ArtPlantae Today

Theodore Payne Gallery Hosts ‘The Art and Science of Native Plants’

January 10, 2014 by Tania Marien

Mariposa Lily, © Joan Keesey, All rights reserved

Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California: The Art and Science of Native Plants
January 11 – March 15, 2014

The Theodore Payne Gallery is pleased to host a juried exhibition of work by members of the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC). The Guild is a chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists, an organization dedicated to encouraging the development of botanical art and the promotion of this artistic tradition.

Throughout history, botanical art has played a crucial role in the discovery and identification of plants – including the California flora – and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Botanical art has the power to communicate the importance of plants to our world, whether through conservation, horticulture or agriculture. Botanical art adheres to the highest standards of both art and science, making it unique among all the art forms.

Jurors Olga Eysymontt (BAGSC founder), Bart O-Brien (Director, East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden) and John Wickham (Past President, Theodore Payne Foundation and Curator of Theodore Payne Archives) selected 23 artworks by 14 artists for this exhibition. Participating artists are:

Nina Antze
Diane Daly
Estelle DeRidder
Clara Josephs
Joan Keesey
Patricia A. Mark
Arillyn Moran-Lawrence
Lesley Randall
Mitsuko Schultz
Gilly Shaeffer
Janice Sharp
Deborah Shaw
Gayle Uyehara
Jude Wiesenfeld

An opening reception will be held this weekend on Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 2:00 – 4:30 PM. Artist demonstrations and jury results at 3:00 PM.

About the Theodore Payne Foundation
The Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping others discover the beauty of California native plants. It is located north of Los Angeles in Sun Valley, CA.
www.theodorepayne.org

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

Watercolor Workshop at The Elizabethan Gardens

January 8, 2014 by Tania Marien

Blue Hydrangea © 2012 Linda C. Miller. All rights reserved

Linda C. Miller
www.lindacmillerbotanicalarttoday.com
Linda is a botanical artist from Virginia and the artist in residence at The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC. Learn more about this special honor. Linda teaches in North Carolina and in Virginia. Visit Linda’s blog, Botanical Art Today to learn about her classes and upcoming gallery appearances.

Botanical Watercolor Workshop

Linda Miller, Resident Botanical Artist at The Elizabethan Gardens, inspires participants to see, preserve and interpret the beauty of the garden during this unique workshop. Included is a walking tour of the garden and an opportunity to collect specimens. Artists will delight in Miller’s vested interest and skill in capturing the botanical world in watercolor and her ability to impart this mastery with the class.

This two-day workshop is open to all artists — beginner to advanced. Participants have the option of registering for an optional third day. Price includes admission to The Gardens.

Two-Day Class:
Members/Friends, $100; Non-Members, $120

Three-Day Class: Members/Friends, $150; Non Members, $180

Please contact Linda Miller for materials list.

Enroll at The Elizabethan Gardens by phone at (252) 473-3234.
Follow the Elizabethan Gardens on Facebook.

This information has been posted at Classes Near You > Virginia.

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

Contra Costa Master Gardeners Celebrate the Plants in Their Own Backyard

January 8, 2014 by Tania Marien

The Contra Costa Master Gardeners and the City of Brentwood are hosting
In Our Own Backyard, a celebration of local and sustainable fresh food at the new Brentwood Community Center in Brentwood, California. This event will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 9 AM – 4 PM.

The morning program will focus on local agricultural, especially what’s happening in Brentwood, Contra Costa County’s most productive agricultural community. Farmers who specialize in Brentwood sweet corn will discuss how this crop has been developed and has become a sought-after variety throughout the west. A newer cottage industry, olive oil, has also taken root in East Contra Costa County and Sean McCauley, the farmer who pioneered the region’s olive oil growth, will speak about its production.

The Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust (BALT) will also give a presentation about local food production and how farmland conservation and stewardship are vital to continuing success.

In the afternoon, the spotlight turns to the home gardener. Leading soil scientist Dr. Steve Andrews will speak about enhancing the soil in home gardens.
Dr. Andrews will discuss solutions for making soil more productive so that home gardeners can produce better edible and ornamental plants. Following Dr. Andrews’ presentation, local CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) will discuss how consumers can take advantage of farm fresh fruit and vegetables and how these fresh foods can be delivered to one’s home or be picked up at a chosen site.

Local vendors will share samples and offer soaps, honey, yarn, jams and many other local food and non-food agricultural products for sale.

Tickets for this special event are $35 each and can be purchased on the
In Our Own Backyard 2014 website. Admission includes a catered lunch by Nature’s Bounty.

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

Botanical Art Diploma Course Returns to Chelsea Physic Garden

January 7, 2014 by Tania Marien

NEW!
Chelsea School of Botanical Art
Chelsea Physic Garden
www.chelseaschoolofbotanicalart.co.uk

Botanical art returns to the Chelsea Physic Garden in 2014!

This new and updated diploma course replaces the diploma course originally taught at the English Gardening School. The English Gardening School no longer offers its diploma course and will now concentrate more on garden design and horticulture.
The Chelsea School of Botanical Art was founded by artist Helen Allen.

The diploma course for 2014 begins on January 13 and is filled to capacity. Registrations for the 2015 course are now being accepted.

The two-year part-time diploma course involves three 10-week terms the first year and one year of private study during the second year. Students are expected to build a portfolio and complete a final project to satisfy graduation requirements.

Short courses will also be offered through the new program. Information about the short courses planned for June, September and October will be posted when available. Information about the summer school course with Elaine Searle can now be viewed online. Click on the Courses tab on the school’s website to learn more.

The Chelsea School of Botanical Art is on Facebook and Twitter (@CSBArtist). Follow them to receive weekly announcements about the Garden and the diploma program.

This information has been added to Classes Near You > England.

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

Updates, Reminders, Announcements

January 7, 2014 by Tania Marien

Do you teach botanical art classes, botany classes, book arts classes or lead nature journaling adventures in your community? Tell others!

I am working on the Classes Near You section one page at a time and you are invited to add your classes to this popular section.

Updates and class announcements will be posted at the beginning of each week and the most time-sensitive announcements will be posted first. Please understand that an announcement about your class may not be posted immediately.

If you already have a listing in the Classes Near You section, please check it to see if it is current. If it is not, please send updates.

The page for California has been updated. Here is information that may be of particular interest:

Filoli and Maryjo Koch are offering many inspiring classes in 2014. Visit their listings in the section for Northern California to learn more.
In Southern California, mixed media artist Jane LaFazio and watercolorist Brenda Swenson have a year’s worth of learning opportunities scheduled. The writing workshop with Paula Panich, The Literary Gardener, will be held this month at the LA Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Register now to participate in this workshop about the deep connection between storytelling and plants.

And for those interested in botanical art, don’t miss the new classes at the
Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Garden!

Go to Classes Near You > California

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities, Sketching & Journaling |

Contribute to the Florilegium at the LA Arboretum

January 7, 2014 by Tania Marien

Students in Cristina Baltayian’s botanical art classes at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden have the opportunity to study the Arboretum’s plants and contribute to the Arboretum’s florilegium. Learn more about Cristina’s classes below.

Botanical Art & Illustration with Cristina Baltayian
Students will explore color pencil, graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor on various papers, vellum and other surfaces. The emphasis will be on plant observation, drawing, composition, color theory and matching, and medium techniques. In conjunction with the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California, students will study and portray many of the Arboretum plant introductions from the last 50 years. The goal is to build a collection of paintings that will celebrate and document the invaluable contribution of the Los Angeles Arboretum to the state of California. All levels of experience are welcome. Students will receive a supply list. Registrants may bring a lunch or buy lunch at the Peacock Cafe.

Tuesday Botanical Art & Illustration
10am-2pm (includes lunch break)
$255 Arboretum members per month
$275 non-members per month
Pre-registration required; please call (626) 821-4623.

Cristina Baltayian is a botanical artist with a background in drawing (graphite, charcoal, pen & ink), two-dimensional design, watercolor and colored pencil. Her work has been shown at Filoli, the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Chapman University. She is a member of the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California and the American Society of Botanical Artists.

Basics of Color Theory & Color Mixing – January 7, 14, 21, 28
Spring Bulbs – February 4, 11, 18, 25 (Feb 11 in Bamboo Room )
Wisteria – March 4, 11, 18, 25 (Mar. 11 in Bamboo Room)
Arboretum Florilegium (subject TBA) – April 1, 8, 15, 22 (April 11 in Bamboo Room)
Basics of Composition – May 6, 13, 20, 27
Fruit (fruit types TBA) – June 3, 10, 17, 24

This information has been added to the Arboretum’s listing at
Classes Near You > Southern California.

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities |

Getty Open Content Program Makes Art Accessible to All

January 3, 2014 by Tania Marien

Paardebloem [De Europische insecten], Merian, Maria Sibylla, 1647-1717,Transfer print, hand-colored, 1730, Dandelion, with caterpillar. Digital image courtesy of the Getty’s Open Content Program.

Sometimes we work on projects and wish we could include an image from a historic resource or an image created by a famous artist to show connections or to reinforce learning. Many good ideas have been cast aside because of questions like — Where do I look for the image I want to use? How do I ask for permission to use it? How much will it cost?

The Getty Research Institute has made the dilemma of image use a little easier to manage thanks to their Open Content Program. Launched in August 2013, the Open Content Program features digital images to which the Getty holds the rights or images that are in the public domain. The database has more than 10,000 images of works of art that include paintings, drawings, artists’ sketchbooks, sculptures and much more. The Getty Museum released 4,600 Museum images in August and the Research Institute added 5,400 in October. These images can be used for any purpose. No permission is required and the images can be used for free.

Natural history artists and educators will find many items of interest in the Open Content Program. For starters, it has 1,397 images about the natural world. Included are works of art by Maria Sibylla Merian and Jan van Huysum. Users can search for artists by name, search for specific types of art (e.g., drawing, photographs, etc.) or search by topic. Searches for topics such as trees, plants, flowers, and insects will keep you busy for quite a while.

This database is large and you will find yourself clicking here, there and everywhere. If you get lost in your own search, all you have to do is click on the Search History tab at the top of the page to view your search history and to revisit subjects you have explored.

The Getty Research Institute has made art and history accessible to everyone and it is a wonderful resource for artists, naturalists and educators.

Visit the Open Content Program

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