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by Leslie Walker, posted by Deb Shaw
GROW! A Garden Festival will be at the Los Angeles Arboretum from May 4-6, 2012 in a celebration of gardening. The Festival will feature favorites
from past LA Garden Shows plus much more!
- Unique and Unusual Plants for Sale: Fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, succulents, California natives and ornamental favorites from over 25 leading growers and specialty plant societies
- Marketplace Vendors and Arboretum Garden & Gift Shop
- 40 vendors showcasing garden tools, books, home gardening accessories, container plants & other botanical inspired items
- Earth Dreams: Beyond the Sculptural Landscape: an Exhibition of sculptures and art installations curated by Juliet Rosati Bello of Cream Gallery – featuring works by James Hill, Susan Elizalde, Fred Rose, Patrick E., Diana Markessinis, Patrick Crabb, Bill Fillmore and Pamela Burgess
- Garden Chats: Lectures, Demonstrations and Meet the Experts: Saturday & Sunday only, including featured speakers: Leigh Adams, Marco Barrantes, JoAnn Carey, Rosalind Creasy, Scott Daigre (Tomatomania), Steve Gerischer, Dan Hinkley, John Lyons, Jill Morganelli, Lili Singer, Nicholas Staddon and more!
- Resources & plant information services provided by environmental and gardening associations
- Let’s Move! Gardening & Healthy Activities for Kids and Families: Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am – 3:00pm – featuring Sparky the Dragon Pizza Oven
- Debut of the Newly Designed Garden for All Seasons
- A demonstration site for small-scale, water-efficient, sustainable gardening and cultivation of fruits and vegetables
- Educational Landscape Designs from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers California Chapter, Greater Los Angeles District; UCLA Student Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects
- Food Trucks & Snacks
- Peacock Café BBQ, The Coffee Gallery, Jamba Juice (South Pasadena ), Kealey’s Poppin’, Mother Moo Creamery, and food trucks – Grilled Cheese, Kabob ‘n Roll, Pie & Burger and Slammin’ Sliders
- Beer for Books: Friday 5:00 – 8:00pm; Saturday & Sunday 11:00am – 4:30pm, Beer, wine & used book sales to benefit the Arboretum library
- Live Entertainment, Walking Tours & Artists Painting in the Gardens
- AND (most importantly) the Botanical Art Exhibition by the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California!!
Friday Evening, May 4, 5:00 – 8:00pm – Let the Festivities Begin!
Arboretum Members – Adults: $5 – Children ages 5-12: $1 – under 5 free
Non-Members – Adults: $10 – Children ages 5-12: $2 – under 5 free
Parking: Free parking in Arboretum parking lots
Enjoy the Arboretum during evening hours with live music by Big Band Theory, and first choice of plants and merchandise. Meet the artists. Sample wine flights (additional fee) by Phantom Rivers Winery, accompanied by appetizers from Chef Claud Beltran of Claud & Company Catering, Executive chef of Noir Food & Wine, and signature tequila cocktails (additional fee) created by Nobleza Tequila
Saturday & Sunday May 5 & 6, *9:00am – 4:30pm (*8:00am entry for Arboretum members)
Arboretum Members – Free
Non-Members – Adults: $8 – Seniors & Students: $6 – Children ages 5-12: $3 – under 5 free
Parking: Arboretum lots $10; Santa Anita Race Track (Gate 8) $4 with complimentary shuttle service
Be sure to bring your own cart or wagon to carry all of your purchases
by Clara Josephs, posted by Deb Shaw
It’s closer than you think!
Continue about 15 minutes beyond the Huntington exit on the 210 and you are at the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley. BAGSC member Joan Kessey’s Artist Reception was held there this past Sunday and it was so worth the drive!
For 30 years Joan has been painting the wildflowers near her summer cabin at Mineral King (Sequoia National Park). Her paintings are lyrical records of the delicate and charming plants that populate the area. The paintings were hung around the room in order of increasing altitude, and a map that Joan and her husband created showed the location of each specimen she painted.
The reception room was packed with art and plant lovers who were drawn to the enchanting colors and compositions of Joan’s informative paintings. If you are questioning whether wildflowers and drought tolerant plants can be beautiful, then head up the 210 and be prepared to be delighted. Joan’s show runs through June 30. Theodore Payne is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
by Clara Joseph, posted by Deb Shaw
The Artist Reception at Woodside’s Filoli Estates 14th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition was held the evening of March 29. The 56 pieces by 36 artists filled the Visitor and Education Center. BAGSC was well represented this year by the works of five members: Akiko Enokido, Clara Josephs, Deb Shaw, Mitsuko Schultz, and Patty Van Osterhoudt.
Artists and their guests were treated to a dusk stroll through the magnificent gardens prior to the reception. Tulips, camellias, and magnolias were at the height of their blooming display. The reception was a wonderful time for the artists to meet each other and share the excitement. The show was juried by Jean Emmons, botanical artist, and Dr. Peggy Fiedler, botanist and Director of the University of California Natural Reserve System.
This year’s Juror’s award went to Catherine Watters for distinction in botanical art presentation. The Bourn Award for distinction with an emphasis on horticultural presentation went to Pria Graves for her life sized portrait of Kentucky Wonder pole beans and Regina Gardner Milan received the Roth Award for distinction with an emphasis on Traditional botanical art presentation. The show will be on display until June 24. Don’t miss it!
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC Member Sally Jacobs had a review of her upcoming show, “Nourishing Art” in the LA Times. See the article online at the “Daily Dish, The Inside Scoop on Food in Los Angeles“. Show and opening information is posted here on the BAGSC Blog.
Congrats Sally!
by Deb Shaw
Joan Keesey, BAGSC member and membership chair, will be having an exhibition of botanical watercolors, “Wild Flowers of Mineral King” at the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants (TPF), Friday, March 30 – Saturday, June 30, 2012.
An opening reception for the artist will be held Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm.
The opening reception coincides with “Poppy Day” at the TPF, their annual spring plant sale event, which takes place from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on March 31. Hundreds of different native California species and cultivars will be available to choose from — a great opportunity for those BAGSC members who would like to paint California natives for the Chapman University exhibition on drought-tolerant plants. TPF members will receive 15 percent off all plants in 4-inch containers, one gallon containers and up. Non-members will receive 10 percent off those same plants, and memberships will be sold at the door.
The TPF is located at 10459 Tuxford Street, in Sun Valley, California 91352. The phone number is 818.768.5215 and the wildflower hotline number is 818.768.3533.
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC member Sally Jacobs will be having a show entitled “Nourishing Art” from March 27 – April 21, 2012 at the TAG gallery.
The artist’s reception is on Saturday, March 31, from 5 – 8 pm; an artist panel will be held on Saturday, April 14 at 2 pm.
In this watercolor exhibition, Sally shows that she takes her healthy eating, and painting, seriously. With their vibrant colors and remarkable shapes, each of these nutritious vegetables from outdoor farmers’ markets in the Los Angeles area cry out, “eat me!”, and you should.
TAG gallery is in Bergamot Station, D3, at 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, California, 90404. The phone number is 310.829.9556; hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm.
by Deb Shaw

Abutilon, Flowering Maple (Rosy Dewdrops) by Mitsuko Schultz, watercolor, © 2012, all rights reserved.
The following BAGSC members have been accepted into the 14th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition at Filoli, in Woodside, California.
Akiko Enokido, Passion bloom – hybrid “incense”, Passiflora – incarnata x cincinnata, Watercolor on Vellum
Clara Josephs, Slipper Orchid “Raisin Pie”, Paphiopedilum, Watercolor
Mitsuko Schultz, Flowering Maple (Rosy Dewdrops), Abutilon, Watercolor
Deborah B. Shaw, Southern California black walnut (nuts and husk), Juglans californica S. Watson, Watercolor and graphite on Kelmscott vellum
Patty Van Osterhoudt, Our Lord’s Candle (yucca), Hesperoyucca whipplei, Watercolor on paper
There were 138 entries submitted this year and the jurors selected 56 works. The exhibit reception is scheduled for Thursday, March 29 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and the show runs through May 13, 2012. Although the reception is free, reservations are required, however, and can be made by online at the Filoli Exhibits page, or by phone to Member Services at 650-364-8300, extension 508.
Congratulations to all who entered, and to all who were accepted to the show!
by BAGSC Board Members, posted by Deb Shaw

From L to R: Norma Sarkin, Diane Daly and Cynthia Jackson in the BAGSC booth at the LA Arboretum 2010 show. It looks like this year's BAGSC show will be in Ayres Hall.
The LA Arboretum Garden Show is back! This year, “GROW! A Garden Festival” will be held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden on May 3, 4, 5 and 6, 2012. In the past few years we’ve been on the green under the canopies, it looks like this year we might be in Ayres Hall.
In addition to our artwork show and sales, “GROW! A Garden Festival” will offer all the wonderful attractions as in year’s past, plus:
- An introduction to the new “Garden for All Seasons”
- Exhibits by local sculptors and installation artists
- Sales of interesting, unique and exotic plants
- Sales of garden tools and accessories we can’t live without
- Garden Chats, demonstrations, and meet the experts
- Let’s Move! hands-on activities for kids and families
- Entertainment
- Food trucks and specialty vendors
“GROW! A Garden Festival” will be open to the public on:
Friday, May 4, 2012, Special Evening Hours, 5pm – 8pm (event fee)
Saturday, May 5, 2012, 9am – 4:30 pm, free with admission; members free
Sunday, May 6, 2012, 9am – 4:30 pm, free with admission; members free
Janice Sharp and Norma Sarkin will co-chair the L. A. Arboretum Show, and Pat Mark has agreed to assist. As always, we’ll need lots of volunteers. Watch for more information coming soon and Happy Painting!
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 Deb Shaw
ArtPlantae Today featured BAGSC member Arillyn Moran-Lawrence in an interview “Painting Hawaii’s Endangered Plants.” Read about how Arillyn fell in love with Hawaiian plants, and how she works.
By Joan Keesey
It was very gratifying to see the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) so well represented at the Botanical Art Exhibit at the CNPS Conservation Conference 2012 in San Diego at the Town and Country Resort. There were thirteen pictures by seven BAGSC members: Diane Daly, Estelle DeRidder, Clara Josephs, Joan Keesey, Janice Sharp, Deborah Shaw, and Dorthea Yellot. Members of our group won some prizes as well: Deborah Shaw received a second place ribbon for her watercolor on vellum of Thread-leaved Brodiaea; Joan Keesey won a third place ribbon for her watercolor of Snake Lilies and Elegant Madia; Estelle DeRidder won an honorable mention for her colored pencil of Hummingbird Sage.
My husband and I visited the exhibit twice—once on Thursday evening and again on Saturday afternoon. On both visits there were 12-15 enthusiastic conference attendees who had taken the trouble to make the trip to the ninth floor of the Regency Towers to see the botanical art and photography. Generally the conference attendees were biologists, botanists, geologists, environmentalists and land managers—a different crowd from the usual botanical art group. The focus at most botanical art exhibits is on the artistic aspects of a work—composition, values, and technique. While this group was very appreciative of the skill displayed in the compositions, they were equally if not more interested in and enthusiastic about the actual subject matter. You overheard people say things like: “Oh, that is my favorite plant”; “Have you ever seen that beautiful sage.”; or “This is such and interesting plant. I saw it for the first time on that hike along the Merced.”
This is the second CNPS exhibit that I have participated in, and I thought that the pictures were better displayed and of a higher quality. I am particularly interested in California Native Plants, so I find a show like this a real treat. I also like botanical exhibits where there is a focus or theme. I find the juxtaposition of “Turnips & Tulips”, “Corn and Camellias”, “Radishes & Roses”, jarring and difficult to evaluate. I hope BAGSC will consider sponsoring exhibits that are more focused—a plant family such as the mustard, pea, rose or lily family, plants of a particular region, trees, succulents, etc. The options are endless, but I think it makes a more interesting and informative exhibit.
by Deb Shaw
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
BAGSC member Sue Kuuskmae decided to visit the art exhibition at the Palos Verdes Public Library and was pleasantly surprised to find that her watercolor, “Lacecap Hydrangea”, had received a blue ribbon first prize and a cash award.
Congratulations Sue!!
by Deb Shaw
It’s that time of year again, when we get together to share our art and eat delicious food! Come to the BAGSC Annual Holiday Party at Janice’s house on December 10, 2011, starting at 5 pm. Spouses, significant others, family and friends are all welcome!
Bring all of the creative work you’ve done during the year to share with fellow members — not just limited to botanical art! Last year, in addition to wonderful botanical art, we saw oil paintings, portraits, abstracts, landscapes, pastels, quilts, baskets, jewelry, crafts, and more! We’re a multi-talented group and it’s wonderful to see what everyone is doing.
We’ll also have a survey so members can let the Board know which instructors and classes they would like for next year along with announcements of next year’s officers. For those who can’t attend, surveys for class interest will be sent in an email blast.
Please RSVP by December 1 to Janice, by email or phone, and let her know what you’re bringing to the feast. An email blast will be sent out with more details. See everyone there!
by Deb Shaw
The ASBA New England Chapter and the ASBA put together a fantastic conference! Kudos to them. BAGSC members at the ASBA Annual Meeting & Conference in Boston (actually Newton) were: Deborah Friedman, Joan Keesey, Suz Landay, Pat Mark, Debora Resa, Elaine Searle, Gilly Shaeffer, Deb Shaw, Jennifer Thomson, and Leslie Walker.
Keep your eyes on our blog for articles and pictures from the conference. In the meantime, here are pictures of Elaine Searle and Suz Landay taking turns driving the “Duck” on the “Flavor of Boston” tour.


















