Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Articles & Interviews, teaching and learning on September 6, 2013|
To collect data to evaluate the use of drawing as a learning tool in a classroom setting, Jennifer had to create her own assessment tool. She created a tool called the Observational Skills Assessment. What did she think of this experience?
Ugh! That was the hardest part of my dissertation.
Posted in botanical art, Drawing, drawing, Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Articles & Interviews on September 4, 2013|
Jennifer Landin is the featured guest for September. Her research about using drawing as a learning tool in a biology classroom is based upon Posner’s Theory of Conceptual Research. I asked Jennifer what Posner’s Theory is all about. She replied:
Posner basically says that you start with a preconception. When you get some new information, you either integrate it with your current knowledge or you need to adjust your current understanding into something new. The problem is that the world often makes sense with our preconceptions, and changing can be kind of uncertain and scary. So in order to change, it’s got to really be worth it…
Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Articles & Interviews on September 4, 2013|
Red Pine New Growth, © Debra Greenblatt, all rights reserved. Courtesy MacRostie Art Center
MacRostie Art Center has announced its exhibitions for September, including
Art from the Edge of the Boreal Forest featuring the work of ten Minnesota-based botanical artists. These artists have created an exhibition of artwork based on the trees, plants, birds, and insects of the boreal forest to help educate the public about the disruptive factors – such as fire, invasive species, and stressful climate conditions – that are affecting this ecosystem. Boreal forests cross most of the upper parts of North America. The forests of Minnesota are uniquely positioned on the edge of the boreal forest ecosystem, which makes them especially susceptible to ecological disturbances.
The artists launched their studies of boreal forests in 2010 and have consulted with Dr. Lee Frelich, a forest ecologist with the University of Minnesota, Dr. Gerald Niemi of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and Jana Albers, DNR Forest Health Specialist. The artists have created work featuring botanically accurate images of trees, plants, birds, and insects. The species depicted were identified as most at risk for disappearing from the northern woods of Minnesota.
The artists used the following media to create their work: watercolor, gouache, pastels, acrylic, graphite, colored pencil, pen and ink and scratchboard.
The work in this exhibition distinguishes itself from most floral art in its botanical and scientific accuracy. It also separates itself from descriptive botanical and scientific illustration in its reverential and artistic spirit.
Climate Change Project
In partnership with University of Minnesota Extension and the Itasca Private Woodland Committee, MacRostie Art Center is presenting two special events in conjunction with the opening of this exhibition. On Saturday, September 7, there will be a bus tour to the SPRUCE climate change project at the Marcell Experimental Forest. This project is a partnership between the US Forest Service and Department of Energy and is examining the effects of climate change on peatlands and forests. The tour will be given by scientists working on the project. The bus will leave MacRostie Art Center at 8 AM and return at 12 PM. Pre-registration and a fee of $10 are required to attend the bus tour.
At 1 PM, after the bus tour, there will be a presentation by Dr. Lee Frelich at MacRostie Art Center about the current and projected effects of ecological disturbances on the forests of Minnesota. There is no cost to attend the talk with Dr. Frelich.
Both events are open to the public. For more information contact MacRostie Art Center at 218-326-2697.
You’re Invited!
Downtown art galleries and businesses are open 4-8 PM on Friday, September 6, 2013 for First Friday Art Walk. MacRostie Art Center will have food, wine, a demonstration by botanic artist Vicki Barth and artist talks at 6 PM. The First Friday reception is sponsored by Children’s Mental Health Service and is free and open to the public.
About the MacRostie Art Center
MacRostie Art Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community growth through the arts in northern Minnesota. The MAC exists to support and advance the work of professional artists in the region and build a community that recognizes, appreciates and celebrates art. They believe that art is central to the quality of life in northern Minnesota – as it is everywhere – and that the artists who create, sell, and exhibit art play a vital role in society.
MacRostie Art Center presents exhibitions, workshops, classes, festivals, lectures, and other activities to engage the community in the arts. They support artists by providing a well-established venue for exhibition and sale of work and they work to keep the arts visible as a defining part of the community.
Posted in ArtPlantae Books, botanical art, Special Announcements on September 3, 2013|
The last five copies of Botanical Art Into the Third Millenium are available for purchase at ArtPlantae Books. These are the last five “hurts”. Photos are included with each listing.
Catalogs are available for $32 plus USPS Standard Post (Reg. $45). These last five copies make good “traveling copies”. If you like to share examples of contemporary botanical art with students, each of these copies will serve you well and will enable you to keep your personal copy at home in your library.
Posted in botanical art, botany on September 3, 2013|
There is a new learning opportunity at Classes Near You > England.
Spend a weekend at the Eden Project!
Eden Project
www.edenproject.com
Located in Cornwall, England, the Eden Project is a non-profit whose focus is connecting people to the natural world through educational programs, social programs, music and art. See how the Eden Project was transformed from a clay pit to an international institute for learning.
Posted in botanical art, Education, gardening, general botany, Learning Opportunities on September 3, 2013|
How many ways can you paint plants?
Judy Thomas has some ideas for you. Read below about the new class she will teach in the Art in the Garden program at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Here is what’s new at Classes Near You > Virginia:
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
www.lewisginter.org
In 1884, Lewis Ginter purchased some property and built a gathering place for Richmond bicyclists. One hundred years later, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden was established on this same piece of property and soon became one of the top five destinations in Virginia. The Garden is home to Artbase a searchable database containing 2,500 botanical watercolor paintings by Alexandre Descubes. The Adult Education program at the garden includes workshops in botanical drawing and painting and a certificate program in botanical illustration.
The program also includes an Art in the Garden series that encompasses drawing, sketching, knitting and this new class with artist Judy Thomas:
Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, Watercolor on September 3, 2013|
Owens Community College in Maumee, OH will offer botanical art classes this Fall. Deborah Kopka of DK Designs will teach both classes.
Here is more information:
Deborah Kopka, DK Designs
www.dkdesigns.org
Botanical illustrator, Deborah Kopka is the principal artist at DK Designs. Deborah licenses her artwork, creates illustrations for publishers, and teaches botanical art classes through her design studio. Visit her website to read the latest issue of her newsletter, Botanically Speaking.
View Non-Credit Continuing Education Catalog (see page 8)
Botanical Illustration: Painting in Watercolor
Owens Community College
Owens Arrowhead Campus, Maumee, OH
Mondays, October 21, 28 and November 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013
Learn painting techniques used by natural science illustrators and how to use watercolor with other media. Plant specimens are provided for the first class meeting. A supply list will be mailed to registered participants. Limit: 10
Cost: $249
Course Number 56212
This information has also been added to Classes Near You > Ohio.
Botanists and illustrators strive to document conifers around the world.
ArtPlantae Today 