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by Deb Shaw
NPR posted a charming “Look at This” on October 23, 2014. Titled “This is Color: A Weird Little Lesson, in Rainbow Order,” by Nicole Cohen and Beth Novey, the presentation takes the viewer through the rainbow with facts, trivia and interesting information about color. Well worth taking a break for a few minutes.
by Diane Daly, Dr. Jennifer Funk, and Deb Shaw

Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Red Bird of Paradise, or Mexican Bird of Paradise, watercolor by Diane Daly, © 2013, all rights reserved.
If you’re looking for additional “legume” inspiration during the holidays, we have two lists for you. The first was developed for us by Dr. Jennifer Funk, Associate Professor in the Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University. This is a brief list of just a few representative legumes, showing the wide variety of plants in this fascinating family:
Agricultural legumes
- Glycine max (soybean)
- Medicago sativa (alfalfa)
- Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean)
- Pisum sativum (pea)
Legumes in desert and semi-arid ecosystems
- Acmispon – dozens of species including Acmispon glaber (deerweed) which is an early colonizer following fire, and the very beautiful Acmispon wrangelianus, which can tolerate harsh serpentine soils
- Astragalus – dozens of beautiful milkvetch species, including rare natives like Astragalus claranus, Astragalus clevelandii, and Astragalus funereus
- Caesalpinia pulcherrima
- Calliandra eriophylla
- Dalea mollissima
- Hosackia – many species with spectacular flowers including Hosackia stipularis
- Lathyrus – many species including the lovely beach-goer Lathyrus littoralis
- Lupinus – many species with yellow or purple flowers, and slender herbs to large shrubs
- Pediomelum californicum
- Pickeringia montana (chaparral pea)
- Psorothamnus – several species with spectacular flowering stalks
- Trifolium – a diverse genus of clovers including my favorite Trifolium depauperatum (cowbag clover)
Weedy and invasive legumes
- Acacia dealbata
- Genista monspessulana (French broom)
- Medicago polymorpha (burclover)
- Melilotus officinalis
- Spartium junceum (Spanish broom)
- Trifolium hirtum
- Vicia sativa
Leguminous trees
- Acacia dealbata
- Acacia koa, Hawaiian tree used for beautiful reddish wood
- Bauhinia species (can be found at arboretums)
- Cercis occidentalis (western redbud)
- Erythrina – many species can be found at arborteums
- Olneya tesota (ironwood)
- Prosopis glandulosa (mesquite)
- Sophora chrysophylla (mamane), a Hawaiian tree that provides food for the endangered Palila bird
The second list is of “Artist’s Choices,” legume subjects BAGSC members have painted, are painting, or are thinking about painting. Don’t panic if you see something you’ve painted (or are thinking of painting) on the following list. This is only a preliminary list, and it’s always fun to see the same subject painted by different people. If you haven’t sent your subject to Diane Daly, please do so. We will be using our subject lists to develop educational outreach materials with Jennifer’s students.
- Melanie Campbell-Carter: Snail vine (Viga caracalla)
- Diane Daly: Pink trumpet tree (Tabebuia impetiginosa), Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
- Clara Josephs: Desert false indigo with dogface butterfly, Carob tree
- Joan Keesey: Wisteria, Coral Tree, Lupine
- Suzanne Kuuskmae: Lupine, wisteria
- Pat Mark: Hyacinth bean
- Mitsuko Schultz: Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
- Deborah Shaw: Castanospermum australe, Papago Bean/seeds, Acacia (wattle bush)
- Patty VanOsterhoudt: Desert Museum x Parkinsidium Parkinsonia x Cercidium (Palo Verde)
- Leslie Walker: Delonix regia
Happy painting!
by Estelle DeRidder, posted by Deb Shaw
The reception time for the opening of my show on
December 7, 2015
has changed to 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
due to Pearl Harbor Day.
Some Madrona Marsh members who are interested in attending the opening had a conflict with the later afternoon times, and we are doing our best to accommodate everyone’s schedule during this busy time of year.
I am at the Madrona Marsh on Saturdays and Sundays, and interest is brisk. Hope to see you there!
[Read our original posting about Estelle’s project and opening at: https://bagscblog.com/2014/09/29/estelle-de-ridder-exhibition-of-the-flora-of-the-madrona-marsh/]
by Suzanne Kuuskmae, posted by Deb Shaw
Botanical colored pencil artist and sought-after teacher, Wendy Hollender will be here for a two-day workshop:
April 1 – 2, 2015
She will be stopping in Torrance at Destination: Art on her way back from her two-week class in Kauai. The cost will be $200 for the two days, and as space is going to be limited so that we can really get her full attention, please send a deposit check of $100 made out to Destination: Art to Suzanne Kuuskmae.
This will hold your spot with the balance due 30 days before the workshop. Her last class here a few years back was a sellout and very popular.
by Deb Shaw
It seems like it should be far away, but next year will be here before we know it!
As announced in the “Save the Date” article on the BAGSC blog, and in the email blast that went out to BAGSC members on November 26, 2014, Eileen Sorg will be teaching a BAGSC-sponsored workshop, “COLORED PENCIL STEW.” We are anticipating a lot of interest from BAGSC and Colored Pencil Society Members, and expect the workshops to fill quickly. We have made arrangements to potentially hold two, two-day workshops (same content for each) if enrollments warrant.
Dates:
Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, 2015
Costs will be $250.00 for a two-day workshop for BAGSC and Colored Pencil Society members, $275.00 for non-members. Please send a $50.00 non-refundable deposit, made out to BAGSC, to Leslie Walker and be sure to indicate whether you would prefer the March 9 − 10, OR the March 12 − 13 dates. Please understand that we cannot guarantee dates until deposits are made for the minimum numbers for each section.
Want to take both workshops? Please send a $100.00 non-refundable deposit and let Leslie know that as well.
We are finalizing plans for one location in the Orange County area and one in the Pasadena area. Details about locations and final payment due dates will be available and publicized soon.