ArtPlantae Today

New book explores the relationship between plants and people, includes collectible art prints

April 5, 2016 by Tania Marien

TheBotanicalTreasury Considered the “plant clearinghouse” of the British Empire, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has accepted plants from all over the world since 1793 (Mills, 2016).

Forty intriguing plants from their collection are described in The Botanical Treasury: Celebrating 40 of the World’s Most Fascinating plants through Historical Art and Manuscripts, a new book edited by Christopher Mills, Head of Library Art & Archiving at Kew.

Botanists, scholars and curators contributed to this collection of very interesting stories about plants, people, art, science and Kew itself. Contributing authors are:

Julia Buckley, Information Assistant, Kew Art & Illustrations Collection
Lorna Cahill, Assistant Archivist, Kew
Chris Clennent, Garden Manager at Wakehurst, Kew’s country estate in Sussex
Aljos Farjon, Conifer Specialist and Honorary Research Specialist, Kew
Gina Fullerlove, Head of Publishing, Kew
Lauren Gardiner, Career Development Fellow, palm and orchid specialist at Kew
David Goyder, Botanist, Kew Africa and Madagascar Team
Tony Hall, Honorary Research Associate at Kew, formerly manager of the Alpine and Bulb Unit
Christina Harrison, Editor, Kew Magazine
Christopher Mills, Head of the Library, Art and Archives Collections, Kew
Virginia Mills, Project Officer for Joseph Hooker Correspondence Project, Kew
Mark Nesbitt, Curator, Economic Botany Collection, Kew
Lynn Parker, Assistant Art and Artifacts Curator, Library of Art and Archives, Kew
Tony Rebelo, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch, Cape Town
Martyn Rix, Horticulturalist, author and editor of Curtis’s Botanical Magazine
Kiri Ross-Jones, Archivist and Records Manager, Kew
Marcelo Sellaro, Collections Horticulturalist, Nurseries Department, Kew
Anna Trias-Blasi, Research Fellow, Kew
Maria Vorontsova, Research Leader of Integrated Monography, Department of Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Kew
James Wearn, Science Education, Kew
Richard Wilford, Head of Garden Design and Collection Support, Kew
Joanne Yeomans, Gallery Assistant, Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art and Marianne North Gallery, Kew
Daniela Zappi, Cactus Expert, Kew

The historical accounts of each plant are accompanied by drawings, paintings and manuscripts. The manuscripts and the stories behind them provide insight into the relationship people had, and still have, with these plants.

Packaged in a beautiful clamshell box, this book comes with 40 collectible art prints. Botanical art enthusiasts are sure to enjoy this special collection of framable plant portraits that includes: Angelica, Banksia, Adansonia, Bromeliads, Ferocactus hamatacanthus, Camellia, Cinchona, Citrus, Datura and Brugmansia, Encephalartos, Fritillaria, Ginkgo biloba, Lagenaria siceraria, Grape Vine, Saccharin officinarum, Handkerchief Tree, Iris, Lilium mackliniae, Nelumbo, Magnolia, Zea mays, Nepenthes, Papaver, Vanda coerulea, Paphiopedilum fairrieanum, Coconut Palm, Pandanus, Paper Mulberry, Passiflora, Peony, Protea, Rhododendron, Damask Rose, Stapelia, Strelizia, Amorphophallus titanum, Tulipa, Victoria amazonica, Welwitschia, Wheat.

The Botanical Treasury is a beautifully packaged time capsule and is recommended for anyone with an interest in botany and botanical art history.

This book is now available in the US. Visit your local independent bookstore.

Posted in book review, botanical art, Teaching & Learning |

Botanical Art Lecture at College of William and Mary

March 25, 2016 by Tania Marien

Click flyer for more information

A History of Botanical Art, an Artist’s Perspective
Virginia Historic Garden Week
The College of William and Mary
Swim Library
Linda C. Miller
April 26, 2016
10:30 AM
Williamsburg, Virginia
(Directions)

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

Create science illustrations in pen and ink in online class

March 25, 2016 by Tania Marien

The next class in the scientific illustration program by scientific illustrator and teacher Gretchen Kai Halpert begins on April 12. Read below for more information and to register.

Gretchen Kai Halpert
www.gretchenhalpert.com
Gretchen Kai Halpert is the founder and instructor of a new online program in scientific illustration. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Gretchen has many years of experience working as a scientific illustrator and teaching programs about natural science illustration.

Learn more about the distance learning program in scientific illustration at www.gretchenhalpert-distanceprogram.com.

Here is what’s coming up next!

Scientific Illustration, Session II (Pen and Ink)

In this class, you become adept with crow quill and ink on both paper and scratchboard; work on composition, technical accuracy, how to conduct research, and producing portfolio pieces. Weekly assignments; video conferencing; tutorials; individual critiques on every assignment; interaction with classmates.

Go to www.gretchenhalpert-distanceprogram.com to view application on home page or email Gretchen Halpert.

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

Posted in Education, Learning Opportunities, scientific illustration |

Botanical Art Show and Sale at Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

March 21, 2016 by Tania Marien

The Botanical Art and Illustration program at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden will present ARTboretum!, an exhibition of botanical art by students in the program.

Instructor Cristina Baltayian shares, “I have been honored to teach the botanical illustration class for the last four years. The best way to highlight the value of the Arboretum and its botanical art education program is to allow you to see the inspiration, talents, and visions of the students.”

Twelve artists will display original art and fine art giclees in the Arboretum’s Oak Room April 29, 30 and May 1, 2016. Participating in the first annual ARTboretum! exhibition are:

Cristina Baltayian
Nancy Beckham
Melanie Campbell-Carter
Shae Gazzaniga
Nancy Grubb
Teri Kuwahara
Kathy Morgan
Juanita O’Marah
Marilyn Parrino
Robyn Reilman
Sabine Steinmetz
Jude Wiesenfeld

Artists will demonstrate techniques and answer questions during the exhibition. Prints and greeting cards will be available for purchase.

You are invited to attend the Artists’ Reception and Catalog Signing on Saturday, April 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Catalogs for the show will be available for purchase while supplies last.

Admission to the art show and sale is free with admission to the Arboretum. The Arboretum is located at 301 N. Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia, CA. (map)

Visit the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Posted in botanical art, Education, Special Announcements, Special Events |

Botanical illustration class offers 10-week study of plants

March 21, 2016 by Tania Marien

Lewisham Arthouse, London
www.lewishamarthouse.org.uk
The Lewisham Arthouse once served as the central library of Deptford. Designed by architect Sir Alfred Brumwell Thomas (1868-1948) and funded by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), this former library is now a public gallery and studio space for professional artists. Artist studios are open to the public once per year. Exhibitions in the gallery are open to the public year-round, free of charge. Botanical illustration classes are taught by Alison Day.

Beginning April 11, 2016

Drawing from Plant Life
Ten weeks, Monday afternoons
April 11 – June 20, 2016
1:00 – 2:30 PM

This introductory course aims to provide an opportunity to explore the art and science of botanical Illustration. Students will have the opportunity to explore both drawing and painting plants while learning a range of graphic techniques used to represent plant material. Some basic theory is taught and where relevant, historical and contemporary practice is referenced.

Students are asked to bring their own ideas and specimens to the course as well as drawing plants provided. Basic materials are provided , together with reference literature, students must provide their own sketch book pencils and colours.

All are welcome, no experience needed. This is a small class and provides and supportive and relaxed environment in which to draw.

Places are limited so booking is required. Cost for each course is £95/90 concessions.

For enrolment details and booking, contact Alison Day at the Lewisham Arthouse.

Transport : BR/Overground New Cross/New Cross Gate.
Bus 136, 21, 436, 321.
Disabled access

This information has also been posted to Classes Near You > England.

Posted in botanical art, Education |

Lost nature printing technique subject of new book inspired by Chelsea Physic Garden

March 18, 2016 by Tania Marien

Nature-printed ferns by Die Staatsdruckerei, Vienna, © Michael Hayward

The Chelsea Physic Garden has announced the the upcoming release of The Nature-Printer: a tale of industrial espionage, ferns and roofing lead by Simon Prett & Pia Östlund, a limited edition book about a lost technique of nature printing first announced in Vienna in the 1850s.

Prett and Östlund’s book was inspired by a book Pia Östlund discovered while working at the Physic Garden five years ago. Overwhelmed by the beauty of the images, she set out to rediscover this lost technique of nature-printing. The book that launched her journey was The Ferns of Great Britain and Ireland Nature-Printed (1855) by Henry Bradbury. The text for this book was provided by Thomas Moore, Curator of Chelsea Physic Garden. Botanist John Lindley was the editor.

The Physic Garden explains:

The quality of the nature-prints was astonishing. The botanist Joseph Hooker announced the results were so good that ‘the plates seem to surpass the specimens themselves in elegance and in colouring’. According to The Times it was ‘as if the original specimens were pasted on paper’. But for mysterious reasons the process was abandoned and the method, lost. The few nature-prints that were made this way are rare, sought-after and extremely valuable.

In The Nature-Printer, Prett traces Östlund’s determined quest and her attempt to repair broken connections between art, science and engineering. The book also tells the remarkable story of nature-printing, explores the reasons for its disappearance, and shows how important things are sometimes lost in the rush of progress.

This limited edition book will be available beginning May 1, 2016. It includes a copy of Östlund’s first successful nature print, a bound-in monoprint, a herbarium specimen and 32 pages of color plates. The text is on 176 pp printed letterpress on Somerset Book mould-made paper. Covers are print letterpress from woodblocks in three colors. The book is quarter-bound leather. Size: 160 x 250 mm.

Pre-publication price: £150 (currency exchange)
Publication price: £195 (currency exchange)

Proceeds benefit Chelsea Physic Garden. If you are interested in this new publication, act now because only 75 copies will be printed.

Reserve Your Copy

Related

Nature printing with Pia Östlund

Nature print by Pia Östlund.

Developed by physicians in the 15th century as an aid in their study of medicinal and useful plants, nature printing is a wonderful way of documenting plants. Join designer and printmaker Pia Östlund for two-day workshops at Chelsea Physic Garden to explore this technique.

Nature Printing, May 19-20, 2016 (View Details/Register)
Nature Printing, September 22-23, 2016 (View Details/Register)

Posted in Education |

Botanical Drawing Course with Sarah Simblet

March 18, 2016 by Tania Marien

Sarah Simblet, author of Botany for the Artist, will teach a seven-day course for beginning and experienced students. This seven-day intensive course will include workshops, lectures and visits to the collections at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. Based in the drawing studios of the Ruskin School of Art and in the University botanic garden, this program will inspire beginners and refresh the work of experienced artists.