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by Leslie Walker, posted by Deb Shaw
In a wonderful surprise, I found Margaret Best’s botanical art trip in October, 2016 announced in the Sunday LA Times, March 6, 2016, Travel Section. Entitled, [click the title to read] “Capture this on canvas: Painting workshop in Italy beckons artists,” by LA Times contact reporter Anne Harnagel, the article highlights Quench’s trip and Margaret’s botanical art class.
I can recommend this venue and teacher since I went there last Spring. I am going back this Fall to experience the area in a different season. Margaret is a great botanical artist and teacher and I’m looking forward to sharpening my skills in October.
Read Jan Clouse’s article and see pictures about Margaret’s last trip to Puglia on our BAGSC News blog. Details about the Puglia trip can be found at Quench.
by Deb Shaw
Cover, “A Botanical Reader for the Curious Gardener”, James P. Folsom, © 2016, all rights reserved.
It’s here! Jim Folsom, has just published his ebook as of February 29, 2016: “A Botanical Reader for the Curious Gardener.” The Reader is a wealth of resources; Jim’s Botany for Artists is just one chapter in a line-up of content that Jim lists in his introduction:
- Introductions (Chapters 1, 2, and 3) explain the organization of the Reader, suggest places and activities of interest, and lay out overarching themes that pervade the study and cultivation of plants.
- The Literature Review presents some commonly available texts and resources, suggesting which might be most useful for different readers.
- In Botanical Terms is a series of short essays dedicated to highlights that showcase topics fundamental to plant science and eliminate barriers presented by useful but arcane botanical terminology.
- Conversational Botany is a Primer that tells the story of plants in textbook-style.
- Issues – Plants, Politics, & Practice includes background and discussion of topics that are part of today’s public discourse as well as transcriptions of presentations I give on current topics.
- An annotated Plant Trivia Timeline gives snippets of plant-related stories and discoveries in chronological sequence, so as to provide historical context to plant use and cultivation.”
- Hands-on Discovery suggests particular plants and instructive techniques that will help students make their own observations and learn-through-doing, which is the most effective and delightful method.
Excerpt From: James P, Folsom. “A Botanical Reader.” James P. Folsom, 2016. iBooks. https://itun.es/us/XDT5ab.l
Chapter from “A Botanical Reader”, listing “Botany for Artists” as one of the sections. James P. Folsom, © 2016.
Easy to read, this is a book of RESOURCES. In addition botany, horticulture, gardening, food, and the secret world of plants, Jim introduces his readers to his favorite Plant Destinations (where we can see the “wonders of the plant world”) and compiles a list with descriptions of the books we should have on our shelves and the websites we need to have bookmarked in our browsers.
ASBA and BAGSC members will be treated to a three-part series, starting in the March issue of The Botanical Artist, excerpted from Jim’s chapter, Botany for Artists.
The ebook is downloadable for free from iBooks, at https://itun.es/us/XDT5ab.l It’s listed in the category of Life Sciences, and is a
Jim Folsom lecturing during the “Weird, Wild & Wonderful Symposium.” Photo by Clara Josephs, © 2015, all rights reserved.
About Jim Folsom, Telleen/Jorgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Jim Folsom, PhD., rides the demographic peak of baby boomers, having been born in southeastern Alabama in 1950. His lifelong love of plants is reflected in a BS in Botany from Auburn University, an MA in Biology from Vanderbilt University, and a PhD in research botany from The University of Texas at Austin. Though his research has centered on the orchid family, with much of the research time spent in Tropical America (including a year in Colombia on a Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Fellowship), Jim’s botanical interests are wide-ranging. As Curator of the Botanical Gardens at The Huntington in San Marino, CA, he dedicates much of his effort to educational programs that increase public interest and understanding of the science, culture, and history of plants and gardens. He lives at The Huntington with his wife, Debra (also a botanist) and children Molly and Jimmy. Jim was recognized as a Friend of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America in 1996, a Member-at-Large of the Garden Club of America in 1998, and presented a Professional Citation by the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta in 1999. The Garden Club of America awarded him their Medal of Honor in 2007.
by Patricia A. Mark, posted by Deb Shaw
Aristolochia californica, California Pipevine, watercolor by Lee McCaffree, © 2016, all rights reserved. This painting by Lee was part of the “Weird, Wild & Wonderful” exhibition.
Do not miss out on two classes coming soon to the LA Arboretum, taught by Lee McCaffree: A Painting! What do you See? and Completing a Painting. I had the opportunity to take these classes from Lee at Filoli, and are excited about taking them again.
These classes are both exceptionally informative! “A Painting! What do you See?” will cover a variety of techniques to view paintings (both yours and others) with objective eyes. Every picture tells a story. As individual artists it’s easy to miss issues related to composition, specimen accuracy, painting skills, light source, focal point, and color. Gentle, kind (and fun) guidance will open your critical eye, enabling you to identify issues and improve your work. Class time will be spent on viewing paintings from the botanical art world, and examining our own works. We will have class time to make adjustments on our works in progress.
Completing a Painting is a “must attend”! As an artist I find myself continuously asking,”is this complete”? “Have I overworked an area? What have I missed? Is the form strong, not only on individual leaves or flowers, but on the painting as a whole? Is the perspective accurate? Do areas transition from light to dark smoothly? Are brush strokes visible, the shadows appropriate, my edges clean? How do I sign and label my work for a juried exhibition or for a commissioned sale? And what are those jurors looking for anyway?” So many questions, all focusing on completing a wonderful painting! There will be class time available during this workshop to work individually on any of your present works-in-progress.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
A Painting! What Do You See?
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Completing a Painting
Both classes will be held at the Los Angeles Arboretum, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. Each of these important subjects will be conducted in a friendly, Participants can take one class or both!
Cost: One class: BAGSC members, $100.00/non-members, $120.00, Both classes: BAGSC members, $200.00/non-members, $240.00
Maximum number of participants (in each class): 15
To Register: Send checks, made out to BAGSC, in full, to BAGSC Treasurer Janice Sharp. Cancellations up to two weeks before the class date will be charged a $30.00 cancellation fee.
You can see the original BAGSC News blog posting about the class here, including materials list and Lee McAffree’s bio. Don’t miss this great opportunity to take this rare workshop.
by Jody Williams, posted by Deb Shaw
OA Gallery logo
A new ASBA exhibition opportunity has materialized rather quickly: OA Gallery, a fine art gallery specializing in representational art is hosting an international exhibition of botanical art open exclusively to members of ASBA in June, 2016.
The Beauty of Botanicals 2016
A Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Botanical Art
by Members of the American Society of Botanical Artists
They are offering a $1000 (US) prize for Best in Show and will be contributing 20 percent of sales to ASBA, as well as providing opportunities to promote ASBA and ASBA membership in conjunction with this event.
We are also excited that Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, President of the Missouri Botanical Garden has agreed to be on the selection jury for this exhibition.
OA Gallery, Call for Entries, The Beauty of Botanicals 2016. © OA Gallery, 2016, all rights reserved.
Entries are due soon: April 3, 2016. As this is a gallery exhibition, you may enter artwork that has been exhibited in prior exhibitions, including ASBA exhibitions.
OA Gallery is located in Kirkwood, MO, a charming suburb of St. Louis with neighborhoods of turn-of-the-century homes, a thriving business community, and an active interest in the arts and gardening. OA Gallery has joined ASBA as an institutional member and one of their partners, Steve Morris (whose work was recently accepted into Filoli’s next exhibition) is an individual member of ASBA.
We hope that this will be a step toward increasing awareness of botanical art in the St. Louis region, already a world renowned hotbed of activity in the plant sciences, horticulture and agriculture, and lay some groundwork for our ASBA conference in St. Louis in 2018.
You can see the call for entries on the ASBA website or on OnlineJuriedShows.com, which OA Gallery is using to handle entries. More information about the exhibition can be seen on the following websites:
by Patricia Kernan, posted by Deb Shaw
Focus on Nature logo
The submission deadline to enter the Focus on Nature: Natural and Cultural History Illustration Exhibition is March 16, 2016. The exhibition’s goal is to include diverse subjects, ranging from botanical and natural history art to subjects in geology and human culture.
The jury will be facilitated by the New York State Museum, but the exhibition will take place at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, December 3, 2016 – April 9, 2017. Please visit the FON website for information and entry form.
by Diane Daly, Alyse Ochniak, and Deb Shaw
We’ve added a new category to our BAGSC Blog; if you look in the left column, you will see a CALENDAR category. If you ever need a quick reference to a date, click the word “CALENDAR” and you will be taken directly to the listing below of important upcoming dates.
We will be updating the calendar constantly as we learn about new information. Something not there that should be? Email Deb Shaw. Corrections, edits, changes? Email Deb about those, too.
March:
1: Submissions can be sent for BAGSC Exhibition at Roger’s Gardens, “Looking for Flora”. Final submission deadline is April 23.
3: LA Arboretum Library walk-through with Susan Eubank (not a BAGSC event)
6: BAGSC Quarterly Meeting at UC Riverside Botanic Garden CANCELLED due to Rain (hooray for rain!) Watch the blog and email blasts to learn about rescheduling.
16: Deadline for submissions to “Focus on Nature: Natural and Cultural History Illustration Exhibition”. Visit the FON website for information and entry form.
19 and 20: Lee McCaffree Classes (two classes, one day each): A Painting! What Do You See? and Completing a Painting
April:
1: Submissions due for California Islands Symposium, “Island Art Exhibition”. (not a BAGSC event) Details for submission can be found at http://www.californiaislands.net/island-art-exhibition/
3: Submissions due for ASBA Exhibition: “The Beauty of Botanicals”, at the OA Gallery in St. Louis, Missouri. See information on the ASBA website, https://www.asba-art.org/calls-for-entries/beauty-botanicals
5: Opening of Filoli Exhibition, which runs from April 5 – June 12. (not a BAGSC event)
17: Submissions due to Beth Stone: BAGSC Exhibition, “Everything is Coming Up Roses”, Descanso Gardens
23: Submission deadline for BAGSC Exhibition, “Looking for Flora”, Roger’s Gardens
23: Silverpoint at Destination: Art! with Morgan Kari (not a BAGSC event), 9:30 – 3:30
29: Deliver artwork for BAGSC Descanso Exhibition “Everything is Coming Up Roses” (on or before April 29).
29 – May 1: Christina Baltayian’s class has a Botanical Art show at the LA Arboretum (not a BAGSC event)
May:
6: Submissions due for 19th Annual International ASBA and Horticultural Society of New York exhibition. See information on ASBA’s website, http://asba-art.org
7: Opening reception for BAGSC member Estelle DeRidder’s exhibition at Theodore Payne Foundation, “Scientific Illustrations of California Native Plants and Pollinators”. (not a BAGSC event)
14 – 15: BAGSC Exhibition, Descanso Gardens, “Everything is Coming Up Roses”. Demonstrations at Descanso Gardens.
16: Drop off accepted artwork to Roger’s Gardens.
21: Roger’s Gardens Opening of BAGSC Exhibition, “Looking for Flora”. Demonstrations at Roger’s Gardens.
21 – June 5: Roger’s Gardens BAGSC Exhibition , “Looking for Flora”will run from May 21 – June 5, 2016
June:
3: Opening reception for ASBA “The Beauty of Botanicals” at the OA Gallery in St. Louis, Missouri.
3 – 30: Exhibition dates for ASBA “The Beauty of Botanicals” at the OA Gallery in St. Louis, Missouri.
4: BAGSC Quarterly Meeting: Special garden tour at a private Pasadena-area home garden. The meeting will follow at noon in the Bamboo Room at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
6: Pick up artwork from Roger’s Gardens.
5 and 19: Deborah Shaw is teaching at The Getty, “Drawing from the Masters: Nature Journaling”. (not a BAGSC event)
12: Filoli Exhibition closes.
15: Submissions due for BAGSC’s LA Arboretum Library Exhibition, “Capturing the Arboretum: The Art of Botanical Illustration.”
July:
3-9: GNSI Conference in Santa Cruz, Ca. All are encouraged to come. Information and registration web address will be posted as soon as it is available. Advance information is available at: http://gnsi.org
6: Last day to submit images and entry forms for California Islands Symposium, “Island Art Exhibition”. (not a BAGSC event) Details for submission can be found at http://www.californiaislands.net/island-art-exhibition/
16: Opening reception for BAGSC’s LA Arboretum Library Exhibition, “Capturing the Arboretum: The Art of Botanical Illustration,” 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.
16 – December 29, 2016: Exhibition dates for BAGSC’s LA Arboretum Library Exhibition, “Capturing the Arboretum: The Art of Botanical Illustration.”
17: Deborah Shaw is teaching at The Getty, in conjunction with The Getty’s exhibition “Unruly Nature: The Landscapes of Théodore Rousseau”, “Drawing from the Masters: Drawing Trees”. (not a BAGSC event)
30: Lesley Randall is teaching a workshop entitled “Mixed Media Botanical Art” at the San Diego Botanic Garden. (not a BAGSC event)
August:
12: Submission Deadline for BAGSC San Diego Botanic Garden “Cornucopia” Exhibition.
September:
11: BAGSC Quarterly Meeting
23: BAGSC San Diego Botanic Garden, “Cornucopia” Exhibition. Install and opening reception. BAGSC demonstrations.
23 – November 18: BAGSC San Diego Botanic Garden, “Cornucopia” Exhibition.
October:
3 – November 6: California Islands Symposium, “Island Art Exhibition” open to the public in Ventura, California (until October 7) and then in Santa Barbara, California (from October 9 – November 6). (not a BAGSC event)
13 – 15: ASBA Annual Conference, Pittsburgh
November:
1: Submissions can be sent for “Out of the Woods: Celebrating Trees in Public Gardens”, the Third New York Botanical Garden Triennial. Submissions will be accepted through April 28, 2017. See information on ASBA’s website, http://asba-art.org
November 6: Closing date for California Islands Symposium, “Island Art Exhibition”, Santa Barbara, California (from October 9 – November 6). (not a BAGSC event)
7 – 11: Anne-Marie Evans workshop at Virginia Robinson Gardens (not a BAGSC event)
18: “Incredible Edibles” exhibition closes at San Diego Botanic Gardens.
December:
3: BAGSC Quarterly Meeting and Party
Important 2017 Dates to Track:
January, 2107
BAGSC Outreach Program to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Laguna Woods Garden Club in Orange County. An anticipated 100 Laguna Woods members will be participating.
October, 2017:
ASBA Annual Conference, San Francisco
2018:
BAGSC Exhibition at Chapman University, Leatherby Libraries. Theme is invasive plants.
by Janice Sharp and Beth Stone, posted by Deb Shaw
Rose Hips, Rosa californica (California Rose), Janice Sharp, colored pencil, © 2016, all rights reserved.
In 2015, BAGSC had a wonderful opportunity to exhibit in Van de Kamp Hall at Descanso Gardens. The show, A Passion for Camellias, was shown in conjunction with the first Camellia flower show of the 2015 show season. [Read about the past articles right here on the BAGSC Blog: https://bagscblog.com/2015/05/01/bagsc-botanical-camellia-art-exhibit-at-descansos-boddy-house/ and https://bagscblog.com/2015/01/20/bagsc-exhibits-botanical-camellia-art-at-descanso-camellia-flower-show/%5D
The show was so successful, Descanso Gardens requested 11 art works from the initial display of 20 be re-hung in the historic and beautifully restored Boddy House, where they have remained on display.
BAGSC now has the opportunity to exhibit at Descanso as a feature of their May 14th and 15th, 2016 Rose Festival. Entitled “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, the subject matter, is, of course, ROSES!
Rosa (Watercolor Rose — really the common name; I wouldn’t kid you about that), Beth Stone, watercolor, © 2016, all rights reserved.
This exhibition will replace the Camellia exhibition, and will run until 2017.
Questions? Contact either: Janice Sharp or Beth Stone.
Complete submission of up to two (2) artworks, forms and $35 entry fee are due by April 17, 2016. The official “Call for Entries” packet has been emailed to BAGSC members. Please contact Janice or Beth if you did not receive the Call for Entries packet.
Happy painting!
by Deb Shaw
Akiko Enokido at the RHS Exhibition with a few of her watercolors of heritage Camellia japonica.
Congratulations to Akiko Enokido for her Gold Medal at the RHS London Botanical Art Show, for her paintings of heritage Camellia japonica in watercolor on vellum.
Akiko sends a big hello to BAGSC members from London!
As Akiko explained, one of the oldest camellias among her paintings is ‘Masayoshi’. This camellia was carried to the Netherlands by Dr. Siebold in 1829 and named ‘Doncklaeri’. This is the plant that became the basis for the cultivation of many new types of Camellia in Europe during the 1800’s.
Congratulations to all the winners, including ASBA members:
Julie Nettleton (Best Botanical Painting)
Julie Nettleton (Australia), gold medal
Akiko Enokido (Japan), gold medal
Esmee Winkel (Netherlands), gold medal
Betsy Rogers-Knox (USA), silver-gilt
by Deb Shaw
Diane Daly demonstrating at last year’s “Day of Art” at Roger’s Gardens. Photo by Deborah Shaw, © 2015, all rights reserved.
Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) artists will be participating again in Roger’s Gardens 4th Annual Day of Art this coming Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 10 am – 4 pm. The event is free, and open to the public. In case of rain (a lovely thought, but, unfortunately for our water shortage, unlikely!) the event will be rescheduled.
BAGSC artists have participated each year since its inception; 50 botanical and plein air artists paint and draw in the Gardens for the day. Each of the participating artists will have an original painting on display (available for purchase). Judges will present awards and recognition for paintings in the exhibition.
Participating BAGSC artists include: Melanie Campbell-Carter, Clara Josephs, Suzanne Kuuskmae, Patricia Mark, Arillyn Moran-Lawrence, Terri Munroe, Diane Nelson Daly, Alyse Ochniak, Mitsuko Schultz, Deborah Shaw, and Ellie Yun-Hui Tu. BAGSC also will have a table available with information about BAGSC, American Society of Botanical Art (ASBA), and botanical art.
Schedule
Free workshops are open to the public and BAGSC members:
Printmaking Workshop: Printing Posies and Plants, 10 am – 1 pm, in the Amphitheater
Local artists Sheryl Seltzer and Carol Kreider will teach participants how to draw and transfer to a small relief plate, and “pull” their own monoprint. All skill levels and ages welcome.
Awards Ceremony, 12 pm, in the Outdoor Living area
Ten awards of excellence will be presented to artists participating in the exhibition. This year’s Judge is Gil Dellinger, a retired professor of art of the University of the Pacific, Signature Member of The Pastel Society of America, California Art Club, and PAPA, Plein Air Painters of America. [Last year BAGSC members Diane Daly and Deborah Shaw received awards of excellence.]
Drawing Workshop: Journal your Garden through Art / Drawing Leaves and Flowers in the Garden, 2 pm – 3:30 pm, in the Amphitheater
Learn to draw leaves and flowers and create a garden journal from BAGSC members Deborah Shaw, Clara Josephs, and Diane Daly. This is a great workshop for the whole family, as no art experience is required.
Hope to see you there!
by Lee McCaffree and Lesley Randall, posted by Deb Shaw
Aristolochia californica, California Pipevine, watercolor by Lee McCaffree, © 2016, all rights reserved. This painting by Lee was part of the “Weird, Wild & Wonderful” exhibition.
BAGSC member Lee McCaffree will be teaching two botanical art classes in March: one about how to finish a painting; the other about how to critique a work of art (and self-critique your own).
Both classes will be held at the Los Angeles Arboretum, from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. Each of these important subjects will be conducted in a friendly, supportive, congenial atmosphere. Participants can take one class or both!
Cost:
One class: BAGSC members, $100.00/non-members, $120.00Both classes: BAGSC members, $200.00/non-members, $240.00
Maximum number of participants (in each class): 15
Saturday, March 19, 2016
A Painting! What Do You See?
We will investigate ways to critique a work of art. Personal experience shapes what we see. By using different techniques to view paintings the observer will have more ways to analyze with objective eyes. We will use many published works as well as class members’ works to practice these methods. Topics will include subject matter, botanical accuracy, painting skills, light source, color, form and compositional structure, balance and space. We will work cooperatively by sharing ideas to make this a positive experience for each artist to learn about their own work. Class time will include individual opportunities for making improvements on work in progress.
Materials list:
- Copies of 2 paintings (not yours) that you like
- 2 paintings (of yours), unfinished or finished, to share in critiques
- Tracing paper
- Your usual art supplies for your paintings, any media
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Completing a Painting
How do you know your art work is finished? Sometimes it is just a feeling that the painting is finished or something isn’t quite right. Good observation helps one see if a painting needs improvement, whether it is nearly finished or in progress. It is important to keep a freshness and avoid overworking. The artist needs to be objective in looking at their images. We will work with each other to see our work through another’s eye. Questions to consider will include: Where is my focal point? Do I have enough value change? Do the plant parts have volume and perspective? Are they botanically correct? Where has the paint or pencil gone astray either on my plant edges or in the negative space?
Class members will apply these observations to their paintings along with techniques in completing details such as dry brush, washes or corrections. This will include ways to change or clean up places to make your painting details more realistic. After identifying ways to finish your painting(s), there will be time in class to work on these details.
We will complete the process by discussing labeling. We will look at ways to present your piece with mats and frames depending on your intended goal for display.
Please bring the following materials:
- 1 or 2 paintings that you want to finish
- Usual art supplies in your media choice, including a magnifier
- Tracing paper
To Register:
Send checks, made out to BAGSC, in full, to BAGSC Treasurer Janice Sharp. Cancellations up to two weeks before the class date will be charged a $30.00 cancellation fee.
Bring your lunch, or purchase lunch at the Peacock Café, on the Arboretum grounds.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is located at: 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007.
About the instructor:
Lee McCaffree
Lee McCaffree is a botanical illustrator in watercolor. She shares the coordination and implementation of the Filoli Botanical Art Certificate Program and is a primary instructor. She served on the Board of Directors of The American Society of Botanical Artists. She gives regular private classes in the Bay area and instructed at the ASBA Annual meetings and the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden. She supports botanical artists by participating in coordinating teams for art exhibits and jurying.
She began her career in London, England studying under Christabel King of Kew Gardens. She received Medals for showing her “Pinus” series and “Plants in Peril” series at the Royal Horticultural Society exhibitions in London. Her works are in the permanent collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Collection, London, the Filoli Florilegium and Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation; Lee won Best of Show at the Northwest ASBA Exhibition in Portland, OR. Her showings include juried exhibitions at Contemporary Art Center, MOMA-New York; Longwood Gardens; Hunt Institute, Pittsburgh; Seattle Science Center; Flinn Gallery Greenwich, CT; Horticultural Society of New York; Missouri, Chicago, Denver and UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens; Strybing Arboretum, CA; Arizona Desert Museum, New York State Museum; Johnson & Johnson Headquarters; Oakland Museum; Loveland Museum (Colorado); Filoli exhibits and Florilegium; Northern California Society of Botanical Artist’s Alcatraz Florilegium and other venues. She created the poster for the California Native Plant Sale for the East Bay for ten years. Her work is published in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, England and Today’s Botanical Artist. Her work was included in “Losing Paradise”, an exhibit of endangered species illustrations which traveled throughout the U.S and to the Shirley Sherwood Gallery at Kew Gardens, London. Currently, she is exhibiting in the Weird, Wild and Wonderful Traveling Exhibit from the New York Botanical Gardens.
Lee’s work concentrates on native plants which she hopes will increase their visibility and use in public and private landscaping. Her skill as a botanical artist allows her to focus her creativity on the finest details of each plant she paints. Her enthusiasm inspires her students to develop their own skills and enjoy the creative process.
by Suzanne Kuuskmae, posted by Deb Shaw
Albrecht Dürer, Two seated lions, 1521, silverpoint on paper prepared with a light tone, located in Kupferstichkabinett Berlin. Downloaded from Wikimedia Commons: this work is in the public domain in the United States and in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 100 years or less.
Silverpoint has been used by artists to draw since the late Gothic/early Renaissance; a silverpoint drawing is made by drawing with a sharpened silver (or copper or gold!) stylus (thick wire) across a prepared surface. Some well-known artists who worked in silverpoint include Jan van Eyck, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albrecht Dürer.
Destination: Art in Torrance will hold a silverpoint workshop taught by Morgan Kari on Saturday, March 5, from 10 am – 3:00 pm, NEW REVISED DATE: Saturday, April 23, 9:30 – 3:00. Tuition is $60 with a supplies charge of $35. Morgan will bring supplies and know-how!; you will supply the drawing and watercolor paper.
The supplies from the workshop should last a long time after the workshop while you enjoy painting in silverpoint. In addition to showing silverpoint technique, Morgan also will demonstrate the use of black paper to enhance the silver etching and create a different look. It is a fit for botanical artists: all you need is the outline of your drawing, which can be a plant or flower you have already done, or a new one. The drawing outline is traced in dark pen, placed under the prepared paper on a light box, and drawn using the same silverpoint strokes that will be covered during the workshop. Using a light box is a big help! If you have a portable lightbox, please bring it to the workshop. We also will have two at the studio to use.
Questions, or to register, email Suzanne Kuuskmae or call her as listed in the BAGSC roster.
Destination: Art is located at 1815 W. 213th Street, #135, Torrance, CA 90501, (310) 742-3192, right next to the Bubble Bath Car Wash.
by Anita Walsmit Sachs and Deb Shaw
Tulip Parade, watercolor by Anita Walsmit Sachs, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Back by popular demand, Anita Walsmit Sachs will be offering a 5-day botanical drawing and painting workshop, “Hortus atelier” in cooperation with The Hortus botanicus, Leiden, in 2016.
The Hortus atelier program
The purpose of a botanical illustration is primarily a scientifically accurate drawing. The artistic input is reflected in the sensitivity in which the subject is displayed and in the composition.
PROGRAM: from April 11 to April 15, 2015, Course number 3 E C.2016.02 E
First day, the class starts at 10, with coffee and presentation, who is who and info, followed by a guided walk through the garden.
Lunch 12.00 – 12.30
Afternoon 12.30 – 15.45 Instruction about the subject to draw. Pencil drawing, including light and dark values.
Second day, instruction about material, paper, paint and colour mixing and composition.
Third day, transferring the drawing to the watercolour paper and painting.
Fourth and fifth days, continuing the process. Every day there will be a discussion about the progress of the drawing. The education is individually focused to gain an optimal result.
Costs
The fee will be € 395,00 including morning coffee, brasserie lunch and afternoon drinks. Information about payment will follow after subscription as well as information about lodging possibilities. A small optional assignment will be given before the course starts. Sign ups for the class are through Anita directly via email.
About the Hortus
The Hortus botanicus Leiden is a green oasis in the center of Leiden.
The Hortus botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in the world. It is located in the historical center of Leiden. Sitting behind the academy building of the Leiden University, the garden is a green oasis with a large collection of plants native to Southeast and East Asia, Southern Europe and South Africa. The Hortus is a haven within the city center, a historical monument and a meeting place full of character.
People go to the Hortus to relax, enjoy the seasons or to learn more about the diversity of the plant kingdom.
In 1590 the Hortus was founded by the University of Leiden. In 1594 Carolus Clusius (1526-1609) turned it into a medicinal herb garden. But Clusius introduced the tulip and many other plants like tobacco and potato to the Hortus. These flowers and plants became known throughout Western Europe.
Many famous international scientists such as Clusius, Boerhaave, Linnaeus and Einstein were connected to the Hortus botanicus in Leiden.
The Hortus botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, and one of the oldest in the world.
In the 19th century, the German physician Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866) brought hundreds of plant species with him from Japan to the Netherlands and 15 of these original introductions can still be found in the Hortus today.
About the Artist
Anita Walsmit Sachs in her studio.
Anita initially trained in fashion design at the Royal Academy of fine Arts in The Hague. Fifteen years ago she became a scientific illustator at the National Herbarium of Leiden University, now Museum Naturalis. She has won two RHS Gold medals and a second prize medal at the RBG show in Sydney, Australia. Anita has participated in the Highgrove Florilegium of HRH Prince Charles, the Transylvanian Florilegium of HRH Prince Charles, and the Sydney Florilegium. She is passionate about painting and teaching.
by Ted Tegart and Deb Shaw
A view down a row of the remodeled Los Angeles Arboretum Library. Photo courtesy of LA Arboretum website, © 2016.
UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POST (by Deb Shaw):
I posted the article below at the beginning of the day (18 February), but then received an email this evening with an invitation to the Library Grand Re-opening on Saturday, February 27, from 1 – 3 pm. Steve Rushingwind will be performing Native American flute music and children can make a toy kaleidoscope. Karen Hochman Brown will be discussing her exhibit, Reflections in the Garden, which is on display in the Library. Free with admission; members free. Please contact Susan Eubank with questions, at 626.821.3213 or susan.eubank@arboretum.org.
The March 3 walk and talk may still be on the schedule; please double check with Susan.
Original Post:
Join Los Angeles Arboretum Librarian Susan Eubank for a walk and talk through and about the Arboretum Library on Thursday, March 3, 2016. After 50 years, the collections have emerged from the dark into a spacious, welcoming reinterpretation of a mid-century modern building, including a new children’s library. The extensive collections date from 1578 to 2016 in all formats and technologies. The Arboretum Library contains a comprehensive collection of resources on gardening, botany, California native plant life, environmental issues, and some agriculture as these subjects relate to the plants native to and planted in Southern California. This includes books, magazines, old seed and plant catalogs, government documents, pamphlets, and audio-visual materials.
The Library is open to everyone, free of charge. Any member of the general public may use library materials on-site. Arboretum Foundation Members may check out books.
NEW to the Arboretum is the capability to access articles online through the new digital archive, covering the development of the gardens, botanical descriptions of plants, background on local history, arboretum staff, exhibitions, lectures, concerts and more! Browse 65 years of Arboretum publications online and view online exhibitions (including botanical art)!
Arboretum Librarian Susan Eubank is a consummate botanical garden librarian who’s passionate about plants, gardens, libraries and helping customers with their quests.
The Arboretum is located at: 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007. For more information about the tour, and for times, call 626.821.3222. The Arboretum Library is located within The Arboretum. To visit the Arboretum Library, go to the entrance rotunda and tell the cashiers you are there to use the library. Go straight through the double doors on the left (east) of the entrance rotunda. Library hours are:
- Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Saturday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
by Tania Marien, Clara Josephs and Deb Shaw
The first Guild meeting of the new year will be held at the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, a 40-acre garden and nature preserve in the Inland Empire. The program and tour has been expanded, and the RSVP deadline has been extended.
These lush 40 acres on the campus of UC Riverside were established as a teaching garden and were originally called the “Life Sciences Experimental Area”. Today the 52-year old garden is open to the public everyday except holidays.
The Guild’s meeting on Sunday, March 6, 2016 includes a tour of the Garden and an opportunity to learn more about trees in preparation for Out of the Woods: Celebrating Trees in Public Gardens, The Third New York Botanical Garden Triennial.
Tour (Part I) and Quarterly Meeting
The first BAGSC garden tour will occur before the meeting, and will cover the history of the garden and explore the formal parts of this little known gem.
Guild members should gather at the Garden’s entrance at 9:45 a.m. The garden tour will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Guild members should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, water and sunscreen. Cost is $8.00/person, payable at the meeting. Parking is additional (see below) and carpooling is encouraged (see below for that information too!). Guests, family and friends are welcome!
The business portion of the meeting will be held in the conference room from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch will be eaten during the meeting. Please bring a sack lunch.
Tour (Part II)
After the BAGSC meeting and lunch, enjoy an optional, additional tour of the Garden from 1pm – 2pm. While you may be accustomed to visiting other botanical gardens, be prepared to explore the botanic gardens at UCR in the “Part II” tour. Hilly terrain and footpaths promise to turn your visit into an expedition. See additional tree specimens and parts of the garden that the casual visitor will miss. Don’t feel like going on an expedition? Bring your sketchbook and camera and spend the afternoon recording your finds.
What can you do at UCRBG?
Here are some suggestions… [click a photo to see a larger image and captions]
Meet at the entrance at 9:45 am. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Garden entrance, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Enjoy a stroll through Alder Canyon. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Alder Canyon lawn, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Explore the South African Garden. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Aloe, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Visit the butterfly garden. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Asclepias sp., Tania Marien, © 2016.
Visit the geodesic dome. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Geodesic dome entrance, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Find a staircase when you least expect it. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: View from top of stairs, looking down at conference room, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Explore the Ficus grove. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Ficus Trees, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Marvel at Riverside’s natural landscape. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Box Springs Mountain, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Enjoy expansive views of UCR. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Hilltop view of UCR, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Explore parts of a 40-acre oasis. UC Riverside Botanic Garden. Photo: Footpath, Tania Marien, © 2016.
Directions, reservations, and other nitty-gritty information
RSVP: To reserve a spot on the Garden tour and to RSVP for the Guild meeting, please contact Tania Marien by February 19, 2016. Won’t be able to commit until the last minute? Never fear! We will be reserving a few additional spots for those who discover they can come at the last minute. Please let Tania Marien know, however, as soon as possible.
Directions and parking: To help you navigate your way through campus, here are written directions:
- From L.A. or Orange County:
- Take the 60 Freeway east.
- Exit at Martin Luther King Blvd.
- Turn right at the end of the off-ramp.
- Turn right at first stoplight (Canyon Crest Drive).
- Enter campus and continue to West Campus Drive.
- Turn right on West Campus Drive.
- Follow West Campus Drive past Entomology, the Herbarium and the greenhouses. The road descends as it passes the greenhouses. The bottom of the hill is Botanic Garden Drive. Turn right at the stop sign onto Botanic Garden Drive.
- You will see Lot 10 on your right. Parking here is limited to 2 hours ($1.25/hr on weekends). You do not want to park here if you will be at the Garden all day.
- To park in the UCRBG parking lot, look beyond Lot 10 and you will see Botanic Garden Drive continue up a gradual hill to your right. Follow this road to the Garden. If space is available, park in the Garden’s lot. Purchase a permit at the permit dispenser located just inside the main gate. Parking in this lot costs .25¢ per hour.
If parking in the Garden’s lot is full, do this:
- Drive down Botanic Garden Drive. At the bottom of this short road, turn right.
- Park in Lot 13. Look for Tania’s white Suburban.
- It will have on it a large magnetic sign from the WWW Symposium. Once again, look for Asuka’s tomato. This way you will know you are in the correct parking lot.
- Purchase a permit at the permit dispenser. Parking in Lot 13 is $5.50/day on weekends.
- Walk back to the Garden.
- For more information about visitor parking and permit dispensers, please go to http://parking.ucr.edu/visitor.
Download a color-coded map, supporting the written directions above.
To learn more about the Garden, please see http://gardens.ucr.edu.
Attached to this message is a map_UCR_campus supporting the written directions above. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Tania Marien.
Carpooling: We are coordinating carpooling locations to make the drive fun and parking easier.
Pasadena area: There is limited parking available at the LA Arboretum. They are expecting a large crowd later that morning for a rock (not music) show. We can park at the outer edges of the LA Arboretum parking lot, OR we can arrange to meet just south of the Arboretum, in the Westfield mall parking lot.
San Dimas meeting place: Meet at the juncture of the 210 and 57 in the Costco parking lot in San Dimas at 520 N. Lone Hill Ave. An easy meeting spot is near to the Costco gas station.
Orange County meeting area: members should arrive at Clara Josephs’ house in North Tustin in time to depart by 8 am.
Want to set up a carpool location in your area? Join a carpool at one of the locations above? Contact Clara Josephs. If you have room in your car, and will take another member, let Clara know so she can help someone who needs a ride.
We look forward to welcoming you to the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens (UCRBG) on Sunday, March 6, 2016.
by Gilly Shaeffer, posted by Deb Shaw
California Poppy, watercolor by Gilly Shaeffer, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Gilly Shaeffer recently had two paintings accepted for the exhibit at the United States Botanic Gardens, Washington, D.C.: her paintings of Toyon Berries and California Poppies. These plants can be found at the Channel Islands National Park in California.
Entitled “Celebrating Flora of the U.S. National Parks,” this exhibition is in collaboration with the National Park Service, celebrating their 100th anniversary, and will showcase the diversity of the plant life throughout the U.S. National Parks.
The exhibit will be open from February through October, 2016.
Congratulations Gilly! A great way to start the New Year!
Toyon Berries, watercolor by Gilly Shaeffer, © 2016, all rights reserved.
BAGSC News 