ArtPlantae Today

Botanical Drawing Class Created For Local Residents

December 14, 2009 by Tania Marien

Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY will offer a botanical drawing class to the residents of Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties in New York. This class will be funded in part by the President’s Innovation Award Program whose objective is to fund activities encouraging community involvement at Genesee Community College.

Now at Classes Near You > New York:

Genesee Community College, Batavia
Alfred C. O’Connell Library
www.genesee.edu

Botanical Drawing and Painting Workshop – February 6 & 13, 2010. February 6 (9 AM – 4PM). February 13 (10 AM – 5 PM). Hands-on workshops open to area residents interested in painting botanical subjects. Participants will learn basic plant morphology, sketching and drawing techniques, and learn how to work in pen & ink and other media. Watercolor instruction will be under the guidance of botanical artist Camille Doucet. View Doucet’s work at The Corners Gallery in Ithaca, NY. Cost: $20. Limit: 15. Course schedule and registration information are available here.

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Posted in botanical art, Learning Opportunities |

Blend Art & Ecology to Raise Awareness

December 14, 2009 by Tania Marien

In 1998, the founder of the American Society of Botanical Artists, Dr. Diane Barthel-Bouchier, wrote an article about the “botanical art revival” occurring worldwide and how botanical art can be used to bring awareness to ecological issues. In her article she included several suggestions about how to use botanical art as a platform for teaching about plants and the environment.

Her suggestions are featured below with the hope they inspire artists and teachers to observe nature in a new way. Each suggestion is accompanied by a supporting example.

Dr. Barthel-Bouchier suggests:

Creating an exhibition about endangered plants and involving local organizations and school groups with similar interests.
Kate Nessler’s inspired effort to increase public awareness of a 71-acre virgin prairie is cited as an example. A more current example is the exhibition, Losing Paradise? Endangered Plant Species Here and Around the World, featuring plant portraits of endangered and threatened plants by artists of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA). This exhibition has been touring the country and will open at the Chicago Botanic Garden next month. Learn more
Engaging adult students in structured botanical art programs.
In 1998, there were three certificate programs in botanical art. Today there are certificate programs across the country, a correspondence course, a program with satellite locations in three states, and an online distance learning option for beginning artists. And don’t forget the many learning opportunities available at gardens and other venues.
Forming botanical art organizations or sponsoring chapters of existing societies.
The ASBA was formed in 1994 and now has eight chapters across the U.S. The ASBA recently created “Artist Circles” for members who wish to work with other artists in a friendly, supportive environment without having to adopt the formal structure of a traditional chapter (think “botanical art MeetUp”).
Sponsoring workshops combining ecology and art.
The collaborative effort between Denver Botanic Garden and El Charco del Ingenio is a fine example.
Using botanical art in publications and collaborating with other agencies.
The publication program at Denver Botanic Garden (DBG) is cited as an example in Barthel-Bouchier’s article and still serves as the perfect example eleven years later. Artists in the DBG program create illustrations for various publications. See the program’s blog for examples.
Sponsoring ecological art tours.
Mindy Lighthipe’s tour to Costa Rica serves as a great example of a workshop combining art, ecology, and adventure.
Involving school children in courses and exhibitions.
The botanical art exhibition at the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum earlier this year is a nice example.

How do you incorporate art and ecology
into your artistic and/or educational activities?
(please comment below)

Posted in Education | 3 Comments »

Canadian Botanical Artist Provides Many Options for Holiday Greetings

December 8, 2009 by Tania Marien

Self-taught artist, Margit Sampogna, began painting in 2004 and has led the life of a busy artist ever since. She has shown her work in juried shows and has had her painting of a Bloodroot featured in an award-winning book. She is a member of the Botanical Artists of Canada and manages an online showroom of her paintings at FineArtAmerica.com. Through this e-commerce marketplace for visual artists, Margit’s artwork is available on greeting cards, on paper or canvas, and available as framed prints. Visit Margit’s gallery at FineArtAmerica.com to view her paintings and to shop for holiday greeting cards.

Also See:
Margit Sampogna’s Gallery on Facebook

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Posted in botanical art, Special Announcements |

Call for Entries for “Of A Botanical Nature”

December 7, 2009 by Tania Marien

Juror, Wendy Hollender, has announced a new exhibition for 2010. The Smithtown Township Arts Council will host Of A Botanical Nature, an exhibition celebrating the unique beauty of plants. This event is scheduled for May 1-28, 2010 at the Mills Pond House Gallery. All artists age 18 and older are eligible to submit artwork for consideration. All media will be considered except photography and computer generated art. Artwork may be realistic or representational and must feature plants or some aspect of plant development such as seed pods, leaves, fruits, and flowers. Entry deadline is March 19, 2010.

Complete details and entry form are available here.

Posted in botanical art, Special Announcements, Special Events |

Send Botanical Greeting Cards This Holiday

December 7, 2009 by Tania Marien

Carol F. Creech, CCreech Studio
www.ccreechstudio.com
Artist and illustrator, Carol F. Creech, has created cards featuring hand-rendered, original artwork of botanical, nature, and wildlife subjects. Carol works in watercolor, colored pencil, graphite pencil, and pen & ink. Her cards are available in a traditional greeting card size or a smaller notecard size. Cards can be customized with a holiday message or ordered in bulk. Carol’s cards can be viewed and purchased here. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Carol directly.

Kristin Jakob
www.kristinjakob.com
Kristin sells a line of cards depicting California native plants, lichens, and mushrooms that are suitable for winter and holiday greetings. All greeting cards are in color unless otherwise noted. Each card is blank inside and comes with an envelope. Visit Kristin’s website to view the Giclée prints of the images below. The most recents paintings are not on the site. Please contact Kristin to order greeting cards or postcards.

Greeting Cards:

Garrya elliptica (Coast Silktassel), $3
Pentagramma triangularis (Goldback Fern), $2.50
Rosa gymnocarpa (Redwood Rose Hips), $2.50
Calisoga Lichens, $2.50
Mill Valley Lichens, $2.50
Craterellus cornucopioides (Black Trumpet), $2.50
Cantharellus californicus (Chanterelle), $2.50
Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric), $2.50
Scoliopus bigelovii (Slink-Pod), pen & ink, $2.50
Olea europaea (Olive, not a CA native), pen & ink, $2.50

Postcards:

Rosa gymnocarpa (Redwood Rose Hips), $1
Scoliopus bigelovii (Slink-Pod), $1

Jane Saunders, Send Out Cards
janesaunders@me.com
Assorted greeting cards are available. A feature of particular interest is the ability to create cards with your own imagery. Please contact Jane for details.

Gilly Shaeffer
www.gillyshaeffer.com
California botanical artist, Gilly Shaeffer, captures the holiday season with her painting of Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon Berry), referred to by many as “California’s holly.” Inside message is “Peace on Earth.” Please contact Gilly to place an order.

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Posted in botanical art, Special Announcements |

Learn How to Paint Nature in San Diego

December 7, 2009 by Tania Marien

New at CLASSES NEAR YOU > CALIFORNIA:

Julie Schneider Ljubenkov, Art Nature Education
www.artnatureeducation.com
Julie is an artist, author, educator, naturalist, and native plant consultant. Read Julie’s Art & Nature Newsletter to learn more Julie, her workshops, and her new book! (Note: A revised newsletter was posted 12/8/09)

Eye on Nature: A Beginning Watercolor Workshop – Thursdays, Jan 21 – March 18, 2010, 6 PM – 9 PM. Learn how to paint nature in a fun and relaxing environment. Students will work from life and reference photos. This beginning watercolor workshop is offered only once per year. Register with UC San Diego Extension online or call 858-534-3400.

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Posted in botanical art, Learning Opportunities, Watercolor |

Draw the Winter Garden

December 7, 2009 by Tania Marien

New at CLASSES NEAR YOU > WASHINGTON:

Sue Burrus
Botany and Bones
www.botanyandbones.com
Sue is a natural science illustrator whose work has appeared in exhibits in the U.S. and overseas. Her illustrations have appeared in books and journals, and she has conducted scientific illustration classes specifically for biology students.

Black, White, and Shades of Gray: Drawing in the Winter Garden – Fridays, January 8, 15, 22, 29 & February 5, 2010; 10 AM – 1 PM. Learn basic drawing techniques and apply these techniques using a variety of media. Participants will draw with pencils, pen, brush, and ink and will explore winter plants of the Pacific Northwest. Location: Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue, WA. To register, please call the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, (425) 451-3755

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