Aristolochia gigantea, ink on paper, Lesley Randall, © 2013, all rights reserved

Lesley Randall’s Aristolochia gigantea has been accepted into the 14th annual exhibition for the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation.

Lesley became interested in botanical illustration while a landscape architecture student at Cornell University. Working at a botanical garden in Hawaii, she found the plants fascinating to draw, and started illustrating professionally after moving to Davis, California in 1986. Lesley won first prize in the 2007 Margaret Flockton Award for Excellence in Botanical Illustration from the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia. The award was created to recognize excellence of botanical illustrations in scientific publications and commemorates the contributions Margaret Flockton made to Australian scientific botanical art.

The Hunt established the International Exhibition in 1964 with the hope of supporting and encouraging contemporary botanical artists. Every three years, the International Exhibition features the works of talented botanical artists from around the world. The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation will host the 14th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration in Fall 2013 in conjunction with the annual ASBA conference, September 26 – 28. The exhibition is open to all botanical fine artists and illustrators working in any medium on paper or vellum whose work has achieved a standard of excellence and who have not yet been represented in the Hunt Institute’s series of International Exhibitions.

Elaine Searle, “Rhubarb” (Rheum rhabarbarum), watercolor, © 2013, all rights reserved

Elaine Searle‘s “Rhubarb” (Rheum rhabarbarum), and Joan Keesey‘s “Hummingbird Sage” (Salvia spathacea), were both accepted into the 16th Annual International American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York.

Congratulations to both of you!

Joan Keesey, “Hummingbird Sage” (Salvia spathacea), watercolor, © 2013, all rights reserved

BAGSC members Akiko Enokido and Mitsuko Schultz have been accepted into the 16th Annual International American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York.  Congratulations to both of you!

Akiko Enokido, Chrysanthemum morifolium “Kokka Seija”
© 2013
Watercolor, 11″ x 16″

Akiko wrote about her painting:
Since ancient times, Cherry blossoms in Spring and Chrysanthemum in Fall are both loved by the Japanese people. The chrysanthemum enthusiasts put a lot of effort to make straight stems and big beautiful flowers on each of the stems.

Flower exhibitions are held all over Japan during the season. We not only enjoy them for viewing but also for their taste in salads or tea.

I found this particular one in my neighborhood. The flower is not good shaped to show in exhibitions, but I was fascinated by its energy to grow. This will be a memorable piece. My first painting in Japan.

“Plantanus racemosa,” California Sycamore, Watercolor by Mitsuko Schultz, © 2013, all rights reserved.

Mitsuko wrote about her painting:
This is my first time to be accepted to the ASBA Horticulture show and I am so happy and excited. I have been studying watercolor with Akiko Enokido since July 2011 and she helped me immensely and has given me a lot of encouragement.

While painting this sycamore piece, Akiko continued to offer advice and encouragement even though she had returned to Japan. Thank goodness for email!

TAG 2013 California Open Exhibition: Call for Entries

TAG Gallery has invited BAGSC members to enter the 2013 California Open Juried Exhibition. Deadline for submission is June 26, 2013.

Details:
2013 CALIFORNIA OPEN EXHIBITION
TAG Gallery Juried Exhibition
August 14-30, 2013
at Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica
Juror: Edward Goldman, Art Critic, National Public Radio and The Huffington Post

Open to U.S. artists 18+ working in drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, computer art and sculpture. Maximum size 48″h x 36″w, sculptures maximum size 48″h x 20″w and maximum weight 40 lbs.

Cash awards. Fee: $40/1 to 2 entries, $10/each additional, 6 maximum. Online submissions.

Entry Deadline: June 26, 2013. The prospectus can be viewed here: CA Open Prospectus Brochure, or at: http://www.caopen.net. Questions: 310-829-9556 or e-mail.

Please visit the California Open Exhibition website for more information and additional copies of the Prospectus.

The Sunken Garden at Filoli. Photo by John Keesey.

On Thursday, April 18^th, John and I attended the Artist’s Reception at Filoli. We spent the morning checking out the exhibit and looking at the garden, always beautiful, but sensational in the spring. The garden is a series of  “garden rooms” similar to the Hidcote Gardens in England; each room is surrounded by a hedge of shrubs or trees and usually contains a fountain or pool. Each “garden room” has a color scheme. I spoke with one of the volunteer gardeners who said that the colors change with the seasons and from year to year, but each year there is a master plan. The first garden you see is the sunken garden. This year it is cobalt blue and white columbine, cerulean blue forget-me-nots, and hansa yellow tulips. The wisterias that climb up the brick walls of the Georgian style house were all in bloom and spectacular.

There were also many bushes with a very small, quinacridone red azalea that was quite stunning. It was a perfect day.

Quinacridone Red Azaleas at Filoli. Photo by John Keesey.

There were 64 works of botanical art by 50 artists including the two jurors, Carol Hamilton and Susan Fisher. The Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) was very well represented with seven artworks by five artists—Alison Denning, Joan Keesey, Sue Kuuskmae, Mitsuko Schulz, and Deborah Shaw.

We went back for the Artists’ Reception at 5:00 pm. It is always very pleasant with wine, very nice appetizers, and the opportunity to meet other botanical artists. Carrie DiCostanzo won the 2013 Roth Award for distinction with an emphasis on traditional botanical art presentation with a beautiful picture of “Ponderosa Pine” (Pinus ponderosa).  Maria Cecilia Freeman won the Juror’s Award with an exquisite picture of “Tan Oak” (Notholithocarpus densiflorus), and Ingrid Finnan won the Horticulture Aware with a delicate picture of “Dandelion” (Taraxacum offivinale).

“Aesculus californica,” California Buckeye, watercolor by Joan Keesey, © 2013, all rights reserved.

“Aesculus californica,” California Buckeye, Watercolor by Joan Keesey, © 2013, all rights reserved.

“Fragaria x ananassa ‘Fragoo Pink’,” Strawberry, watercolor by Mitsuko Schultz, © 2013, all rights reserved.

“Iris,” Iris, watercolor by Alison L. Denning, © 2013, all rights reserved.

“Castanospermum australe,” Blackbean, or Moreton Bay Chestnut, seed pod and seeds, Graphite and Watercolor on Vellum by Deborah B. Shaw, © 2013, all rights reserved.

“Plantanus racemosa,” California Sycamore, Watercolor by Mitsuko Schultz, © 2013, all rights reserved.

“Vitis vinifora,” Grapes, watercolor by Suzanne C. Kuuskmae, © 2013, all rights reserved.

Alice Tangerini

Alice Tangerini, botanical illustrator for the botany department at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, will be exhibiting her work and giving two presentations at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum in Riverside, California as part of their “Smithsonian Week in Riverside.”

The free public programming is related to the “John Muir and the Personal Experience of Nature” exhibit at the Museum. In addition to a display of Alice’s work, the program includes:

“Treasures of Yosemite” Presentation
David Wimpfheimer, Natural History Study Leader, Smithsonian Journeys
Wednesday, April 24
3 pm – 5 pm

Botanical Illustration Demonstration
Alice Tangerini, Botany Staff Scientific Illustrator, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Thursday, April 25
3 pm – 5 pm

“To Reach Perfection — the Challenge of Botanical Illustration” Presentation
Alice Tangerini, Botany Staff Scientific Illustrator, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Thursday, April 25
7 pm – 8:30 pm

If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Alice or taking a class from her, you’re in for a rare treat. Alice has illustrated more than 1500 species of plants for the Smithsonian and is also the curator of the 4800 plant drawings currently in the Smithsonian inventory. She is a board member of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA), and is the person to whom we send our information and images to when we want to post them to the Member’s Gallery on the ASBA website. Alice received the American Society of Botanical Artists Award for Excellence in Scientific Illustration in 2008, teaches scientific illustration, and provides educational outreach. She is also a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI). You can view Alice’s scientific illustrations from the Catalog of Botanical Illustrations, Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution online.

More information about the Smithsonian Week at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum is on their website. The museum is located at 3580 Mission Inn Avenue, near Orange Street, right off the 91 Freeway. The phone number is (951) 826-5273.

As long as you’re in Riverside, you might want to plan to arrive early and visit ArtPlantae. Just two blocks away you’ll find ArtPlantae at Aurea Vista Marketplace, at 3498 University Avenue on the corner of Lemon and University. Tania Marien will (of course!) be at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum to see Alice’s presentations, but her two areas in Aurea Vista will be open, and there are lots of other shops to see in Aurea Vista and in the mall in the historic downtown Riverside.

Hope to see you there, and welcome to California, Alice!

Image of Google’s Doodle to Maria Sibylla Merian’s 366th Birthday.

Thank you to Jody Williams, who sent me an email alert that was waiting in my inbox with my morning coffee. Google is celebrating Maria Siblylla Merian’s 366th birthday today with her own Google Doodle (screen shot shown here). Clicking on the Doodle brings up related posts and information. Maria’s Google Doodle will only be there today: http://www.google.com. Happy Birthday Maria!

Invitation postcard from The Pastel Society of Southern California

The Fourth Annual Pastel Exhibition at the Creative Arts Center, Manhattan Beach, will be held from April 6th – April 26th, 2013.

Everyone is invited to the opening reception on Saturday April 6, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. There will be music, art, food, wine, and voting for your favorite painting. Come join the fun.

There will be a free demonstration by Richard McKinley, a well known pastelist and teacher on the following Saturday, April 13th at 10:00 am – noon. The juried entries will be judged for awards by Master Pastelist Richard McKinley.

BAGSC members Suzanne Kuuskmae and Rita Hopper have works in the show.

The Manhattan Beach Creative Arts Center is located at 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. For more information about the gallery and hours, visit the web site, or call 310.802.5440.

For more information about the Pastel Society of Southern California, visit their website, or call 310.540.0724.

Fisher’s Loft Inn.

Few people visit Newfoundland without being touched by the warmth of its people, the depth of its history and the haunting beauty of its rugged coastline. This seven day workshop, September 30 – October 6, 2013, under the expert guidance of renowned teacher and botanical artist, Margaret Best, promises an ideal opportunity to work uninterrupted in an inspiring coastal setting: Fisher’s Loft Inn in Port Rexton, on Trinity Bay. The large airy studio has breathtaking views. The hotel is the top-ranked rural inn in Newfoundland. The award-winning kitchen draws from the nearby ocean, freshwater ponds, seaside meadows and an abundant kitchen garden in season.

Street with colorful houses in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

In early October, the meadows and woodlands will be turning to their autumn colours – blueberry bushes turning rich claret, wild rhododendron, sheep’s laurel, lichens in a subtle spectrum, partridge berries, cloud berries, tall sedges bleaching to every shade of blonde. This is a landscape of miniature set against vast vistas of sea and sky. Accessible trails make this a hikers’ paradise.

Make the short jump from the ASBA conference in Pittsburgh (ending September 28) to Newfoundland to extend your botanical painting for the Fall.

Highlights

• Personalized instruction by Margaret Best, tailored to your individual medium and needs.
• Both coloured pencil – exciting new techniques with the latest materials – as well as watercolour instruction focusing on earth tones best suited to fall colours – fallen leaves, seed pods, berries, rose hips and late harvest vegetables.
• Workshop participation limited to insure best possible learning experience.
• Exclusive use of beautiful studio space and opportunity to work in the garden or farther afield.
• Six nights in a dramatically beautiful setting, with charming top-ranked accommodations at Fisher’s Loft Inn, a collection of traditional buildings set on a hillside overlooking the ocean. Friendly gracious local staff will make you feel so at home you won’t want to leave.
• Chartered boat tour. Learn about the fascinating history of the Newfoundland fishery and outports.
• Walking tour of historic Trinity.
• Guided hike around Skerwink Trail.
• Six delicious full menu breakfasts, two three-course dinners at Fisher’s Loft restaurant, and two lunches.

NOTE:  To participate in the this trip, you must be able to walk up and down the hill between the studio and the various other buildings on the site.

Included

• Transfer from a central location in St. John’s to your hotel in Port Rexton
• Transfer to St. John’s and the airport
• 6 nights accommodation at Fisher’s Loft Inn
• 6 full breakfasts
• 3 course Welcome dinner, with wine
• 3 course Farewell dinner, with wine
• 2 lunches
• Boat tour to visit outports
• Walking tour of historic Trinity
• Guided hike of Skerwink Trail
• Gratuities for wait staff for meals on the programme, drivers and Trinity guide.

Not included

• Flights in and out of St. John’s
• Meals not mentioned in the programme
• Tips for housekeeping staff
• Drinks, except where specified

Cost: $2,995 CAD

Whale flute.

PLEASE NOTE: Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. We will do our best to accommodate single travelers who are willing to share twin rooms. If you are traveling with a non-artist partner, please ask us about a non-participant rate.

Get more information about this new adventure on Quench Trip Design’s destination page for Canada.

Just a reminder for those that have not signed up, that there are still a few spots available in Jenny Phillips class at the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG).

Jenny’s classes are always fun and rewarding and this time the three day class is drawing in preparation for the watercolor class the following week. So if possible, please take both segments as they are really one class. For those unable to take the drawing section, it will mean that you won’t be able (probably) to finish the painting in one week.

Jenny suggested roses as the subject but as most gardens have been pruned am not sure of availability so we may have a different subject and if so, one that can be included in the Florilegium. Or we may have a choice of subject.

For those that took Anne-Marie’s classes and painted wisteria and/or coral tree, we are hoping that while Jenny is here that they will be judged and the best two added to the Florilegium.

Please bring your finished paintings to VRG by April 8th. Please have them in a protective cover, unsigned if possible but clearly marked on  the back of the painting with your name and phone number. Please remember that if your painting wins, you keep the copyright but you are giving the painting to Virginia Robinson Gardens and they will have the right to reproduce the painting for cards, prints, folio or anything else that flower paintings can used and that any monies from the sales of the reproductions belongs to VRG. The paintings will be aded to the permanent collection at the Gardens.

The following is the information for Jenny’s class:

April 10, 11 and 12, 2013
Drawing beautiful botanically correct roses in graphite

April 15 – 19, 2013
Focusing on a florileguim quality painting in watercolor of a rose

Jenny Phillips is one of the most renowned botanical artists in the world and one of the most popular and experienced teachers. She has her own Botanical Art School in Melbourne, Australia, and has her paintings in many notable collections, including that of H.R.H. Prince Charles. Jenny’s teaching always includes effective ways to achieve maximum effect with ease and her wit is always evident.

Classes will be held at Virginia Robinson Gardens from 9 – 3:30 on each of the days listed above.

A supplies list will be sent to all participants. Coffee, tea and water will be provided, but please bring your own lunch. Painting subject may change due to availability of garden roses in April.

Fees for the three day session are $375 for VRG and BAGSC members; $450 for non-members. The five day session is $595 for VRG and BAGSC members; $650 for non-members. A deposit of $100 per class to hold the space can be accepted, but is non-refundable.

To make reservations, visit the Virginia Robinson Gardens online; call 310.550.2068; or mail a check to: Friends of Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Questions? Contact Tania Norris.

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens will be offering a weekly evening Botanical Art and Illustration class in addition to their Tuesday morning classes.

We are trying to set a day that will be convenient to most people, so if you are interested, let us know which day you would prefer, from Monday to Thursday. Class participation is limited to a minimum of five students and a maximum of 12.

Cristina Baltayian will be the instructor, and we will be exploring colored pencil, graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor on various papers, vellum and other surfaces. The emphasis will be on plant observation, drawing, composition, color theory and matching, and medium techniques.

This year we have started a very exciting project, in which, in conjunction with BAGSC, we will be studying and portraying the many Arboretum introductions collected over a period of almost 50 years, to build a collection of paintings that will celebrate and document the invaluable contribution of the Los Angeles Arboretum to the state of California. [Search the BAGSC Blog for related articles about the Arboretum introductions project, and BAGSC members' special purchase package. If you're at the LA Arboretum, be sure to stop off in the gift store to buy the first edition of the cards.]

For more information, please contact Jill Berry, Education Manager at the Los Angeles Arboretum.

We look forward to hear from you!

The online, local newsletter, the “Newport Beach-Corona del Mar Patch” posted a great article about the “Day of Art” at Roger’s Gardens. Written by Rayna Jensen, “Art Blooms at Roger’s Gardens” has a quote from Tania Marien and photos of the drawing workshop taught by Tania and Deb Shaw.

Be sure to click on the accompanying photo to view all of the photos of the event that are included with the article, and their captions. Included in the photo album: Janice Sharp’s silverpoint demo drawing, photos of participants drawing in Tania and Deb’s workshop, and the brilliant colors of the fruit and vegetables on BAGSC’s interactive table.

Janice Sharp (left) and Pat Mark (right) demonstrating and staffing the BAGSC Botanical Art Information Table. photo by Peter Conlon

On Saturday, February 2, 2013, BAGSC participated in Roger’s Garden’s first “Day of Art” in Newport Beach. Fifty artists, using different media participated in a full day of drawing and painting demonstrations and workshops. The “Day of Art” was free to the public and for all ages.

Pat Mark talking with visitors to the BAGSC Botanical Art Information Table. The Information Table also displayed books, originals and prints of contemporary and historical botanical art and scientific illustration. Photo by Peter Conlon.

Additionally, BAGSC had an interactive table where visitors could explore the botany (and some unusual) fruits and vegetables, and make stamp prints with them. BAGSC also had a botanical art information table, with a display of originals, prints and books of all kinds of botanical art, from scientific illustration to plant portraits, historical and current.

Tania Marien at the BAGSC Interactive Table, photo by Deb Shaw.

BAGSC artists participating included: Diane Daly, Clara Josephs, Arillyn Moran-Lawrence, Sue Kuuskmae, Alyse Ochniak, Tania Marien, Deborah Shaw, Pat Mark, and Janice Sharp.

Tania Marien and Deb Shaw gave a two-hour workshop in the afternoon in the outdoor amphitheater on drawing flowers and leaves in pencil, with drawing boards, drawing paper and pencils provided by Roger’s. A watercolor and pastel workshop was offered in the morning by plein aire artists David Damm and Gill Dillinger,  and a gourmet food truck, “Bite Me Foods” provided lunch for those who were hungry.

Tania Marien and visitors to the BAGSC Interactive Table. Kids of all ages used fruits and vegetables to create stamp art.

The event had been postponed from the previous Saturday due to rain. The weather held out this Saturday, and the event was packed with enthusiastic participants, even with the change in schedule. People and their dogs strolled the grounds, bought plants and took in the art.

Attendees were eager to watch the demonstrations, and BAGSC members spent the day talking about botanical art, different media and techniques to interested customers. Many inquired about botanical art classes and were complimentary about the day’s events. Roger’s reported overwhelmingly positive comments from their guests.

Thank you to all who participated, and to Roger’s for hosting the event. We hope there will be more in the future!

Deb Shaw (left) and Tania Marien (right) teaching a workshop about how to draw flowers and leaves in pencil. Photo by Peter Conlon.

Deb Shaw expressively describing the morphology of a banana inflorescence to Theresa Marino from Roger’s Gardens. Photo by Peter Conlon.

Sue Kuuskmae chose to draw in the shade section of the nursery, near a fountain. Photo by Deb Shaw.

Clara Josephs (left) and Diane Daly (right) discuss botanical art and painting with visitors.

Alyse Ochniak demonstrating in the garden, photo by Deb Shaw.

Arillyn Moran-Lawrence demonstrating in the garden (in the luxurious outdoor furniture section). Photo by Deb Shaw.

(left to right) Leslie Walker, Joan Keesey and Lesley Randall hang and straighten artwork, photo by John Keesey.

Botanical Visions, an exhibition of botanical art by the Botanical Artist Guild of Southern California opened on January 12th in the Ecke Building of the San Diego Botanic Garden.

The exhibit features paintings, drawings and prints in watercolor, pen and ink, graphite and colored pencil. BAGSC member Lesley Randall organized this wonderful exhibition of ten BAGSC artists: Estelle DeRidder, Linda Ericksen, Polly Jones, Joan Keesey, Lesley Randall, Gilly Shaeffer, Janice Sharp, Deborah Shaw, Mitsuko Schultz and Patricia Van Osterhoudt.

(left to right) Janice Sharp and Mitsuko Schultz hanging artwork, photo by John Keesey.

(left to right) Mitsuko Schultz and Patty Van Osterhoudt, photo by Deborah Shaw.

The artwork was hung the day of the opening artists’ reception in the Ecke Building. The light-filled, open-beamed room is used as a classroom, so the artwork will have lots of exposure for the duration of the show, from January 13 – March 23, 2013.

(left to right) Joan Keesey and Janice Sharp share a laugh before the Artists’ Reception, photo by Deborah Shaw.

Lesley Randall, Leslie Walker, Estelle DeRidder, Joan Keesey (and BAGSC helper John), Polly Jones (and husband), Patty Van Osterhoudt (and BAGSC helper Chris), Janice Sharp, Mitsuko Schultz and I were all on hand to hang the show. Linda Ericksen joined us for the reception.

(right to left) Polly Jones, Polly’s husband and Estelle DeRidder place artwork labels, photo by Deborah Shaw.

Formerly called “Quail Gardens”, the San Diego Botanic Gardens are absolutely beautiful, and this is a wonderful time of year to see them. Although the gardens are extensive, with different sections devoted to plants from different parts of the world, each section feels like an intimate treasure, with delightful surprises around each bend of the path.

A few attendees at the Artists’ Reception, photo by John Keesey.

A statue in the garden, San Diego Botanic Gardens, photo by John Keesey.

The exhibit will be open during regular garden hours January 13 – March 23, 2013.

Thank you Lesley!

Sunflower, pen and ink by Tania Norris, © 2012, all rights reserved.

In October, 2012, when we posted the “Stipple, then Tipple” article about Anita Walsmit Sachs’ BAGSC class, we also posted a request for additional artwork as students completed their drawings. (See https://dbshaw.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1448&action=edit for the original article.)

Joan Keesey emailed Tania Norris’ pen and ink beautiful Sunflower from the class. Thank you Joan and Tania for sharing a wonderful drawing!