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During 1997-1999 I studied Botanical Art Illustration at the New York Botanical Garden as a personal interest in the evenings. I learned a wide variety of techniques for depicting botanical subjects in fine art, scientific illustration and commercial design. Electives covered color theory, layout and design for printing, commercial application of designs, etc. Most of the art work you see in my e-portfolio I did there.

 

 

Botanical Illustration Gallery
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
1997 - 1999

Fritillaria
Blue Morpho
Cherries

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At the Garden I learned to really "look" at something. It was so exciting! I saw structures and forms that I would have easily overlooked. My courses there also taught me attention to detail and to separate what I think I see from that is actually there. A lesson, I believe, that can be applied to life in general.

In the Winter of 1999 I went to Costa Rica to study. We observed and recorded what we saw in the field. This process was invaluable in "recreating" a drawing months later in the studio.

To find information on similar trips you can visit www.bugsbeastsbotanicals.com.

 

 

"There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so, he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted."   Henri Matisse