Hello Art Patrons,
In a three sentence brief, I currently have art hanging in two national exhibits, both coasts, same painting. Of course one is a print. You can visit the U.S. Botanic Garden’s print in Washington D.C. on the National Mall, or if you are a left coaster, you can see the original painting in Woodside CA. at Filoli Gardens. Read on for the longer version.
This painting is botanically titled, Pinus jeffreyi, but it’s just a big pinecone found at Tahoe. My college friend, a plant biologist, identified it as Jeffrey Pine versus the similar Ponderosa. The needles are three per bunch, like a Ponderosa. But when you run your hand down the cone, the end spikes don’t stick you because the spines are turned inward, unlike a Ponderosa. And, I love this, Jeffrey Pine bark smells of vanilla.
Here are the particulars:
Filoli Gardens 18th Annual Botanical Art Exhibit
April 5 – June 12, 2016 except Mondays
86 Canada Rd., Woodside CA
www.filoli.org click events/exhibits for hours
This is a juried international show and has the reputation of being one of the top three juried botanical art exhibits in the U.S. and all of the paintings are original. The gardens are glorious this time of year, as well. I saw hundreds of peach tulips floating in clouds of sky blue forget-me-nots.
The second exhibit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Flora of the National Parks is the Centennial Celebration of the National Park Service at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington DC, next to the U.S. Capitol. The Washington Post published the following March 24 article about the exhibit. http://wapo.st/211YM91. Also the American Society of Botanical Artists posted a Facebook blurb about the exhibit and profiled me on March 28. There were 65 paintings and photographs chosen by NPS, and I am super excited to be included. However, I’ll have to wait until Sept 10, 2016 to see it during my artists’ talk/demonstration from 1-2 pm. Can you make it?
Flora of the National Parks
February 18 – Oct 2, 2016 (rumored to extend through the New Year)
U.S. Botanic Garden, Conservatory West Gallery
100 Maryland Ave., Washington D.C.
www.USBG.gov/
As for my Bug Hotels there are two fun local events. Bug Hotels are one-of-a-kind hanging garden art made of recycled seed pods and plant matter. They serve as a place of rest, feeding, propagation and safety for the workhorses of our ecosystem–our pollinators. See all of my Bug Hotels in the Gallery on my website www.BonniesBotanicalArt.com
On May 20 PAINTS, supporting art in Piedmont Schools, will hold their annual Birdhouse Gala Auction. One of my Bug Hotels will be up for auction. Good cause for kids. www.PIEDMONTPAINTS.org
May 22, 10-2 pm, is the Green Garden Ramble showcasing 6 Piedmont gardens created with sustainability in mind. I’m proud Piedmont Connect has invited me to show my eco-friendly Bug Hotels at one of the gardens on tour. The Garden Ramble is free but an online sign-ups is required. www.piedmontconnect.org
Lest you think I’m juried into most exhibits, let me set the record straight. There is a wonderful upcoming show for which I was NOT chosen. It too is in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the NPS at the David Brower Center in Berkeley CA. beginning May 20. And I will NOT be the Artist-in-Residence at Glacier National Park in Montana for the entire month of October, in a small cabin, in the snowy woods . . . alone. I did make it as far as the third round of judging but now I’m kind of relieved.
Bonnie Bonner
www.BonniesBotanicalArt.com
www.BonnieBonner.blogspot.com