It takes a gifted artist to become a great teacher and those who dare to teach never cease to learn.
Celia Fisher describes in her recent publication The Golden Age of Flowers the fascinating story of flowers and botanical illustration during the 17th and 18th centuries (The Age of Discoveries). In the detailed introduction she elucidates the complex historical development of the plant documentation from the process of revolutionary engraving method on metal in the 1600s to the epic voyages of discovery. The botanists and plant-hunters from Clusius and John Parkinson in the late 16th and early 17th century to Ehret and Redoute in the late 18th century are analyzed chronologically in a short but inclusive style.
To exemplify the development Celia Fisher has included 120 beautiful illustrations which are alphabetically arranged by the plants generic Latin name. Each of the plants has its own short interesting biography which illuminates the complementing connection between art and science. A large number of Mark Catesby’s, Ehret’s and Bauer brother’s works are included as well as works from more seldom presented plant hunters and illustrators like Hardwicke, de Ruyter and Sowerby.
This book touches all aspects from biography to geography and is warmly recommended especially for everybody who is interested in the history of botanical illustration.
Celia Fisher is an art historian and plantswoman. Having researched economic botany at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, she gained a Doctorate at the Courtauld Institute, University of London, on flowers in manuscript borders. She specializes in garden history , identifying plants in art and discovering their history and meanings.
(Christoph Jacob Trew and Georg Ehret, Plantae Selectae, Nuremberg, 1750-90. 460.g.15, f.62)
Stipple, Stipple. Stipple - dot, dot, dot...
Line and expressive line is the foundation for art. Stippling is "a process of painting and engraving in which the effect if produced by dots and points" The gradation of light and dark (form and color) is produced by different size of dots. Stipples in curved lines can suggest form and almost overlapping dense stippling indicates areas of shadow.
During the entry level Pen and Ink (
Pen and Ink I) the students learn techniques to create a line, expressive line and stipple. You can see some random progress photos from recently finished Pen and Ink I class as well as from other classes, to access the photo album, please click
here.
Utilization of the International Space Station: past, present, and future
Tara Ruttley, PhD, NASA ISS Program Scientist
Tara M Ruttley, PhD is the Associate Program Scientist for the
International Space Station (ISS) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Johnson Space Center (JSC) in
Houston. Her role in the Program Science Office consists of representing and communicating all research on the space station, and supporting recommendations to the ISS Program Manager and to NASA Headquarters, regarding research on the ISS.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Denver Botanic Gardens – Gates Hall
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Annual BI Art Show 2011
(Please click the image to enlarge)
(Pneumonanthe parryi by Frank Andrus, please click the image to enlarge)
You can see a selection of works that the Botanical Illustration graduate candidates included in their portfolios. These were presented on September 12, 2011.Please click here or follow the link in the right hand column of this blog. Congratulations once again!!!
(Lavandula angustifolia by Linda Gerstle, Please click the image to enlarge)
(Art by Randy Raak)
Randy Raak, a vital member of our Botanical Illustration community has two botanical pieces accepted to this show.
The art will be displayed until October 29, 2011. (For driving directions, please click
here
(selection from the graduate works - please click to enlarge)
Join me to congratulate the five new graduates from the Denver Botanic Gardens' Botanical Art and Illustratioin Program: Frank Andrus, Kathleen Dolan, Linda Gerstle, Valerie Smith and Kimberley Zehr.
We are impressed with the level of competence, and we are thoroughly proud of you. The more complete presentation of the graduates' work will be on-line shortly.
The certificate awards ceremony in conjunction of the Annual Botanical Illustration Art Show will be held on Sunday, October 9th, 1 - 3 p.m. in the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology Gallery (fro driving directions, please click here). Artists, 2011 Graduates and their families are invited to attend!
(Magnolia ferrofolia 'Steel Magnolia' by Barbara McKee, Honorary mention)
Barbara McKee, who is in the Botanical Illustration Certificate Program at Denver Botanic Gardens has two botanical pieces accepted in this show.
This Fine Art show as displayed at
Louisville Center for the Arts from September 3 to September 11. There is a
Special Wine & Cheese Reception today, Friday, September 9, 5:00-7:00 p.m.(Free for the public). The show closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
REMINDER: Entry deadline October 1, 2011
Focus on Nature XII:
Natural History Illustration
April 28 - December
31, 2012
Focus on Nature
(FON) is a biennial
exhibition of scientific, natural and cultural history illustration. Since its
inception in 1990 the number and quality of submissions have risen, range of
materials and media have expanded, and the geographic representation of artists
has broadened. A five-member jury of scientists and artists selects artwork that
accurately represent the subjects, or research results and processes.
FON
seeks to demonstrate the connection between science and images; stimulate an
interest in natural history art among practicing artists, aspiring artists, and
the public; and bring natural history illustration to the attention of people
who might not otherwise be aware of the important role it plays in research and
the dissemination of knowledge.
Each exhibit invites
a guest juror from among artists who have previously participated in FON. The guest juror for FON XII is Francesca Anderson.
To get the on-line entry form, please click here, call for entries, please click here.
(Image on the left by Susan Curnutte: Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah', watercolor, in process. Please click the image to enlarge.)
