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by Deb Shaw

Abutilon, Flowering Maple (Rosy Dewdrops) by Mitsuko Schultz, watercolor, © 2012, all rights reserved.
The following BAGSC members have been accepted into the 14th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition at Filoli, in Woodside, California.
Akiko Enokido, Passion bloom – hybrid “incense”, Passiflora – incarnata x cincinnata, Watercolor on Vellum
Clara Josephs, Slipper Orchid “Raisin Pie”, Paphiopedilum, Watercolor
Mitsuko Schultz, Flowering Maple (Rosy Dewdrops), Abutilon, Watercolor
Deborah B. Shaw, Southern California black walnut (nuts and husk), Juglans californica S. Watson, Watercolor and graphite on Kelmscott vellum
Patty Van Osterhoudt, Our Lord’s Candle (yucca), Hesperoyucca whipplei, Watercolor on paper
There were 138 entries submitted this year and the jurors selected 56 works. The exhibit reception is scheduled for Thursday, March 29 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and the show runs through May 13, 2012. Although the reception is free, reservations are required, however, and can be made by online at the Filoli Exhibits page, or by phone to Member Services at 650-364-8300, extension 508.
Congratulations to all who entered, and to all who were accepted to the show!
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC members have been invited once again to participate in the 4th Annual WaterMiser Workshop, sponsored by the City of Newport Beach. The workshop will be held at the City of Newport Beach Central Library, on
March 8, 2012
6 – 8 pm
Dinner will be provided by Baja Fresh!
This year, the keynote speakers are:
Pam Berstler with G3 Green Gardens Group and
Paul Herzog with Surfrider – Ocean Friendly Gardens
As in the past, vendor tables will be set up in the courtyard area, where BAGSC will be demonstrating botanical illustration. Prints and paintings by BAGSC members can be displayed on the easels provided in the lecture area, or on the BAGSC tables in the vendor area. Deb Shaw will be demonstrating and coordinating BAGSC’s participation. Any other BAGSC members that wish to participate are welcome. BAGSC members can demonstrate in the media of their choice, and sell originals, prints and cards, or simply provide artwork to show during the evening. Tania Marien, ArtPlantae will be participating as well.
If any members wish to donate prints, cards, etc. for the raffle it would be most appreciated by the workshop organizers. If you cannot attend the workshop, but wish to either display your artwork, or donate items for the raffle, your work can be brought to Deb’s house at the March 3rd quarterly meeting.
Please RSVP to Deb: 1) if you want to participate the night of the workshop; 2) if you would like to display artwork or prints; 3) if you would like to provide a raffle item.
If friends and family would like to attend the workshop, the public can RSVP at 949.644.3214, or by email to: conservationinfo@newportbeachca.gov.
by Bonnie Born Ash and Leslie Walker, posted by Deb Shaw
Join us on Saturday, March 3, 2012 for the quarterly BAGSC Meeting at Deb’s house.
Agenda
Coffee at 9:30 am, Meeting begins promptly at 10:00 am.
I. President’s Report
- 2012 Quarterly Meeting Dates – May 19, August 25, December 8
- Members’ Survey Results
II. Secretary’s Report
III. Treasurer’s Report
IV. Membership Report
V. Old Business
VI. New Business
- Classes for 2012
- L. A. Arboretum “GROW! A Garden Festival”: May 3, 4, 5, 6
- Field Trip to Lotusland: April 28
- Chapman University Exhibition
Program: “What makes a plant drought-tolerant?” Presentation, discussion of plant subjects suitable for the Chapman University Exhibition, where to find specimens and handouts.
Potluck Lunch
Be sure to bring your current work to share and RSVP with what you’re bringing to the potluck to Deb. See you there!
by Bonnie Born Ash, posted by Deb Shaw
The following are the scheduled meeting dates for our BAGSC Quarterly Meetings for 2012. Agendas with programs will be sent out before each meeting. If you have items to put on the agenda, please contact Leslie. A detailed email blast will be sent out to all members with addresses, links to maps and RSVP phone numbers before each meeting. Of course each meeting will also have our usual pot luck contributions and showing of what we’re working on!
March 3, 2012: Deb’s house
May 19, 2012: Pat’s house
August 25, 2012: TBD: Want to volunteer to host a meeting? We have offers, but wanted to throw out the opportunity if a member wanted to host in a place we haven’t been to. Interested? Please contact Leslie.
December 8, 2012: Our annual Holiday Party at Janice’s. Great food, good company, and a mini-show of botanical art and all the different types of work we’re doing.
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 Bonnie Born Ash, posted by Deb Shaw
Join us on Saturday, April 28,2012 for a tour of Lotusland!
BAGSC members and significant others are invited to a docent-led tour of Lotusland, the 37-acre historic garden estate of opera singer Madame Ganna Walska in Montecito. The grounds are the home of many large and rare plants, some no longer found in the wild. Leslie has visited many times in the past 30 years and looks forward to enjoying one of Southern California’s jewels again.
The tour begins at 10:00 am and will be approximately two hours. Bring your camera and wear comfortable shoes! Cost of the tour is $35.00 per person. Visit the website to explore the gardens and learn about its colorful history. Advance reservations are required, so you must reserve your place by February 29 to Leslie Walker. Payment is due March 28.
Carpools will be organized to relieve everyone from driving. If there are enough people interested we might look into getting a bus.
by Deb Shaw
A dedication in honor of Jeff Karsner will be held in the Children’s Garden at the Huntington Botanical Gardens on Saturday, February 11, at 10 am. Friends and colleagues are welcome. For those BAGSC members who also use facebook, updates and comments are being posted to Jeff’s facebook page.
by Veronica Raymond, posted by Deb Shaw
Jim Folsom, Director of the Botanical Gardens of the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Gardens made the sad announcement of the passing of Jeff Karsner:
I am very sad to report the death of Jeff Karsner, Head Gardener in the Children’s Garden, who fell from a collapsed railing on the balcony of his home this past Monday evening. Jeff was a spirited, passionate staff member with particular enthusiasm for succulent plants, garden design, and whimsical elements. He did a remarkable job in making the Children’s Garden and Teaching Greenhouse especially magical places for visitors. We have few details to share at this point but I wanted to let you all know about this tragic loss of a colleague. As we learn of services, we will certainly pass on this information. Jeff’s creativity, energy, and friendship will be missed greatly.
Jim Folsom
We have all enjoyed the Children’s Garden and the Teaching Greenhouses, and wish to extend our sympathies to Jeff’s family and our extended botanical family at the Huntington.