Mission Statement

The Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists is an open and diverse group of artists, collectors and admirers who share a love for the practice and perpetuation of botanical art and illustration with a fond focus on plants in the Rocky Mountain Region.
We encourage and participate in educational outreach, juried and non-juried exhibits, lectures, workshops and regular chapter meetings. The RMSBA is proud to be the very first chapter affiliation of the international organization, the American Society of Botanical Artists.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Are we still on for 300 days of sunshine?

May 24 meeting: Cherokee Castle Tour



Close to 25 people showed up for the tour, amazing for a holiday weekend.  A number of family members came along. The view from the back terrace is breathtaking, you can see from Pikes Peak to Boulder flatirons. At this point, we are scheduled to exhibit Wicked Plants (2015) and RARE II (2017) at the Castle. Plans are in place for the Castle to host a RMSBA artist in residence program in 2016, details to be announced later.





Wildflower Report! [Don’t get your hopes up]

Saturday, May 30, I visited the meadow at the head of Witter Gulch Road at the intersection of CO 103 (Squaw Pass Road, Mt Evans…) to check on the wild iris and the shooting stars I’ve often found there. Surprise! Upper Bear Creek and the steep road to the meadow displayed only dandelions. A quick retreat to Evergreen and up to Alderfer-Three Sisters Park to have a look at the iris in the meadow, where we found – a few dandelions. Maybe next week…

Too much water

The recent rains have left the water in the South Platte River very high in Fort Morgan, as I found on a visit to Riverside Park there on Sunday. The water surface still is very near the bridge understructure, and the sandbars are covered completely. Gnat- and fly-catchers wait on line for another pass at the bugfest. The high velocity and tremendous force of the river are causing bank damage: the irregular black lines show where the pavement is collapsing along with the banks on the perimeter trail in the park. Guess what we found blooming? Dandelions. And a few lanky, tiny-yellow-flowered creatures I can’t identify. The wild rose hedge is really nice, though.



Supercell storms
Let us not dwell on the results of the unfortunate hailstorm that struck my Denver yard without provocation the night of June 4, leaving many dismembered rose blossoms and shredded iris and other wreckage in its wake. It could have been worse. We hope your plants have been spared the worst of the whirlwind and iceballs.


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