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by Deb Shaw
Invitation postcard for “Looking for Flora,” Roger’s Gardens. Watercolor on vellum by Akiko Enokido, Camellia japonica ‘Kingyoba tsubaki’, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Roger’s Gardens Fine Art Gallery will be hosting a juried exhibition of BAGSC artists, entitled “Looking for Flora: An Exhibition of Botanical Art” from May 21 – June 5, 2016.
Several exhibiting artists will paint in the gardens on May 21, from 12 pm – 4 pm, followed by a reception with the artists in the Art Gallery from 4 pm – 6 pm.
Exhibiting artists include: Diane Nelson Daly • Estelle DeRidder • Akiko Enokido • Cynthia Jackson • Arillyn Moran-Lawrence • Joan Keesey • Suzanne Kuuskmae • Lesley Randall • Gilly Shaeffer • Janice Sharp • Deborah Shaw • Grace Swanson • Ellie Yun-Hui Tu
Download the complete postcard here: Looking for Flora-Postcard-2
Roger’s Gardens is located at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625, 949.640.5800. Hours are 9 am – 6 pm. Roger’s is dog-friendly.
Congratulations to all of the artists, and looking forward to seeing you at the Opening, May 21!
by Margaret Best, posted by Deb Shaw
BAGSC member Margaret Best has a painting in the newly released book ‘Florilegium’ to mark the bi-centennial of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney, Australia.
A Florilegium Society for the gardens was formed with Shirley Sherwood as the honorary Patron and Beverly Allen as president. One of the goals of the society was to produce a high quality book containing full-page works by various botanical artists to portray a diverse array of plants of significant importance to the garden. The complete exhibition of works is to be hung at the gardens from the end of July to November and is expected to travel to the Shirley Sherwood gallery in 2018.
This is a project of over three years in the making and the superb volume has just been released. The book showcases works by 41 Australians artists, 13 British artists, two South Africans, two Japanese and one each from the United States, Canada, Netherlands, France, Korea and New Zealand.
Leslie Walker scouting out the tree, Schotia brachypetala at The Huntington Gardens. © 2013, Margaret Best, all rights reserved.
The only Canadian with a painting in the book is Margaret Best. She flew to Los Angeles in 2013, and with the help of Leslie Walker and Janice Sharp, Margaret was able to find a sole specimen of a Schotia brachypetala, in The Huntington Gardens. This is a South African native tree known in Australia as the ‘drunken parrot tree’. Wild parakeets are attracted to the gardens by the clusters of small red flowers that drip nectar. After a short period, the copious quantities of nectar ferments and causes the birds to become intoxicated!
Margaret working in Janice’s studio. © 2013, Janice Sharp, all rights reserved.
Graciously hosted by Janice, Margaret was able to work in her wonderful studio for a week to complete drawings, colour matching of flowers, leaves and pod specimens for a large study. More than year later, Margaret visited a remarkable specimen in Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town. With the help of the curator Ernst Van Jaarsveld, she was able to acquire a small branch from the landmark tree. That caused a last minute composition change to include the textures of bark and new growth emerging from older parts of the tree.
The outstanding book contains many fine works by artists such as Jenny Phillips, Beverly Allen, John Pastorizia-Piñol, Anita Walsmit Sachs and many more notables. [A list of the Florilegium paintings and artists can be found here.] It is most definitely worthy of any serious botanical artist’s book collection. Ask Leslie and Janice – they have heaped accolades on its quality since recently receiving their copies!
The ‘Florilegium’ may be ordered by contacting Angela Lober, international phone 02 9552 1169 or by email. Payment can be made by cheque or direct deposit. Cheques are payable to: The Florilegium Society at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney Inc., and can be mailed with your contact and delivery information to: Ms Angela Lober, 12 Allen Street, Glebe NSW 2037
Congrats Margaret!
by Beth Stone
Boddy House Postcard from 1967.
In the 1930’s Descanso’s Boddy House was built for E. Manchester Boddy, founder of Descanso Gardens, as a home for his family. It is situated majestically on a hillside with grand views of the San Gabriel Mountains. This elegant Hollywood Regency style mansion now serves as a museum preserving Descanso Garden history and continues as a location for entertaining in style.
In the Spring of 2015, BAGSC’s “A Passion for Camellias” exhibit was hung along an interior hallway of the Boddy House, leading to and spilling into the kitchen. The space is ideally suited to botanical art as it invites close observation and is sheltered from sunlight, protecting sensitive media. The botanical art style is very compatible with the feel of the mansion.
Boddy House: Photo by Beth Stone © 2013, all rights reserved.
Artists Diane Daly, Estelle DeRidder, Clara Josephs, Joan Keesey, Patricia Mark, Mitsuko Schultz, Gilly Shaeffer, Janice Sharp, and Beth Stone contributed the artwork for BAGSC’s “A Passion for Camellias” exhibit which graced the walls of Descanso’s Boddy House for a full year.
On Monday May 9th the BAGSC Camellia artworks were taken down and a new exhibit celebrating roses was hung in their place.
Camellia Exhibit: Photo by Beth Stone © 2015, all rights reserved.
BAGSC artists contributing to the new exhibit “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” are Bonnie Born Ash, Cynthia Jackson, Suzanne Kuushmae, Lee McCaffree, Marilyn Parrino, Gilly Shaeffer, Janice Sharp, Beth Stone and Ellie Tu. Thanks to the variety and quality of the artworks and the professional hanging the exhibit is lovely! “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” made its debute May 10th , timed to be on display for Descanso’s Rose Festival on the weekend of May 14th & 15th. BAGSC volunteers will demonstrate our art form during the Rose Festival.
Rose Hanging in Progress: Photo by Beth Stone © 2016, all rights reserved.
The Boddy House is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and is included with admission to Descanso Gardens.
Many thanks to Descanso Gardens, especially David Brown, Susan Armstrong and Cris Martinez for welcoming BAGSC artworks to the Boddy House. Thanks also to Paul Gellman for his thoughtful, professional hanging of the new exhibit.
by Deb Shaw
BAGSC News previously posted Gilly Shaeffer’s acceptance into “Celebrating Flora of the National Parks“, the new exhibition by the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and the National Park Service (NPS) showcasing plants and ecological communities found throughout the more than 400 national parks.
Dudleya greenei, watercolor by Ellie Tu, © 2016, all rights reserved. This plant grows in the Channel Islands National Park.
BAGSC member Ellie Tu also was accepted into “Celebrating Flora”. Ellie’s cousin visited the exhibition at the US Botanic Garden at the end of March, and sent these photos of his visit.
The exhibition, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the NPS and the diversity of our national park’s flora, will run from February 18 – October 2, 2016 in the USBG Conservatory in Washington, D.C. Artworks in a wide variety of media by 78 artists from across the country are on display, along with living specimens from the USBG and graphics representing each of the National Parks represented. Programs will include botanical illustration and photography workshops, meet-the-artist sessions, and lectures by national parks rangers and other experts.
The U.S. Botanic Garden is the oldest public garden in the United States, and is open to the public, free of charge, every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Conservatory is located at 100 Maryland Ave. SW, on the southwest side of the U.S. Capitol. More information about the exhibit, programs, and visiting the USBG is available on the website.
Gallery wall showing Dudleya greenei by Ellie Tu; and California Poppy and Toyon Berries by Gilly Shaeffer. © 2016 by the artists, all rights reserved. Photo by Keith Fisher, © 2016.
Congratulations to Ellie and Gilly, and Happy 100th birthday to the US Botanic Garden!
Entry to “Flora of the National Parks”. Photo by Keith Fisher, © 2016, all rights reserved.
by Melanie Campbell-Carter and Gilly Shaeffer, posted by Deb Shaw
The opening day of the 18th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition at Filoli was a most extraordinary day from start to finish! New BAGSC member and Filoli student Ellie Tu had graciously delivered all the BAGSC paintings to Woodside the week before. At dawn on Thursday, April 7, Gilly Shaeffer, Mitsuko Schultz, Cristina Baltayian and Melanie Campbell-Carter arose and departed for a fabulous day at Filoli Gardens. Our first stop was to view the 65 lovely botanical paintings from the US and the Netherlands. Gilly said, “The quality of the paintings this year was truly inspiring!”
It was a magical day in the gardens. With picture-perfect sunny skies and warm breezes, we could not resist enjoying the gorgeous grounds in full spring bloom. The Filoli volunteers made our visit very special by sharing all their knowledge about the history of the estate, even giving a quick personal tour of the home. The Mark Catesby and select pieces of the Filoli and Highgrove Florilegiums prints were exhibited in the ballroom, and well worth a visit.
When the crowd gathered at the reception for the presentation of awards, we were thrilled to hear that Melanie Campbell-Carter was presented the Roth Award, “for distinction with an emphasis on traditional botanical art presentation” for her Duabanga grandiflora. Lee McCaffree was presented with the Bourn award, “for distinction with an emphasis on horticulture” for Narcissus ‘Delibes’, the Alcatraz Daffodil. The third award, the Jurors’ award, “for distinction with an emphasis on botanical art presentation”, went to Milly Acharya for her Lathyrus odoratus, Sweet Pea.
Everything about the day was perfectly delightful, and we feel that we have blazed a trail for future BAGSC jet-setting adventures! We heartily encourage everyone to see the exhibit before it closes on June 12, and to enjoy the beautiful spring gardens at Filoli.
BAGSC members accepted into the 18th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition at Filoli include:
- Cristina Baltayian
- Melanie Campbell-Carter
- Joan Keesey
- Lee McCaffree
- Mitsuko Schultz
- Gilly Shaeffer
- Ellie Tu
The 18th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition at Filoli goes through June 12th. Filoli is located at 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA 94062.
Kudos to all the award winners, and congratulations to all the accepted artists!
Click on an image of the exhibition opening and the Filoli gardens to enlarge:
by Teri Kuwahara, posted by Deb Shaw
The students in the Botanical Art and Illustration Class at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Garden will present ARTboretum!, botanical art show and sale. The beauty of capturing nature in a realistic style using watercolor and color pencil will be on display at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Garden on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
April 29, 30 and May 1, 2016,
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
“I have been honored to teach the botanical illustration class for the last four years,” said instructor Cristina Baltayian. “The best way to highlight the value of the Arboretum and its botanical art educational program is to allow you to see the inspiration, talents, and visions of the students.”
Twelve artists will display original art and fine art giclees in the Oak Room for this weekend event. In addition, prints and greeting cards will also be available for sale. Artists will demonstrate techniques and will be available to answer questions. The public is invited to attend the Artists’ Reception and Catalog Signing on Saturday, April 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Catalogs for the show will be available for sale while supplies last.
Admission to the art show and sale is free with admission to the Arboretum.
BAGSC Members participating in the show are: Cristina Baltayian, Nancy Beckham, Melanie Cambell-Carter, Nancy Grubb, Teri Kuwahara, Kathy Morgan, Juanita O’Marah, Marilyn Parrino, Robyn Reilman, Jude Wiesenfeld.
The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA.
by Ellie Tu and Deb Shaw
Dudleya greenei, watercolor by Ellie Tu, © 2016, all rights reserved.
BAGSC member Ellie Tu will have two displays of her botanical art, and will present two talks this coming weekend:
Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 1 pm
Ojai Library, Ojai, California
Ellie will present a talk entitled “Channel Islands National Park Guide Book Illustrations and a Glance at Traditional Botanical Art.” This talk will include a brief history of traditional botanical art and explain the equipment and materials used for painting and drawing.
Ellie will also speak on the process of creating the Channel Islands National Park guide book illustrations and give a drawing demonstration. She will bring some plant samples for guests to experience from a botanical illustrator’s point of view.
Ellie Tu illustrated the Channel Islands National Park guide books.
Ellie Tu illustrated the Channel Islands National Park guide books.
Ellie’s artwork will be on display in the library until the end of June, 2016.
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact the library at (805) 646-1639. The E.P Foster Library is located at: 111 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, California 93023.
Pen and ink illustrations of California native plants by Ellie Tu, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 2 pm
Oak Park Library, Oak Park, California
On Sunday, March 20, Ellie will present a talk entitled “Botanical Wonders: An introduction to Traditional Botanical Art.” Ellie will give a brief history of botanical art, show the step-by-step process of botanical painting, and give a watercolor demonstration. Those who attend get to create (and take home) their own botanical art! Ellie’s artwork will be on display in the library until April 3, 2016.
This event is free and open to the public. The address for the Oak Park Library is: 897 North Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA 91377.
Additionally, Ellie will be giving a talk at Channel Islands National Park auditorium on April 9th. Stay tuned — details will be posted to our BAGSC News blog.
Ellie demonstrated botanical art with BAGSC at the Bowers Museum and at Roger’s Gardens.
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.
The schedule for Lee McCaffree’s workshops, A Painting! What do you See? and Completing a Painting have been changed: both workshops have been rolled into one day, one workshop, on Saturday, March 19. The workshop will still be held at the Los Angeles Arboretum, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
There are still a few seats available. If you would like to take the workshop, but have not yet registered, please email BAGSC Treasurer Janice Sharp to let her know and make arrangements to send a check and/or bring it to the workshop on Saturday.
Cost: BAGSC members, $100.00/non-members, $120.00
Maximum number of participants (in each class): 15
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 Melanie Campbell-Carter, posted by Deb Shaw
February 27, 2016 was a picture-perfect day for botanical art at Roger’s Gardens in Corona Del Mar! Featured prominently for the fourth Annual Day of Art at Roger’s Gardens, the BAGSC outreach table was well received by the public, with hardly a moment for breaks. Deborah Shaw, Diane Daly, and Clara Josephs presented a Nature Journaling workshop, delighting visitors with a chance to draw freesias, pansies, and other lovelies from the nursery.
Additional BAGSC members came as well, and there were a lot of visitors who had seen BAGSC at the Bowers Museum demonstrations and joined us at Rogers.
Theresa Marino, the Fine Art Gallery director, was thrilled with the art provided by our BAGSC artists. She can’t wait for the upcoming BAGSC exhibit, “Looking for Flora,” slated for May 21-June 5, 2016. (BAGSC members should have received the Roger’s Gardens “Call for Entries” for “Looking for Flora” in your email. If you haven’t received it, please contact Deb Shaw. Submission deadline is April 23, 2016.)
The framed art gallery on the shaded outdoor furniture pavilion was thronged with visitors most of the day, enjoying over 50 submissions in all media. Member Terri Munroe sold her lovely painting, and members Deborah Shaw and Melanie Campbell-Carter took home “Award of Excellence” blue ribbons for their submitted artworks. Thanks to all the participating members, as well as the visiting members, who helped make this another successful BAGSC outreach event.
Participating BAGSC artists included: Melanie Campbell-Carter, Clara Josephs, Suzanne Kuuskmae, Patricia Mark, Arillyn Moran-Lawrence, Terri Munroe, Diane Nelson Daly, Mitsuko Schultz, Deborah Shaw, and Ellie Yun-Hui Tu.
Click on the photo bubbles below to see the full image and caption.
Theresa Marino, Gallery Director, Roger’s Gardens, hanging blue ribbons after the judging. Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Deborah Shaw demonstrated on her painting of Opuntia with cochineal. Many of the visitors who had seen BAGSC at the Bowers Museum demonstrations commented, “Oh, you haven’t made much progress, have you?” Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
The exhibition panels showcased botanical art and plein aire paintings. Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Melanie Campbell-Carter and Deborah Shaw with their blue ribbons. Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Suzanne Kuuskmae talking with visitors to the BAGSC info table about botanical art. Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Suzanne Kuuskmae’s palette and painting at her demonstration table. Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Ellie Tu and Suzanne Kuuskmae demonstrating. Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
Arillyn Moran-Lawrence demonstrated graphite. Photo: Linda Carpenter, © 2016, all rights reserved.
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 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 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 Estelle DeRidder, Clara Josephs and Deb Shaw
Estelle DeRidder with her artwork in the exhibition. Photo by Clara Josephs, © 2015, all rights reserved.
As previously posted here in the BAGSC Blog, Estelle DeRidder held an exhibition of twelve more paintings of California Native species, as an extension of her ‘Flashcard Project’, started through a grant from the ASBA to illustrate the plants of the Madrona Marsh in Torrance, California.
The exhibit was open to the public until December 3, 2015.
A selection of Estelle DeRidder’s cards at the exhibition. Photo by Clara Joseph, © 2015 all rights reserved.
Estelle also conducted an ornament-making session at Madrona Marsh in December, with botanical art and pollinators as the theme. There were 45 participants, who industriously produced 120 ornaments in three hours! Birds and creepy-crawlies were the pollinator species of choice this time around.
Participants busy making holiday ornaments. Photo by Estelle DeRidder, © 2015, all rights reserved.
Estelle will teach a Spring ornament-making workshop too. Spring will include flowers, trees and shrubs, butterflies and bees, and probably some birds as well (they’re popular). Interested? Email Estelle.
by Cristina Baltayian, posted by Deb Shaw
Grapes and vine, Cristina Baltayian, © 2015, all rights reserved.
Cristina Baltayian will be resuming her popular series of Botanical Art and Illustration classes at the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens on January 5, 2016.
The classes are held on the first four Tuesdays of each month, 10 am – 2 pm, in the Oak Room. Cristina’s first six-week unit will be Aerial (atmospheric) Perspective. Create “flat-free” paintings! Students will explore depth of composition, showing distinct foreground, middle ground, and background with a variety of techniques.
Enrollment is open to the public through the Education Department at the Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia CA 91007. Tuition is discounted for Arboretum members. Call the Arboretum at 626-821-3222 or email Cristina for more information.
P.S. from Deb Shaw: Apologies to all for the late posting on this. It was emailed to me while I was on the road, and I wasn’t able to post it on short notice. If you are interested in Cristina’s classes, please contact the LA Arboretum with the information above, or click on Cristina’s name to email her.
BAGSC News 