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By Leslie Walker, posted by Deb Shaw
Preparing for an exhibition submission can be an exciting project yet sometimes, also a little daunting. What subject should I pick? Where do I find it? How do I create that particular texture? What type of composition will show the specimen off to its best advantage both in terms of its unique characteristics as well as offer an aesthetically appealing result? You will be able to get help with all of these elements by signing up for Margaret Best’s 3-day workshop at the Huntington Gardens on July 26, 27, 28.
Margaret will be steering participants towards meaningful compositional choices to kick-start a direction for creating potential entries into the BAGSC Drought Tolerant Plant Exhibition at Chapman University Library next year. Not only has Margaret developed a new format for her workshops, already proven in Bermuda, Canada and recently in Italy, she is also experienced in teaching graphite, watercolor and colored pencil and will be therefore welcoming all mediums in this workshop. This open medium instruction will be a first for BAGSC. Margaret suggests you bring your usual supplies, that include your own preferred paper and paints/colored pencils, but she is happy to provide her own color palette choices for both mediums upon request. She can be reached via her website with any questions in regards to supplies.
What you are required to bring with you is your own specimen. For those of you who love to depict colorful flowers, there are many options in this category too, but you should also be aware that the purpose of the exhibition is to bring a focus on the unique structures of drought tolerant and drought resistant plants as well. And the choice is not restricted to purely Californian natives. Once you have made your selection, it is suggested that you familiarize yourself with the plant by completing preliminary sketches and doing some research into the ways that the plant structures you will be depicting, assist in its toughness to survive in regions that are often subjected to periods of time without water. This pre-workshop preparation time is not a pre-requisite to attend (nor is there a pressure to exhibit if you do not wish to do so) but it will help you progress more efficiently with a compositional direction and give you more time for color application and technical assistance.
So the time to both register and start looking for a subject is right away. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this wonderful exhibition but also to be able to prepare for it with Margaret Best.
The cost for this class will be $300. Hold your space with a $50. non-refundable deposit, check made out to BAGSC and sent to Leslie Walker. Final $250. payment due July 1, 2012. Fabriano 5 paper (only available in Europe) will be available for purchase from the BAGSC inventory at class, three half-sheets for $7.00.
Participants should be selecting plants (for help call Deborah Shaw or Leslie Walker) now, and starting sketches, color matching, & composition ideas. The more preparation you do ahead of the class the more you will get out of the class.
See you there!
by Leslie Walker, posted by Deb Shaw
There’s been a change in the dates for Margaret Best‘s class in July! Mark your calendars: the new dates are
Thursday, July 26
Friday, July 27
Saturday, July 28
The class will still be at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. Details to follow soon!
by Jill Berry, posted by Deb Shaw
Cristina Baltayian’s popular Colored Pencil classes are now also being held on Saturday, so do plan on coming to the Arboretum and enjoying a beautiful day!
USING COLORED PENCILS In Botanical Art
Cristina Baltayian, Instructor
At the Arboretum, 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
Saturdays, 2012 from 10am – 4pm (includes lunch break)
June 9
July 14
August 18
September 15
October 13
(No class in Nov.)
December 15
This class will explore flowers, fruits, vegetables and more, using colored pencils techniques to get beautiful, painterly results.
$ 95 Arboretum members per Saturday
$115 Non-members per Saturday
Pre-registration required; please call 626.821.4623 or email Jill Berry. A supply list will be provided upon registration. Class participants may bring lunch or purchase it at the Peacock Café.
Magnolia, © Cristina Baltayian, all rights reserved.
Cristina Baltayian has a background in drawing (graphite, charcoal, pen and ink), two-dimensional design, watercolor, and colored pencils. Her work has been shown at Filoli, the Los Angeles County Arboretum, and Chapman University. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, and The Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California.
by Jill Berry and Cristina Baltayian, posted by Deb Shaw
Cristina Baltayian, © 2011, all rights reserved
BAGSC member Cristina Baltayian will be teaching colored pencil classes at the LA Arboretum through December 2012 on both Tuesdays AND now on Saturdays as well!
USING COLORED PENCILS In Botanical Art
At the Arboretum, 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007, phone: 626.821.4623
These classes will focus on techniques, composition and color mixing. All levels of experience are welcome.
Cristina Baltayian, Instructor
10am-2pm (includes one hour lunch break) – 3 hours of class
$255 Arboretum members per month
$275 non-members per month
Pre-registration required; please call 626.821.4623
Cristina Baltayian has a background in drawing (graphite, charcoal, pen and ink), two-dimensional design, watercolor, and colored pencils.
Her work has been shown at Filoli, the Los Angeles County Arboretum, and Chapman University. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, and The Botanical Guild of Southern California. A supply list will be provided upon registration. You may bring your lunch or purchase it at the Peacock Café.
Tuesdays, 2012:
May 1, 8, 15, 22
June 5, 12, 19, 26
July 10, 17, 24, 31
August (No Classes)
September 4, 11, 18, 25
October 2, 9, 16, 23
November (No Classes)
December 4, 11, 18 ((December classes go from 10am – 3:15pm)
Saturdays, 2012
Each individual class will explore flowers, fruits, vegetables and more, using colored pencil techniques to get beautiful, painterly results. You may register for one class at a time if you wish.
A supply list will be provided upon registration; you can also bring your lunch or purchase it at the Peacock Café.
10am – 4pm (includes one hour lunch break) – 5 hours of class
$ 95 Arboretum members per Saturday
$115 Non-members per Saturday
Pre-registration required; please call 626.821.4623
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 18
September 15
October 13
(No class in November)
December 15
by Tania Norris, posted by Deb Shaw
We are privileged to have two of the foremost artists and teachers in the world of Botanical Art scheduled to give classes at the Virginia Robinson Gardens shortly.
Jenny Phillips
JENNY PHILLIPS, from Australia, has her own botanical art school in Melbourne. She has not taught in America for five years so it is wonderful to have her back.
Class dates: April 11, 12 and 13, 2012
Time: 9:30 am – 4 pm each day.
Subject: Tonal work to emphasize form and planning a composition which will fill a page with movement and meaning.
Cost: $375.00
Jenny has also asked that each student bring a painting so that she can help with any problem areas that we need special help with.
Elaine Searle
ELAINE SEARLE, from England, will be returning for another of her popular classes. Elaineʼs quiet way of explaining “how to” has given us many “a ha” moments. Elaine is always ready to look at our paintings and help with problems.
Class dates: June 4 – 8, 2012.
Time: 9:30 am – 3pm
Subject still to be decided. Please let me know your thoughts.
Cost: $595.00
To register for the classes, please contact the Friends of Robinson Gardens by telephone if paying by credit card, (310) 550-2068 or if paying by check, please make payable to the Friends of Robinson Gardens and mail to:
1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
If you have any questions, please email me or call.
Look forward to seeing you at two wonderful classes,
Tania Norris
by Deb Shaw
The Arboretum at the University of California, Irvine is presenting its annual Winter Bulb Festival:
Saturday, March 3, 2012: 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday, March 4, 2012: 11 am to 3 pm
The South African bulb garden is in peak bloom, and the Arboretum Nursery will be having a plant sale featuring perennials, succulents and blooming bulbs.
For those BAGSC members interested in drought-tolerant subject matter for the upcoming Chapman University exhibition, this might be a perfect opportunity to acquire some interesting specimens. All those interested in going over after the quarterly BAGSC meeting at Deb’s house can go over as a group.
Admission is $2.00 and parking is free. For more information, call 949.824.5833.
by Bonnie Born Ash, posted by Deb Shaw
Join us on Saturday, April 28,2012 for a tour of Lotusland!
BAGSC members and significant others are invited to a docent-led tour of Lotusland, the 37-acre historic garden estate of opera singer Madame Ganna Walska in Montecito. The grounds are the home of many large and rare plants, some no longer found in the wild. Leslie has visited many times in the past 30 years and looks forward to enjoying one of Southern California’s jewels again.
The tour begins at 10:00 am and will be approximately two hours. Bring your camera and wear comfortable shoes! Cost of the tour is $35.00 per person. Visit the website to explore the gardens and learn about its colorful history. Advance reservations are required, so you must reserve your place by February 29 to Leslie Walker. Payment is due March 28.
Carpools will be organized to relieve everyone from driving. If there are enough people interested we might look into getting a bus.
by Jill Berry, posted by Deb Shaw
Mushroom, © 2011, D Shaw
Confused by how to identify the fungi you would like to paint? The LA Arboretum is holding a workshop on MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION as a lead-in to the Mushroom Fair at the Arboretum on February 12!
Saturday, February 4
10am-Noon (followed by a walk in the garden to hunt for mushrooms!)
Palm Room at the Arboretum (301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007)
$25 Arboretum members / $30 non-members
Dr. Jerrold Turney, Ph.D, instructor
Please call the Arboretum class registration line at 626.821.4623 to register for class. You may also pay at the door.
This class will provide a basic overview of the fungal kingdom with emphasis on mushroom identification. Learn the basic characteristics used to identify mushrooms and other fleshy fungi. Find out which mushrooms are safe to eat and which ones to avoid. Jerry will also take the class out on Arboretum grounds to seek out and identify mushrooms right in “our own backyard.” Bring to class any mushrooms you find for identification and group discussion. Then with a new understanding of our fungal friends, attend the Wild Mushroom Fair on February 12 from 10am – 4 pm at the Arboretum.
Dr. Turney received his B. S. In Botany from California State Polytechnic University and his Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of California at Riverside. He has served as the curator of the camellia gardens at the Huntington Library and Botanic Gardens, a research horticulturist at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, and is currently the plant pathologist for the Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures for the County of Los Angeles. In addition, Dr. Turney was formerly a licensed landscape contractor, and is currently a licensed agricultural pest control advisor and an ISA certified arborist. His primary fields of expertise are plant pathology, mycology and arboriculture.
by Deb Shaw
Colored Pencil Artwork by Cristina Baltayian, © 2010, all rights reserved.
Cristina Baltayian will teach “Using Colored Pencils in Botanical Art” at The Arboretum. The class will focus on color pencil techniques, composition, and color mixing. All levels of experience are welcome.
Classes meet from 10 am – 2 pm (including a lunch break) on Tuesdays, beginning in January, 2012:
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 6, 13, 20, 27
The cost is $255/month for Arboretum members, and $275/month for non-members. A supply list will be provided upon registration. Students may bring a sack lunch, or purchase one at the Peacock Café.
Preregistration is required. To register, please call The Arboretum at 626.821.4623.
Cristina Baltayian has a background in drawing (graphite, charcoal, pen and ink), two-dimensional design, watercolor, and colored pencils. Her work has been shown at Filoli, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Chapman University. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and The Botanical Artist Guild of Southern California.
The Arboretum is open daily from 9AM to 5PM and is located at: 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007.
by Deb Shaw
There are still a few openings in Margaret Best’s upcoming class “The Fruits that Fall or Form in the Fall”. Read all about the class in our previous blog posting.
The class is coming up soon: December 2, 3 and 4, 2011 from 10 am – 4:30 pm. The cost is $275 for BAGSC members or $300 for non-members. Please call or email Leslie for more details and to reserve your spot.
The class will be held in the Oak Room, under the Peacock Cafe, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007.
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
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 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.
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.
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC member Tania Marien, ArtPlantae, will be teaching “Learning through Natural Science Illustration: Tree Life Cycle” at the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) in Newport Beach, CA on Saturday, October 8, 2011 from 10 – 11 am.
Children ages 5 and 6 (and their parents) will learn what happens to a tree after it falls to the ground during a reading of “A Log’s Life”, by Wendy Pfeffer. They will then learn about the amazing paper sculptures used to illustrate the book, created by artist and natural science illustrator Robin Brickman, before creating their own paper sculptures of Fall leaves.
Fee: $12 per child, ages 5 – 6. Art supplies will be provided. Call the ENC at 949.645.8489 to reserve a space, or email Lori Whalen at the ENC. Reservations are required. The ENC is located at: 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663.
BAGSC News 