“Congratulations! An art submission you entered has been selected to be included in the Flora of the National Parks exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden February 18 – October 2, 2016.” Just home I see this email. Too late to call anyone, I am leaping around the kitchen whooping “My art is going to be in the Smithsonian. Holy Moley,” well–I didn’t really use that word.
Another email arrives a few days later . . . ” I’d like to introduce you to Ranger Michael. Michael handles the social media for the Park Service on Alcatraz. I think it would be a wonderful story to tell about your pinecone painting being selected for the 100 year anniversary exhibit, and with your paintings in the Alcatraz Florilegium.”
This pinecone has a life of its own. And to think I’d almost added a bunch of pine needles to the painting. Lucky I was talked out of that one.
But first, The Alcatraz Florilegium Exhibit will tour at U.C. Berkeley for only two weeks this January. Come see my nasturtium painting, along with 78 other artists’ work, in the beyond beautiful 100 year-old Julia Morgan building on campus at the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. Free with Garden admission, the exhibit runs for only two weeks:
Saturday Jan 16–Friday Jan 29, 2016 10 to 4 pm. daily except closed Monday Jan 18–MLK Day. www.botanicalgarden.
There is information about lectures on the history of the Florilegium and the Alcatraz Garden Restoration Project. At the bottom of the page click Plants Illustrated to see my nasturtiums adorning last year’s exhibit flyer. You can also see my nasturtiums on the cover of the National Park Service Alcatraz Gardens Brochure. The Florilegium paintings are juried and the work is exquisite–a must-see for lovers of fine botanical artwork. For a preview, here’s the link to the Alcatraz Florilegium: www.ncalsba.org/
My shift to gallery sit at the Gardens is Jan 24 from 1-4. Love to see you.
Or meet me in D.C. and walk the U.S. National Mall from the Washington Monument (it was his idea to someday form the National Parks) toward the U.S. Capitol stopping at the Conservatory West Gallery to view the exhibit honoring the Centennial of the creation of the National Parks Service. I’ll let you know if there is an artists’ reception. Yessssssssss.
It is certain that none of this would occur without the help and encouragement of my group, The Northern CA. Society of Botanical Artists and The (I call it) Catherine Watters School. Without them I would be painting in a vacuum, if at all. So I hope you’ll join a group in the New Year. Connecting with others nurtures and improves you. It opens up opportunities. Makes you happy too.
Happy New Year my friends,
Bonnie Bonner
a.k.a. Joanne Palamountain
www.BonniesBotanicalArt.com