The RTBG Exhibition is travelling

The body of work by members of Botaniko, depicting plants of historical significance to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in 2019, has started its travels.

After being very successfully displayed at the Kettering Concert on 26 May, most of the works can now be seen at the Art Lounge, in the West Winds Community Centre, Channel Highway, Woodbridge, TAS, until June 27.

Visitors are asked to call West Winds on 03 6267 4713, to check viewing times. The paintings will then be on display at the Kingston Library during July.

Blooming Church Floral Festival – Botanical Exhibition

Members of Botaniko have been invited to display their latest exhibition, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Bicentenary exhibition at Blooming Church, St David’s Cathedral Floral Festival. The exhibition – Celebrating 200 Years through Botanical Illustration – will be in the Cloister from 8-10 February 2019. Botaniko has also been invited to participate in a floral art display.

Jenny Phillips Workshop

Jenny Phillips, one of Australia’s leading botanical artists, is returning to Tasmania to conduct a five day botanical art workshop on 15-19 October 2018 hosted by Botaniko. There will be no beginners workshop. Participants will need to be experienced in the application of watercolour in a botanical perspective.

Jenny conducted two very successful workshops in February 2017 at the West Winds Community Centre at Woodbridge. The workshop will be held at the Fern Tree Community Hall, Hobart, 9.30am – 4.30pm each day. Cost is $255/person. Morning and afternoon tea including. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 15.

If interested, contact through the website.

Leonie Norton Workshop a Huge Success


The recent botanical illustration workshop led by Leonie Norton was a huge success with twelve
local and interstate participants enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Fern Tree. Leonie, one of
Australia’s renowned and prominent botanical artists, provided group and individual tuition allowing
each participant to complete (or almost complete) the subject of their choice in the 4-day workshop.

It was a very enjoyable workshop and we welcome a return visit from Leonie.

Botaniko brings the Reverend Knopwood to St. David’s Cathedral

Many of the artworks from Botaniko’s exhibition Knopwood’s Kitchen Garden 1804-1824, exhibited last year at the Narryna Heritage Museum in Battery Point, will be on display as part of St David’s Cathedral’s 50th Floral Festival. The exhibition can be seen at the Cathedral over three days from Friday, 9 February until Sunday 11 February 2018.

Worldwide Botanical Art Exhibition

Botaniko is pleased to announce that two members, Sue Stuart and Annick Ansselin have had their artwork accepted in the Worldwide Botanical Art Exhibition.

Sue is presenting a watercolour of Richea dracophylla, endemic to Tasmania, which grows in the wet forest of south-east Tasmania. The painting will form part of the web display of the Worldwide Botanical Exhibition.

Annick’s painting of Telopea truncata, Tasmania’s endemic waratah, is found on moist acidic soils throughout Tasmania at altitudes of 600-1200 metres. The work will be displayed in the unframed section of the Exhibition.

With botanical art undergoing a worldwide renaissance and thousands of artists active in every corner of the globe, this exhibition will display artworks themed on the native plants from 16 participating countries. A Worldwide Day of Botanical Art will be held on 18 May 2018 with events occurring for 24 hours following the sun from country to country to maximise focus on the message “linking people with plants through contemporary botanical art.” The Australian component of this exhibition will be held at the Ainslie Art Centre, Elourea Street, Braddon in the Australian Capital Territory from 18-27 May 2018.

Botaniko exhibits at Triabunna

The last project for the Botaniko Art Group Port Arthur – an exotic garden – unlocking the botanical journey Part 2 was opened at the Village Gallery at Triabunna on Saturday, 30 September. This exhibition, first displayed at the Port Arthur Historic Site in January-March this year, features the medicinal, culinary and industrial plants grown at the penal settlement during the 1800s. The exhibition is part of Blooming Tasmania’s Flower and Garden Festival.

The Village Gallery is open on weekends, 10.00am to 1.00pm weekdays or at other times by appointment (contact Jane Teniswood – phone: 6257 7583). Some artwork is for sale.

National Science Week 2017

Botaniko hosted A Wondrous World – Botanical Art workshop at the University of Tasmania on Saturday, 26 August, as part of Science Week. Using fresh plant specimens, over 30 people,  in three sessions,  were shown how to use various  observational  techniques, including the dissecting microscope, to acquire  the details  needed to design and accomplish a scientific botanical  illustration. All participants were keen to try their hand at the various techniques.

 

Botaniko Exhibits in the Channel

For those who enjoyed listening to the duo,  Janet Rutherford (viola) and Lynette Smith (piano),  at the Kettering Chamber Music  Concert on Sunday, 2 April, they would also have enjoyed the artwork from Botaniko’s latest exhibition Port Arthur – an exotic garden. Exhibited to accompany the concert, this exhibition is now at the Art Lounge, West Winds Community Centre, Woodbridge and concludes on 30 April 2017.

The Art Lounge is familiar to many of the artists featured in this exhibition as it was the venue for the recent botanical illustration masterclasses held by world-renowned botanical artist Jenny Phillips.

Second Jenny Phillips Workshop – Advanced

 

Following on from the first workshop, Jenny conducted her advanced workshop to a further 15 keen participants at West Winds Community Centre at Woodbridge from 20-24 February 2017.

Participants were taken on a journey using observation and various watercolour techniques to achieve paintings of fruits in season such as blackberries, rosehips, plums and watermelon. An interesting diversion was the painting of a Stachys byzantina leaf – also known as Lamb’s ears – to achieve the light, soft felt texture.

Participants over the two weeks are extremely grateful to Jenny, one of Australia’s most influential botanical artists, for making time in her busy schedule to come to Woodbridge and conduct the workshops. Our appreciation is also extended to Annick Ansselin, the Channel Regional Arts Group and West Winds Community Centre for bringing us this event.