ArtPlantae Today

Attention all young naturalists in Cinncinati, Ohio!

October 8, 2012 by Tania Marien

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

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, scientific illustration, Sketching & Journaling |

Make the Model Plant for Your Studio

October 5, 2012 by Tania Marien

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…

Scholarship Available for Famed Botanical Painting Diploma Course

October 4, 2012 by Tania Marien

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

Posted in botanical art |

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

October 3, 2012 by Tania Marien

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…

Create a Tropical Sketchbook at The Kampong

October 3, 2012 by Tania Marien

Botanical Art at
The Kampong
January 15-17, 2013
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Go to the tropics in January! Learn how to create field studies at The Kampong, home of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Coconut Grove, Florida. Artist and teacher, Sarah Roche, will lead this special class that is a collaborative offering between The Kampong and the Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens. Cost: $325 members, $400 nonmembers. Fee excludes travel, accommodations and food. Click on the image for more information.

Friends of Wellesley College Botanic Gardens
Certificate Program in Botanical Art and Illustration
www.wellesley.edu/wcbgfriends
This program offers several weekly and two- or three-day classes on botanical art and scientific illustration with Sarah Roche and Jeanne Kunze and and visiting instructors. The courses offered through this program cover all aspects of botanical art. Here is a peek at the 2012-2013 schedule:

Graphite Fundamentals: Basic Drawing Skills
Learning Botany by Drawing
Leaves 101
Plant Painting for the Petrified
Photoshop Demystified
Extreme Lumps and Bumps
smART Business
Colored Pencil Fundamentals

Download the 2012-2013 Course Schedule

This information has been added to the Classes Near You pages for Florida and Massachusetts.

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities |

Art and Botany at ‘Long Night of Arts & Innovation’

October 2, 2012 by Tania Marien

Every first Thursday of the month, the city of Riverside hosts its “Arts Walk” celebration. During this monthly celebration, museums, galleries and art studios open their doors to the public.

The celebration planned for the first Thursday of October, however, will be a little different.

This week, Riverside launches the first ever Long Night of Arts & Innovation, an event showcasing some of the best Riverside has to offer. Members of Riverside’s business, university and arts communities will take part in this special evening. More than 130 exhibits will be set up in downtown Riverside. The 24-page event program includes information about art demonstrations, theatrical performances, musical performances, presentations for entrepreneurs, and a long list of interesting conversations led by faculty from local colleges and universities.

Conversations such as the one led by Dr. Jodie Holt, UC Riverside botanist and consultant for the James Cameron movie ‘Avatar’. Dr. Holt will present Do you ‘see’ plants? Raising Plant Awareness through Art, Science and Media at the
UCR California Museum of Photography from 7:30 – 8:15 PM.

The Long Night of Arts & Innovation will take place this Thursday, October 4 from 6 PM – Midnight. This event is free. All are invited!

Posted in Education, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events |

Artist Explores ‘The Road Not Taken’

October 2, 2012 by Tania Marien

The Road Not Taken
Nature Art Gallery
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Raleigh, NC
October 5-28, 2012

Ruth Ava Lyons will be the Nature Art Gallery’s featured artist for October. Lyons’ oil paintings and an ongoing body of work inspired by her travels and field studies of oceans, wetlands, national forests and wildlife preserves will be featured in the exhibition, The Road Not Taken.

A Fulbright Fellow, Lyons has exhibited continuously since 1982 in group and solo shows nationwide. She has received several grants and awards, including one from the National Endowment for the Arts and two from the NC Arts Council, and has received Artist Residencies including her most recent residency at Everglades National Park (2011).

Meet Ruth Ava Lyons at the opening reception this Friday, October 5, from
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is located at 11 West Jones Street in downtown Raleigh (Directions/Map).

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM and Sunday 12-5 PM.

Admission: Free

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, nature, Special Announcements, Special Events |

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »