Shirley Sherwood Collection

Through Sunday, December 15 – Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature

November 12, 2024 by Boston Flora

Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature presents the vibrant career of the renowned Scottish artist, Rory McEwen (1932-1982). Focusing on his remarkable paintings of plants, the exhibition reveals McEwen’s lifelong enquiry into light and color in portraying his unique concept of the natural object. Over the course of his career, with his all-embracing perspective of modern art, McEwen developed a distinctive style, painting on vellum and using large empty backgrounds on which his plant portraits seem to float. In his paintings he forged his own personal interpretation of 20th century modernism, portraying individual flowers, leaves and vegetables as subject matter, “as a way of getting as close as possible to what I perceive as the truth, my truth of the time in which I live.”

Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature presents 85 watercolors on vellum and paper, representing a wide range of the artist’s work, along with many of the well-known 17th and 18th century masters who influenced him—including Robert, Redouté, Ehret, Aubriet as well as early illuminated manuscripts and folio volumes. McEwen’s work is also presented alongside the works of numerous contemporary artists who in turn continue McEwen’s artistic legacy. It includes works on loan from the Collection of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Mellon’s Oak Spring Garden Foundation Collection, the Shirley Sherwood Collection and the McEwen Family Estate Collection, as well as works from numerous private collections, most of which have never before been seen by the American public. McEwen’s work is found in private and public collections across the globe, including the British Museum; Victoria and Albert Museum; Tate; National Gallery of Modern Art, Scotland; Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; Hunt Institute, Pittsburgh; and Museum of Modern Art, New York.

The exhibition, Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature, is presented by the Davis Museum at Wellesley College in association with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London) and Oak Spring Garden Foundation (Virginia); tour management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.

The Gerard B. Lambert Foundation has provided major support for the exhibition. Generous support for the Davis presentation is provided by Wellesley College Friends of Art at the Davis, the Alice G. Spink Art Fund, the Constance Rhind Robey ’81 Fund for Museum Exhibitions, and the Kathryn Wasserman Davis ’28 Fund for World Cultures. Below: Rory McEwen, Tulip ‘Julia Farnese’ rose feather, 1976, Watercolour on vellum, ©Estate of Rory McEwen

Thursday and Friday, August 21 and 22, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Botanical Watercolor Painting with Carol Woodin

August 4, 2014 by Boston Flora

Gain confidence and comfort in this two day Berkshire Botanical Garden class devoted to techniques of botanical painting in watercolor. Using flowers as subjects, students will learn to capture the vitality and drama of these flowers. After creating a base watercolor layer for guidance, artists will add a series of dry-brush layers, gradually increasing color intensity and form. Through demonstration and individualized attention, the instructor will guide students through mixing believable greens and maintaining color clarity. By the end of the class, each student will have a painting either finished or nearly so. The class will be taught by Carol Woodin on August 21 and 22 from 10 – 4, and the cost is $260 for BBG members, $290 for nonmembers. Registration and a materials list may be found at http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/ai1ec_event/botanical-watercolor-painting-with-carol-woodin/?instance_id=2605.

Carol Woodin has been painting botanicals in watercolor for over 20 years. Her focus is orchids, rare plants and heirlooms. Her work is included in collections around the world, including those of the Smithsonian Institution, Shirley Sherwood Collection and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. Director of Exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists, she has organized exhibitions of botanical art throughout the US.

Friday, January 17 – Sunday, January 19, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Botanical Painting with Watercolor: Master Class with Carol Woodin

January 7, 2014 by Boston Flora

Gain confidence and comfort in this Berkshire Botanical Garden class devoted to techniques of botanical painting in watercolor. Using pomegranates as subjects, students will learn to capture the vitality and drama of these luscious fruits. After creating a base watercolor layer for guidance, artists will add a series of dry-brush layers, gradually increasing color intensity and form. Through demonstration and individualized attention, the instructor will guide students through mixing believable reds and maintaining color clarity. By the end of the class, each student will have a painting either finished or nearly so.Â The three day class will be held Friday, January 17 – Sunday, January 19Â from 10 – 4 at the Education Center at Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.Â Bring a bag lunch.Â A materials list can be found on the website, http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/ai1ec_event/botanical-painting-with-watercolor-master-class-with-carol-woodin/?instance_id=2433, where you may also register.Â $320 BBG members, $360 nonmembers.

Carol Woodin has been painting botanicals in watercolor for over 20 years. Her focus is orchids, rare plants and heirlooms. Her work is included in collections around the world, including those of the Smithsonian Institution, Shirley Sherwood Collection and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. As Director of Exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists, she has organized exhibitions of botanical art throughout the US.

Thursday, August 22 – Friday, August 23, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Botanical Painting with Watercolor Master Class with Carol Woodin

August 12, 2013 by Boston Flora

Gain confidence and comfort in this Berkshire Botanical Garden class devoted to techniques of botanical painting in watercolor. Using anemones as subjects, students will learn to capture the vitality and drama of these flowers. After creating a base watercolor layer for guidance, artists will add a series of dry-brush layers, gradually increasing color intensity and form. Through demonstration and individualized attention, the instructor will guide students through mixing believable greens and maintaining color clarity.By the end of the class, each student will have a painting either finished or nearly so. Click here for Materials List.

Carol Woodin has been painting botanicals in watercolor for over 20 years. Her focus is orchids, rare plants and heirlooms. Her work is included in collections around the world, including those of the Smithsonian Institution, Shirley Sherwood Collection and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. Director of Exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists, she has organized exhibitions of botanical art throughout the US.

This is a two-day course, August 22 and 23, 10 – 4. BBG members $260, nonmembers $290. Register on line at www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926.