You are currently browsing the daily archive for November 9, 2014.
by Janice Sharp and Deb Shaw

Camellia japonica, taken by
fir0002, flagstaffotos.com.au, from Wikimedia Commons. Licensing/copyright: This image is not in the public domain. Under the CC BY-NC: free to copy, distribute, transmit and adapt this work provided that correct attribution is provided.
As posted in previous BAGSC News blog articles, BAGSC will be holding an exhibition on Camellias at Descanso Gardens, in conjunction with the flower show of the Camellia Societies in Southern California (for more information go to www.socalcamellias.org).
This wonderful opportunity is a two-day event in Van de Kamp Hall, coinciding with the Camellia show and judging, on Friday, January 16, 2015 – Saturday, January 18, 2015. This is not a juried show, however, we have been offered the opportunity to extend the show until October, 2015, in the Boddy House. While the initial show is not juried, the Boddy House will not accommodate all the paintings expected and therefore, a selection process will be used when the show is moved to the Boddy House. All accepted artists will have the choice as to whether they would like to have their artwork exhibited until October in the Boddy House.
All current BAGSC members in good standing (dues paid) are eligible to enter up to three (3) original works of art of botanical specimens of Camellias (no prints). There is no size limitation, and works may have been shown in previous BAGSC, ASBA, Filoli or other exhibitions.
Download the PDF Entry Form by clicking this link: bagscDescansoCamillas15f. Questions? Contact Janice.
by Deb Shaw
Cristina Baltayian will be teaching Botanical Art & Illustration at the Los Angeles County Arboretum:
Tuesdays, November 4, 11, 18, 25, 2014
10am-2pm; Oak Room
$275 members; $295 non-members
These classes will explore color 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. All levels of experience are welcome, and participants will find a very high degree of personalized attention. Class participation is limited to a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 12.
The class fee is for four (4) Tuesdays each month. The next session will be: December 2, 9, 16, 23, 2014. You may bring your lunch or purchase it at the Peacock Café. A Materials List will be provided upon registration.
In addition, an exciting project has begun, in which, in conjunction with the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California, students will be studying and portraying many of the Arboretum plant introductions from the last 50 years. The goal is to build a collection of paintings that will celebrate and document the invaluable contribution of the Los Angeles Arboretum to the state of California.
Class fees include admission to the LA Arboretum. For more information, visit the class website page. Pre-registration is required; call 626.821.4623. The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is located at: 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007.
And one more for all you photography buffs out there…
The LA Arboretum will also hold a workshop on “Night Photography in the Garden”
Saturday, November 22; 7-9pm
Instructor: Frank McDonough
$30 members; $35 non-members
Photographers don’t miss this opportunity to photograph the Arboretum when it’s at its most interesting and unusual; at night. Bring your cameras, LED lights, lasers and specialty light sources and go on the hunt for unique, unusual, and beautiful nighttime picture-taking opportunities. Note: Headlamp required; tripod and DSLR recommended. Please call the class register line at 626-821-4623 to register.
by ASBA, posted by Deb Shaw

Susan Sapanara, Hydrangea quercifolia, Crimson Collar, watercolor on paper, © 2014, all rights reserved.
The Horticultural Society of New York and the American Society of Botanical Artists will be having a “Last Look Walkthrough” of the 17th Annual International Exhibition, with exhibition artists and juror on:
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Free for NY Hort and ASBA members
$5.00 for non-members
Join ASBA and The Hort, meet some of the artists and enjoy a seasonal cocktail during this reception and walkthrough of the annual exhibition. Each year ASBA’s Annual International presents the genre’s most established artists alongside emerging talents from around the world. Chris Murtha, Curator at The Hort calls botanical art “…a genre that is pushing well beyond scientific illustration and coming into its own.”
Artists Carrie Di Costanzo, Ingrid Finnan, and Monika deVries Gohlke will share their personal stories behind their work and offer a unique perspective on the work of their peers. They will be joined by exhibition juror Patricia Jonas, who will provide insight into the artwork selection process.
Registration for the “Last Look Walkthrough” can be found on Eventbrite.

Catalog cover image: Annie Patterson, Cynara cardunculus, Cardoon, watercolor on paper, © 2014, all rights reserved.
Catalogs for the exhibition can be purchased for $20.00 through ArtPlantae.
The New York Horticultural Society is located at 148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York. The 17th Annual International is on display through November 26, 2014.
Jurors Patricia Jonas, Marco Polo Stufano, and Catherine Watters selected 42 artworks out of 215 submissions from around the world. BAGSC members Joan Keesey, Lesley Randall, and Deborah Shaw have artwork in the exhibition, and Lesley Randall won the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Award for Drawing & Prints. The ASBA has posted the artwork and the artists’ stories behind each piece. Click on the links and on the ASBA website to see the artwork and read the artists’ stories.
by Melanie Campbell-Carter, posted by Deb Shaw
My painting was just selected as the first place winner for The Friends of the Sierra Madre Library 45th annual Wine and Cuisine Tasting fundraising event to be held on Friday, February 20, 2015. The theme was “Wine pairs well with a good book.” It is acrylic on canvas.
The painting will be the featured painting at the silent auction as well as the image used on the publicity posters here in the local area. I appreciate so much everyone’s support as I’ve struggled and studied, and my success is a shared success with all of you who have believed in me for so long! Thank you!
Onward to the next project!
[If you are interested in buying tickets and attending the event in February, 2015, you will be able to find information on the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library website as the date gets closer.]
by Sue Kuuskmae, posted by Deb Shaw
Everyone is invited to the Grand Opening of Destination: Art!
Saturday, November 15, 2014
4:00 – 8:00 pm
Celebrate with us the culmination of a year’s effort to establish a venue for studios and gallery for local South Bay artists, a facility from which to share the value of appreciating and creating fine art, to support our goal to be a nurturing, cooperative environment for local artists, art students, and potential art collectors.
- See the studios and gallery
- Enjoy the Fine Art
- Sample appetizers and wine
- Try for a Gift Basket
- Celebrate the Ribbon Cutting with Torrance Mayor and City Council at 6pm
- Support Destination: Art to get classes and workshops started
Please come to show your support and find out more about Destination: Art’s Studios and Gallery, and our future plans. Destination: Art is creating a unique Art facility that will house studios for local Artists, who will flourish in the creative synergy that comes from working with other Artists, as well as demonstrating their craft to the public, thus fulfilling their mission to promote Arts education.
Destination: Art is located at 1815 West 213th Street, Torrance, California 90501.
Primary sponsors of the Grand Opening are Chef Shafer of the Depot, Buffalo Fire Department, and the gracious participation of other downtown Torrance establishment. If you would like to become a sponsor, or donate online, please go to our website.