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by Deb Shaw

Promotional for Roger's Gardens "Day of Art," Sunday, March 1 features a painting in progress that BAGSC member Clara Josephs was working on during the last year's "Day of Art" at Roger's.

Promotional for Roger’s Gardens “Day of Art,” Sunday, March 1 features a painting in progress that BAGSC member Clara Josephs was working on during the last year’s “Day of Art” at Roger’s.

Roger’s Garden is proud to present their 3rd Annual “Day of Art,” Sunday, March 1 from 10  AM – 4 PM. (In case of rain, this event will be cancelled until further notice.) For the event schedule, visit the Roger’s Gardens’ Art Gallery page.

This Springtime event attracts 50 invited plein air and botanical artists painting and drawing in the Gardens for the day. A painting by each of the participating artists will be on display and available to the public for purchase. This year Roger’s will be judging the 50 original artworks with awards and recognitions.

Open to the public at no charge, all visitors will have the opportunity to participate in scheduled workshops and demonstrations.

BAGSC members Diane Daly, Clara Josephs, Patricia Mark and Deborah Shaw will be participating in the event, and BAGSC will have an information table about botanical art, our group, and our upcoming events and plans. Deborah, Clara, and Diane will be teaching a free “Drawing in your garden” introductory botanical art workshop from 2 pm to 3 pm on that afternoon. The workshop is free and open to the public, no art experience required. Roger’s Gardens will supply basic drawing materials, or participants can bring additional supplies.

Roger’s Gardens is located at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona Del Mar, CA 92625, 949.640.5800.

 

by Deb Shaw

Erythrina caffra, Coral Tree, original watercolor by Joan Keesey, © 2015, all rights reserved.

Erythrina caffra, Coral Tree, original watercolor by Joan Keesey, © 2015, all rights reserved.

The Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC), in conjunction with Dr. Jennifer Funk and students from the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Chapman University, will be opening an exhibition of botanical art entitled “An Illuminating Look at Legumes.”

Held in conjunction with the 10th Anniversary of the Chapman University Leatherby Libraries, the exhibition explores the large, economically important plant family Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as legumes, peas, or beans.

Exhibit dates:
Thursday, February 19 – Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Artists’ Reception and Demonstrations:
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
5:30 p.m.

Doy and Dee Henley Reading Room
Leatherby Libraries, 2nd Floor, Chapman University
One University Drive, Orange, California 92866

Legumes are the third largest flowering plant family on earth, after orchids (Orchidaceae) and daisies (Asteraceae). They are incredibly diverse, ranging from huge trees, twining, vigorous vines to small delicate annuals and even a few aquatic plants. They grow all over the world, except in Antarctica and the high Arctic.

Many legumes have a unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through their root nodules, and, in doing so can replenish our soils and colonize barren areas.

Accompanied by interesting descriptions of the plants by Dr. Funk, her students and BAGSC members, the artists have depicted members of this family that are important agriculturally; thrive in desert and semi-arid environments; are weedy and invasive; and grow as trees.

Artists include: Cristina Baltayian, Melanie Campbell-Carter, Diane Daly, Estelle DeRidder, Cynthia F. Jackson, Clara Josephs, Joan Keesey, Suzanne Kuuskmae, Patricia A. Mark, Arillyn Moran-Lawrence, Terri Munroe, Alyse Ochniak, Robyn Reilman, Mitsuko Schultz, Janice Sharp, Deborah B. Shaw, and Jude Wiesenfeld.

This exhibition has been sponsored by BAGSC, Chapman University Leatherby Libraries, and Chapman University Schmid College of Science and Technology.

For exhibit hours please visit: www.chapman.edu/library/info/hours.html

Visitor parking near the Leatherby Libraries is available for $2.00 – $3.00 and may be purchased from the permit dispenser. For more detailed parking information, fees, maps and directions to Chapman University, please visit: www.chapman.edu/map

by Cristina Baltayian, posted by Deb Shaw

Cristina Baltyian will be showing work in "Works on Paper," at SAGA Fine Art.

Cristina Baltayian will be exhibiting her artwork in “Works on Paper,” at SAGA Fine Art.

Cristina Baltayian will be showing 15 paintings at SAGA Fine Art in an exhibition entitled Works on Paper. Showcasing artwork in watercolor, pastel and pencil, the exhibition runs from February 17 – March 27, 2015. An opening reception will be held Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 5 – 7 pm.

SAGA Fine Art specializes in representational Plein Air, Landscape, Figurative and Still Life paintings by contemporary artists. It is located at 110 West Lime Avenue, Monrovia, California 91016, 626.358.5563. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1 – 6 pm.

Congratulations, Cristina!

by Michael Best, posted by Deb Shaw

Fiji flower.

Fiji flower.

This botanical art retreat ticks all the right boxes . . . tropical location, abundance of exotic flowers and fruit, acclaimed teacher, great accommodation, all meals, great facilities dedicated to the arts, lots to see and do — and all at a great price!

Getting there couldn’t be easier with Fiji Airways flying directly from LAX.

Imagine seven days in this tropical paradise where the biggest challenge is going to be selecting a specimen from among the exotic native orchids, colorful ginger plants and fascinating tropical fruit. Work in water color or colored pencil for three hours each morning and then relax or sight-see in the afternoon. Or, if you prefer, paint all day — your choice.

Take a non-painting partner if you wish. There is more than enough for them to see and do while you paint.

One of many beautiful beaches on Fiji.

One of many beautiful beaches on Fiji.

This 19th to 26th September, 2015 retreat is being organized by Paradise Courses of Sydney. All the details, including the schedule and reservation information, can be found on their website.

Find out more about Margaret’s art and teaching at www.bestbotanical.com and the retreat at www.dakuresort.com. A PDF brochure about the resort can be downloaded here: Daku Resort Savusavu eBrochure.

Imagine . . .

One view from the Daku Resort in Fiji.

One view from the Daku Resort in Fiji.

by Deb Shaw

It’s going to be a busy year for BAGSC! Keep your eyes on this BAGSC News Blog and your emails for calendars and updates, as they start coming in at a fast pace.

Here is the BAGSC General Quarterly Meeting schedule for the year:

  • Saturday, February 21: Deb’s place, 9:30 am for coffee, tea and greetings, with the meeting starting promptly at 10 am. This meeting will combine a BAGSC General Meeting with the next BAGSC Volunteer Meeting as the program following the General Meeting. The General Meeting will include important information about upcoming classes, workshops, exhibitions and the Symposium. Please RSVP to Deb with your potluck choice, and bring your ongoing work to share with the group.The Weird, Wild & Wonderful Volunteer Meeting will include committee packets, information, deadlines, forms and letters so we can roll up our sleeves and dig in. It also will include a quick Basecamp presentation to learn how we’ll manage the information for the Symposium, so if you would like to bring your laptop or iPad, feel free (but not required!). If you cannot make this meeting, but still want to volunteer, please let Tania Marien know so we can add you to our lists.
  • Sunday, April 26
  • Saturday, September 12
  • Saturday, December 5, BAGSC Holiday Party (and very short meeting)

An email blast will be sent out before each meeting with locations, directions and more information.

The schedule for BAGSC Weird, Wild & Wonderful Volunteer Meetings will be:

  • Sunday, March 22
  • Saturday, April 18
  • Sunday, May 31
  • Saturday, June 20: the final pre-Symposium meeting
  • Saturday, July 18: send out last-minute announcements via email before Symposium week begins!!
  • Week of July 27: Work with BAGSC Exhibition committee
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