Plan Ahead

Plan to check out the GNSI conference, which is fast approaching. Go to their website http://www.gnsi.science-art.com/2011WA/index.html for all the information you'll need to attend this gathering of like minds. Held at Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, July 10-16, there is truly something for every natural science aficionado. Scrolling over the photos on their home page reveals artwork of the same species by members. Very clever, and a great way to tie art and nature together.


Plan to attend our next RMSBA meeting on the 26th of June (look under Events for the pertinent info) for demos of and hands-on work with M. Graham Watercolors.


The ASBA website to register for our annual conference in Boston this year will open shortly (http://www.asba-conf.org/). You'll get an email from Robin Jess when registration opens. Your Journal should be arriving in the next few days also, and you may register by mail if you prefer. Early registration helps to insure you'll get the classes and activities you most desire!

And finally, plan to nourish your art this summer. Take a look at the four new links in Ephemera. Two watercolor tutorials present methods for creating vibrant summer species. Berries, by Dawn McLeod Heim, shows the way to capturing succulence. Painting the Heidi Klum Rose by Doris Joa is a color saturated method for getting wonderful results. Don't miss the Leaf Tutorial by Ann Swan, and a great little tutorial on plein aire sketching in Drawing Rocks by Diane Wright.

Nature offers so many options this time of year. Try to sketch daily, even if life is too busy to allow for painting. It'll keep your hand in, record daily inspirations, and perhaps set the stage for paintings to come.

Alpine Forget-me-not (Libby Kyer, colored pencil) started as a field sketch on the Peak to Peak Highway, above 10,000 feet high, in June. It made its way into a finished painting sometime in October, using sketches, very brief color studies, and photo references. This plant's flowers are about 1/4" wide, and it has fuzzy leaves to protect it not only from cold, but from the fierceness of the sun at that altitude. It nestles up beside small rocks for protection from wind.