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by Deb Shaw
File photo of the Bomb Squad, reproduced from the “LAObserved Native Intelligence” article, “A visit from the Bomb Squad,” by Nancy Boyarsky, published online Septemer 2, 2015, 12:33 am. See link in this article. © 2015 LAObserved.
BAGSC member Cynthia Jackson, sent an email the other day, asking “is this one of us?” with a link to an article in LAObserved: Native Intelligence, Observations by LA Observed authors and other Angelenos.
Titled, “A visit from the Bomb Squad,” (click on the title to read the article), I didn’t even glance at the byline and started reading right away. When I read the reference to botanical art at the end of the article, (no, I’m not going to give it away — you have to read the article), I scrolled quickly back to the top. Sure enough, it was written by Nancy Boyarsky!
For those of you who are newer BAGSC members, Nancy was one of our founding members, and served on the Board for many years handling Public Relations and Communications for BAGSC with her wonderful writing skills.
Cover of “The Swap: A Mystery” by Nancy Boyarsky, sold on Amazon.com
Nancy responded to my email that since leaving BAGSC, she’s written two mystery novels, now available on Amazon: The Swap: A Mystery and The Bequest: A Mystery, and is now working on her third book.
And yes, Nancy sent the article to the unnamed botanical artist responsible, and she and her family thought it was very funny.
Thank you Cynthia, and congrats Nancy!
Cover of “The Bequest: A Mystery” by Nancy Boyarsky, sold on Amazon.com
by Lori Vreeke, Deb Shaw
A view of the gallery at the Santa Barbara Zoo where the “Zoo in Bloom” exhibition will hang.
While making plans for your Labor Day weekend, don’t forget that the submission deadline is September 5, 2015 for “Zoo in Bloom,” the juried BAGSC exhibition at the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens. Jurors are: Olga Eysymontt, Ann Swan, and Chris Briggs.
All current BAGSC members in good standing are eligible to enter up to two (2) original works of art of botanical flowering specimens grown at the zoo (no prints). Artwork must depict plants that grow at the Zoo. There is no size limitation, and works may have been shown in previous BAGSC, ASBA, Filoli or other exhibitions.
The exhibition will continue through the end of the 2015 and will be open every day to visitors of the zoo. Due to space constraints, this will be a juried show with approximately 30 pieces of art hung. All original artwork must be for sale, prints not allowed.
See previous BAGSC Blog posts with submission details. The submission packet will be sent out again in an email blast to members for convenience.
A view of the gallery at the Santa Barbara Zoo where the “Zoo in Bloom” exhibition will hang.
Questions? Contact Lori Vreeke.
by Janice Sharp and Bonnie Born Ash, posted by Deb Shaw
People’s Choice first place award went to Estelle DeRidder’s, Fuller’s Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, colored pencil on paper, © 2015 Estelle DeRidder, all rights reserved.
During the opening reception for the adjunct exhibition by the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC), friends, family and the public were able to vote for their personal favorites. The votes are in and the ribbons have been hung for the last three days of the show, Friday, 7 August – Sunday, 9 August.
People’s Choice second place award went to Lori Vreeke’s, Field Pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera, colored pencil on paper, © 2015 Lori Vreeke, all rights reserved.
First prize went to Estelle DeRidder’s Fuller’s Teasel with 16 votes. Second prize went to Lori Vreeke’s Field Pumpkin with 12 votes and third prize to Asuka Hishika’s Black Daikon Radish with 11 votes.
There were a surprisingly large number of votes cast (191) and the votes were distributed throughout all the artworks in the show. It is clear that there are many different themes and media that appeal to different viewers, but everyone agrees that the chosen works are fabulous!
People’s Choice third place award went to Asuka Hishiki’s, Black Daikon Radish (Kuromaru Daikon), Raphanus sativus, watercolor on paper, © 2015 Asuka Hishiki, all rights reserved.
by Deb Shaw
Close on the heels of the “Weird, Wild & Wonderful” Symposium at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC), opened their supplemental exhibition of botanical oddities, in the Brody Botanical Center’s Banta Hall at The Huntington.
The reception for the BAGSC adjunct exhibition was packed with family, friends, colleagues and the public. Weird, Wild & Wonderful Second New York Botanical Garden Triennial Exhibition was also open for viewing and enthusiastically received. Photo © Gayle Uyehara, 2015.
The opening reception on Saturday, 1 August was well-attended and great fun. BAGSC members have been rotating shifts, providing botanical art demonstrations and talking with the public all week, including:
- Bonnie Born Ash
- Cristina Baltayian, colored pencil
- Nancy Beckham, colored pencil
- Melanie Campbell-Carter, colored pencil and watercolor
- Jan Clouse
- Diane Daly, watercolor
- Estelle DeRidder
- Kate Gaman
- Cynthia Jackson
- Susan Jackson
- Clara Josephs, watercolor
- Suzanne Kuuskmae
- Tania Marien
- Patricia Mark
- Terri Munroe, graphite and watercolor
- Kathy Morgan, watercolor
- Marilyn Parrino
- Lesley Randall
- Gilly Shaeffer, watercolor
- Mitsuko Schultz, watercolor
- Janice Sharp, metal point and colored pencil
- Deborah Shaw, graphite on vellum
- Beth Stone
- Leslie Walker
- Jude Wiesenfeld
The BAGSC adjunct exhibition features 72 artworks by 37 members, including: Bonnie Born Ash, Cristina Baltayian, Nancy Beckham, Melanie Campbell-Carter, Jan Clouse, Diane Daly, Estelle DeRidder, Nancy Grubb, Asuka Hishiki, Cynthia Jackson, Susan Jackson, Clara Josephs, Joan Keesey, Suzanne Kuuskmae, Teri Kuwahara, Patricia Mark, Lee McCaffree, Arillyn Moran-Lawrence, Kathy Morgan, Terri Munroe, Alyse Ochniak, Marilyn Parrino, Dolores Pope, Kathlyn Powell, Lesley Randall, Veronica Raymond, Robyn Reilman, Norma Sarkin, Mitsuko Schultz, Gilly Shaeffer, Janice Sharp, Deborah Shaw, Beth Stone, Gayle Uyehara, Lori Vreeke, Leslie Walker, Jude Wiesenfeld.
An exhibition of Botanical Oddities, illustrations by the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California will continue each day through Sunday, August 9, 2015, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm in The Frances Lasker Brody Botanical Center at The Huntington.
The Weird, Wild & Wonderful: The New York Botanical Garden Second Triennial Exhibition exhibition also will be open each day, Friday – Sunday, August 7 – 9, plus will continue to be open on weekends only until August 23.
Exhibition information and hours posted at huntington.org
Join us before the BAGSC paintings are whisked away!
by Janice Sharp, posted by Deb Shaw
Exploring stencil leaf rubbings in graphite and colored pencil at The Huntington. BAGSC artists are demonstrating for the public August 1 – 9 in conjunction with our group show of botanical oddities by the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California. “Weird, Wild & Wonderful,” The New York Botanical Garden Second Triennial Exhibition, will be open each day through August 9, and then weekends only through August 23. Photo © Janice Sharp, 2015.
Today was a great family day at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. All afternoon groups of children were attracted to the stencils, pencils and paper we had set out to try their hand at preparing botanical themed rubbings.
Children had fun creating leaf and flower rubbings from stencil templates. They explored the different graphite pencil hardnesses and the effect that could be achieved with light and hard pressure on the pencils. Some ventured into color pencils choosing a favorite color to create shapes or writing their name to claim ownership of their creations. One adventurous artist started with graphite to define outlines then filled in with color.
While most of the budding artists were very young, there were also older “children” who wanted to create a work of art.
I had a fun afternoon giving basic instructions on how to do a rubbing, although most of my time seemed to be spent handing out fresh pieces of paper and sharpening pencils.
Exploring stencil leaf rubbings in graphite and colored pencil at The Huntington. Photo © Janice Sharp, 2015.
A number of parents had to use all their persuasive powers to convince their children that The Huntington offered activities other than rubbings and they should explore them before the close of day.
by Lori Vreeke, posted by Deb Shaw
Flower images photographed by Lori Vreeke at the Santa Barbara Zoo, © 2015, all rights reserved.
BAGSC will be holding a juried exhibition at the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, entitled “Zoo in Bloom”.
All current BAGSC members in good standing are eligible to enter up to two (2) original works of art of botanical flowering specimens grown at the zoo (no prints). Artwork must depict plants that grow at the Zoo, but does not have to be drawn there. There is no size limitation, and works may have been shown in previous BAGSC, ASBA, Filoli or other exhibitions.
The exhibition will continue through the end of the 2015 and will be open every day to visitors of the zoo. Due to space constraints, this will be a juried show with approximately 30 pieces of art hung. Jurors will be a zoo representative, a local Southern California juror and a juror from the UK. All original artwork must be for sale, prints not allowed.
Submission Deadline is September 5, 2015. Questions? Contact Lori Vreeke.
Flower images photographed by Lori Vreeke at the Santa Barbara Zoo, © 2015, all rights reserved.
A plant list and the Call for Entries packet will be emailed to BAGSC members.
The opening reception for this wonderful opportunity will be in conjunction with the gala celebrating Santa Barbara Zoo Members Day, running from 9:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday, October 3, 2015. BAGSC artists will be demonstrating throughout the day in the gardens and an information table will be set up to answer any questions about our exhibit and BAGSC. Sign-up requests to follow.
The Santa Barbara zoo is home to over 600 animals on 30 acres of lush gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The property was originally home to a private residence and was gifted to the city as a park. In 1963, the zoo opened to the public featuring formal gardens and lawns, native plants and trees, cacti and succulents, ornamentals and exotic species throughout the park to recreate natural habitat.
Flower images photographed by Lori Vreeke at the Santa Barbara Zoo, © 2015, all rights reserved.
by Clara Josephs, posted by Deb Shaw
Here is some helpful information regarding the cost of Olga’s Sunday class at the LA Arboretum. The base cost of the class (through Otis) for noncredit is $435 plus the required amount of $39 for insurance and registration fees. You may deduct up to two $50 ($100 total!) discounts as they apply to you.
Choose from any two of the following:
- Senior, 60 and over: subtract $50
- KCRW member with valid card in your name: subtract $50
- Early bird registration until August 23: subtract $50
- Alumni discount: subtract $50
Take two discounts and the cost of the class is $374 for 8 full days of instruction!
For convenience, here is the basic information posted in a previous BAGSC Blog post:
Graphite for Botanical Illustration. Classes will held for 8 Sundays, from September 13 through November 1, 9:30–4:30 and is appropriate for all skill levels. Register through Otis College 310 665 6950 class # XILU3556. This class is not yet up on the website, but will fill quickly. If you are interested, register soon by phone.
by Deb Shaw
Invitation to BAGSC adjunct exhibition.
In conjunction with “Weird, Wild, and Wonderful” The New York Botanical Garden Second Triennial Exhibition, the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) will present a supplemental exhibition from August 1–9, in the Brody Botanical Center’s Banta Hall at The Huntington, featuring free public demonstrations, lectures about botanical art, and specimens of botanical curiosities. The BAGSC adjunct exhibition features 72 artworks by 37 members.
An exhibition of Botanical Oddities…
illustrations by the
Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California
in The Frances Lasker Brody Botanical Center
At The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
August 1–9, 2015 (closed Tuesday)
10:30 am – 4:30 pm
We will have a reception for BAGSC members, our guests, and Huntington VIPs and staff at:
10:00 am this Saturday, August 1, 2015
before The Huntington opens to the public.
The “Weird, Wild & Wonderful” New York Triennial exhibition also will be open the entire time the BAGSC exhibition is up, August 1 – 9, except on Tuesday, when The Huntington is closed.
Weird, Wild & Wonderful exhibition dates:
June 13 – August 23
Exhibition open to the public weekends only and each day August 1–9
Additional exhibition information: asba-art.org/exhibitions/weird-wild-wonderful
Exhibition information and hours posted at huntington.org
Artists in the BAGSC exhibition include:
Bonnie Born Ash, Cristina Baltayian, Nancy Beckham, Melanie Campbell-Carter, Jan Clouse, Diane Daly, Estelle DeRidder, Nancy Grubb, Asuka Hishiki, Cynthia Jackson, Susan Jackson, Clara Josephs, Joan Keesey, Suzanne Kuuskmae, Teri Kuwahara, Patricia Mark, Lee McCaffree, Arillyn Moran-Lawrence, Kathy Morgan, Terri Munroe, Alyse Ochniak, Marilyn Parrino, Dolores Pope, Kathlyn Powell, Lesley Randall, Veronica Raymond, Robyn Reilman, Norma Sarkin, Mitsuko Schultz, Gilly Shaeffer, Janice Sharp, Deborah Shaw, Beth Stone, Gayle Uyehara, Lori Vreeke, Leslie Walker, Jude Wiesenfeld.
Download the full invitation here: bagscExhibitionInviteF
by Melanie Campbell-Carter
Nepenthes! The very epitome of Weird, Wild, and Wonderful was the subject of a three-day pre-symposium workshop led by Mieko Ishikawa, a featured artist in the Weird, Wild & Wonderful exhibit currently on view at the Brody Botanical Center at The Huntington and also a Keynote Speaker at our symposium.
Mieko Ishikawa graciously traveled across the Pacific to join us here in Southern California. Her first event of the Symposium was her three-day workshop on Nepenthes. The Huntington botanical gardens staff kindly cultivated and provided living Nepenthes plants for the workshop, and Mieko provided Reindeer Vellum for her students’ paintings.
Meiko Ishikawa and Akiko Enokido unroll Reindeer Vellum to show the class what a whole skin looks like.
First Mieko treated us to a wonderful presentation about her adventures finding and painting the very special plants of Borneo. We then enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of The Huntington greenhouse where the Nepenthes were grown. Robert Hori of The Huntington and BAGSC’s very talented Akiko Enokido provided interpretive skills for the workshop.
Meiko demonstrating her techniques.
After three days of intense study, graphite drawing on our vellum, and very careful application of watercolor on our drawings with extremely tiny brushes, we all had a much greater understanding of the stunning talent and achievements of Mieko Ishikawa. Her mastery of the structure of the plants, as well as her breathtaking artistic talent, gave all of us an enormous dose of inspiration to continue learning and painting!
Many, many thanks to everyone who made the workshop possible – including The Huntington gardens’ staff, the ASBA, the amazing BAGSC women who organized the symposium, and especially our tireless and patient instructor, Mieko Ishikawa.
Workshop participants with their Nepenthes paintings.
By Akiko Enokido and Deb Shaw
Akiko Enokido, Camellia japonica ‘Kingyoba tsubaki’, common name, Goldfish Camellia. Watercolor on vellum, © 2014, all rights reserved.
In addition to previous postings about BAGSC members’ acceptances, BAGSC member Akiko Enokido was also accepted into the 18th Annual International Show of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) at The Horticultural Society of New York.
Akiko sent this information about her painting:
The camellia cultivation started in 17th century in Japan. Goldfish Camellia is one of the old species. Most of the flowers are single layer, pink or white. But the foliage is appropriate to its name, and you can see the tip of the foliage split into three to five segments, which looks like a fishtail.
The leaves are unusually shaped and each leaf is different, showing different expressions and movement. These are really odd but lovely, even when they’re not in bloom. I picked one of the enchanting branch with leaves that looked like many fishes swimming and jumping.
Congratulations to Akiko and to all BAGSC members in the exhibition!
by Suzanne Kuuskmae, posted by Deb Shaw
Cristina Baltayian will be teaching a day-long (10 am – 4:00 pm) botanical colored pencil techniques class on July 11, 2015 at Destination: Art in Old Torrance. The cost will be $90 for the day; you can bring your lunch or we will order out.
Contact Suzanne Kuuskmae to sign up or get further information. Come enjoy our comfortable, co-op studio/gallery for the day.
We will have a second session on August 8!
Destination: Art is located at:
1815 West 213th Street, Suite 135
Torrance, California 90501
(310) 742-3192
Destination: Art Map and Directions
by Beth Stone
The call for entries has been sent (see email from Deb Shaw dated 5/5/15) for BAGSC ‘s very own adjunct exhibition to “Weird, Wild & Wonderful: The New York Botanical Garden Second Triennial Exhibition, Botanical Illustrations of Remarkable Plants” coming to The Huntington’s Brody Botanical Center.
BAGSC members of all experience levels are encouraged to enter at least one artwork (limit is 3 artworks per member). To date we have a list of nearly 50 subjects from 25 artists, we’re expecting many more.
Botanical oddities and curiosities could be those found locally, in natural surroundings or a botanical garden. If you’re looking for more inspiration, Dick Rauh, PhD offered ideas to artists on potentially pertinent plants: http://asba-art.org/article/weird-wild-and-wonderful-suggested-subjects. We’d like to include as many different species as possible.
So…what visually unusual, bizarre, beautiful (or not) subject have you chosen?
We have an important deadline, here’s how you can help:
Please email the complete botanical name of your choices ASAP but no later than Wednesday, May 27, 2015 to Beth Stone. Don’t worry, this does not obligate you to submit those works.
The cut-off date is when we will submit our “list of plant subjects” as best we know it to The Huntington so they can start planning on signage, related plants from the Garden, microscopes and more, linking our artworks to The Huntington’s vast plant collection in creative, and no doubt “wonderful”, ways.
by Janice Sharp and Beth Stone
Gilly Shaeffer demonstrating her watercolor technique. Gilly Shaeffer demonstrating her watercolor technique. Photo credit: Brad King (SCCS President).
In January of 2015 BAGSC staged a show entitled A Passion for Camellias in Van de Kamp Hall at Descanso Gardens. The exhibit was an exciting addition to the first Camellia flower show of the 2015 show season. BAGSC members were on hand all that weekend to answer questions and to provide demonstrations.
At the request of Descanso Gardens, 11 art works from the initial display of 20 have been re-hung in the historic and beautifully restored Boddy House where they are expected to remain well into 2016. Art works were selected to represent as many contributing artists as possible. The area where the botanicals are hanging invites close observation, along the interior hallway leading to and spilling into the kitchen.
You’ll want to set aside some time to bring friends and family to visit Descanso Gardens and see this lovely display in person. For an orientation to the Boddy House, please refer to the Descanso Gardens web site: https://www.descansogardens.org/explore/boddy-house
Artist Tania Norris chatting with Camellia enthusiast Hiromi Sato.
While you’re there, be sure to stop into the Sturt Haaga Gallery to see California Light opening May 3rd:
https://www.descansogardens.org/explore/upcoming-exhibition/
Many thanks to David Brown, Susan Armstrong and Cris Martinez of Descanso Gardens for welcoming BAGSC’s Passion for Camellias to the Boddy House.
Watercolor of C. japonica ‘Berenice Boddy’ by Clara Josephs, © 2015, all rights reserved.
Camellia Botanicals in Descanso’s Boddy House.
BAGSC News 