July 23, 2014 - Boston Flora

Wednesday, July 30, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – John Barleycorn vs. Sir Richard Rum: Alcohol, the Atlantic, and the Distilling of Colonial Identity

July 23, 2014 by Boston Flora

The Massachusetts Historical Society will hold a free Brown Bag lunch lecture on Wednesday, July 30 entitled John Barleycorn vs. Sir Richard Rum: Alcohol, the Atlantic, and the Distilling of Colonial Identity, 1650 – 1800.Â The speaker is Kristen Burton of University of Texas at Arlington.Â Kristen’s project examines the shifting perceptions of spirituous liquors in the Atlantic World throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Focusing on the rise of commercial distilling, particularly in regard to rum, gin, and whiskey, her research explores the evolution of liquors from their use a wholesome source of medicine to a pernicious, societal threat. The talk will take place at 1154 Boylston Street in Boston.Â For more information visit www.masshist.org. Image from www.history.org.

Wednesday – Friday, August 13 – 15, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Botanical Illustration: Colorful Garden Fruits and Berries with Colored Pencil

July 23, 2014 by Boston Flora

This three day intensive Berkshire Botanical workshop on August 13 – 15 from 10 – 4 each day, will focus on colored-pencil techniques for botanical illustration. Learn to capture the vibrant colors of garden fruits and berries. Find out how many multiple overlays of colors it can take to give depth, shine and texture to one berry! Draw from the abundance of the summer garden and make intriguing compositions of fruit, berries and foliage. Explore creative possibilities, whether traditional or whimsical, and make exciting background textures or borders to enhance your artwork. This is a playful workshop suitable for all student levels. Basic skills will be taught in drawing, colored pencil techniques and composition.

Carol Ann Morley is an illustrator and dedicated teacher of botanical illustration working in Dover, NH. She founded the Botanical Art Illustration Certificate Program at the New York Botanical Garden and teaches illustration there and at other botanical gardens. This is Ms. Morleyâ€™s only summer workshop in the Berkshires for 2014. BBG member price $260; non-members $290.Â Register at http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/ai1ec_event/botanical-illustration-colorful-garden-fruits-and-berries-with-colored-pencil/?instance_id=2625.