Update on the Arboretum Introductions Project

December 13, 2012 in Exhibit Opportunities, Feature Articles, News Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | by | 3 comments

by Janice Sharp

The initial five-pack of LA Arboretum Introduction cards include cards by Cristina Baltayian, Akiko Enokido, and Janice Sharp. The cards are blank inside for messages; the back has text about the Los Angeles Arboretum, BAGSC, the plant, and the artist.

The initial five-pack of LA Arboretum Introduction cards include cards by Cristina Baltayian, Akiko Enokido, and Janice Sharp. The cards are blank inside for messages; the back has text about the Los Angeles Arboretum, BAGSC, the plant, and the artist.

BAGSC has been asking its Members to “donate” the use of images they may have, or will create, to be included in an “Arboretum Introduction” card collection. So far we have put together a test run of five cards that are now on sale in the Los Angeles Arboretum Gift Store. The cards have been well received and we are moving forward with the project. If you have Introduction plants you have painted/drawn and would like to have them included in this project please contact Janice Sharp or Deborah Shaw.

For those who have painted plants and are not sure if they are “Introductions”, please contact Deborah to send a digital image, or mail a print to me and I will take them to the botanists at the Arboretum to get an opinion as to whether they are “Introduction” plants.

Read about the LA Arboretum Introduction project and see the Google map to the plants at the Arboretum on the BAGSC blog by clicking the links in this sentence.

For those who have found the Google map difficult to use to locate the Introductions contact Janice Sharp and she will arrange a tour of the Arboretum to find the Introductions.

BAGSC Quarterly Meetings for 2013

December 12, 2012 in Uncategorized | Tags: , | by | Leave a comment

by Deb Shaw

BAGSC is scheduling a full four quarterly meetings for 2013 plus the holiday party:

  • February 2, (If “A Day of Art at Roger’s Gardens” is rained out, February 2 will be the alternate date. If that happens, BAGSC members will be notified and the meeting date will be moved — February 3 is a possibility)
  • April 20,
  • June 29,
  • September 15,
  • and the December 7 Holiday Party (no meeting included, just eating, drinking, and enjoying ourselves)

Would you like to host one of the meetings? Please contact Leslie. Also let us know of any workshops or presentations you would like to see at one of the meetings.

Keep your eyes peeled for blog and email announcements of classes, workshops, activities and exhibitions. Next year will start off with a lot happening in January, and lots more to come. It promises to be an exciting year!

Kudos!

December 12, 2012 in Kudos, Member News | Tags: , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Deb Shaw

We’ve added several new categories to the blog: one of them is a Kudos! section, to announce great things that happen to our members.

Kudos to BAGSC members Margaret Best and Akiko Enokido: both were selected to exhibit in the 15th Annual International exhibition for the American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York. And both sold their paintings in the show! Congrats!

Do you have an announcement, or would like to say Kudos! to another BAGSC member? If so, send your information to Deb Shaw, and she’ll make sure it’s posted.

ArtPlantae Opens in Aurea Vista, Riverside, California

December 12, 2012 in Feature Articles, Member News | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Deb Shaw

ArtPlantae Display at Aurea Vista in Riverside, California, © 2012 Tania Marien

ArtPlantae Display at Aurea Vista in Riverside, California, © 2012 Tania Marien

This weekend ArtPlantae will participate in the First Annual Holiday Party at Aurea Vista, Riverside’s newest shopping destination.

The holidays aren’t the only thing to celebrate this weekend, however.

ArtPlantae is celebrating the launch of a new plant-based education display featuring resources for children, parents and teachers. Dedicated specifically to botany and botanical art education, this section features curriculum by the National Gardening Association, children’s books about plants (in English and Spanish), instructional books about drawing and botanical art, plant identification guides, and the Colorful Edibles coloring book published by the American Society of Botanical Artists.

When visiting ArtPlantae at Aurea Vista, don’t miss the display area upstairs featuring books about contemporary botanical art and botanical art history.

Discover more this Saturday during the holiday party. The festivities begin at 4:00 pm and continue until 9:00 pm. Meet local artists and designers and finish your holiday shopping too. Visit ArtPlantae’s new area about plant-based education and receive a free gift. It is located downstairs across from the children’s boutique.

Stop by on your way to the Festival of Lights and the Artists Collective located just down the street on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall.

Free gifts available while supplies last.

A Little About Aurea Vista

Aurea Vista is located in a building in downtown Riverside, California whose life began in 1927 as a hotel built by architect G. Stanley Wilson. Today the building serves as an exciting new marketplace for local artisans, designers, importers, food sellers and craftspeople.

Visit Aurea Vista and discover many treasures such as delicious olive oils by Beyond the Olive, terrarium designs by Brenda Cook of Botanical Perspective, and yards of inspiration (and classes too!) at Raincross Fiber Arts.

Aurea Vista is located at 3498 University Avenue in Riverside on the corner of Lemon and University. Hours are Monday-Saturday (11-8), Sunday (11-5). Store hours are extended for Riverside’s monthly ArtsWalk and other special events.

Parking: Free customer parking is available across the street in the parking lot with the ballet mural. Aurea Vista customers can park in spaces #1-8 that face University Avenue. Street parking is free after 5 PM Monday-Friday. Street parking also is free on Saturday and Sunday.

Deborah Shaw accepted for 14th Annual Hunt Institute Exhibition

December 12, 2012 in Kudos, Member News | Tags: , , , , , | by | 6 comments

by Margaret Best

Prosopis pubescens seed pod (Screwbean Mesquite, or Tornillo), watercolor and graphite on honey vellum, © 2012, Deborah Shaw, all rights reserved.

Prosopis pubescens seed pod (Screwbean Mesquite, or Tornillo), watercolor and graphite on honey vellum, © 2012, Deborah Shaw, all rights reserved.

It is with great pleasure that we share the wonderful news that BAGSC member Deborah Shaw has had one of her recent graphite and watercolour works on vellum accepted into the Hunt Institute’s International Exhibition in 2013.

About 11 years ago, shortly after I met Deborah at a class in Arizona, she showed me a graphite study of a white phalaenopsis orchid. Having enjoyed teaching and using graphite myself for a number of years, I recognized that Deborah had exceptional skills in this medium. I was struck by her mastery of perhaps the best continuous tone I had ever seen! The ultimate control required in the smoothest of value changes was evident throughout the piece. The work also displayed a keen awareness of the finest of edges and tiniest of details. Needless to say, I gushed about it and I clearly never forgot it.

Business and family commitments, as well as generosity of heart to fellow artists, have been obstacles to Deborah being able to focus fully on her own art. More recently she has managed to carve out time for her botanical art. She has begun exploration of a surface uniquely suited to her touch and intense awareness of texture – vellum. Vellum has brought it all together for Deborah. What has been so exciting to witness is how she has achieved a marriage of skills in a truly magical way on a surface that challenges even the most experienced artists.

Everybody is very proud of your well-deserved selection in the next Hunt Institute exhibition!

Product Review (and wish list…)

December 12, 2012 in Feature Articles, Product Reviews | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | by | 1 comment

by Deb Shaw and others

There are always new tempting art supplies available, but this year there seems to have been a cascade of new art products that make traveling with art supplies a breeze. Below are just a few of our current favorites. Disclaimer: I’ve included some links and prices where it’s easy and I know the resource. I haven’t done extensive research on who carries what, or who has the best prices. If you click on any of the links below, you’ll go to the exact product page for that website, rather than the home page.

Do you have some favorite new products? Write a review and let me know and we’ll put together another column in the future.

Derwent Carry-all

Closed Derwent Carry-all

Closed Derwent Carry-all, image courtesy of the Ken Bromley website.

Not yet available in the US, this is the best portable art studio I’ve found! I can fit everything I need for pencil and watercolor artwork, all into one 10″ x 8″ x 4″ canvas satchel. Everything I need now lives permanently in my Carry-all, whether I’m working in the studio, or I’m on the road or in classes.

The Carry-all comes with three “leaves”, held in place by six small notebook-style snap rings. The leaves snap in and out, depending on your travel requirements, and have elastic straps to hold pencils, pens, brushes, etc.

Open Carry-all

Open Carry-all, image courtesy of the Ken Bromley website.

There’s a zippered mesh pocket on the inside front, and a strap on the inside back to hold an A5 sketchbook and other necessary items.

An external pocket, carry handles and a detachable shoulder strap complete the kit. The Derwent Carry-all is available at Ken Bromley Art Supplies (among other UK art suppliers), on sale now for about $26.00 (£15.99). Deb is putting together a BAGSC group order. Watch your email for an offer to participate!

Invisi Lightweight Display Easel

Invisi Lightweight Display Easel

Invisi Lightweight Display Easel, image © Ken Bromley Art Supplies website.

This one is a Ken Bromley exclusive that I’ve tested extensively and will be ordering a lot more (BAGSC members watch for the email to participate).

Originally designed as portable display easel for art exhibitions, the Invisi Easel is made from white corrugated plastic (the same material out of which the Post Office constructs its boxes). Reusable, they lay flat for storage and transport, and snap together in one easy motion to set up.

In addition to using the Invisi Easel to set up an artwork display, I’ve also been using one as an easel in art classes. My neck and back no longer allow me to work hunched over a table, and I work sitting upright at an easel in my studio. The need for lightweight packing for airline travel, however, doesn’t allow me to drag my easel along for art classes.

I’ve been setting up my Invisi Easel, adhering it to the table with a bit of kneaded eraser or tape (so it won’t scoot away as I work). I have my paper (or vellum) on a piece of foam core as I usually do, and I’m ready to draw or paint. No, you can’t put a lot of pressure on the painting as you work, but I haven’t had a problem with painting or drawing. And my back and neck are grateful as well.

The Invisi Easel is about $9.11 each (£5.65), or approximately $40.24 for a 5 pack (£24.95), or approximately $72.50 (£44.95) for a 10 pack. If enough BAGSC members are interested, a pack of 50 is available for about $272.00 (£168.50).

Porcelain Tinting Saucer

Porcelain Tinting Saucer

Porcelain Tinting Saucer, courtesy of Ken Bromley website

This item comes from BAGSC members Elaine Searle and Pat Mark (who discovered it in Elaine’s class). Again, it’s another one of those things we don’t seem to be able to get here in the US yet. A small (only 3.3″ diameter) white porcelain saucer, it has four divisions for mixing paint and is easy to pack. It’s about $3.60 each from Ken Bromley (£2.25). This too will be on our order list for BAGSC member who want to participate, so watch your email.

Koh-I-Noor Watercolor Wheel Set

Koh-I-Noor Watercolor Wheel

Koh-I-Noor Watercolor Wheel Set, image courtesy of the Dick Blick website

Thank you to Tania Marien for discovering this gem at the SCAD bookstore at the GNSI conference in Savannah, Georgia. These are available all over, including Dick Blick and my local art store (where I bought mine). Each wheel measures 3-1/4″ in diameter, and set comes with four wheels (trays) that stack and screw together. Each tray holds six colors (seven if you use the middle space, for a total of 24 – 32 colors. The transparent cover can be used for mixing, if you don’t mind mixing in plastic.

Koh-I-Noor Watercolor Wheel Set

Koh-I-Noor Watercolor Wheel Set, courtesy of Dick Blick website

Be forewarned; it’s not easy to pry, soak and scrape the original colors out of the pans. Once you do, however, your own palette neatly and easily fills the spaces. I created labels with the paint names and information for the underside of each well. Two sets gave me enough space for my entire palette, plus extra spaces for that squirt of color that I didn’t know I needed from a friend in class.

Faber-Castell Clic & Go Water Pot

Faber-Castell Clic & Go Water Pot, courtesy of Dick Blick's website

Faber-Castell Clic & Go Water Pot, courtesy of Dick Blick’s website

Expanded water pot, courtesy of Dick Blick's website

Expanded water pot, courtesy of Dick Blick’s website

Everyone seemed to discover this one at the same time! Easy to find everywhere (at Dick Blick for $3.86 — 26 percent off list), this ingenious water pot collapses for travel (or for a small amount of water) and then expands to hold at least double the amount. Easy to clean, and nicely designed scallops on the rim are the perfect holders for brushes.

I use two.

Caran d’Ache Pencils

Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Colored Pencils, courtesy of Dick Blick's website

Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 Colored Pencils, courtesy of Dick Blick’s website

Thank you to Margaret Best for steering me to the Caran d’Ache Luminance Lightfast colored pencils and graphite.

The Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) worked with the American Society for Testing and Material to develop the ASTM D-6901 standards for lightfastness in colored pencils. After two years in development, the Swiss company Caran d’Ache released their Luminance 6901 Lightfast Pencil Sets: the only brand to offer 76 colors, 61 of which are in the most lightfast (Lightfastness I) category.

The chromatic range of the soft leads is very similar to the watercolor palettes used by botanical artists, and contains the highest level of pigments of any colored pencil. Additionally, the Luminance 6901 colored pencils have been awarded use of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label, guaranteeing that the logging of the California cedar for the pencils is environmentally-friendly and socially and economically sustainable.

The colored pencils come in sets of 16, 38, and 76 from many sources in the US, including Dick Blick, Cheap Joe’s, Jerry’s Artarama, Rex Art, and more. Jerry’s Artarama is the only site I’ve seen in the US that also sells individual colored pencils, but there may be others.

Range of Caran d'Ache Grafwood Pencils, courtesy of Dick Blick's website

Range of Caran d’Ache Grafwood Pencils, courtesy of Dick Blick’s website

Caran d’Ache also offers a spectacular line of graphite: their Grafwood pencils range from HB through 9B, as well as F, H, 2H, 3H, and 4H. They also carry water-soluble graphite (Caran d’Ache Technolo Water Soluble Graphite Pencils), Grafstone Woodless Graphite Pencils, Charcoal Pencils, and Grafcube Graphite Sticks. The pencils are “color-coded” the entire length of the pencil; the harder the pencil the lighter the silvery-gray color of the barrel.

The only adjectives I can come up with to describe these pencils are the same ones I would use to describe food: luscious, buttery, smooth, creamy, all come to mind. Warning: they’re not cheap. Take a deep breath before looking at the sticker price. As far as I’m concerned, however, they’re absolutely worth it.

Update on Chapman University Drought Tolerant Exhibition (and official “Call for Entries”)

November 29, 2012 in Exhibit Opportunities, Feature Articles, News Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Diane Daly and Clara Josephs, posted by Deb Shaw

January’s coming up fast, and the Chapman University Leatherby Library Drought Tolerant Plant Exhibition will be upon us (along with all the other exhibition opportunities we have stacked up for the month — but more on those later!).

Students from Jennifer Funk‘s Ecology course currently are writing descriptions of the plants’ drought-tolerant traits now. We are planning to have at least one species that fits into each of the following seven categories:

  • Drought-deciduousness (plants that lose their leaves during the dry season, or during periods of dryness)
  • Small leaves (better adapted to dry soils and conditions)
  • Deep taproot (a tap root that penetrates deep into the ground can access water when it is scarce during a drought or dry conditions, as well as store water in the root)
  • Succulent leaves (thick, fleshy leaves and stems can store water)
  • Pubescent leaves (pubescent, or furry leaves can slow the air flowing over the leaf to reduce water evaporation, hold water, reflect sunlight, and provide shade for the surface of the leaf)
  • Evergreen, sclerophylous leaves (evergreen leaves, of course, stay on the plant year-round; sclerophylous leaves have a hard surface and are frequently spaced close together
  • Annual life habit (one way to avoid dry periods is to quickly grow, bloom and develop seeds during the wet season, skipping the dry season altogether!)

Important Deadlines:

  • Artist entry deadline:  January 11 (BAGSC needs the list for handouts, Chapman University needs the list for labels and insurance)
  • Set up show in Henley reading room: January 25
  • Reception: February 7 , 7-9 pm
  • Take down the show: February 25

All BAGSC members will receive an email with the official BAGSC “Call for Entries” packet. If you do not receive this email with the attachment by 30 November, please contact Deb.

Drought Tolerant Plant Choices for the Chapman Exhibition

The following are plants that BAGSC members are planning to submit. Botanical and common names, of course, will need to be reviewed and verified. Don’t worry if you have to change your mind, or if you’re already painting something that someone else is painting on the list below. This is a preliminary list and is not set in cement. Space allowing, species duplicates will be accepted (see the Call for Entries packet).

Arillyn Moran-Lawrence:   
Dudleya Farinosa; Salvia Chamaedroyides, Electric blue sage; Desert Marigold, Baileya multiradiata; Echeveria graptoveria or Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

Bonnie Ash:
Agave Utahensis var. nevadensis; Pacific Mist Manzanita, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Linda Ericksen:
Prickly pear cactus, Opuntia

Joan Keesey:
California Buckeye Flower, Aesculus californica; Flannel Bush, Fremontodendron; California Poppy Eschscholzia californica; Foothill Penstemon, Penstemon heterophyllus;  or Heart Leaf Penstemon, Keckiella cordiforlia; Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia; Bush Monkey Flower, Mimulus aurantiacus

Patricia VanOsterhoudt:
Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemai indica; Columbine Aquilegia; Yucca

Sue Kuuskmae:
Fortnight Lily Dietus vegeta; Rock Rose Kalanchoe; Toyonberry; Matilija poppy, Romneya coulteri

Estelle DeRidder:
Coastal Prickly Pear, Opuntia littoralis; Baja Fairy Duster, Dalliandra eriophylla; California Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia; Chia, Salvia Columbriae

Clara Josephs:
Coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica; Topsy Turvy, Echeveria; Bladderpod, Isomeris arborea

Diane Daly:
Island Alum Root, Heuchera maxima; Seaside Daisy, Erigeron glaucus; Bird of Paradise, Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Carmen Lindsay:
Bladder Sage; Ocotillo; Buckwheat

Veronica Raymond:
Coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica; Bladderpod, Isomeris arborea; Nevins Barberry, Mahonia nevinii; Englemann Oak Quercus engelmannii

Cristina Baltayian:
Lemon, C. limon; Bougainvillea; Fig, Ficus carica L. (Brown turkey); Olives, Olea europaea; Cabernet grape vitis vinfera L.; Pomegranate, Punica granatum

Mitsuko Shultz:
Nevins Barberry, Berberis nevinii; California Sycamore, Platanus racemosa

Patricia Mark:
Manfreda masculosa; Aeonium

Deborah Shaw:
Dudleya pulverulenta, Chalk Dudleya; Dudleya viscida, Sticky Dudleya; Arctostaphylos glauca, Big Berry Manzanita

Add your name and plants to the list: contact Diane.

It’s shaping up to be a great show!!!

BAGSC Call for Entries: Descanso Gardens Wildflower Show

November 8, 2012 in Exhibit Opportunities | Tags: , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Leslie Walker, posted by Deb Shaw

Here is another show opportunity for BAGSC members. Descanso Gardens has asked us to exhibit paintings of Wild Flowers from January through March — exact dates to come later.

Paintings for the exhibition must be originals, framed and matted, and can have been shown elsewhere.

Contact Leslie with information regarding which wild flowers you would like to exhibit, and how many paintings you might have for this show as soon as possible.

More information will be passed on to you as it is received.

BAGSC Holiday Party

October 31, 2012 in BAGSC Meetings, Member News, News Updates | Tags: , , , | by | 1 comment

by Janice Sharp, Leslie Walker and Deb Shaw

BAGSC members are invited, with their significant others, to join BAGSC for a night of eating, drinking and merrymaking(!) on:
Saturday, December 8th
Janice’s house
5:00 pm – whenever

Janice is sending out a paperless invitation via email (you should have already received it). R.S.V.P to Janice via the paperless invite by December 1st, or via email.

As always, our BAGSC holiday event will be a POTLUCK DINNER. Please indicate if you will bring an appetizer, side dish (to accompany ham and  turkey) or dessert on your R.S.V.P.

We will hold a very brief meeting, and a silent auction of art materials and books (so bring money). If you have something you would like to contribute to the auction, please contact Leslie.

Please also bring any artwork (or any other creative endeavors) you’ve been working on for the past year to show in our “mini-sharing show” again — it was a lot of fun to see everyone’s work last year.

See you there!

Stipple, then Tipple

October 17, 2012 in Feature Articles, Learning Opportunities, Member News, News Updates | Tags: , , , , , , | by | 1 comment

by John Keesey, posted by Deb Shaw

Sally's Studio

Sally’s beautiful studio space was all set up when we arrived, with handouts and gifts from Anita.

For three lovely days in mid-October twelve eager botanical artists enjoyed the warm personality and dazzling expertise of Anita Walsmit Sachs from the Netherlands. They met each morning in the pleasant downstairs classroom of Sally Jacobs’ Studio near LACMA to learn botanical line drawing from Anita, the head of the Art Department of the Nationaal Herbarium Nederland of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.  She brought many examples of the beautifully composed line drawings she creates for scientific articles, complete with ink stippling to suggest shading and shape. She has also contributed exquisite watercolors of Acer and Syinga to the Florilegium of the Prince of Wales’ Estate at Highgrove, and has won two gold medals from the Royal Horticultural Society of England.

Mimulus 'Dave', by John Keesey, pen and ink, © 2012

Mimulus ‘Dave’, by John Keesey, pen and ink, © 2012

We brought our own plant to draw, first in pencil to show the “habit” or repeating part of the plant, then details of structure often viewed under a dissecting microscope and drawn over graph paper. These pencil drawings were cut out and taped into a suitable composition, which was perhaps the most challenging aspect of the project. This was then transferred via tracing paper and a light box to a paper with a vellum finish suitable for inking, which was done using Rotring or Staedler pens of several sizes to indicate the light source and overlapping. Finally graduated stippling with these pens to indicate shading and shape was discovered to be an excellent form of meditation!

Salvia 'Hot Salsa' by Joan Keesey, pen and ink, © 2012

Salvia ‘Hot Salsa’ by Joan Keesey, pen and ink, © 2012

Botanical artists who attended these sessions included Sally Jacobs, Leslie Walker, Deborah Shaw, Tania Norris, Norma Sarkin, Janice Sharp, Bonnie Born Ash, Joan Keesey, Tania Marien, Mitsuko Schultz, Alyse Ochniak and Estelle DeRidder.  Also present was Yours Truly, John Keesey.

Part of a Western Sycamore by Estelle DeRidder, pen and ink, © 2012

Part of a Western Sycamore by Estelle DeRidder, pen and ink, © 2012

Note to all who attended the class: Please email a photo of your drawing and/or sketches to Deb, so she can post them to the blog.

Anita discusses inking techniques with the class.

Anita discusses inking techniques with the class.

Google Map of LA Arboretum Plant Introductions

October 6, 2012 in Exhibit Opportunities, Feature Articles, News Updates | Tags: , , , , , | by | 2 comments

by Janice Sharp, posted by Deb Shaw

Google map of the locations of Arboretum introductions

When you first click on the link in the story to the Google map of the locations of Arboretum introductions, this is what you’ll see; a list of all the plants with their locations as dots on the map. Click on “Satellite” view in the upper right corner of the map to see the information displayed over a photographic map.

For all of us who are painting the plants introduced by the Los Angeles Arboretum (or even those of us who want to find those plants from the list), we have a link to a Google map of the locations of Arboretum introductions throughout the grounds (thank you Frank!).

This this data is about five years old, so some plants from our list may be missing from the map, but it’s a great start.  When you open the site, click on “satellite” view and zoom in.  Then you’ll be able to see the paths and roads in the Arboretum, which will make it easier to find things and find your way around.

Questions? Contact Janice Sharp.

Happy painting!

"Satellite" view of Google map of the locations of Arboretum introductions.

In the “Satellite” view, zoom in to see the roads, paths and familiar landmarks of the Arboretum grounds.

"Satellite" view of the Google map of the locations of Arboretum introductions with plant information.

Click on the red pin marker next to a plant name you’re interested in, and the plant information will pop up on the map where the plant is located. Or, click on any red marker pin on the map, and the plant information will pop up there, too.

Update on the BAGSC Chapman Exhibition on Drought Tolerant Plants

October 5, 2012 in Exhibit Opportunities, Member News, News Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Diane Daly, posted by Deb Shaw

Finally, we have the dates for our Chapman show on drought tolerant plants. We will have the Leatherby Library Henley Reading Room and the Clarke wall just like we used in the Brush with Nature exhibit.

We will set up and hang the exhibit on January 25, 2013. We will have an evening reception on February 7, and we will take down the paintings on February 25.

The botanist, Jennifer Funk will have her students write descriptions of drought tolerant plant groups with explanations of how the plants retain moisture and survive the heat.

Reminder, all paintings should be framed in the Dick Blick bamboo frame, white mat, and plexiglass. Use the same label on the back as we do for other exhibits. All members can submit up to four paintings. Paintings can be delivered to Diane Daly’s house the week before Jan 25 or brought to Chapman on that date at 10 am to be hung.

More details will be coming. Questions? Contact Diane Daly or Clara Josephs.

A plant selections list follows below. This list is just a “ working list” to let everyone know what other artists are working on. We hope this will inspire other members to paint for this exhibit. Don’t worry if you’re interested in painting something that is already listed below. Duplicates are not automatically excluded. Feel free to add, delete or change, depending on how your paintings are going. Let Diane Daly know. We’ll continue to publish updated lists.

Arillyn Moran-Lawrence
Dudleya Farinosa
Salvia  Chamaedroyides, Electric blue sage
Desert Marigold, Baileya multiradiata
Echeveria graptoveria or Kalanchoe thyrsiflora

Bonnie Ash
Agave Utahensis var. nevadensis
Pacific Mist Manzanita Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Linda Ericksen
Prickly pear cactus, Opuntia

Joan Keesey
California Buckeye Flower, Aesculus californica
Flannel Bush Fremontodendron
California Poppy Eschscholzia californica
Foothill Penstemon Penstemon heterophyllus

Or
Heart Leaf Penstemon Keckiella cordiforlia
Toyon Heteromeles arbutifolia
Bush Monkey Flower Mimulus aurantiacus

Patricia VanOsterhoudt
Crape Myrtle, Lagerstroemai indica
Columbine Aquilegia
Mountain Phlox
Yucca (another view)

Sue Kuuskmae
Fortnight Lily, Dietus vegeta
Rock Rose, Kalanchoe
Toyonberry
Matilija poppy, Romneya coulteri

Estelle DeRidder
Coastal Prickly Pear, Opuntia littoralis
Baja Fairy Duster, Dalliandra eriophylla
California Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia
Chia Salvia, Columbriae

Clara Josephs
Coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica

Diane Daly
Island Alum Root, Heuchera maxima
Seaside Daisy  Erigeron glaucus

Carmen Lindsay
Bladder Sage
Ocotillo
Buckwheat

Veronica Raymond
Coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica
Bladderpod, Isomeris arborea
Nevins Barberry, Mahonia nevinii
Englemann Oak Quercus engelmannii

Deborah Shaw
Fuschia Flowered Gooseberry, Ribes speciosum
Blue-eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium bellum
Chalk Dudleya, Dudleya pulverulenta
White sage, Salvia apiana

Mitsuko Schultz
Nevin’s Barberry, Berberis nevinii
California Sycamore, Platanus racemosa

Botanical Art Exhibition of Mieko Ishikawa

October 4, 2012 in Feature Articles | Tags: , , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Akiko Enokido, posted by Deb Shaw

Mieko Ishikawa with her watercolor, “Amorphophallus titanum”. © 2012, all rights reserved.

Mieko Ishikawa with her watercolor, “Amorphophallus titanum”. © 2012, all rights reserved.

I was lucky to be able to attend the exhibition of Mieko Ishikawa’s work, 9/1 to 9/9/2012 at Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo.  Approximately 60 pieces of her work from the past ten years were exhibited. Included in the exhibits were the cherry blossoms series that received the gold medal at RHS, the plants of Borneo, and Conifers.

On the weekend, Mieko had a special event with lectures and photos from her trip to Borneo. From her fascinating lectures, we learned how she found and sketched the plants in the wild rain forest.

Her most recent work is this huge flowering plant Amorphophallus titanum. This originally grows in the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia. The bloom normally reaches up to 8 to 9 ft tall there.

Mieko drew this particular piece at Koishikawa, Botanical Gardens, Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo. Since the one there was only about 6ft tall, she decided to paint it in its actual size. The flower died in two to three days. While she was sketching it, she couldn’t help but notice the terrible smell of the blooming plant. When I visited her studio last March,  she was working on 6.5 x 3.2 ft stretched Arches paper.  The final work was so beautiful it was hard to imagine that it could give out a terrible odor as she described.

Mieko Ishikawa presentation about painting the plants in the wild rain forest of Borneo.

Mieko Ishikawa presentation about painting the plants in the wild rain forest of Borneo.

Mieko has visited Borneo more than ten times. In the rainforest, you can’t take any specimens to confirm the specific plant species. But she became good friends with the guide, and one day he gave her one dead pitcher with a plant. And another time, when the director of the national park gifted her a huge acorn from the herbarium, she trembled with joy as if she was presented with a diamond.

Mieko Ishikawa with painting at Exhibition at Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Mieko Ishikawa with painting at Exhibition at Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo.

We generally are not able to go to the rain-forest; we just have knowledge through photos and videos. The plants in Mieko’s works are drawn actual size and look so lively, it makes you feel as if they are going to move right in front of your eyes. She also taught botanical painting to the people who work at the national park, but the papers were so moistened due to wet weather. She said it was extremely difficult to paint.  Mieko hopes that botanical art will spread throughout their country. Her works are valuable records of the precious species in Malaysia. Mieko wants to be even more active in drawing Borneo plants, presenting their ecology and fascinating morphology in order to protect the nature in Borneo for many more years to come.

15th Annual International American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York

October 4, 2012 in Feature Articles, Member News, News Updates | Tags: , , , , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Deb Shaw

Sugar Maple by Margaret Best

Acer saccharum, Sugar Maple, by Margaret Best, watercolor on paper, © 2012, all rights reserved.

BAGSC members Margaret Best and Akiko Enokido were selected to exhibit in the 15th Annual International exhibition for the American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York. The show is comprised of forty-three artworks by thirty-nine different artists from the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan and the UK.

Jurors Patricia Jonas, Kathie Miranda and Derek Norman had the difficult task of selecting from 192 entries. The artwork in the show can be viewed in the exhibition section on the new ASBA website. Be sure to read interviews with Margaret and Akiko about their work in the show on the website as well.

Variegated Camellia, by Akiko Enokido

Camellia japonica ‘Chandleri Elegans’, Variegated Camellia, by Akiko Enokido, watercolor on vellum, © 2012, all rights reserved.

Want a catalog of the exhibition? Order from ArtPlantae for $20.

The exhibition will be on display from September 14 – November 21, 2012 at The Horticultural Society of New York, 148 W. 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York, 10018. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Congratulations to all!

Anne-Marie Evans Class at the Virginia Robinson Gardens

September 7, 2012 in Learning Opportunities, Member News, News Updates | Tags: , , , , , | by | Leave a comment

by Tania Norris, posted by Deb Shaw

Anne-Marie Evans reviewing students' work.

Anne-Marie Evans reviewing students’ work.

Anne-Marie Evans is one of the most prominent botanical art teachers in the world. She is returning this autumn to the Robinson Gardens to teach DEVELOPING OBSERVATIONAL AND DRAWING SKILLS. Anne-Marie welcomes novice to experienced artists into her classroom.  Her unique way of teaching with a gentle prodding for higher standards leaves each student at the end of the session with a sense of accomplishment.

Course Description: The class will focus on the process of drawing rather than the final finished drawing. As well as seeking to develop observational skills, it offers a methodical and analytical method of approach to a complex subject – the pineapple… Relevant exercises will be included throughout the course.

Dates: October 22 – 26, 2012 (10 am through 3 pm)
Monday 10/22/12 Robinson Gardens Florilegium volunteer day. Tuesday through Friday botanical art class.

Location: Robinson Gardens Pool Pavilion

Cost: $595 for Friends of Robinson Gardens, Robinson Gardens Society and BAGSC members and $675 for non-members.

Non-members may purchase a Robinson Gardens Society membership for $55, save $25 on this workshop’s tuition, and benefit from the many attractions at the Gardens for a whole year.

Deposit: A non-refundable $75 deposit is requested ASAP in order to secure a student’s reservation, due to limited space for this class.

Class Material:
A pineapple
Scissors
Eraser
Pencils HB,*B,2H
Tracing paper
Paper glue
HP watercolor paper
Good quality velum
An empty bottle
A fork

For more information please contact the Friends of Robinson Gardens office at info@robinsongardens.org. There are only a few spaces left.

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