ArtPlantae Today

Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators at Philadelphia Flower Show

February 4, 2015 by Tania Marien

By Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators

The booth of the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators (PSBI) at the Philadelphia Flower Show (February 28 – March 8, 2015) will feature an exhibition of more than 35 precise paintings and on-going demonstrations about how botanical paintings are created. Demonstrations will be held daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Both the exhibition and the demonstrations are by the 75 local members of the PSBI.

“At the Show, we try to portray the glory of nature both accurately and attractively. We take seriously the quote from Keats of ‘Beauty in truth, truth in beauty.’”, says Judy Simon, Exhibition Chairperson.

The title of the PSBI exhibition is “Holly, Wood and Vines,” reflecting the flower show’s theme “Celebrate the Movies.” The Philadelphia Flower Show will open with “Lights, Camera, BLOOM!”. The PSBI exhibition will complement the opening event with glitzy gold and silver frames. The artwork in this year’s exhibition have names such as “Up Close and Personal” (for an enlarged specimen), “Bad Actor” (for an invasive plant), or “Blonde Bombshell” (for a yellow dahlia or tea rose).

The exhibition will feature only original artwork. Society artists spend many hours, weeks, and even months creating each piece. They take great care to make certain their depiction of the plant, flower, fruit or vegetable is faithful to nature, as well as being a thing of beauty, something to be passed down with pride to future generations.

Founded in 1997, the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators have participated in the flower show since 1998.

Public demonstrations are part of the PSBI mission to educate the public about the intricacies of botanical art. It is an art form that is a tradition, particularly in the Philadelphia area where John and William Bartram founded and illustrated North America’s first botanical garden in the 18th century.

For more information, check the PSBI website (PSBI-art.org), Twitter (@PSBI_artists) or contact Sarah Maxwell.

Visit Philadelphia Flower Show

Posted in Special Announcements, Special Events |

InterpretPlants Program in the News

February 3, 2015 by Tania Marien

Hibiscus schizopetalus (Fringed Hibiscus).

ArtPlantae’s InterpretPlants™ program is featured in the current issue of The Daily Titan.
Staff reporter Heaven Ocampo stopped by the Fullerton Arboretum this weekend to discuss the program and upcoming classes at the Arboretum. To read her article, visit The Daily Titan.

If you’ve never visited the Fullerton Arboretum, you’re missing out on a diverse selection of plants like the show-stopping fringed hibiscus (left). This plant is not in bloom at the moment. This photo was taken in late October. Located along the main walking path in the southern section of the Arboretum, this plant is sure to make you stop and look twice. A member of the hibiscus family (Malvaceae), this plant is native to Kenya, Tanzania and Northern Mozambique.

Visit the Fullerton Arboretum

Posted in Learning Opportunities |

The Botany Studio

January 30, 2015 by Tania Marien

Four years ago we learned about The Botany Studio at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The Studio’s senior artist, Kandis Elliot, was our guest and their poster about fungi had received First Place for Informational Graphics in the eighth annual International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge 2010 sponsored by the journal Science and the National Science Foundation.

Today the Botany Studio operates a Botany Outreach Store featuring not only their collection of botany posters, but also digital media and selected publications about the plants of Wisconsin.

If you’re looking for posters about plants for your classroom or program, be sure to visit the Botany Studio. You’ll find posters about the following topics:

Introduction to Fungi
Classification of Fruits
Specialization in Flowers
Plant Modifications
Pollination and Pollinators
Carnivorous Plants
Plant Colors
Life Cycle of Arabidopsis thaliana
The Annotated Big Bucky
The Tree of Life

These posters would be a great addition to a classroom, lab, or nature center.
Be sure to take a look!

More about the Botany Studio

Posted in Education, general botany, Photography, Plants, Teaching & Learning, teaching and learning |

Rare Books About Cacti at Lloyd Library

January 29, 2015 by Tania Marien

Cactus Stand in Jamaica, ca. 1895, by Curtis Gates Lloyd (modern colorization of historic b&w photo)

Abloom in the Desert
Art and Rare Books Exhibition
Joel Quimby Exhibition
Lloyd Library and Museum
Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 26 – March 21, 2015

The Lloyd Library and Museum invites you to Abloom in the Desert.

Rare and unique volumes from the early 17th century to the present on cacti and succulents from the Lloyd Library’s botanical book collection are now on view. These books explore the earliest accounts of cacti, including early medicinal uses. Learn how the cactus got its name and learn how cacti are used for decorative purposes. Discover the diverse variety of species in this group of plants while enjoying the Lloyd’s indoor cactus garden.

Desert Walk by Joel Quimby

Then explore the deserts of Saudi Arabia through the photographic eye of Joel Quimby, as he shares his visual documentation of time spent in the Middle East.

About Lloyd Library and Museum
The Lloyd Library and Museum, a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization, is a local and regional cultural treasure, which began in the 19th century as a research library for Lloyd Brothers Pharmacists, Inc., one of the leading pharmaceutical companies of the period. Their mission is to collect and maintain a library of botanical, medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific books and periodicals, and works of allied sciences that serve the scientific research community, as well as constituents of the public, through library services and programming that bring science, art, and history to life. For more information, visit the Lloyd website at www.lloydlibrary.org.

Posted in Education, general botany, Plants, Special Announcements, Special Events |

Botanical Art Holiday in Norway

January 29, 2015 by Tania Marien

Download flyer

Botanical Art Workshop Holiday in Norway 2015
June 28 – July 5, 2015

Award-winning botanical artist Gaynor Dickeson will lead a botanical art workshop in Norway in 2015. Travel to the banks of the Oslo Fjord and spend your mornings immersed in botanical art.

Demonstrations and one-on-one instruction will occur after breakfast between Monday June 29 – Saturday July 4. Afternoons are free to explore. Gaynor will be available in the studio for advice on most afternoons. This workshop is suitable for new beginners and highly experienced botanical artists. Class limit is 12 students. Students will work in graphite, colored pencil and watercolor.

View Details/Register

More about Asgardstrand and the Oslo Fjord

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, travel |

Botanical Drawing with Anne-Marie Evans

January 28, 2015 by Tania Marien

Anne-Marie Evans is coming to Southern California!

Known throughout the world as a master teacher of botanical art, Anne-Marie will teach three classes at Virginia Robinson Gardens in March. Anne-Marie’s classes are filled with the most thoroughly researched methods of giving information so that students can benefit to the fullest from their attendance. Drawing, aerial perspective and composition will be covered in-depth and every student of botanical art will benefit from Anne-Marieʼs expertise. Students will be given the knowledge to advance their future botanical works.

Here’s the latest at Classes Near You > Southern California:

Virginia Robinson Gardens, Beverly Hills
www.robinsongardens.org
Botanical art classes with visiting instructors such as Anne-Marie Evans, Elaine Searle and Jenny Phillips are taught at the garden. The Friends of Robinson Gardens invites artists who work in all mediums. Read about the Friends of Robinson Garden Botanical Art Group and the Robinson Garden Florilegium here.

Drawing, Aerial Perspective and Composition
Monday, March 23 – Friday, 27, 2015
Anne-Marie will discuss the basics of drawing botanically correct specimens.

Ask Anne-Marie!
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Anne-Marie will help students with their unfinished painting in this special one-day session.

Aerial Perspective and Composition for Botanical Art
Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3, 2015

TUITION:
Members: $595. per week
Non-members: $625. per week

Special Saturday Session, March 28: Members $100, non-members $125

An amount of $100 is non-refundable

Payment may be made by check payable to FRIENDS OF ROBINSON GARDENS. Participants will receive a materials list. Coffee, tea and water will be provided, but please bring your own lunch.

Questions? Contact Robinson Gardens at 310-550-2068.

Chinese Brush Painting Workshop with Internationally Renowned Artist Nan Rae
Thursday, March 5, 2015
10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Beginners and experienced artists are invited to join the first Chinese Brush painting workshop at Virginia Robinson Gardens. NanRae is internationally known for her superb craftmanship of this ancient art form. She has paintings in museums and many prominent private collections. Nan Rae has been featured in television documentaries, has written a well received book, lectures and has monthly art classes at the Huntington Botanical Center in San Marino. She also holds classes in her studio. You can find information on the many facets of Nan Raeʼs art on her website nanrae.com.

TUITION:
Members: $100
Non-members: $125

An amount of $50 is non-refundable

Payment may be made by check payable to FRIENDS OF ROBINSON GARDENS. Participants will receive a materials list. Coffee, tea and water will be provided, but please bring your own lunch.

Questions? Contact Robinson Gardens at 310-550-2068.

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities |

Capturing Light in the Garden

January 28, 2015 by Tania Marien

Photo-based dye sublimation print on chiffon, wind, existing steel arbor, Western Cottonwood (Populus fremontii), drought-tolerant native plant
95 x 96 x 28 in. overall; Tapestry: 83 x 89.5 in.

Elemental | Seeing the Light
Group Exhibition
Sturt Haaga Gallery
Descanso Gardens
La Cañada Flintridge, CA
January 11 – April 5, 2015

Elemental | Seeing the Light explores light, the most fundamental element in any garden. Participating in this exhibition is Pamela Burgess, artist and Chairperson of the Arts Council at the Theodore Payne Foundation. Pamela’s deep interest in sculpture and photography have guided her creation of installations about abstract landscapes, photography and light. Pamela’s installation, ‘Radiant Blue’ (above) is featured in this new exhibition. Visit her website to view this tapestry close up.

Other artists exploring light are Larry Bell, Jordan Biren, Ursula Brookbank, Heather Carson, Mary Corse, Max Hendler, Nancy Macko, Yunhee Min, Soojung Park, Helen Pashgian, Fran Siegel, Nancy Turner-Smith, Paul Tzanetopoulos, and Eric Zammitt

Learn More