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by Beth Stone
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.
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.
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.
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 Janice Sharp and Beth Stone, posted by Deb Shaw

Rose Hips, Rosa californica (California Rose), Janice Sharp, colored pencil, © 2016, all rights reserved.
In 2015, BAGSC had a wonderful opportunity to exhibit in Van de Kamp Hall at Descanso Gardens. The show, A Passion for Camellias, was shown in conjunction with the first Camellia flower show of the 2015 show season. [Read about the past articles right here on the BAGSC Blog: https://bagscblog.com/2015/05/01/bagsc-botanical-camellia-art-exhibit-at-descansos-boddy-house/ and https://bagscblog.com/2015/01/20/bagsc-exhibits-botanical-camellia-art-at-descanso-camellia-flower-show/%5D
The show was so successful, Descanso Gardens requested 11 art works from the initial display of 20 be re-hung in the historic and beautifully restored Boddy House, where they have remained on display.
BAGSC now has the opportunity to exhibit at Descanso as a feature of their May 14th and 15th, 2016 Rose Festival. Entitled “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, the subject matter, is, of course, ROSES!

Rosa (Watercolor Rose — really the common name; I wouldn’t kid you about that), Beth Stone, watercolor, © 2016, all rights reserved.
This exhibition will replace the Camellia exhibition, and will run until 2017.
Questions? Contact either: Janice Sharp or Beth Stone.
Complete submission of up to two (2) artworks, forms and $35 entry fee are due by April 17, 2016. The official “Call for Entries” packet has been emailed to BAGSC members. Please contact Janice or Beth if you did not receive the Call for Entries packet.
Happy painting!
by Tania Norris, posted by Deb Shaw
A rose named for Tania Norris, won the highest award, “The Golden Rose of Rose Hills,” given by the international judges at the Annual International Rose Trials on Saturday, October 4, 2015.
The rose, a sport of “Gentle Giant,” was discovered by local rosarian Luis Desamero, and was installed in the Pageant of Roses Garden, Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, in 2013.
Each year, international rose hybridizers give six of their bushes for judging. The first year, the bushes are judged by a local panel of official rose judges. The second year, a panel of international, national and local judges, judge the bushes on foliage, growth, fragrance, bloom and all phases of the flower as to attractiveness. There are awards given for the best hybrid tea, most fragrant, best floribunda, the best miniature and the best shrub. The bush with the highest points wins “The Golden Rose of Rose Hills.”
The Pageant of Roses Garden is located at 3888 South Workman Mill Road in Whittier, California. The garden was established more than 50 years ago, and today grows approximately 10,000 plants and 300 cultivars. There also are designated garden areas for growing and testing future varieties, under the watchful eyes of the All-America Rose Selections (AARS) and the American Rose Society Award of Excellence Miniature program (AOE). Previous winners of these prestigious awards are displayed throughout the garden.
The garden began the International Rose Trials in 2000, and has gained international recognition for the quality and maintenance of the entries among breeders and introducers alike.

Rosarian Luis Desamero (left) and Tania Norris (right) with the award-winning rose. © Tania Norris, 2014.
BAGSC member and past president Tania Norris has been Patron of the International Rose Trials for the past twelve years. She is founder and Past President of the Beverly Hills Rose Society.
by Tania Norris, posted by Deb Shaw
Just a reminder for those that have not signed up, that there are still a few spots available in Jenny Phillips class at the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG).
Jenny’s classes are always fun and rewarding and this time the three day class is drawing in preparation for the watercolor class the following week. So if possible, please take both segments as they are really one class. For those unable to take the drawing section, it will mean that you won’t be able (probably) to finish the painting in one week.
Jenny suggested roses as the subject but as most gardens have been pruned am not sure of availability so we may have a different subject and if so, one that can be included in the Florilegium. Or we may have a choice of subject.
For those that took Anne-Marie’s classes and painted wisteria and/or coral tree, we are hoping that while Jenny is here that they will be judged and the best two added to the Florilegium.
Please bring your finished paintings to VRG by April 8th. Please have them in a protective cover, unsigned if possible but clearly marked on the back of the painting with your name and phone number. Please remember that if your painting wins, you keep the copyright but you are giving the painting to Virginia Robinson Gardens and they will have the right to reproduce the painting for cards, prints, folio or anything else that flower paintings can used and that any monies from the sales of the reproductions belongs to VRG. The paintings will be aded to the permanent collection at the Gardens.
The following is the information for Jenny’s class:
April 10, 11 and 12, 2013
Drawing beautiful botanically correct roses in graphite
April 15 – 19, 2013
Focusing on a florileguim quality painting in watercolor of a rose
Jenny Phillips is one of the most renowned botanical artists in the world and one of the most popular and experienced teachers. She has her own Botanical Art School in Melbourne, Australia, and has her paintings in many notable collections, including that of H.R.H. Prince Charles. Jenny’s teaching always includes effective ways to achieve maximum effect with ease and her wit is always evident.
Classes will be held at Virginia Robinson Gardens from 9 – 3:30 on each of the days listed above.
A supplies list will be sent to all participants. Coffee, tea and water will be provided, but please bring your own lunch. Painting subject may change due to availability of garden roses in April.
Fees for the three day session are $375 for VRG and BAGSC members; $450 for non-members. The five day session is $595 for VRG and BAGSC members; $650 for non-members. A deposit of $100 per class to hold the space can be accepted, but is non-refundable.
To make reservations, visit the Virginia Robinson Gardens online; call 310.550.2068; or mail a check to: Friends of Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Questions? Contact Tania Norris.