You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Member News’ category.
By Joan Keesey
Thread-leaved Brodiaea, Second Place, by Deborah Shaw, watercolor on Kelmscott Vellum © 2012
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.
Snake Lily & Elegant Madia, Third Place, by Joan Keesey, watercolor © 2012
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.”
Hummingbird Sage, Honorable Mention, by Estelle DeRidder, colored pencil © 2012
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 Deb Shaw
Colored Pencil Artwork by Cristina Baltayian, © 2010, all rights reserved.
Cristina Baltayian will teach “Using Colored Pencils in Botanical Art” at The Arboretum. The class will focus on color pencil techniques, composition, and color mixing. All levels of experience are welcome.
Classes meet from 10 am – 2 pm (including a lunch break) on Tuesdays, beginning in January, 2012:
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 6, 13, 20, 27
The cost is $255/month for Arboretum members, and $275/month for non-members. A supply list will be provided upon registration. Students may bring a sack lunch, or purchase one at the Peacock Café.
Preregistration is required. To register, please call The Arboretum at 626.821.4623.
Cristina Baltayian has a background in drawing (graphite, charcoal, pen and ink), two-dimensional design, watercolor, and colored pencils. Her work has been shown at Filoli, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Chapman University. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and The Botanical Artist Guild of Southern California.
The Arboretum is open daily from 9AM to 5PM and is located at: 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007.
by Deb Shaw
Lacecap Hydrangea, watercolor by Sue Kuuskmae, © 2011, all rights reserved.
BAGSC member Sue Kuuskmae decided to visit the art exhibition at the Palos Verdes Public Library and was pleasantly surprised to find that her watercolor, “Lacecap Hydrangea”, had received a blue ribbon first prize and a cash award.
Congratulations Sue!!
by Deb Shaw
It’s that time of year again, when we get together to share our art and eat delicious food! Come to the BAGSC Annual Holiday Party at Janice’s house on December 10, 2011, starting at 5 pm. Spouses, significant others, family and friends are all welcome!
Bring all of the creative work you’ve done during the year to share with fellow members — not just limited to botanical art! Last year, in addition to wonderful botanical art, we saw oil paintings, portraits, abstracts, landscapes, pastels, quilts, baskets, jewelry, crafts, and more! We’re a multi-talented group and it’s wonderful to see what everyone is doing.
We’ll also have a survey so members can let the Board know which instructors and classes they would like for next year along with announcements of next year’s officers. For those who can’t attend, surveys for class interest will be sent in an email blast.
Please RSVP by December 1 to Janice, by email or phone, and let her know what you’re bringing to the feast. An email blast will be sent out with more details. See everyone there!
by Deb Shaw
The ASBA New England Chapter and the ASBA put together a fantastic conference! Kudos to them. BAGSC members at the ASBA Annual Meeting & Conference in Boston (actually Newton) were: Deborah Friedman, Joan Keesey, Suz Landay, Pat Mark, Debora Resa, Elaine Searle, Gilly Shaeffer, Deb Shaw, Jennifer Thomson, and Leslie Walker.
Keep your eyes on our blog for articles and pictures from the conference. In the meantime, here are pictures of Elaine Searle and Suz Landay taking turns driving the “Duck” on the “Flavor of Boston” tour.
Suz Landay driving the Duck.
Elaine Searle driving the Duck.
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!
Photograph from the opening of the New York Hort show, © 2011, The NY Hort.
by Deb Shaw
Artwork from the Open Studio Invitation by Sally Jacobs, Sue Frank and Jack Shultz
BAGSC member Sally Jacobs, along with Sue Frank and Jack Shultz will be having a Studio Show and Open House on Saturday, November 5 from 12 – 4 pm and Sunday, November 6 from 12 – 4 pm. Original paintings, prints, glass art and holiday gifts (2012 calendars, notepads, notecards and more!) will be displayed and for sale.
Download a pdf invitation (StudioShow_EmailBlast_2011_10_06__12h48) and map, and bring friends!
by Deb Shaw
Alison Denning and Carmen Lindsay Exhibition Announcement
BAGSC members Alison Denning and Carmen Lindsay will be in a show entitled “Two Friends, 2 Expressions” at the Claremont Community Foundation in Claremont, California. The show runs from October 31 through November 28.
An artists’ reception will be held Friday, November 4, 2011 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
The gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 am – 4 pm.
Claremont Community Foundation
205 Yale Avenue
Claremont, California 91711
909.398.1060
Congratulations Alison and Carmen!
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC Member Janice Sharp (and BAGSC’s good friend Jill) will be exhibiting in the Annual Art Festival, a group show at the Creative Arts Group, Friday, November 11 – Sunday, November 13. The Festival includes sale of work by more than 70 professional artists, artist demonstrations and a student sale on Friday and Saturday. Paintings, drawings, ceramics and jewelry will be on display and for sale, including baskets and jewelry by Janice and Jill.
Opening night reception: Friday, November 11, 7 – 9 pm
Show continues: Saturday, November 12, 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday, November 13, 10 am – 3 pm
The Creative Arts Group is located at 108 North Baldwin Avenue in Sierra Madre, 91024. Take the 210 freeway to the Baldwin Avenue exit; than go north 1 mile. The phone number for the gallery is 626.355.8350. Congrats Janice and Jill!
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC member Margaret Best, in conjunction with Quench Trip Design, will be teaching a botanical art workshop in Tuscany, in Spring 2012 (April/May). Participants will stay in a restored medieval village, drawing or painting some of the seasonal displays of flowers such as red poppies, Azaleas, wisteria or the native blue iris. Or, artists may choose to depict the local fruit and vegetable offerings such as the asparagus, strawberries, fennel or peas to be found in the market place. This workshop has been designed for artists at every level.
Margaret will teach in a stunning historical indoor/outdoor studio setting. The trip also features an expert Italian-speaking cultural guide on a memorable eight-night visit to Italy.
Outside the studio, participants will visit an organic kitchen garden and join the owner for a sumptuous gourmet meal. They also will be able to experience the authentic Chianti region by mingling with the local residents and visiting boutique wine estates to sip their vintages, and savour the culture of Rome and Siena.
Please read the PDF, MargaretBestItaly, for more details, e-mail Quench Trip Design, or call them at 416 366 2777 to hear more information on how to book. Those booking before October 7th will receive Euro 150 per person off the program cost.
by Leslie Walker (posted by Deb Shaw)
At the last BAGSC meeting at Alison’s, we passed around a “get well” card for Marilyn. Here’s the thank you she posted on my facebook page:
Hi Leslie, I would like to thank the group for the thoughtful card and caring comments. All of you are so special and each get-well wish was greatly appreciated. I am improving and looking forward to only good things in the future. Hope to see you soon and have a wonderful trip to Boston. Fondly, Marilyn Parrino
Get well from all of us, and hope to see you soon!
Morgan painting in her studio
The seventh annual San Fernando Valley Artist Studio Tour will be held Saturday and Sunday October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. BAGSC member Morgan Kari will be among the 30 artists participating in the studio tour, presenting her beautiful new studio and teaching school.
Morgan’s art studio, formerly a farm building for processing walnuts grown on the property, consists of five rooms, including an art library of more than 2000 art and photography books, a trundle bed for naps or for guests, a computer and business room, a framing and mat cutting facility, and a lecture and refreshment room. There is also a teaching school for four students that was once the farm’s tool room, and ceilings that are 18 feet high, with skylights that open. North lighting filters through shuttered windows and each room is filled with music from a central sound system.
Morgan’s 900 square foot studio is located in the back garden, surrounded by flowers and numerous fruiting trees, arbors, dogs, birdbaths and flagstone patios for painting outside.
The studio interior is decorated in art deco and Chinese style with a black floor. Special thought was given to the art furniture, storage, lighting, and presentations.
Morgan’s paintings are realistically rendered still life, portraits, and botanicals in watercolor, oil, pastel, silverpoint, and colored pencil.
For more information, contact:
Valley Artists Studio Tour
818-469-3380
or Morgan.
by Leslie Walker/Margaret Best (published by Deb Shaw)
Rosa canina, Rose Hips, watercolor, © 2010, Margaret Best, all rights reserved.
Why does a botanical artist need to know anything about brown when there are stunning pink, purple, or blue flowers to paint? Aren’t brown botanical subjects dead, dried up or dull? And then there are all those oxides, umbers and siennas, “burnt” and “raw”. What do these names mean and why can’t you just mix browns from other colours? Just how important can they be in a world that demands eye-popping, saturated hues?
To find out the answer to all of these questions and so much more, join us at Margaret Best’s upcoming class titled the The Fruits that Fall or Form in Fall. This 3-day workshop is designed to give you a meaningful opportunity to explore the range of available watercolor earth pigments. You will discover the warmth and richness of color that they can bring to your work when you know how to use them. Their multitude of useful applications will surprise you!
The timing of this class has been specifically planned for you to utilize your earth color discoveries effectively in the drawing and painting of a choice of seasonally available subject matter. You will need your preferred supply of paper and paints but the earth pigments for testing and color matching will be provided.
This class will be held December 2, 3 and 4, 2011 from 10 am – 4:30 pm in the Oak Room, under the Peacock Cafe, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007.
The cost is $275 for BAGSC members or $300 for non-members. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space, with balance due November 1, 2011. Please mail checks to Leslie Walker, made out to BAGSC, with an indication that the check is for Margaret’s class. Questions? Please call or email Leslie.
by Deb Shaw
The annual juried exhibition of the ASBA/Horticultural Society of New York opens on September 21, 2011, and runs through November 23, 2011 at The Horticultural Society of New York.
Erythrina sp., Coral Tree Seeds, graphite and watercolor on veilum, © 2010, Deborah Shaw, all rights reserved.
Forty works were selected from a field of 199 entries, by jurors Patricia Jonas, Kathie Miranda and Derek Norman. Artists from the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, and the UK are in the show, including BAGSC members Akiko Enokido and Deborah Shaw.
An artists’ reception will be held from 6 – 8 pm on September 21 at The Horticultural Society of New York, 148 W. 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York. A catalog has been published, and can be ordered through Tania Marien at Art Plantae Books (see BAGSC News blog article below).
by Deb Shaw
Our beloved ArtPlantae Books, by Tania Marien, is now the official source for purchasing ASBA Catalogs; including catalogs of past exhibitions. A portion of each sale will be donated to the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) to support their mission and goals of promoting public awareness of contemporary botanical art, to honoring its traditions, and to furthering its development.
For fastest service and easiest ordering, use your credit card at the ArtPlantae Books website, click on “ASBA Exhibition Catalogs” and complete the order form. Catalogs can also be purchased by check by sending an order form and check, including shipping and handling and sales tax (if applicable), made out to ArtPlantae Books at:
5225 Canyon Crest Drive, Suite 71-127
Riverside, California 92507
Cover of the ASBA's, "Losing Paradise?" catalog
ASBA members ordering through the ArtPlantae Books website can enjoy a special discount on the Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World catalog. Regularly $29.95, the Losing Paradise? catalog can be purchased through ArtPlantae Books for $25.00. See the last page of your latest issue of the ASBA journal, The Botanical Artist for the special checkout code, or contact Tania Marien.
After a successful show in New York, Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World, opened at the the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, UK on June 25, 2011. This exhibition at Kew is an integral component of a larger exhibition called Plants in Peril that will be on view at the gallery until Sunday, October 16, 2011.
The Losing Paradise? exhibition features 44 works of original art depicting threatened and endangered plants from North & South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The exhibition catalog was produced by the American Society of Botanical Artists and features the artwork that appeared in the original exhibition in New York, as well as information about each plant. The catalog also includes essays by leading plant scientists and conservationists. Learn more about the Losing Paradise? exhibition on the blog at www.asbalosingparadise.blogspot.com.
