ArtPlantae Today

By Bonnie S. Driggers

Botanical Artists for Education and the Environment (BAEE), a group of botanical artists primarily in the Mid-Atlantic area of the US, have undertaken a project to publish a book of paintings about native plants. Because the destruction of native plants continues at an alarming rate, we hope our book will increase the public’s knowledge and encourage use and conservation of this vital part of our natural heritage.

The working title of the book is American Botanicals: Plants Native to the Mid-Atlantic. The book will reproduce original works of art and include text focused on the importance of each plant as a native. A jury will select artwork from digital images. The book is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2013; an exhibition will follow at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, DC, in the spring of 2014. Artists will donate use of their work but retain the copyright; BAEE will retain the copyright to the book. See contact information below for more details.

Countess Clarissa Bonde, one of our Board Members and Honorary Chairman of Fund Raising, has arranged with the U.S. Botanic Garden to exhibit our paintings beginning in late spring or summer of 2014. Among the judges are Holly Shimizu, Executive Director of the USBG; Bill McLaughlin, Curator of Plants at the USBG; and Dick Rauh, Immediate Past President of the ASBA. One additional judge may be added. We are fortunate to have the support and guidance of Anne-Marie Evans of England.

Call for Entries:

Eligibility: We are inviting all artists in the Mid-Atlantic region who are members of American Society of Botanical Artists or other botanical art organizations to participate.

Subject: Plants native to the Mid-Atlantic defined for this project as including the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Media Accepted: watercolor, graphite, pen & ink, egg tempera, colored pencil

Submission: January 1, 2013. Entry fee: $25 for up to 5 paintings (only 3 will be selected for the book). Digital files only: 360 dpi, 8″ high, TIFF files only. Portrait orientation preferred.

Presentation: Paintings selected should not be matted or framed; BAEE will arrange to have this done for purposes of conformity. Artwork should be created 100% life-size. Very small plants may be enlarged provided a scale is given. For the book, we hope to reduce paintings by no more than 50%. Page size in the book will be 8.5″ x 11″.

Contact: If you are interested or would like more information, such as a list of desirable native plants, more detailed project specifications, or a brochure that gives more information about the project, please contact Bonnie Driggers, BAEE President, or Esther Carpi.