Meeting Leads Members to New Concepts in Art and Rhythm

A Zentangle is a form of artistic meditation that uses repetitive patterns to create images. Usually done in black and white, patterns have a rhythm. The ideal is to let yourself be carried away by the creative process and allow the design to grow organically. A Botangle is a Zentangle with botanical flair and influences.

Our RMSBA mini Botangle workshop was a great success! Annie Reiser, and Mary Jo Ramsdale gave a wonderful presentation! Everyone seemed to get into the "zone" and by the end of the session, blood pressures were down and all was right with the world.........

Members pay close attention as the concept of Botangle is presented

Materials for Botangle are simple: A good sheet of white paper, a flat surface to work on, a Pigma Micron felt tip pen that flows easily and smoothly, a stump and a graphite pencil and you're set. 





Annie Reiser (left) demos on vertical paper, as Charles Smith watches, pen at the ready

As usual for our artists, the results of the drawings were beautiful and very creative, and it was fun to see what everyone had done. The zen of Botangle invites the artist to let things go, let things flow, let things grow. For botanical artists, it could be a match made in heaven! We have the opportunity to work creatively without the need to follow a specimen. We can immerse ourselves in the process, without the demands of accuracy, scale or color. It's very freeing. The wokshop was well attended with 29 people practicing their Zen in art.

This Botangle design was done by Ann Flemming. Note the organic growth of the piece, as the artist lets line and rhythm move the design into an artwork.

Cover Art of ASBA Features Our President's Artwork

Kudos to Dorothy DePaulo: her artwork was chosen for the cover of the ASBA Journal. Her image is accompanied by an explanation of why and how these lovely succulents speak to her. The cover image is selected from amongst artworks submitted specifically for the cover. The Art of the Cover is a new Journal feature, allowing cover artists to discuss their works, talk a bit about technique and motivation, composition and materials.

Hens and Chicks, colored pencil on film by Dorothy DePualo

If you're interested in submitting work for the Journal cover, take a look at "Calls for Entries". You'll find the first call is for cover art. We'd love to see more of our artists featured. Three covers a year are chosen from general submissions, the fourth is reserved for a novice exhibitor chosen for the ASBA/NY Hort exhibition.