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The Symbolic Language of Plants

Posted in botanical art, Education, History, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events on January 30, 2012|

Inspired by artists’ use of plants as symbols across cultures and throughout history, the botanical artists of Studio 155 have created an exhibition dedicated to symbolic subjects in nature. The exhibition Beyond Words: The Symbolic Language of Plants includes works in watercolor, oil, tempera, and colored pencil. This exhibition opens Saturday at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Delaware.

In the ancient world, Roman artists used roses to represent Venus, the goddess of love; Egyptian art connected the lily to Isis, the goddess of fertility; and Asian art included lotus flowers to convey beauty. Plant symbolism reached a high point in Medieval Christian art when religious craftsmen and artists used plants to explain the meaning of church parables and doctrine to a largely illiterate population.

In keeping with this tradition, the seventeen artists of Studio 155 created drawings and paintings that bring attention to symbolic themes represented by flowers, trees, fruit, vegetables, herbs and vines. For example, museum visitors will see the whimsical watercolor painting by Wendy Cortesi of a pumpkin that recalls Dia de los Muertos, the Hispanic tradition “Day of the Dead”. They will also see Neena Birch’s rose painting symbolizing ancient spiritual contemplation and centering, as well as Michael Rawson’s painting of a white oak representing strength and endurance.

The artists of Studio 155 have also published a fold-out book called Small Works. This handmade book created by Elizabeth W. Carter features 4″ x 4″ plant idioms painted by each artist. Idioms include “Shrinking Violet” and “Apple of His Eye.” When viewing Beyond Words, museum visitors will be encouraged to match the idioms on the gallery’s list to a corresponding painting in the exhibition.

Studio 155 created the fun exhibition postcard at right by painting 10″ x 8″ letters in oil, watercolor or colored pencil and then mounting the letters on a panel. Learn more about the artists behind these letters on the Beyond Words website. The Small Works book is also available for viewing on this site, so be sure to visit and try your hand at matching idioms to their paintings!

Beyond Words: The Symbolic Language of Plants
Delaware Art Museum
Wilmington, DE
February 4 – April 8, 2012

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Dry Brush Technique for Botanical Artists

Posted in botanical art, drawing, Education, Learning Opportunities, Watercolor on January 30, 2012|

Learn traditional botanical painting techniques at Binders Art Supplies and Frames in Atlanta.

The Art School at Binders
www.bindersart.com
Award-winning botanical artist, Karen Kluglein will teach botanical painting classes at Binders Art Supplies and Frames, a fine art store in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Kluglein has designed packaging for companies such as Dannon, Hersheys, General Food, Tetley and Ragu. Her work has been exhibited across the US and is included in public and private collections. Ms. Kluglein is represented by Susan Frei Nathan Fine Works on Paper, LLC in Millburn, New Jersey.

Botanical Watercolors: Fruit and Flowers with Karen Kluglein
Choosing either a fruit, vegetable or flower as their subject, students will learn how to create a detailed botanical painting. Students will learn fundamental drawing techniques on the first day and learn dry brush techniques on the remaining two days. Instructor will demonstrate various techniques. Cost: $625. Minimum: 8 students. Limit: 15 students. Click on image to download details and to register.

Intermediate to advanced artists have two opportunities to learn dry brush techniques used by botanical artists. Please note registration deadlines. Course fee is not refundable after deadline unless another student can take your place.

ARTZ1168:
April 12-14, 2012 (10 AM – 4 PM)
Registration deadline is March 2, 2012.

ARTZ1169:
September 28-30, 2012 (10 AM – 4 PM)
Registration deadline is August 24, 2012.

This information can also be found at Classes Near You > Georgia.

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Chocolate & Botanical Art at Arizona SciTech Festival

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events on January 30, 2012|

Art and chocolate go together.

This weekend, they are paired yet again at the Arizona SciTech Festival.

The Arizona SciTech festival is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see, hear, taste, and experience first-hand, the best Arizona offers in science, technology, innovation. There is something for everyone from three-years to 103!

In historic downtown Glendale, botanical art and chocolate will reign as the West Valley Arts Council welcomes visitors to their first annual exhibition of botanical art and Arizona candy maker Cerreta hosts the Glendale Chocolate Affaire.

Artists, naturalists, gardeners and families are invited to the Gaslight Inn to view the botanical artwork of regional artists.

Just down the street from the Gaslight Inn, visitors can attend the Glendale Chocolate Affaire where they can learn about the science of chocolate and learn about chocolate’s medicinal properties. They will also have the opportunity to speak with chocolatiers, go on a factory tour at Cerreta Fine Chocolates, listen to music, eat, shop and take part in many activities.

Each year, the chocolate festival is held the weekend before Valentine’s Day. Over the years, it has become the largest gathering of romance novelists in the Southwest. Festival goers who enjoy romance novels have the opportunity to meet their favorite authors. Aspiring writers will have the opportunity to take writing workshops about a variety of topics including self-promotion, e-publishing, ghostwriting, and writing books for young adults. A complete schedule of writing workshops can be viewed here.

The Arizona SciTech Festival continues through March 14, 2012. Visit the festival’s website to view upcoming events, resources for teachers and to read their blog.

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Seminar to Address Evolution & Scientific Illustration

Posted in Education, Learning Opportunities, scientific illustration, Special Announcements, Special Events on January 25, 2012|

The second session of the lecture series, Images in the Service of Science, will be held this week at the University of Burgundy. Presenting will be Richard Somerset from the University of Nancy 2 (France). Somerset focuses on the relationships between science and literature and the history of ideas in the 19th century. On Friday, he will discuss the work of Arabella Buckley in Telling the Story of Evolution in Images: The Popularising Work of Arabella Buckley.

An article written by Somerset about this topic can be read online at
Scientific Illustration Dijon, the informative new website created specifically for this lecture series by project coordinator, Marie-Odile Bernez. Please note that Somerset’s article is written in French. Fortunately, reading his article is easy thanks to the wonderful tools that help us translate text online.

While his paper may be in French, Somerset’s presentation will be given in English. As will the presentation by Marie-Odile Bernez about Richard Bradley’s
A Philosophical Account of the Works of Nature (1721).

Event Information
Images in the Service of Science
Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (Room 3)
University of Burgundy
January 27, 2012
10:15 AM – 12:30 PM

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Study the Anatomy of Trees at Brenton Arboretum

Posted in botany, Education, gardening, general botany, Learning Opportunities on January 25, 2012|

See what’s new at Brenton Arboretum at Classes Near You > Iowa:

Brenton Arboretum, Dallas Center
www.thebrentonarboretum.org
The Brenton Arboretum is a 140-acre arboretum established in 1997 featuring 2,600 trees and shrubs. Most of the more than 175 species of trees and shrubs are organized by species to ease learning and to emphasize the importance of trees in our world.

Winter Tree Anatomy & Identification – Saturday, January 28, 2012; 10 AM – 12 PM. Learn about neighborhood trees in this introductory course. Participants are invited to bring in their own specimens. Specimens should include twigs with buds, leaves, flowers and fruit/nuts when possible. Cost: Free for members, $5 non-members. To register, contact Lee Goldsmith or call (515) 992-4211.
Wednesday Wanderers – Every third Wednesday of the month; 4-6 PM. Discover your relationship to the natural world in these monthly gatherings that will explore many plant-related topics. Free for members, $5 non-members. To register, contact Lee Goldsmith or call (515) 992-4211.

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Small Student-Centered Painting Workshops in Oregon

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities on January 25, 2012|

Botanist and botanical illustrator, Jeanne Debons, will teach small, student-focused painting workshops beginning next month.

The following invitation from Jeanne has been posted to
Classes Near You > Oregon:

Jeanne Debons Studio, Bend
www.jeannedebons.com
Botanist and botanical illustrator, Jeanne Debons, teaches small student-focused painting workshops at her Oregon studio. Dr. Debons received her Ph.D. in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. She graduated from the diploma course in Botanical Painting at the English Gardening School in 2005. Dr. Debons invites you to join her painting workshops this Spring.

Botanical Painting Workshops

Learn the fundamentals of botanical painting in watercolor or work on specific more advanced skills. Small classes mean we cover what you would like to learn. Either work with the class on a specific skill or progress one of your own. Subjects include: an introduction to necessary supplies, drawing and painting techniques, composition, choosing and mixing colors, creating colors, and more. This is an opportunity to learn the techniques required to capture flowers and other natural objects on paper in a series of straightforward steps. Supplies will be provided for beginners. Cost: $120 for both days or $65 for one day.
Register

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Exhbition of Edible Botanicals Opens Tomorrow

Posted in botanical art, gardening, Learning Opportunities, Sketching & Journaling, Special Announcements, Special Events on January 25, 2012|

Colored pencil paintings and drawings of edible plants, both wild and cultivated, are the focus of Botanical Edibles…Wild and Cultivated, a new exhibition featuring the work of SUNY ULSTER Artist-in-Residence, Wendy Hollender. Tomorrow’s opening festivities will include a special slide presentation by Wendy that will be followed by an opening reception in the Muroff Kotler Gallery.

Wendy Hollender is a botanical artist, teacher, author and organic farmer living in New York. Learn more about the exhibition and the programs Wendy will conduct during her residency on her website at Drawing in Color.

Botanical Edibles…Wild and Cultivated
January 26 – February 17, 2012
Ulster County Community College
Stone Ridge, NY 12484
View map

Opening Reception
Slide presentation by Wendy Hollender, 7 PM (Student Lounge VAN 203)
Gallery Reception in Muroff Kotler Gallery begins after Wendy’s presentation

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