Happy New Year!

Phoradendron flavescens (American mistletoe) from the Guadalupe Mountains, Texas

Get a Kiss for Good Luck.

May we prosper in 2017.

Spin dreidels, sing carols, dance skyclad, festoon defenseless trees

'Winterlude: Botanical Promises' -- a small works exhibit of botanical art subjects rendered in watercolor, oil, scratch board, graphite, colored pencil and pen and ink – continues at   Gallery Bleu, located in the lobby of the Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine Street, Fort Collins, CO. The exhibit closes at the end of 2016. Nice little trip to Fort Collins; see this lovely hanging; have some holiday cheer.

 

Reminder for ASBA Membership Renewal link: renew (or join!) and RMSBA gets a bigger share when we all renew by the end of the year. Do find the checkbox for RMSBA; we now ask $10.00 for Chapter affiliation.

RMSBA Holiday Party was well attended and new executive committee members elected. You have chosen as your

President – Vanessa Martin will continue in office through 2017

Vice President – Eileen Richardson

Honorary Director – Susan Fisher continues

Treasurer – Ronda Ballard will continue in office through 2017; Gloria Cavalier will understudy

Secretary – Kristi Czajkowski

Exhibition Coordinator – Sharon Garrett

Communications Editor – Martha Narey will continue

Exhibitions Chairs – Irma Sturgell and Shiere Melin

Programs Coordinator – Dorothy DePaulo

These are your Directors. You can track them right down in the ASBA Member Directory to let them know what you think, what you propose, and how all of us can help make RMSBA a better organization.

Illustrator, Illuminator, and Calligrapher Renee Jorgensen, member of our fair organization, on November 27, 2016, formally unveiled a magnificent work in the Cathedral of Saint John in Denver. The “Giving Wall” replaces a number of brass plaques and Renee’s framework brings order and continuity to the list (now editable by staff) of persons who have made the Cathedral part of their estate planning. Recalling the history of the church itself and its relation to the human and natural history of Colorado, ongoing into the future, the images also are included in a coloring book to teach the Sunday school children. This permanent masterpiece will remain available for viewing, so there’s no hurry, but get thee to the Cathedral (Washington Street between 14^th and 13^th Avenues) and check it out. These images are courtesy of Carol Till.

Sidebar detail

Renee at the "Giving Wall"

Centerpiece detail

A message from Ellie Levine of Phaidon Press, publisher of Plant: Exploring the Botanical World. 

This beautifully illustrated volume presents 300 of the most remarkable botanical images ever created, as selected by a panel of international experts including Patricia Jonas, Chair of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Hailed as “a dazzling collection…that brings the evolution of botanical art right into the 21st century” (Gardens Illustrated), Plant is poised to become a classic for botanical artists, horticulturists, home gardeners, and anyone who appreciates the breathtaking variety of the natural world.

At Phaidon, we are eager to share Plant with those in the gardening community. We would like to extend a special offer to members of the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists: 30% off + free shipping, along with a free digital preview of the book. Here is a link to the offer on our website: http://www.phaidon.com/plantoffer/.

Solstice Today 0344 MST

The Sun is directly overhead at 23.5 degrees South latitude, delivering the shortest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. The nights get shorter after this, until June 21.

Enjoy the first day of Winter.

Broncos lose yet another night game – but it was exciting

'Winterlude: Botanical Promises' Christmas Reception this Friday evening, December 2, 5 to 7 p.m. at Gallery Bleu in Fort Collins, CO.  'Winterlude' is a small works exhibit of botanical art subjects rendered in watercolor, oil, scratch board, graphite, colored pencil and pen and ink.  Gallery Bleu is located in the lobby of the Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine Street. The reception is held in concert with the monthly First Friday Art Walk in Fort Collins. Light refreshments as well as complimentary wine and a beer will be served. The exhibit closes at the end of December. Let’s all go up to Fort Collins and see this lovely hanging and encourage the artists. 

Isn’t LeftoverLand Wonderful?

Ingredients for turkey noodle soup, turkey enchiladas (these are so good!), turkey pot pie, turkey kolachis, and good ol’ hot turkey sandwiches. It’ll be gone in no time.

ASBA Membership Renewal link: renew (or join!) and, remember, your RMSBA gets a bigger share when we all renew by the end of the year. Be sure to find the checkbox for RMSBA; we now ask $10.00 for Chapter affiliation.

RMSBA Holiday Party 1 – 4 pm on Sunday, December 11 at Shiere Melin’s home, 8777 Gardenia Circle, Arvada, CO, (303) 718-2857. Please RSVP to shiere@mac.com before December 8th. ***New Board Members will be voted in*** Light appetizers will be provided compliments of RMSBA.

Today’s the Day – Get out and vote!

ASBA Membership Renewal is Open. Use this link to renew (or join!) and, while you’re there, make some updates to your Gallery Page. Your RMSBA gets a bigger share of the dole when we all renew before the end of the year. Be sure to find the checkbox for RMSBA; we now ask $10.00 for Chapter affiliation.

Out of the Woods: Celebrating Trees in Public Gardens. The Third New York Botanical Garden Triennial Exhibition Call for Entry is accessible through ASBA. All subject trees must be located in a public botanical garden or arboretum. Entries are being accepted now; deadline is April 28, 2017. While we have the Denver Botanic Gardens at our disposal, do not neglect our local Arboreta, including those at Regis University, the University of Denver, and Fairmount Cemetery.

ASBA is also organizing, in collaboration with the Entire Known World, an exhibition of the art of indigenous plants for a world-wide day of botanical art in 2018: Linking People to Plants through Contemporary Botanical Art. Check it out here, and start thinking about your participation.

San Mateo Marriott

Next year in California, ASBA will gather in October. Start making those plans…

Today’s the Day – Get out and vote!

ASBA Membership Renewal is Open. Use this link to renew (or join!) and, while you’re there, make some updates to your Gallery Page. Your RMSBA gets a bigger share of the dole when we all renew before the end of the year. Be sure to find the checkbox for RMSBA; we now ask $10.00 for Chapter affiliation.

Out of the Woods: Celebrating Trees in Public Gardens. The Third New York Botanical Garden Triennial Exhibition Call for Entry is accessible through ASBA. All subject trees must be located in a public botanical garden or arboretum. Entries are being accepted now; deadline is April 28, 2017. While we have the Denver Botanic Gardens at our disposal, do not neglect our local Arboreta, including those at Regis University, the University of Denver, and Fairmount Cemetery.

ASBA is also organizing, in collaboration with the Entire Known World, an exhibition of the art of indigenous plants for a world-wide day of botanical art in 2018: Linking People to Plants through Contemporary Botanical Art. Check it out here, and start thinking about your participation.

San Mateo Marriott

Next year in California, ASBA will gather in October. Start making those plans…

Now that the Curtain has closed once more…

Winterlude: Botanical Promises opens tomorrow, November 4, at Gallery Bleu, Bas Bleu Theater, 401 Pine Street, Fort Collins, CO. The Artists’ Opening Reception is from 5 – 7 pm. We can expect great things from the Exhibit Chairs, Sharon Eaton and Patti Hearn, and the Curator, Mary McCauley, who will have labored mightily to design and hang the exhibit. Prints, cards, and other artistic outputs from the exhibitors are available. Please be there to congratulate the artists and the designers! 

If you can’t make it this week, come to the December 2 Artist Reception. Both the opening and the holiday receptions will coincide with Fort Collins Art Walks.

New book from University of Chicago Press. Botanical and scientific posters once adorned the walls of America’s classrooms. Here’s a new compendium.

Artist-in-Residence programs in the National Parks. In mid to late November, the US National Parks post announcements for their AIR opportunities. Usually applications are due in mid to late December. The US Park Service oversees more than 400 locations, and many of these offer such opportunities. Check with the particular site that interests you (Mesa Verde NP, Homestead NM, etc.) for the latest information.

RMSBA Board meeting November 7, 11 am - 2 pm, at Hooked on Colfax, 3213 E. Colfax Ave, Denver.

Happy Halloween ends this month, Dia de los Muertos starts the next!

The Sun - October 2014 --No foolin'!

Meeting Tomorrow! Members meet October 30 from 1 – 3 pm at the Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Av, Boulder (free parking on Sundays, Library Café on site). Agenda items:

-Update on current affairs

Selling RARE II catalogs

-Winterlude  - Sharon Eaton and Patti Hearn

-Tagawa Nursery – Patti Hearn

-Cannabis exhibit – Vanessa Martin

-RARE II – Sharon Garrett

-Can Do update 

-Cherokee Ranch and Castle – Vanessa Martin

-ASBA conference highlights by those who showed up

-Shout out congratulations to Susan Fisher! Her "Cabbage" was purchased for the Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation permanent collection.

-Rocky Mountain Land Library - Eileen Richardson 

-Accept Winterlude: Botanical Promises artworks and sales materials 

-Members currrent artwork sharing and critique (bring your latest!)

-Sale of gallery frames (16x20 Walnut w/ Plexiglas: $20)

Winterlude artists dropoff. Please bring your artwork, framed in the required Dick Blick frame, ready to hang with wire, etc., and marked on the back with all the particulars about the piece, along with the release form from Gallery Bleu, to our meeting Sunday, October 30 at the Main Boulder Public Library, beginning at 1 pm. If you cannot make the meeting, do arrange to have someone bring and submit your artwork. Patti and Sharon will collect all and transport them to the gallery in Fort Collins, where they and Mary McCauley, the curator, will install the show, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 4. Following their morning’s labors, their reward will come during the Opening Reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Please be there! 

Sales Opportunities. Bring any prints, etc. that you would like to sell to the Oct. 30 meeting. We are getting into the holiday seasons, and patrons will be looking for presents, etc. so be prepared and have your prints, cards, and other outputs available. Patti and Sharon will deliver these as well. Both the opening and the holiday (Dec 2) receptions will coincide with Fort Collins Art Walks.

RMSBA Executive Committee meets Monday, November 7, 11 am - 2 pm, at Hooked on Colfax. If you have business for the Board to consider, please let one of us know.

A “Fresh Air” podcast heard by Susan Fisher may be of interest to members. The interview is with the author of a history of marijuana published on October 25. Check your local library…

Halloween (Oct 31) – All Hallows Eve – is the day before All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) and the next day (Nov 2) is All Souls’ Day, when Catholics pray for the souls of the departed. Dia de los muertos in Mexico remembers the departed, especially one’s ancestors, for whom offerings of food and drink may be presented. Dress up nice and have a good time!

Fun weekend ahead

Reminder: RMSBA members Oct 30 meeting 1 - 3 pm at Boulder Main Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder Co 80302 ( 303-441-3100)

Free parking @ library lot on Sunday!

Seed Library Cafe @ library menu on library site. Boulder Library has good web site to get directions and any further info.

Further Invitation from Eileen Richardson!

“I want to invite you to an event I'm putting on for the Rocky Mountain Land Library at the Puritan Pie Factory in Curtis Park. It's my family’s building and we are so excited to bring new life to the area. I think you will love the space but especially the thousands of amazing books on nature and plants. The event is the evening of October 20th from 5 'till 9 pm at 2612 Champa St. in Denver.

Jeff Lee, the director of RMLL, specifically wanted to connect with RMSBA. He and I are interested to collaborate with the society and potentially host an art show in the future. Feel free to stop by and invite anyone you know who might be interested. Would love to see you there! Don’t worry about the ticket or donation. It's ok to just show up! Hope to see you soon."

On line: Pie-factory-pop-up-celebration-tickets

First Frost at lower elevations – Save your basil

Open Studio is cancelled for October, as ASBA will be in Pittsburgh. Next opportunity November 10.

Ongoing exhibits. Boulder: Shakespeare’s Bouquet shows for one more week in CU Norlin Libraries N-345 (‘till 10/14). RARE II: Imperiled Plants of Colorado is now at the CU Museum of Natural History. Aurora: Poisons, Potions, and Panaceas graces the Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and Humanities on the Anschutz Medical Campus (‘till10/28).

Members meeting October 30, 2016, will at the Boulder Public Library, 1 – 4 pm. If you have any suggestion for the upcoming agenda, send an e-mail to Vanessa Martin, our Prez. Plan a little trip with a friend… 

Great leaf colors everywhere this season!

Along Cimarron Ridge near Montrose

A Small Good Thing Reception Tonight. Join us today, September 30, 5:30 – 7 pm at the Cherokee Ranch and Castle for the Artist Reception and fundraiser for the Can Do Foundation.  Mini castle tours before the film. Come and enjoy art work by RMSBA members. Items for purchase donated by the artists include prints and other goodies; all proceeds donated to the Can Do Foundation. Tickets $25.

Winterlude: Botanical Promises has a deadline date of October 1. That’s Saturday. Get those 12x12 entries submitted to https://onlinejuriedshows.com/ at the last possible minute.

RARE II: Imperiled Plants of Colorado hangs now in Boulder at the CU Museum of Natural History, while Shakespeare’s Bouquet hangs in CU Norlin Libraries N-345 until October 14. Get on up there and see them.

Poisons, Potions, and Panaceas hangs at the Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and Humanities on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora until October 28. Several members have lovely works in this exhibit, all of which are worthy to be seen together.

Reminder: Open Studio is now the second Thursday of each month, next opportunity October 13, 9 am – 12 n. Come join us at Valkarie Gallery, 445 S. Saulsbury St, Lakewood, CO.

Pie Factory Pop-up Celebration for Rocky Mountain Land Library. Come to the Puritan Pie Factory (2612 Champa Street, Denver, CO) and learn more about the Headwaters to Plains Network, a trio of library/learning centers along the South Platte River, from the headwaters in South Park to the Puritan Pie Factory -- new inner-city home of a library focused on nature in the city! Find food, drink, and pie aplenty, along with music and a Silent Auction full of art and inspiration. Hear about upcoming plans and programs at the Pie Factory, and all the ways you can make the Land Library your own. Denver Water is sponsoring this event, Thursday, October 20, 2016, 5 – 9 pm. Suggested donation $25 for tickets.

Tagawa Gardens 2017. For the very long-range planners out there,

mark Saturday, July 22, 2017 on your calendars. Our show and sale will coincide with the well-attended Gardens Lavender Fields Forever event. 

Autumnal Equinox on horizon; Get ready for more darkness than light

Winterlude: Botanical Promises has a fast-approaching deadline date of October 1. Get those entries submitted to OnlineJuriedShows at https://onlinejuriedshows.com/ any day now. Remember the 12x12 frame requirements, and make the Square of the Day.

Friday is Mexico’s Independence Day, which in 1821 celebrated a bigger place:

after events from 1823 – 1853, territory took on its present shape:

Happy 195^th Birthday, neighbors!

Labor Day Weekend approaches at light speed; Taste of Colorado occupies Civic Center

Open Studio is moving to the second Thursday of each month, starting September 8, 9 am – 12 n. Come join us at Valkarie Gallery, 445 S. Saulsbury St, Lakewood, CO. Bring your problem piece, your presentation work, your media or surface challenges, your new tool, your latest project. Also your ideas and observations. See you Thursday!

About the Printmaking Workshop at Open Press. We still have seats available. This is a great opportunity for both beginners and those who have had some experience with Solarplate. Classes will meet 1 - 5 pm Tuesdays, September 6, 13, 20, and 27. This workshop is open to both beginners and those with some experience who want to learn more advanced techniques. Bring a piece of your art and make an original print! Materials provided; cost is $300.00. Only 8 participants can be accomodated, so act quickly! Contact Vanessa Martin at martin.vanessa655@gmail.com.

Less than 30 days to submit your work to Winterlude: Botanical Promises, the RMSBA Winter 2016 Show. For this juried exhibit, the entries deadline is October 1. Visit Online Juried Shows at https://onlinejuriedshows.com/ for the full Prospectus and critical dates. 

RARE II: Rare and Imperiled Plants of Colorado opens next week in Boulder at CU’s Museum of Natural History! The Artists’ Reception will be September 23, in conjunction with the meetings of the Rare Plant Conservation Initiative folks. Go visit that and, while you’re on campus, see the Shakespeare’s Bouquet exhibit in Norlin Libraries N-345.

Reminder: Evergreen Open Door Studio Tour coming up on September 17 & 18 – you can visit 34 studios and quiz captive artists! Go to http://www.evergreenopendoorstudios.com/ for more details.

Members meeting October 30, 2016, will at the Boulder Library. Plan a little trip with a friend… 

Very Interesting Weather We’re Having

Evergreen Open Door Studio Tour coming up on September 17^th & 18^th – you can check out all these studios and their captive artists!

Visit http://www.evergreenopendoorstudios.com/ for more details.

About the Printmaking Workshop. We still have several seats available. This is a great opportunity for both beginners and those who have had some experience with Solarplate.

At Open Press, instructor Mark Lunning will teach us to use Solarplate, a simple approach and safer alternative to traditional etching and relief printing. The first class begins on Tuesday September 6th from 1-5 pm, second class is September 13th 1-5 pm, third class is September 20th 1-5 pm, and the last class is September 27th from 1-5 pm. This workshop is open to both beginners and those who have experience with solarplates but want to learn more advanced techniques. Bring a piece of art you have and like and make an original print!

All material will be provided; everyone will have two 4” x 5” and one 8” x 10” solarplates and three 22” x 30” sheets of 100% cotton printing paper; cost is $300.00. The maximum number of participants is 8, so please act quickly to secure a spot. If you are interested please contact Vanessa Martin at martin.vanessa655@gmail.com to sign up.

Winterlude: Botanical Promises. We have another opportunity for members to show their artistic talents. RMSBA has been invited to stage a small works exhibit at Gallery Bleu this November and December. Gallery Bleu is located in the Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine Street, Fort Collins. The theme of the exhibit is Winterlude: Botanical Promises. This will be a juried exhibit; entries deadline is October 1. Online Juried Shows at https://www.onlinejuriedshows.com/ for the full Prospectus and critical dates.  

More warm weather to come

Members meeting August 28, 1-3 pm at the Eloise May Library, 1471 S. Parker Rd., Denver, CO. This library lacks on-site cafe services so please bring your own drinks and snacks if you so desire.

The agenda: updates on ongoing projects and an open panel discussion by the Executive Committee of the results of the recent survey. If there’s time, we will view the documentary “Alan at Highgrove” as the Prince of Wales takes Alan Titchmarsh on a tour of Highgrove House.

They promised some rain… all we got were Japanese beetles

Executive Board meeting at 11, Monday, August 8, at Hooked on Colfax. If you have items for the Board to consider, contact any committee member or show up. 

Open Studio Tuesday, August 9, Valkarie Gallery, 445 S Saulsbury, Lakewood.

RARE II is in Salida until the end of August. Plan a little trip.

Shakespeare’s Bouquet is in Boulder. Some of our members have pieces in the Denver Botanic Gardens – University of Colorado exhibit of plants from Shakespeare’s plays. A First Folio from the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC will be on display during the last two weeks in August.

Member meeting coming up on August 28 at Eloise May Library. Details forthcoming.

Run for RMSBA Board. Consider serving on the RMSBA Executive Committee. Positions open for 2017-2018: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a couple other choice opportunities. Give it some serious thought: service to friends and fellow artists.

Temperature tops century-mark, Coors Field melts down

Bastille Day is Thursday, July 14, France fans! Happy revolution anniversary.

Reminder for Meininger marker party event hosted by Winsor & Newton, featuring their new product, the Pigment Marker. The party, with music, food and swag bags, is on Thursday, July 14, 6:30 - 9:00 pm. Check your received email for the details for RMSBA.

RARE II: Imperiled Plants of Colorado is now on exhibit at Steamplant Event Center - Paquette Gallery in Salida, Colorado. Check out this link at http://salidasteamplant.com/current-art-showing-in-paquette-gallery/. The Artist Reception was July 9, with beer, wine and appetizers. Jan Boyd Haring says she saw about a dozen members (with groupies!).

 

The 20th Annual Colorado Brewers Festival and Salida's Art  Festival was also going on.

Papermaking Workshop reminder. Judy Vanderbosch is teaching a 3-Day Paper Making Workshop on August 24, 25 and 26 (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday), at her home at 6585 E Colorado Dr., Denver. During three days of working with pulp (wet mixture you create to make paper), you will prepare finished paper for printing, painting, writing and molding. You will learn how to prepare fiber to make pulp and also where to get commercially-made pulp for special paper. All supplies included, except the items mentioned in the email (check your received emails). R

Reservations and payment must be made by August 1, 2016, so supplies can be ordered. Check now to see if you can still get in!

Please email Judy Vanderbosch to secure your spot at redbudart@gmail.com, then mail your check for $100 (made out to RMSBA) to Judy Vanderbosch at 6585 E Colorado Dr, Denver, Co 80224. Her telephone number is (303) 375-7718.

The Denver Hospice Mask Project 2016 opening is September 12. RMSBA members who participated in the project are mentioned at http://www.themaskproject.org/about-the-masks/the-artists/. Congratulations go to Susan Fisher and Mary Clark, who have their masks featured on the preview page at http://www.themaskproject.org/about-the-masks/the-masks/. 

Starting September 12, 2016, a month-long gallery in the Kaiser Permanente Grand Court of Cherry Creek Shopping Center will showcase 500 decorated masks. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the founding of The Mask Project and the 10th year of the gallery and auction. The biennial internationally-known fundraiser features hand-painted works from fine artists, musicians, athletes, celebrities, business leaders and more. An online auction is featured, and best-selling author Mitch Albom will speak at a special luncheon on September 28. Luncheon tickets and unique sponsorship opportunities are available now, but they’re going fast!

To date, The Mask Project has raised more than $4.5 million to assist The Denver Hospice to care for all people in metro Denver. Please join TDH this year — as an artist, a volunteer, a bidder, a benefactor or a luncheon attendee — to help create better end-of-life experiences for our Colorado community. For tickets and sponsorships. Go to www.TheMaskProject.org.

“Wildflower explosion in Golden Gate Canyon State Park”

That’s what the Ranger said and she was right! Shooting Stars, Calypso (Fairy Slipper) orchids, Golden Banner, Penstemons, Loco-weeds, all the usual suspects, and a few new ones. Go to the mountains, around the 7700-foot elevation. About anywhere up there will be all color all day.

Women in Art are getting some face-time in Denver. The Denver Art Museum has the Women in Abstract Expressionism show and Valkarie Gallery has Realist Women:

Happy Birthday on Monday, Us! Get the brats and the beer ready, get out your old Army T-shirt (OK, Navy, USMC, Air Force, Coast Guard, Forest Service, etc.) and celebrate Independence Day!

Last Days of Spring

Summer Solstice Monday, June 20. At 1:00 pm MDT, the shadows of objects will be at their shortest lengths, making plants, and all else, more difficult to draw en plein air than when the sun angle is lower.

Summer BBBQ (backyard Bar-Be-Que) will be at Vanessa Martin’s house on Sunday, June 26. Mark your calendars now and start dreaming up scrumptious side dishes and whatnot. Copious details will follow in a few days. Bring your spouse, bring a prospective member, bring fun!

New Product Event! Meininger's is providing the venue for an (invitation only) event hosted by manufacturer Winsor & Newton featuring their new product, the Pigment Marker. The party, with music, food, and swag bags, is set for Thursday, July 14, 6:30-9:00 pm (that’s Bastille Day, French Revolution buffs!). The hosts are inviting interested members of the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists. Please use the link to the Winsor-Newton Pigment Marker (www.winsornewton.com/na/pigment-marker) to clue you in on this product, if you haven't heard about it yet. Please note you must RSVP prior to July 6th to party@meininger.com.

RMSBA Board. Consider serving on the RMSBA Executive Committee. Positions open for 2017-2018: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a couple other choice opportunities. Give it some serious thought: service to friends and fellow artists.