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by Deb Shaw
The October 7th early bird discount date has passed for the Tuscany botanical art workshop taught by BAGSC member Margaret Best, in conjunction with Quench Trip Design. There has been a great response to the trip, and there are still a few spots open at the regular price.
Margaret will be teaching the workshop in Tuscany, in Spring 2012 (April/May). Participants will stay in a restored medieval village, drawing or painting some of the seasonal displays of flowers or choosing from the local fruit and vegetable offerings. This workshop has been designed for artists at every level, and also features an expert Italian-speaking cultural guide on a memorable eight-night visit to Italy.
The PDF, MargaretBestItaly, contains more details, or please e-mail Quench Trip Design, or call them at 416 366 2777 to book.
by Deb Shaw
Artwork from the Open Studio Invitation by Sally Jacobs, Sue Frank and Jack Shultz
BAGSC member Sally Jacobs, along with Sue Frank and Jack Shultz will be having a Studio Show and Open House on Saturday, November 5 from 12 – 4 pm and Sunday, November 6 from 12 – 4 pm. Original paintings, prints, glass art and holiday gifts (2012 calendars, notepads, notecards and more!) will be displayed and for sale.
Download a pdf invitation (StudioShow_EmailBlast_2011_10_06__12h48) and map, and bring friends!
by Deb Shaw
Alison Denning and Carmen Lindsay Exhibition Announcement
BAGSC members Alison Denning and Carmen Lindsay will be in a show entitled “Two Friends, 2 Expressions” at the Claremont Community Foundation in Claremont, California. The show runs from October 31 through November 28.
An artists’ reception will be held Friday, November 4, 2011 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
The gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 am – 4 pm.
Claremont Community Foundation
205 Yale Avenue
Claremont, California 91711
909.398.1060
Congratulations Alison and Carmen!
by Bonnie Born Ash (posted by Deb Shaw)
As announced at our September meeting, BAGSC was offered the opportunity to exhibit a group show for three months beginning in July 2012 at Elements, a fine dining restaurant adjacent to the Pasadena Playhouse. The exhibition, entitled “Garden Variety,” will be curated by Karen Sikie and Gwen Samuels, who recently informed us that the restaurant gallery program is on hold until January. We will give you a status update on the show and send out a “Call for Entries” in January.
In the meantime, please keep painting fruits, vegetables, and flowers from the garden in preparation for when the “Call for Entries” goes out, after the first of the year.
by Deb Shaw
The University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Seattle, Washington, is inviting artists to enter original botanical illustrations and photographs for their Botanical Art Exhibit, to be displayed in the Miller Library, March 1 – 31, 2012, in conjunction with their world conference “Conserving Plant Biodiversity in a Changing World: A View from NW North America“.
The conference will focus on managing, researching or protecting native plant communities, rare plants and their habitats. Artists are invited to enter their original botanical illustrations or photographs that reflect the beauty of flora throughout northwestern North America. Conference attendees will vote, and winning artists will be awarded hundred dollar gift certificates to Powell’s Book Store.
The Art Exhibit will be juried. Deadline for digital submission is January 1, 2012. Artists will be notified by January 15th of selection. Please refer to the website for submission specifics. Questions about the art exhibit? Please contact 2012plantconf.art@gmail.com.
by Deb Shaw
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has issued a “Call for Entries” for botanical art, in preparation for their CNPS 2012 Conservation Conference: Conserving and Restoring the Roots of California’s Richness. The conference will take place January 12 – 14, 2012 at the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center, San Diego, CA.
THE ENTRY DEADLINE IS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15.
Artists are invited to enter botanically accurate, original artwork in any two-dimensional medium that depict plants indigenous to California (no introduced plants, please!).
Entry form specifics:
Please go to the Art Contest page on the CNPS website to download the (one and two page) PDFs for the:
- CNPS 2012 Conservation Conference Flyer
- Official Call for Entries
- Botanical Art Exhibition Prospectus
- Botanical Art Contest Entry Form
Click on the “Exhibit Opportunities” under the “Categories” section to read the original article that was posted in BAGSC News. Happy painting!
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC Member Janice Sharp (and BAGSC’s good friend Jill) will be exhibiting in the Annual Art Festival, a group show at the Creative Arts Group, Friday, November 11 – Sunday, November 13. The Festival includes sale of work by more than 70 professional artists, artist demonstrations and a student sale on Friday and Saturday. Paintings, drawings, ceramics and jewelry will be on display and for sale, including baskets and jewelry by Janice and Jill.
Opening night reception: Friday, November 11, 7 – 9 pm
Show continues: Saturday, November 12, 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday, November 13, 10 am – 3 pm
The Creative Arts Group is located at 108 North Baldwin Avenue in Sierra Madre, 91024. Take the 210 freeway to the Baldwin Avenue exit; than go north 1 mile. The phone number for the gallery is 626.355.8350. Congrats Janice and Jill!
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC member Margaret Best, in conjunction with Quench Trip Design, will be teaching a botanical art workshop in Tuscany, in Spring 2012 (April/May). Participants will stay in a restored medieval village, drawing or painting some of the seasonal displays of flowers such as red poppies, Azaleas, wisteria or the native blue iris. Or, artists may choose to depict the local fruit and vegetable offerings such as the asparagus, strawberries, fennel or peas to be found in the market place. This workshop has been designed for artists at every level.
Margaret will teach in a stunning historical indoor/outdoor studio setting. The trip also features an expert Italian-speaking cultural guide on a memorable eight-night visit to Italy.
Outside the studio, participants will visit an organic kitchen garden and join the owner for a sumptuous gourmet meal. They also will be able to experience the authentic Chianti region by mingling with the local residents and visiting boutique wine estates to sip their vintages, and savour the culture of Rome and Siena.
Please read the PDF, MargaretBestItaly, for more details, e-mail Quench Trip Design, or call them at 416 366 2777 to hear more information on how to book. Those booking before October 7th will receive Euro 150 per person off the program cost.
by Leslie Walker (posted by Deb Shaw)
At the last BAGSC meeting at Alison’s, we passed around a “get well” card for Marilyn. Here’s the thank you she posted on my facebook page:
Hi Leslie, I would like to thank the group for the thoughtful card and caring comments. All of you are so special and each get-well wish was greatly appreciated. I am improving and looking forward to only good things in the future. Hope to see you soon and have a wonderful trip to Boston. Fondly, Marilyn Parrino
Get well from all of us, and hope to see you soon!
by Clara Josephs (posted by Deb Shaw)
All BAGSC members attending the ASBA Conference and Workshops in Boston in October should have received notification that power cords are not available for workshops and classes, and attendees need to bring battery operated lights if instructor’s have specified a lamp on the materials list.
Since outlets can be hard to come by in many classrooms, and traveling with lamps add to luggage woes, we decided to post a quick review of some battery-powered options.
The ASBA recommended the following:
- Best Color Rendering: OttLite 290G59 LED Task Light, sold online by many retailers including Amazon.com, J & R Electronics, Sears and Ottlite. It’s also available in Michael’s Craft stores.
- Lightest and Most Flexible: JOBY Gorilla Torch Flare, sold online by many retailers including Amazon.com, J & R Electronics, and REI.com
I read the specs and reviews of the Ottlite battery-operated light and decided that was definitely not for me: It weights 5 pounds (I was thinking of getting two lamps for the illumination I typically need), cost $99 each, and the battery lasts about three hours before it needs recharging. So, where would I recharge it in the middle of a class, and how long does that take?? I need light for four full days of classes. I looked at the Daylite version of the Ottlite battery light at Art Supply warehouse. It is HEAVY and bulky. So, I ordered the JOBY Gorilla Torch Flare.
After I received the first from Amazon, I purchased a second one. It’s lightweight, small, with a strong light that’s easy to position, and has DISPOSABLE batteries. (I definitely don’t want to run to my room at lunch to try to recharge my light for the afternoon.) So far, I am pleased with the JOBY torch light. It isn’t perfect, but the light is crisp and shows details. I am not as sensitive to color correction issues as I should be, but I would guess the color is not as true as on Ott. I will carry a ton of AA batteries (the ASBA should make sure there is someone in the lobby selling batteries at all times!!!!). Joanne’s Fabrics had a 50 percent off sale on all Ott lamps, but I don’t know if they carry the battery light. I also tried ordering a flip light from Lamps Plus and it was useless – a glorified book light. I was going to go check REI for a larger dimension spot light, but I haven’t had time. I think I will just go with these two JOBY’s.
Morgan painting in her studio
The seventh annual San Fernando Valley Artist Studio Tour will be held Saturday and Sunday October 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. BAGSC member Morgan Kari will be among the 30 artists participating in the studio tour, presenting her beautiful new studio and teaching school.
Morgan’s art studio, formerly a farm building for processing walnuts grown on the property, consists of five rooms, including an art library of more than 2000 art and photography books, a trundle bed for naps or for guests, a computer and business room, a framing and mat cutting facility, and a lecture and refreshment room. There is also a teaching school for four students that was once the farm’s tool room, and ceilings that are 18 feet high, with skylights that open. North lighting filters through shuttered windows and each room is filled with music from a central sound system.
Morgan’s 900 square foot studio is located in the back garden, surrounded by flowers and numerous fruiting trees, arbors, dogs, birdbaths and flagstone patios for painting outside.
The studio interior is decorated in art deco and Chinese style with a black floor. Special thought was given to the art furniture, storage, lighting, and presentations.
Morgan’s paintings are realistically rendered still life, portraits, and botanicals in watercolor, oil, pastel, silverpoint, and colored pencil.
For more information, contact:
Valley Artists Studio Tour
818-469-3380
or Morgan.
by Deb Shaw
Tiger's Eye, photograph by David Leaser, © 2011, all rights reserved
Director Jim Folsom and The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, have offered an invitation to view a series of Special Showings for Focus on Flowers, a photographic exhibit featuring highly detailed large-scale artwork by David Leaser and Personal Nature: A Photographic Exploration of Botanicals by Mark Hanauer.
Each Special Showing pairs these remarkable exhibits with live flowers presented for microscopic examination – a fresh and enjoyable merging of floral art and science. Staff will be present to assist with microscopes and provide information on plants represented.
All Special Showings are free and will be held on the following Saturday mornings, 9:00 am -12:00 pm:
24 September 2011
1 October 2011
8 October 2011
22 October 2011
29 October 2011
For your own invitation to one of these events, please email:
GardensRSVP@Huntington.org
specifying the date you would like to come and the names of your guests. The Huntington will send you an email confirmation response. Please print out a copy of the email confirmation and bring it with you; it will be your pass to attend.
Photograph by Mark Hanauer, © 2011, all rights reserved.
Attendance is limited, so please contact the Huntington soon.
From 12 September through 1 November, these photographic exhibits will hang in the Botanical Center, which is open with General Admission during Huntington public hours (except Sunday). Fresh flowers will only be present during the Special Showings. The Huntington is closed to the public on Tuesdays.
The Huntington is located at 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108, 626.405.2100.
by Deb Shaw
Jodie Williams, Public Relations Committee Chair for the ASBA, has launched a blog for the 14th Annual International Juried Botanical Art Exhibition 2011. Click the link to read about various pieces in the show, and see an image of Bobbi Angell’s hand-colored etching of an apple tree branch with a single ripening fruit. Jody will update the blog through the opening and the length of the show, so check back frequently.
by Leslie Walker and Bonnie Born Ash (published by Deb Shaw)
Join us for the BAGSC Quarterly Meeting on
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Home of Alison Denning
Coffee at 9:30 a.m. Meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp!
RSVP by email to Alison (or call her) and let her know what you plan to bring for our usual pot lunch! Carpooling is recommended!! An email blast will be sent to all members with directions. The email blast will also include instructions for all those wishing to carpool from Hedy Marien’s house.
Agenda
Coffee at 9:30
I. President’s Report
II. Secretary’s Report
III. Treasurer’s Report
IV. Membership Report
V. Old Business
- Rancho Los Alamitos
- GNSI Conference in Washington
- Filoli Classes
VI. New Business
- Calligraphy Class
- “The Fruits that Fall or Form in the Fall” with Margaret Best, December 2- 4
- ASBA Conference in Boston, October 27-29
- Election of Officers
- Tania Marien, Art Plantae, now handling ASBA publication distribution and will bring the latest show catalogue – $25
Program:
Pat Mark, Clara Josephs, and Deborah Shaw share what they learned at the GNSI Conference and classes at Filoli.
Potluck Lunch
And bring your latest work to show!! Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
by Leslie Walker/Margaret Best (published by Deb Shaw)
Rosa canina, Rose Hips, watercolor, © 2010, Margaret Best, all rights reserved.
Why does a botanical artist need to know anything about brown when there are stunning pink, purple, or blue flowers to paint? Aren’t brown botanical subjects dead, dried up or dull? And then there are all those oxides, umbers and siennas, “burnt” and “raw”. What do these names mean and why can’t you just mix browns from other colours? Just how important can they be in a world that demands eye-popping, saturated hues?
To find out the answer to all of these questions and so much more, join us at Margaret Best’s upcoming class titled the The Fruits that Fall or Form in Fall. This 3-day workshop is designed to give you a meaningful opportunity to explore the range of available watercolor earth pigments. You will discover the warmth and richness of color that they can bring to your work when you know how to use them. Their multitude of useful applications will surprise you!
The timing of this class has been specifically planned for you to utilize your earth color discoveries effectively in the drawing and painting of a choice of seasonally available subject matter. You will need your preferred supply of paper and paints but the earth pigments for testing and color matching will be provided.
This class will be held December 2, 3 and 4, 2011 from 10 am – 4:30 pm in the Oak Room, under the Peacock Cafe, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007.
The cost is $275 for BAGSC members or $300 for non-members. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space, with balance due November 1, 2011. Please mail checks to Leslie Walker, made out to BAGSC, with an indication that the check is for Margaret’s class. Questions? Please call or email Leslie.
BAGSC News 