and... another

HOLIDAY HUMMINGBIRD - RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

A nice little friend to brighten up the chilly day. Find out more about this little beauty here.

Parnell Corder
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, 2010
Watercolor on Paper
22" x 22"

The American Dahlia Society

I'm not a member but I thought it to be a good title.

All works are watercolor on paper. 15"x 15" working on a whole bunch of these for an upcoming project.

You can check out more The American Dahlia Society here.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

An end of summer Orchid diversion. I present the lovely and complicated Pineapple or, Ananas comosus .

Watercolor on paper.
30" x 22"

Oncidium Sharry Baby

Flower Detail


Painting Detail


Here is a fabulous new work. The fragrance on this one is outstanding. A sweet little number.

Oncidium Sharry Baby
Watercolor on paper
22"x 30"

D-Vine Bloom

Watercolor on paper
22" x 22"

Friday in July

A small bloom for the warm weather

SCABIOSA SEED POD

One of my favorite flowers in the seed pod form. Im not sure if Im totally in love with this drawing.... I think it got a bit muddy and flat. I did not really understand the complicated ball structure at the initial drawing,layout stage. This requires a bit more investigation of the textures and transparencies. Back to the drawing board!

Details Are:
Scabiosa Seed Pod
Colour Pencil on Paper
13" x 11"


A flowering Scabiosa in a dark chocolate-burgundy color. Its beautiful in White and a lovely lavender as well.

YELLOW MAY BLOOM

Yellow Vanda Bloom
Watercolour on Paper
11" x 11

Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum
P.Niobe
Watercolour on paper
11" x 11"

Patterns and Abstractions of Nature A Fine Art Mixed Media Exhibition

I am pleased to announce my participation in the following exhibition:

Filoli Center
Patterns and Abstractions of Nature
A Fine Art Mixed Media Exhibition
Patterns and Abstractions of Nature is an exhibit of original fine art drawings, paintings and photographs. The installation illuminates the force and structural beauty of nature in all its glory seen through the works of America's most prominent botanical illustrators and contemporary artists working in the genre.

Exhibition Dates:
Tuesday, February 9 through Sunday, April 11

Meet the Artists
Saturday, March 27, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
On this special day visitors can meet the artists, learn what inspires them and discover how they create their artwork. Admission is free with paid admission to Filoli. Reservations are not necessary.

Filoli Center:
Located 30 miles south of San Francisco, Filoli is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century.

Filoli Center
86 Cañada Road
Woodside, California 94062
www.filoli.org
Phone: (650) 364-8300
Fax: (650) 366-7836
Email: friends@filoli.org

announcement design: conn brattain http://connbrattain.com/

The Exhibition and I got a very nice mention over at Artplantae as well Check it out! Thanks!

Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Gothic Prom'‏

Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Gothic Prom'‏

I was first introduced to this beauty by Mr Allen Black over at The Orchid Source Allen had posted a photo of his blooming specimen in a discussion forum and I fell in love. Allen was kind enough to send me some high res pictures so I could create the painting. Check out more of Allen's orchid Photography at: Allen Black Photography

Below is an excerpt from an article over at fellow blogger: Ecelectic Epihytes and Electrophoretic Epigrams
Fredclarkeara is an artificial genus, a hybrid encompassing the natural genera Catasetum, Mormodes and Clowesia. Many species in the Catasetinae group have very dark flowers, but none match the jet-black, inky blossoms of Fredclarkeara After Dark, a grex created by the skillful hybridization of Mormodia Painted Desert and Catasetum Donna Wise. Four selected cultivars of the majestic F. After Dark have received First Class Certificates, the highest award bestowed by the American Orchid Society.

Painting Details:
Fredclarkeara After Dark 'Gothic Prom'‏
Watercolor on paper, 2010
30" x 22"

Acer Helicopter 1/2

Parnell Corder
Maple Seed
Watercolor on paper, 2009
22" 30"

November Vanda

November Vanda, 2009
Watercolor on paper
30" x 22"

VARIEGATED PELARGONIUM

More Commonly known as GERANIUM ! I'm a big fan of VARIEGATION, there is a liveliness to a variegated leave that I am always drawn to in a garden setting. This plant has a fresh lemony/minty smell when the leaves are rubbed in the hand.
VARIEGATED PELARGONIUM
Watercolour on paper
22" x 22"

Here's To You Mrs. Robinson!

Last week I had the amazing pleasure to visit the OUTSTANDING
Virgina Robinson Estate and Gardens located in the fabulous city of Beverly Hills, CA .


THE POOL HOUSE has a Billiard and Card Room.



View from the pool house to the home. GORG!

I took the tour of the estate with my friend David. We had a smashing time walking the gardens and home .We got a special treat to be shown around by the Managing Director, Timothy Lindsay who filled in for a regular docent who was MIA. I think there was a sale at Cartier.



The Singing Staircase. It sings as the water trickles down the center trough. Magical Sounds


-Highly recommended to any one who enjoys Gardens, Beaux Arts California Architecture and History. Such Fun! The Estate holds grand parties and offers a variety of programs including Botanical Illustration Instruction (I'm there), Benefits and Exhibitions for Floral Designers and Fancy Hat Garden Galas. TOO MUCH! Its hard to imagine but this estate was grown from rough California terrain when goats, cows and scrub typical of Southern California landscape was all that would become the luxury which is now Beverly Hills.




Mr. Lindsay discusses one of the two Rose Gardens. One for cutting flowers and one for show.


Mary Pickford ate here

Salon

Library with over 3000 rare books



Built in 1911, the Robinson Estate was one of the first homes in Beverly Hills. Its owner Virgina Robinson (of Robinsons- May department store fame), was known as “The First Lady of Beverly Hills” She transformed her hilly, six acre estate into a lushly landscaped, tropical oasis. Her regular bridge games at the estate attracted Fred Astaie, Charles Boyer and Maurice Chevalier. She was also known for her grand parties which were attended dignitary such as Ronald Reagan. When she died in 1977 (at age 99) she was busy planning her 100^th birthday party! She willed her manor to the Los Angeles County for the public’s enjoyment. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic places.

Opened to the public in 1982, this estateis not only known for being one of the first homes in Beverly Hills, but alson for its six sloping acres of veritable lush gardens featuring exotic tropical and subtropical specimens. A delight to visit any time of the year because there is always something in bloom.

Terraced patio gardens connected by brick paths with fountains and ponds help create a stunning private garden world.

The Virgina Robinson Gardens

1-310-276-5367

1008 Elden Way

Beverly Hills, CA

90210

Available for tour by appointment only.

ARTPLANTAE ONLINE ARTICLE

FILOLI UPDATE (finally)

The Beautiful Filoli Estate

A dramatic view from the terrace

Well, the 11th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition opened on July 23, 2009 I drove and drove from LA to Woodside ,CA on Thursday just for the opening. Im very pleased I did. I had a great time and the Exhibition is beautiful. The show was hung with some incredibly fine examples of top notch Botanical Illustrations from some of the most acclaimed illustrators around. I was very honored to be included in this select group.

Traveling to and From. Funny, this drive basically looks the exactly same either direction
you are headed. Not much happening.

Tina (my lovely escort for the evening) and myself in the entry hall.
Photo Credit: Dan Coyro, (Tina's regular guy)

The famous Lily pond

Enthusiastic Botanical Art fans. That is the Fabulous Ann in the white dress. Hey Ann It was a super pleasure to meet you. Thanks for your kind words and support!

More Looking at my work

Congratulations to all the Artists included. You can see a list of the artists exhibiting at an interesting site I discovered called ArtPlante Today .

Detail from the Garden: Hot, Beautiful & Cool

I wanted to thank all the amazing staff from the Filoli as well as the Curators, Volunteers and Jurors who put the exhibition together. A big thanks to Cathy Rampley!

Thank You - Tina And Dan for the Great Lunch, Dinner, Prosecco at Soif Wine Bar & Charming Santa Cruz Hospitality. See you soon!

11th Annual Botanical Art Exhibit, FILOLI ESTATE

I am pleased to announce my participation in the 11th Annual Botanical Art Exhibit at the beautiful Filoli Estate, CA.

Located 30 miles south of San Francisco, Filoli is an historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century.


These amazing announcements were created by my super good friend and designer extraordinaire: CONN BRATTAIN of Cuckoo for Coconuts fame!


Filoli
11th Annual Botanical Art Exhibition
June 23 through August 16th, 2009

Artist Reception
Thursday July 16th, 5-7PM
Reservations required
R.S.V.P. to 650-364-8300 xt 298 or
classes@filoli.org

Filoli
86 Canada Road
Woodside, CA 94062
650-364-8300
www.filoli.org

Along with strolling through the beautiful gardens and touring the house , you can also view the Florilegium collections on view during the Botanical Art Exhibit.

Check out their Blooming Calendar to see what might be blooming when you make your visit!