drive, Orange, California 92866
For exhibit hours please visit the Chapman Leatherby Libraries website.
Visitor parking near the Leatherby Libraries is available for $2.00 – $3.00 and may be purchased from the permit dispenser.
For more detailed parking information, fees, maps and directions to Chapman University please visit the map on their website.
Information about the opening reception will be sent to all BAGSC members via email blast.
Participating artists:
Bonnie Born Ash • Cristina Baltayian • Margaret Best • Diane Daly • Akiko Enokido • Olga Eysymontt • Denise Genova • Irene Horiuchi • Barbara Jaynes • Clara Josephs • Morgan Kari • Joan Keesey • Suzanne Kuuskmae • Patricia Mark • Arillyn Moran-Lawrence • Norma Sarkin • Janice Sharp • Deborah Shaw • Mitsuko Schultz • Gilly Shaeffer • Gloria Whea-Fun Teng • Leslie Walker
by Deborah Shaw/Clara Josephs

The Chapman Leatherby Libraries Exhibition Committee (L to R: Deborah Shaw, Mitsuko Schulz, Leslie Walker, Akiko Enokido, Diane Daly, and Irene Horiuchi (crouching)) meet at Diane's house and review submissions.
The BAGSC committee organizing the Chapman Leatherby Libraries exhibition met on Friday, 3 December to finalize details for the show. It’s looking like a wonderful exhibition; 22 BAGSC artists with 77 artworks. Keep an eye open for announcements about the opening reception, artwork delivery, etc. If you have any questions, please contact committee chairs Clara Josephs or Diane Daly.
by Leslie Walker
On October 16, 2010, Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California members, Akiko Enokido, Clara Josephs, Janice Sharp, Deborah Shaw, Leslie Walker, Joan Keesey and her husband John spent the day at the Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens, meeting and greeting the attendees to a John Schoustra garden lecture, and hosting an Art Exhibit of members’ work, with botanical art demonstrations and sales by BAGSC.
BAGSC artists participating in the exhibition throughout the historic house were: Margaret Best, Akiko Enokido, Clara Josephs, Joan Keesey, Janice Sharp, Deborah Shaw, and Leslie Walker. Clara Josephs’ painting of a Rosa ‘Just Joey’, and Margaret Best’s painting of Hemerocallis thunbergii, Day Lily, were chosen by the Gardens to promote the event.

R to L: Clara Josephs, Akiko Enokido and Janice Sharp demonstrate in the Secret Garden, © DB Shaw 2010
The day was a bit blustery, but we were welcomed by the garden personnel with lunch, then tea and cookies as we began to get chilly in the afternoon. Akiko sold a framed print, and our cards were well-received too! The Rancho Los Alamitos Gardens are building a new classroom, etc., space where they would welcome us for classes. Located just off the 405 freeway in Long Beach we all felt it was a great location. Easy for all of us to get to and the place is lovely — worthy of a visit and support. As Clara Josephs emphatically stated, “it’s MY new FAVORITE place!”
by Deborah Shaw
The Fine Arts Building, Los Angeles, hosted a wonderful opening reception for the BAGSC exhibit on Thursday, October 14, with catering from our good friends from Burger Continental. BAGSC members (along with their friends and family) at the opening included: Leslie Walker, Janice Sharp, Joan Keesey, Bonnie Born Ash, Veronica Raymond, Morgan Kari, and Deborah Shaw.
The show will be up into November. The building itself is worth the visit, and is an exceptional venue for displaying botanical art. Anyone interested in purchasing artwork will contact the artist directly via email. Leslie will let us know about when the show will come down once the schedule is finalized.
Thank you to all the artists who were able to step up to the plate on such short notice.

Janice was a whirling dervish during the show hanging on Wednesday, polishing the wood on the inside of all the cabinets.
by Leslie Walker and Deb Shaw
The Opening Reception for the BAGSC “Fast Track” Show at the Fine Arts Building in Los Angeles will take place during the LA Artwalk on:
October 14, 2010
5 pm – 8 pm
Fine Arts Building
811 West 7th Street (7th east of Figueroa), Los Angeles
The Fine Arts Building is hosting a reception for BAGSC. The LA Artwalk is anticipating more than 20,000 people over the course of the entire walk during the evening. This is a grand event, and an opportunity to see LA in an entirely different light.
Sage advice is to try to get to the downtown area early if possible. The rush of crowds usually starts about 6 pm. As always, parking in downtown LA is a challenge and expensive. Street parking is difficult to come by and fills quickly. There are parking garages in the area, with prices averaging between $8 – $10.00.
There are fantastic restaurants in the areal as well, and the gourmet food trucks come in and participate in the walk too!

Interior art display area in the Fine Arts Building. Photo courtesy of http://www.ratkovich.net/development/office/fineartsbuilding
BAGSC has the following members exhibiting work:
Margaret Best
Bonnie Born
Kathy Dunham
Cynthia Jackson
Clara Josephs
Morgan Kari
Joan Keesey
Suzanne Kuuskmae
Arillyn Moran-Lawrence
Veronica Raymond
Janice Sharp
Deborah Shaw
Gloria Whea-Fun Teng
Please promote the show (which will be up until mid-November) to colleagues, friends and family. Please have your guests join us for the exciting opening reception and the LA Artwalk on the 14th.



















