You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2011.
by Leslie Walker
Join us for our quarterly meeting on May 21, 2011 at Norma’s house. RSVP to Norma and let her know what you will be bringing for our usual potluck lunch.
Coffee at 9:30 am
Meeting begins promptly at 10:00 am
AGENDA
I. Welcome
II. President’s Report
III. Secretary’s Report
IV. Treasurer’s Report
V.Membership Report
VI. Old Business
· Rancho Los Alamitos – Botanical Cards at gift shop
· Water Miser workshop
· Meet with Elaine Searle
· “A Brush with Blue” – Margaret Best
· Susan Frei-Nathan Workshop
VII. New Business
· Calligraphy Class
· “Browns and Pods” – Margaret Best
· Next Meeting will be Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Allison’s
· Other business
Break for lunch
Program: The Brush Lady – Judy Coyle
Judy will be bringing a carload of wonderful brushes for sale. Bring cash and/or your checkbook.
Also be sure to bring your latest work to show the group.
See you there!!
By Cristina Baltayian
Eight of us BAGSC ladies got together with Margaret Best in Sally Jacobs light-filled, beautiful studio in Los Angeles. Our goal was to learn all about the color blue:
- How many varieties of blue (green shade, red shade. Indigo anyone? Or maybe cobalt? Is cerulean the bad-guy blue in the botanical palette, or does it have any redeeming qualities?);
- What’s the difference between Winson-Newton Ultramarine and M. Graham Ultramarine?;
- And what’s the scoop on reds? Which pairings make the best purples? The best greens?
Working hard in Margaret's class.
Along the way, Margaret, being Margaret, taught us a lot more than how to use blues in botanicals. We learned about matching colors for the automotive industry, and how we can apply some of the same principles in our own color matching. How the light in Bermuda can give a plumbago a different shade of blue than a plumbago in L.A; we had a contest, and won a prize. I could go on and on.
The mood was positive, we were excited about learning so much about a color that can be so daunting to a botanical artist, and we had a wonderful time.
From left to right: Carmen, Cristina, Norma, Jesslyn, Margaret and Bonnie.
I only wish I could have taken Margaret’s other classes on colors. But maybe I’ll have to wait for her book…
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC member, Tania Marien, of ArtPlantae, will teach a natural science illustration class this Saturday, 7 May, from 10 am – 11 am at the Santiago Creek Nature Center, 600 E. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana. Presented by Back to Natives, this class will introduce children to natural science illustrator Marianne Wallace and her America’s series of books. The class will create a nature-themed art project, and learn about plants, how they grow, and why they are important in our lives.
The class is designed specially for children ages 5 and 6 for $10.75/child. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Register for the class by emailing Back to Natives, then click on the following link: (City+of+Santa+Ana+Registration+Form) to download the registration form. Fill out the form and bring it with you with payment to the class.
Santiago Park Nature Center is located at 600 E. Memory Lane, Santa Ana, 92706, between Main Street and the 22 Freeway in north Santa Ana.
Bring your children or grandchildren and see you there!
by Deb Shaw
Wild Rose Coin by Margaret Best, in packaging, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint. (click image to enlarge)
BAGSC member, Margaret Best, was given a rare honor last year; she was commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint to paint an Alberta wild rose, Rosa acicularis, to be reproduced on a new Canadian 20 dollar coin. The collectible coin is being released May 2, and can be purchased online from the Royal Canadian Mint.
The silver coin is unusual, in that it is reproduced in full color, and contains three genuine Swarovski crystals. A limited run of 10,000 coins will be produced.
Margaret was one of three artists selected to submit designs. She submitted two designs, and her Alberta Wild Rose was chosen for the coin.
Once the design was chosen, it was vetted by a botanist, and Margaret had one month to complete the painting. Unfortunately, the flower was not in bloom at the time, but luckily Margaret had painted the flower before, and was quite familiar with it.
Front of the Alberta Wild Rose Coin by Margaret Best, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint. (click image to enlarge)
Her contract with the Royal Canadian Mint meant that she had to keep the coin and the painting a secret, but, now that it has been announced there has been a flurry of publicity surrounding the coin’s release. An interview with Margaret on the CBC radio show “Alberta@Noon” was aired on Wednesday, 27 April. (Click the link to hear the podcast. Margaret’s interview is at the end of the program. Once you click the link, start the podcast and then move the slider to right above the sound symbol to skip to Margaret’s interview.) The radio interview was followed by a story in the Calgary Herald, and many phone calls. Tania Marien also covered the story on her blog, ArtPlantae Today.
Back side of Wild Rose coin, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mint. (click image to enlarge)
Margaret’s next venture is a one-person show in Bermuda, Bermuda Botanica. For more details on her Bermuda show and classes, see the prior article in the blog.
Congratulations Margaret!
BAGSC News 