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Archive for the ‘botanical art’ Category

Restoring the Flora and Fauna in a Diorama

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, Special Articles & Interviews on October 10, 2012| 1 Comment »

This morning Gary Hoyle explains how plant models in a diorama are restored. Our interesting conversation continues!

ArtPlantae: The dioramas in the Hall of North American Mammals at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) are in the process of being restored. The New York Times featured a story about the restoration last year. This article includes a behind-the-scenes video of diorama artists at work. The article focuses mostly on the restoration of mammals. My question to you is… what about the plants? The shrubs, grasses and trees surely fade over time like the fur of the mammals. How do you freshen up a 30-year old plant model?

Gary: Well, I guess I could give a general answer. A 30-year old model might need some cleaning with a gentle current of air from an air brush and the use of a dry sable or camel hair brush, and very likely it will need a color restoration because of prolonged exposure to exhibit lights. However, the truth is that every situation is different, and sometimes it’s necessary to consult with specialists such as painting and objects conservators especially when dealing with exhibit models more than 50-years old.

Learn more about restoring plant models

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Dioramas: Is there a place for them in the 21st century?

Posted in botanical art, Education, History, Learning Opportunities, Special Articles & Interviews on October 8, 2012|

ArtPlantae: In reviewing the literature about dioramas, I noticed that the educational value of dioramas is a topic that comes up often. In your article, Saved From the Trash, you state that dioramas are in danger of disappearing because they are considered to be “outdated displays.” How do you defend the value of dioramas when others want to replace them with, say, something more interactive?

Gary: There is a stark difference between an interactive exhibit and a diorama. Certainly interactive exhibits fit well with our cybernetic lifestyle. Dioramas do not, and that makes the diorama even more unique in today’s world. The “time freeze” in such an exhibit does not mean that the diorama is a contemplative and therefore outdated exhibit model. If done well, a diorama can evoke a powerful potential energy. Muscles straining on a tiger crouched in the grass or a ruffed grouse ready to bolt from cover can awaken something primal if we are willing to stop and really look. Publishers assumed that a child’s attention span was too narrow to read a book of over a hundred pages until J.K. Rowling blew that theory out of the water. The same is true of a diorama. I have seen young children, and adults too, thrill to that type of exhibit.

I have nothing against interactive exhibits. I actually think certain types of interactive exhibits keyed to elements within a diorama…

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Wildflowers and Native Plants in Line and Color

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, nature, Special Announcements, Special Events on October 8, 2012|

Laura Stickney: Aspects of Theodore Payne Foundation in Line and Color
Theodore Payne Art Gallery
Sun Valley, CA
Oct. 12 – Dec. 29, 2012

The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants (TPF) invites you to the opening reception of the art exhibition celebrating the work of artist-in-residence, Laura Stickney. Luminous watercolors, richly colored oil paintings and seed-packet artist’s books will be on view. Created over the course of Laura’s one-year residency, each piece was inspired by the nursery, gardens, and other discoveries made at the Theodore Payne Foundation.

Laura Stickney is a graduate of USC with a major in printmaking. In addition to her work as an artist, Laura has taught art to all ages for 25 years at the well-known Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood, and the art of printmaking at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Here are examples of the wonderful work Laura created during her residency. View the entire collection and learn from Laura yourself during the opening reception on Saturday, October 13, 2012. The reception will be held from
2:00 – 4:30 PM. The Artist Talk begins at 3:00 PM.

Many thanks to the Theodore Payne Foundation for this early look at the exhibition. Images and descriptions courtesy of The Theodore Payne Foundation.

Seed Packet Artist’s Books
Laura’s artist’s accordion books are based on Theodore Payne seed packets. Unfolded, they reveal delicate graphite drawings of selected native plants, a tiny clear bag of seeds, and a poem written by Laura and inspired by that plant.

Pod Paintings
Painted from life, Laura’s series of small oil paintings of native seed pods at TPF are densely packed with information, texture and color. The images are painted on repurposed, rectangular Polaroid metal film canisters. The use of discarded film containers is linked and refers back to Laura’s concept of light. In some way, the paintings refill those empty Polaroid vessels with new memories.

Watercolors
Laura’s iridescent watercolors capture the beauty of sunlight and the colors of TPF. Conceptually layered, they focus on the place where nature and culture collide, where the nursery plants and the evidence of their caretakers intersect: a plant cart, a plant pot, a secluded corner of the garden. “All of my work is about still life,” Laura says. One could call these watercolors of nature and culture “environmental still lifes.”

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Attention all young naturalists in Cinncinati, Ohio!

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, scientific illustration, Sketching & Journaling on October 8, 2012|

Here is a class that looks too good to miss!

The Art of the Creepy Crawlies Science and Art Drawing Class
Saturday, October 27, 2012
9 AM – Noon

In this unique art and science class, students in grades 5-8 will learn about illustrations created by 18th century explorers, examine “creepy crawlies,” and create their own scientific illustration. Students will practice basic observational drawing techniques and will apply their observation and drawing skills using the resources of the Lloyd Library. This class will be taught by medical illustrator, Marcia Hartsock. Cost: $25

View Details/Register

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Make the Model Plant for Your Studio

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, Special Articles & Interviews on October 5, 2012|

Plants wilt. It’s just the way it is.

It is possible, however, to work with a botanical subject that doesn’t fade within a couple of hours. You’ll have to make it yourself, though.

Today the conversation with Gary Hoyle focuses on the construction of plant models illustrators can use as tools.

You are invited to join this conversation already in progress.

ArtPlantae: In your conference presentation, you made a distinction between making “highly realistic display pieces” and making simple models illustrators can use as tools. Nothing looked simple to me on this day. What would a “simple” model look like?

Gary: The availability of the specific plant species dictates what a simple model would look like. Let’s take the branch of a deciduous tree for instance. If you have one in the neighborhood and it’s not winter or early spring, you can pluck a few leaves then use a copy machine to create your leaves. When you do this, don’t forget to place the leaves on the enlarger dorsal surface down…

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Scholarship Available for Famed Botanical Painting Diploma Course

Posted in botanical art on October 4, 2012|

The English Gardening School has announced the availability of a scholarship worth £4,950 providing for one complimentary enrollment in the school’s famous Botanical Painting Diploma Course.

How can you apply for this absolutely life-changing opportunity?

Reply to the items below and mail your responses to The English Gardening School before October 31, 2012.

To apply for this scholarship, please respond to the following:

1) In 100 words or less, write about the botanical artists who most inspire you and why.

2) In one sentence, describe a botanical subject you would really enjoy painting.

3) In 100 words or less, describe what winning this scholarship would mean to you.

For more information about this scholarship and how to apply, click on the image to download the announcement.

Applicants do not need to have previous botanical painting experience.

So don’t talk yourself of out it. Enter today!

See These Interviews with Instructors at The English Gardening School

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What kind of materials are used to make a plant model?

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Articles & Interviews on October 3, 2012|

Years ago I attended a presentation Gary made about how he creates plants for museum exhibits. I gained a new appreciation for museum plants and dioramas within minutes.

How does Gary make his models?

He says…

If the model is to be used in a permanent exhibit, I try to use materials that I know will last at least 50 years. I like to use sun bleached beeswax because it has a proven track record…

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