Akiko Enokido’s “Pomegranate” in “American Art Collector” Magazine

March 29, 2011 in Feature Articles, Member News, News Updates | by | 2 comments

by Deb Shaw

Watercolor painting by Akiko Enokido, Pomegranate, Punica granatum, © 2010, all rights reserved.

Watercolor painting by Akiko Enokido, Pomegranate, Punica granatum, © 2010, all rights reserved.

An article in the April 2011 issue of American Art Collector features the upcoming exhibition, Green Currency: Plants in the Economy to be held at the New York Botanical Garden April 30 – July 31, with images of Akiko’s Pomegranate, Punica granatum; along with milly acharya’s Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea/D. lutea, and Karen Kluglein’s Corn, Zea mays.

The exhibit is organized and hosted by The New York Botanical Garden and curated by the American Society of Botanical Artists, and features  43 artworks of plants used for medicine, food, clothing, fuel, and shelter. Participating artists are from the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Japan, and the UK.

Art Collector 66001 Click the link to download the PDF and read the article and see the images.

Congratulations Akiko and all of the participating artists.

Sympathies to our Botanical Artist Friends in Japan

March 24, 2011 in Member News, News Updates | by | Leave a comment

by Akiko Enokido, Deb Shaw, and Leslie Walker

Our friends in the Japanese botanical artist’s group will be having a meeting in Tokyo on May 8th, and BAGSC members are writing letters of sympathy and support on botanical art cards that Mieko Ishikawa will present at their meeting. Please bring your cards to any of the BAGSC gatherings in April (see below — Elaine Searle’s “Meet and Greet”; Margaret’s Blue Class; or Susan Frei Nathan’s Workshop), or send them to Akiko for inclusion in our package to them.

If you have cards of your own work, or would like to bring additional cards for others to sign, that would be wonderful.

Our hearts, prayers, and thoughts go out to everyone there, and all those who have friends and families in Japan.

Thank you.

April Dates

March 24, 2011 in Learning Opportunities, Member News, News Updates | by | Leave a comment

Keep your eye on the calendar for April! An email blast was sent out to members with information on the following April dates:

Come Meet and Greet Elaine Searle (and potluck)
Saturday April 2, 2011
at Tania’s.

Margaret Best class: “A Brush with Blue”
April 15, 16 & 17, 2011, 10 am – 4 pm
at Sally’s new studio — there are still a few openings left. See the blog posting below and contact Leslie.

Susan Frei Nathan at the Huntington Library
April 28-29, 2011
See the blog posting below and contact Deb.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be May 21 instead of May 28, 2011 at Norma’s house.

Susan Frei Nathan at the Huntington Library

March 24, 2011 in Learning Opportunities, News Updates | by | 1 comment

by Deb Shaw

Susan Frei Nathan will be presenting a workshop at the The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens on

April 28-29, 2011

Susan Frei Nathan is an ASBA Board Member, and a gallery owner specializing in botanical art representing Jean Emmons, Martha Kemp, Karen Kluglein, Kate Nessler, Lizzie Sanders, Catherine Watters and Carol Woodin, among others.

She has a talent for helping artists bring their work to the next level. Susan will give a lecture on the morning of April 28 (cost $10 for members; $15 for non-members), followed by individual meetings with artists in a half-hour, one-on-one portfolio review/critique session ($50) that afternoon and on Friday, April 29. Susan will discuss each artist’s work as well as marketing and personal artistic goals.

The lecture/discussion will cover:

  • the current market valuation for botanical art
  • how botanical art has been valued over time
  • choosing subject matters with the intention of selling your work
  • quality of work and how this is determined
  • how to find the right gallery to represent your work
  • what collectors look for
  • building collections
  • dissecting specific collections Susan has built and exploring the collector’s mind

The individual critiques will cover:

  • evaluation of the artist’s potential to sell artwork within the fine art market
  • discussion of technique, composition, color, choice of subject matter
  • individual professional goals

Take advantage of this valuable opportunity. To reserve your space for the lecture AND for an individual critique, send your $10 deposit to Deb Shaw. To schedule an individual session with Susan Frei Nathan contact Deb. Every attempt will be made to schedule BAGSC members who come from far away for the Thursday afternoon sessions after the lecture/discussion. The $50 payment for the individual session can be paid in advance, or the morning of the lecture.

Pastel Society of Southern California Opening in Manhattan Beach

March 24, 2011 in Member News | by | Leave a comment

by Sue Kuuskmae

The Pastel Society of Southern California show is opening this Saturday, March 26. The reception is at the Creative Arts Center, Manhattan Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA.

We will have food, wine and non-alcoholic  beverages, a piano player, and an enthusiastic bunch of 50 artists showing their work. Please come and join in the fun as we vote for our favorite landscape, plein aire painting, still life, or abstract. The hours are from 6 – 9:00 p.m., the perfect cocktail hour.

Margaret Best to Teach “A Brush with Blue”

February 27, 2011 in Feature Articles, Learning Opportunities, Member News | by | Leave a comment

By Leslie Walker

Plumbago auriculata painting

Plumbago auriculata, watercolor by Margaret Best, © 2011, all rights reserved.

At one time blue pigments were amongst the most expensive and difficult to obtain. Unlike red pigment, the challenge was not one of permanency but availability. Technology has eliminated many of the former problems related to this color. But in the range of blue paints now available to the artist, what are the best choices and most specifically which ones serve the specific needs of the contemporary botanical artist? For an in-depth study of the color blue, exercises to help you discover which blue pigments will provide you the best colour matches for botanical subjects, join Margaret Best for this 3-day workshop in another of her series designed to expand your understanding of available pigments. You will also learn how to use blue effectively in the highlights and shadow areas of your paintings and your knowledge gained will be used to create a single flower study.

Class location is at Sally Jacobs’ new studio in LA. An email blast will be sent out with directions; for questions, please contact me. Classes will be April 15, 16 & 17, 2011, 10 am – 4 pm. Bring a bag lunch as there are no nearby places to eat. Cost will be $275 for BAGSC members and $300 for non-members. Space will be held for a non-refundable $50 deposit sent to Leslie Walker. Final payment is due April 1, 2011.

Questions? Call or email Leslie.

Arillyn Moran-Lawrence’s Iris “Fleur de lis” to be Exhibited at the Salmagundi Club

February 27, 2011 in Feature Articles, Member News | by | Leave a comment

Iris "Fleur de lis", watercolor by Arillyn Moran-Lawrence

Iris "Fleur de lis", watercolor by Arillyn Moran-Lawrence, © 2011.

Arillyn Moran-Lawrence’s, Iris “Fleur de lis” will be in the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s show at the Salmagundi Club in New York City.  The show will be March 20th to April 1st, 2011, at 47 Fifth Avenue, NYC. The reception will be Friday, March 25th, from 6-8 pm.

Congratulations Arillyn!

Review of Wendy Hollender Colored Pencil Workshop

February 27, 2011 in Feature Articles, Member News | by | Leave a comment

By Sue Kuuskmae

Wendy Hollender demo

Wendy Hollender demonstrating during her colored pencil class. Photo credit: S. Kuuskmae, 2011.

Wendy Hollender of the New York Botanical Garden arrived from her snow-bound farm near New Paltz, NY, on Sunday, February 13, and stayed with me in Manhattan Beach as she got acclimated to our time zone before her workshop began.

The class was held at the Creative Arts Center, Manhattan Beach, on February 14 & 15 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Wendy stressed doing the form of the plant first and thinks about color only after that is complete. We began by doing the shading of a small fruit that we found on some local bushes as she demonstrated the technique of giving a 3-dimensional look. She also gave a demonstration of how to do a few different kind of leaves before she set us loose on giving it a try.

The second day we were given a demonstration of correct perspective and then worked on whatever drawing we had brought with us. Wendy walked around stopping at each desk continuously so that we all felt we got lots of attention. This is one of the good aspects of her teaching style as she never gets bogged down with one student for an inordinate amount of time. At the end of our second day, we all visited each desk to hear Wendy’s comments about each piece of work and her suggestions for improvement. This was quite educational for all.

As we had several out of town participants from San Diego, we had a dinner out on Monday night, which was lots of fun. Arlene Weinstock of the Colored Pencil Society joined us for a delicious meal at a local Lebanese restaurant. I hope that when Wendy comes out this way again, I will get enough notice so that I can once again get together a workshop for those who are interested in colored pencil skills.  For a good review of Wendy’s methods, take a look at her new book, “Botanical Drawing in Color – A Basic Guide to Mastering Realistic Form and Naturalistic Color” which can be purchased on line at Amazon.com.

Margaret Best, Solo Exhibition, “Bermuda Botanica”, in Hamilton, Bermuda

February 16, 2011 in Uncategorized | by | Leave a comment

by Deb Shaw

Margaret Best will have a solo exhibition in Hamilton, Bermuda, entitled “Bermuda Botanica“. The exhibit will be in the Edinburgh Gallery of the Bermuda Society of Arts, from May 20 – June 7, 2011 and will feature watercolor paintings of plants from Bermuda.

Margaret taught three workshops in 2010 at the Bermuda Society of Arts, and will be teaching more workshops in March of 2011 and a class in association with the show in May/June (please see posting below).

Join Margaret Best in Bermuda Botanical Art Workshops

February 16, 2011 in Feature Articles, Learning Opportunities, Member News | by | Leave a comment

by Deb Shaw

Bermuda Paw Paw painting by Margaret Best

Carica papaya, Bermuda Paw Paw, watercolor by Margaret Best, © 2010, all rights reserved.

Join Margaret Best at the Bermuda Society of Artists’ Gallery, Hamilton, Bermuda for a four day botanical art workshop:
“Color and Composition“
May 30 – June 2, 2011
10 am – 4 pm
Cost: $395 members/$445 non-members

The workshop will explore color and composition in watercolor by painting stunning sub-tropical plant specimens, including hibiscus ginger, strelitzia, plumeria, wild gladioli, magnolia and more.

For more information about the workshop and to register, contact: The Bermuda Society of Artists.

Other botanical art classes that Margaret will be teaching in Bermuda include:

Drawing with Dimension
March 5 – 6, 2011
Graphite techniques to achieve effective continuous tone

Finding Form in Watercolour
March 9 – 11, 2011
The role of light and shadow, value and colour in effective botanical watercolours

As stated on their website, The Bermuda Society of Arts is known affectionately as the “People’s Art Gallery”.  The oldest established arts organization in the country, the Society’s mission is to further the arts and artists in Bermuda.

Bermuda map

Location of Hamilton on the island of Bermuda.

Bermuda is located approximately two hours off the east coast of the United States, and is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.

New Classes by Julie Schneider Ljubenkov

February 1, 2011 in Learning Opportunities, Member News | by | Leave a comment

Watercolor of Mesa Prickly Pear, Opuntia x vaseyi, by Julie Schneider Ljubenkov, © 2006

Watercolor of Mesa Prickly Pear, Opuntia x vaseyi, by Julie Schneider Ljubenkov, © 2006

BAGSC Member Julie Schneider Ljubenkov is offering the following classes:

Eye on Nature, Beginning Watercolor Landscape Painting, 3 units (Adults)
January 20 to March 17th, 9 Thursday evenings, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
University of California San Diego, La Jolla. Extension. $275.00
Materials fee optional.

Mosaic Art, Mira Costa College Community Services (Adults)
7 Monday evenings, March 21 to May 2,  5:30 to 8:30. Non-credit
$109.00 to enroll. $35.00 materials fee.

Julie is also looking for three adults that would like to do a mosaic workshop with her in San Marcos. Email Julie if interested.

Introduction to Mosaic Art 1, 3 units. University of California San Diego (Adults) La Jolla, Extension. $275.00, 9 Tuesday evenings, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, April 5 to May 31st. Materials fee optional.

Watercolor Painting for Children, 4 Tuesday afternoons, 3:30 to 5:00, Feb. 1 to Feb. 22. City of Escondido, East Valley Community Center.

Gardening and Landscaping with California Native Plants at two locations:
1.       4 Tuesday evenings, 6:00 to 8:30, Feb. 1 to Feb. 22, City of Escondido
2.       3 Monday evenings, 5:30 to 8:30, May 9th to 23, Mira Costa College, Oceanside

There will be  two Saturday morning field trips to a native plant nursery. The dates will be announced. You may go to either one, or both.

Please check dates, times, and prices on-line or in the schedule of classes. Signing up early insures the class will not get canceled due to low enrollment.

Gloria Whea-Fun Teng to teach Chinese Brush Painting at the Arboretum

February 1, 2011 in Learning Opportunities, Member News | by | Leave a comment

by Deborah Shaw

Chinese Brush Painting

Chinese Brush Painting

Gloria Whea-Fun Teng will be teaching another session of Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting at the Arboretum:

4 Thursdays: January 6 – January 27;
4 Thursdays, February 3 – 24
12:30-2:30pm / Oak Room
$120 members / $130 non-members per session

In this introductory course the student will learn the difference between Chinese brush painting and other watercolor painting. The class will teach the beginning  painter to use Chinese brushes and ink to create beautiful paintings on rice paper. At the end of this course, a completed painting will be ready to be framed and  displayed. More experienced students will continue to refine their work  and learn new techniques.

For Reservations or Information, please call (626) 821-4623 or email Jill Berry.

Janice Sharp’s Opening Reception for Basket Exhibition

February 1, 2011 in Member News | by | Leave a comment

Exhibition Invitation

Exhibition invitation postcard

The opening reception for “Needles & Glass”, an exhibition of baskets by Janice Sharp and Jill Carlson and glass by Phillip Smith will be held Friday, February 4, 2011 from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The gallery, Creative Arts Group, is located at 108 North Baldwin Avenue, Sierra Madre, California 91024.

Congratulations Janice (and Jill)!

Links to Chapman University Promotion of the BAGSC Exhibit

February 1, 2011 in Exhibit Opportunities, Feature Articles, Member News | by | Leave a comment

by Deborah Shaw

Chapman University Leatherby Libraries are promoting the BAGSC Exhibition, “A Brush with Nature” through press releases, invitations to their mailing lists, signage and campus communications.

Here are two links to campus sites where the exhibit is being promoted.  The first — Happenings — is available on the university website and emailed to the campus community each week:

The second is the online Events Calendar posted on the Chapman website.

See you at the show!

The BAGSC Chapman Leatherby Libraries Exhibition is Up and Open!

January 26, 2011 in Exhibit Opportunities, Feature Articles, Member News, News Updates | by | 1 comment

by Deborah Shaw

Laying out tables of beautiful artwork to arrange for hanging.

Laying out tables of beautiful artwork to arrange for hanging.

A Brush with Nature, an exhibit of botanical art by The Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) and presented by Chapman University Leatherby Libraries has been hung and is now open for viewing. Twenty-three BAGSC artists are exhibiting 75 works of art in watercolor, colored pencil, ink and graphite. (See list at the end of this article for participating artists.)

Exhibit dates are: Saturday, January 8 through Thursday, February 17, 2011
Doy and Dee Henley Reading Room and Clarke Gallery Wall
Leatherby Libraries, 2nd Floor
Chapman University
One University Drive, Orange, California 92866

For exhibit hours please visit the Chapman Leatherby Libraries website.

Leslie and Akiko working on the display case.

Leslie and Akiko working on the display case.

Visitor parking near the Leatherby Libraries is available for $2.00 – $3.00 and may be purchased from the permit dispenser.
For more detailed parking information, fees, maps and directions to Chapman University please visit the map on their website.

Information about the opening reception will be sent to all BAGSC members via email blast.

Participating artists:
Bonnie Born Ash • Cristina Baltayian • Margaret Best • Diane Daly • Akiko Enokido • Olga Eysymontt • Denise Genova • Irene Horiuchi • Barbara Jaynes • Clara Josephs • Morgan Kari • Joan Keesey • Suzanne Kuuskmae • Patricia Mark • Arillyn Moran-Lawrence • Norma Sarkin • Janice Sharp • Deborah Shaw •  Mitsuko Schultz • Gilly Shaeffer • Gloria Whea-Fun Teng • Leslie Walker

Leatherby Library staff hanging show.

The Leatherby Libraries staff were wonderful and professional on every level, greeting us with freshly painted walls, carts, levels and tape measures, hanging wires and labels. What a great team!

Stand with sign and price list.

Stand with sign and price list.

One wall of the show.

One wall of the show.

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