ArtPlantae Today

Scientific Illustration Workshop for Teens and Adults

April 10, 2013 by Tania Marien

Moonshell and Kelp Foothold, watercolor, 11" x 10", © S. Birzer. All rights reserved

Sharon Birzer
www.sharonbirzer.com
Scientific illustrator Sharon Birzer is a teaching artist at Seattle Pacific University and Frye Art Museum, and has completed illustrations for the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington. Sharon shows her work at Shift Collaborative Studio in Seattle, Washington. Click on the image to visit Sharon’s website.

In June, Sharon will lead a summer workshop about scientific illustration for beginning and intermediate students ages 15 and up. Take a look!

The Art of Scientific Illustration

Connect to the natural world and build skills in drawing and painting detailed zoological and botanical illustrations using a variety of media. Working outdoors when weather permits, students sketch flora from the Museum’s surrounding neighborhood. During studio sessions, students work with botanical specimens to develop strengths in observation and drafting. This course can be taken for credit or clock hours through Seattle Pacific University. The university uses the quarter system and issues quarter credits. Payment for credit or clock hour fees must be paid directly to the university on the first day of class.
Cost: $220 members, $280 nonmembers
View Details/Register

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

Posted in botanical art, scientific illustration |

Education Stations About Plants, Water & Technology at Earth Day Event in Inland Empire

April 9, 2013 by Tania Marien

This year the city of Banning, CA celebrates its 100th birthday. One of the many festivities celebrating this milestone is the city’s first-ever Earth Day event at Gilman Historic Ranch and Wagon Museum. This inaugural event will be held this weekend on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 9 AM – 5 PM.

Local organizations will host education stations and provide educational activities for children and adults. Stations will provide information about topics ranging from the water cycle to how to propagate California native plants. Learning opportunities will be provided by:

ArtPlantae
Bureau of Land Management
Malki Museum with Aaron Saubel
Riverside County Parks
Riverside County Waste Management
Santa Ana Watershed Association
Wild California

Also participating in this event are specialty merchants, food vendors and local organizations dedicated to thoughtful green-living practices. See you there!

Banning Centennial Earth Day
Gilman Historic Ranch & Wagon Museum
Saturday, April 13, 2013
9 AM – 5 PM
View map

Admission:
$6 per car
$3 per adult (walk-in)
$2 per child (walk-in)
$1 per dog

Posted in botanical art, Education, gardening, general botany, History, Learning Opportunities, Special Announcements, Special Events, Technology |

Bones, Birds & Botanicals with Kathleen McKeehan

April 9, 2013 by Tania Marien

Looking for classes in the Seattle area?

Here is the latest at Classes Near You > Washington:

Kathleen McKeehen, Scientific Illustrator
www.florawithfauna.com
Kathleen is a teacher and freelance illustrator. Her work has appeared in Organic Gardening Magazine and The Herb Companion. View Kathleen’s artwork in the ASBA Members’ Gallery or at the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators’
Science-Art.com. Kathleen welcomes both beginners and advanced students to her classes.

Bugs, Bones, and Birds

While dry-brush watercolor is the most frequently used method in botanical painting, it’s also the perfect to use when portraying other natural science subjects. Learn to paint insects, skulls, bones, and birds using the classic dry technique to portray these subjects realistically and in three dimensions. Individuals preferring to work on botanical subjects can do so. All levels welcome. Cost: $230
View Details/Register

Blooming Gardens
April 12 – June 14, 2013
Fridays 1:30-4:30 PM
Gage Academy of Art, Seattle

Learn the classical method for botanical painting — dry-brush watercolor. Measurement, washes, dry-brush techniques, composition. Methods and materials will be covered as students learn to portray botanical subjects. Emphasis will be on the flowers of spring. All levels welcome; returning students can choose to work on projects independently with supervision. Cost: $430
View Details/Register

Botanical Drawing
April 12 – June 14, 2013
Fridays 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Gage Academy of Art, Seattle

The basics of drawing will be covered, beginning with the expressive use of line to portray botanical subjects, then progressing to use various methods of shading to show form and three-dimensionality. While the class focuses on plant subjects, the methods and techniques taught work well for rendering any subject realistically. All levels welcome; intermediate students can take on more complicated subjects with instructor supervision. Cost: $430
View Details/Register

Botanical Painting
April 16 – May 7, 2013
Tuesdays 7:00-9:30 PM
The Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle

Dry-brush watercolor is a classical method of portraying botanical subjects. Learn the basics — measurement, handling light on form, washes, dry-brush application, color mixing, etc. — to portray various botanical subjects in a realistic way. All levels are welcome, and repeating students can take on more advanced subjects with plentiful instructor supervision. Cost: $260
View Details/Register

Botanical Watercolor Workshop
Saturday, May 18, 2013
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline, WA

Learn the basics of botanical watercolor in a one-day workshop at the beautiful Kruckeberg Botanic Garden in Shoreline, WA. Cost: $125 nonmembers, $100 KBGF Members.
View Details/Register

Posted in botanical art, Education, general botany, Learning Opportunities |

David Valbrecht Invites You to Learn from Leaves

April 5, 2013 by Tania Marien

Go to Arnold Arboretum

Learning from Leaves by David Valbracht
April 6 – June 9, 2013
Landscape architect David Valbracht turned to botanical illustration to develop a better method for identifying trees. A guest researcher at the Arboretum, David gathers plant samples from his studies in the collections and arranges them in his studio as they grew in life. The “tree portraits” he creates emphasize drawing as a method to develop observation and identification skills, and at the same allow for personal expression. The exhibition of his work features a thirty-foot mural illustrating over 100 species of trees. Valbracht studied landscape architecture at Harvard University, botanical art at the Wellesley College Botanical Garden, and is currently attending the Academy of Realist Art, Boston.

Visitors to David’s show will have the opportunity to meet with him and to ask questions about his work. Mark these dates on your calendar:

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 6, 1:00–3:00 PM
Artist’s Talk and Demonstration: Thursday, May 2, 6:00–7:00 PM (Register; FREE)
Guided Tour: Sunday, May 19, 2:00 PM (Register, FREE)

Oaks, © David Valbrecht. All rights reserved

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

Exhibition by Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists Opens Tonight

April 5, 2013 by Tania Marien

Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists, a chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists, will open a month-long exhibition and sale at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture’s Miller Library this evening.

The exhibition by Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists will feature original paintings by 13 artists. Prints and cards will be available for purchase. The exhibition will be on view through Saturday, May 4, the date of the Master Gardener plant sale at the Center for Urban Horticulture. A portion of proceeds from all sales will benefit the library.

This event will be held in conjunction with the 8th Annual Garden Lover’s Book Sale Preview Party, a wine and cheese event featuring hundreds of gardening books and cookbooks. Doesn’t this sound like fun?

To purchase tickets for tonight’s book sale and preview party, contact the library.
The annual book sale will be open to the public tomorrow from 9 AM – 3 PM (free admission).

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

Tips & Tools: Microscopes

April 3, 2013 by Tania Marien

A fellow reader has asked:

What kind of microscopes have artists purchased and what has been their experience with using a microscope? What tips do they have for its use? If you can not afford one, are there some places that allow you to use one?

Share your thoughts in the Comment box below.

Posted in botanical art, Education, Learning Opportunities, Technology | 2 Comments »

Tell a National Audience About Your Classes, Exhibitions

April 3, 2013 by Tania Marien

Do you have botanical art workshops, botany classes, book arts classes or sketchbook adventures to announce ?

How about an exhibition of your work? Is your organization hosting an exhibition related to plants, natural science illustration, botany or botanical art?

Put yourself or your organization in front of a national, environmentally minded audience this month. Take a moment to send information about upcoming classes for the Classes Near You section or to send exhibition information for the Exhibits to Visit section located in the right hand column of this page.

When sending information, please write “EE Week” at the beginning of your subject line.