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By Joan Keesey
Joan Keesey with Buckeye Painting at Filoli
On July 15th I attended the Artist’s Reception for the FILOLI 12th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition. There were 46 paintings from the United States and Canada; six were by members of BAGSC: Margaret Best, Akiko Enokido, and Joan Keesey. The paintings were beautiful; the Filoli gardens in summer were lovely, and it was a pleasure to talk to other botanical artists with pictures in the exhibit.
I also attended a four-day class on Nepenthes, taught by Hillary Parker. I have admired her work since I first saw it at the ASBA Conference in Pasadena. You can see her work on her website. Her emphasis is on composition and a more conceptual and interpretive rendering of a plant species. While we did use plant specimens, she didn’t want us to “ copy the specimen” but rather to portray the characteristics of the species.
There were six students in the class, three of whom are currently in the Filoli Botanical Art Certification program. We did gesture and contour drawings of six species of Nepenthes, then we each chose a species to paint. We wrote verbal descriptions of the plants and did multiple
Akido Enokido Painting at Filoli
“thumbnail sketches” until we achieved a composition that we thought characterized both the species as well as something of the artist’s reaction to the species. I thought that there were several outstanding compositions as a result of this process. Everyone was very enthusiastic about the class. The certification candidates have requested that she return next summer because they thought the process was so different and produced a more interesting and artistic rendering of a botanical subject. I hope that she is able to teach a class in Los Angeles sometime in the future.
Margaret Best Paintings at Filoli
by Tania Norris
Canadian artist/teacher and a member of BAGSC, Margaret Best, will be teaching three classes at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, Beverly Hills.
August 4, 5, 6: Creative Composition
September 1, 2, 3: How and When to Add Details
October 6, 7, 8: Painting a Flower
All classes are held at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. The hours are 9:30 am to 3 pm. Participants must bring their own lunches, but coffee, tea and water will be provided.
The price is $275. per class for BAGSC members and VRG members. $75 is non-refundable if you have to cancel attending the class.
A materials list will be provided to class participants, but BAGSC members will already have most of the items needed.
Anne-Marie Evans will be returning from England in February/March, 2011 for her tenth year of teaching at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Her classes are watercolor for beginning and advanced students.
Elaine Searle, also from England, will be at the Virginia Robinson Gardens in March/April, 2011 for the first time. She will be teaching a five-day watercolor course and a two-day class using watercolor on vellum.
Complete course descriptions and costs are covered by clicking on the title to download the Virginia Robinson Gardens Classes. For further information, please contact Tania Norris.
by Sue Kuuskmae
Mike Sibley will teach a workshop in Graphite Pencil Techniques in Solvang, California, September 10-12, 2010, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Royal Copenhagen Inn. The cost is about $374.00.
This informal workshop is designed for artists of all levels, from the basics through to a final drawing. A variety of techniques will be covered. Paper, pencils and all other necessary supplies are included, although participants should feel free to bring their own. The workshop is limited to 20 students to ensure individual attention.
by Sue Kuuskmae
Morgan Kari with First Place Pastel Painting
In April, 2010, the Pastel Society had a show, with quite a few works submitted by BAGSC members. Morgan Kari won both first and third prize in the popular choice voting. The opening reception was attended by 400 people. Congratulations Morgan!
BAGSC News 