Leap Day Approaches

Reminder: Our first meeting of 2016 is February 28, 1 – 3 pm, at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial, CO. For 2017, RMSBA is hosting a national juried art exhibit to examine the great variation in the Cannabis plant genus, and the initial presentations about this plant genus will accompany other business at the meeting.

Art Afield at Cherokee Ranch. RMSBA members have the unique opportunity of being the Artists in Residence for 2016 at Cherokee Ranch and Castle. As members you will be able to attend the Art Afield (Paint Outs) free; usual fee is $20/session. Members will be joining the Plein Air group and encouraged to illustrate the ranch flora. Each event will investigate a different location. All participants must register online at https:// cherokeeranch.org/arts/ for each session. Use promo code RMSBA to have the fee waived. YOU MUST BE A CURRENT RMSBA MEMBER TO ATTEND THESE SESSIONS FREE.  

The first session is March 2^nd; we are still in winter, so now you will see mostly scrub oak and pines. The Paint Outs will be held regardless of weather, so please bring appropriate clothes as well as lunch, beverage and art supplies.

We also have been invited to submit our illustrations of the Flora at the Ranch for an Art book the ranch will be creating. More details on this later but note that the deadline to submit images will be in September. Please consider the timing of completing your finished plates with this in mind.

Please contact Kirk Pfeffer if you have any questions at kirk.pfeffer@comcast.net.

Now the chocolate’s gone and the flowers have faded

February membership meeting. Our first meeting of 2016 is February 28, 1 – 3 pm, at Koelbel Library, 5955 S. Holly St., Centennial, CO. For 2017, RMSBA is hosting a national juried art exhibit to examine the great variation in the Cannabis plant genus, and the initial presentations about this plant genus will accompany other business at the meeting.

We expect to discuss access to plant materials and plan sketching excursions. Bring your ideas: help us all decide how botanical illustration can best provide to the public a seeing and learning experience based on facts, offering a comprehensive view of the controversial plant family (Cannabiceae).

Some members of the RMSBA Board participated in initial sketching sessions during January. We found the plants – even as greenhouse infants – to display several traits allowing varieties to be distinguished. Wide color and shape variations can be expected among varieties and strains.

Exhibit Plans. Our next exhibit – “Cannabis: A Visual Perspective” -- will portray cannabis botanicals used in medicinal, recreational, or hemp industry applications. RMSBA takes no position on any state or federal policy, but does wish to establish a useful visual record and perspective on the plant. We encourage artists to seek out unique strains and depict whatever aspect of them they find most engaging, educational and inspiring. This exhibit is open to all botanical artists nationally and will be juried.

The Prospectus and the Open Call for Entry for “Cannabis: A Visual Perspective” is posted online at: https://www.onlinejuriedshows.com/Default.aspx?OJSID=7561. Check out the details.

RARE II Opened in Pueblo. Artists’ Reception was Friday, February 5, 4:30 – 7 pm, at the Sangre de Cristo Art Center, 210 N Santa Fe, Pueblo. We are in a terrific venue very close to I25 exit 98B, excellent parking. Our exhibit is interestingly hung, and guards the way to all the galleries, the elevator, the stair, and the restrooms. Traffic was somewhat impaired by the many careful readers of our descriptive labels. The Exhibit Notebook of Artists’ information got the attention of a number of visitors, even among those not in line for the refreshments. Herewith are some images of our opening.