Boston Flora

Tag: David Caudle

  • Monday & Tuesday, February 26 & 27, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – The Language of Flowers: A Splash of Red

    Join Anastasia Traina for an engaging and creative exploration of color in the world of flowers. Over two days, Feb. 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., we will delve into the fascinating world of color mixing, and to enhance our understanding, we’ll incorporate the psychology of color. As we turn our attention toward the red hues using watercolor and colored pencils, it’s essential to recognize that red is often associated with passion, energy, and intensity. We will also revisit the various shades of greens using watercolor and colored pencils, and consider not only the technical aspects of color mixing but also the emotional and psychological responses that different shades of green can evoke. In the realm of watercolors, we will experiment with creating a stunning rainbow grisaille effect. Grisaille involves painting in shades of gray to mimic the appearance of sculpture or drawing. By combining the technical aspects of color mixing with an understanding of color psychology, students will not only expand their artistic skills but also infuse a deeper layer of meaning and emotion into their botanical creations.

    The classes take place at Berkshire Botanical Garden, and are $200 for BBG members, $220 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/language-flowers-continues-splash-red

    Anastasia Traina is a writer and botanical artist. Her illustrations have been published in the children’s book, BITSY and RAFF, written by David Caudle, a story which highlights the power of friendship and inclusion. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Art, the Tri-State Botanical Artists of NYBG, the Writer’s Guild of America and the Dramatists Guild of America. Her most recent exhibition, “Alchemy and Innocents” was on display at the BBG’s Leonhardt Galleries in 2023. Commissioned for the Berkshire Botanical Garden to create Lucy’s Garden, featuring topiary animals and other ‘live’ structures on paper. Donated by Lucy and Nat Day.

  • Wednesday, December 6 – Friday, December 8, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – The Language of Flowers on Vellum

    All flowers hold different meanings, often based on the flower type, the time of year in which they bloom, the flower’s color, or all of the above, but the same is true of the story that makes them so meaningful to us. This Berkshire Botanical Garden workshop, held December 6 through December 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will work with seasonal plants such as tree nuts, winter berries, or mushrooms; since our substrate will be vellum (calf skin), our subjects need to be small. Dry brush is a watercolor painting technique used in traditional botanical illustration. The method involves a “skin” of dried paint on the palette and a small, slightly damp brush. We will also create botanical tints for the base layer, generating shape by adding a luminous shadow. Students will receive a photograph and an outline of the seasonal flora. This workshop will meet for three consecutive days, for five hours each session.

    Anastasia Traina, is a writer and botanical artist. Her illustrations were published in the children’s book, BITSY and RAFF written by David Caudle, highlighting the power of friendship and inclusion. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Art, the Tri-State Botanical Artists of NYBG, the Writer’s Guild of America and the Dramatists Guild of America. Her most recent exhibition, “Alchemy and Innocents” was on display at the BBG’s Leonhardt Galleries in 2023. Commissioned for the Berkshire Botanical Garden to create Lucy’s Garden, featuring topiary animals and other ‘live’ structures on paper. Donated by Lucy and Nat Day. $245 for BBG members, $265 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/language-flowers-vellum