Boston Flora

Tag: WCFH

  • Saturday, April 28, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Rustic Trellis Building Workshop

    Craftsman Frank Hamm believes that anyone can build beautiful and functional furniture using just green tree limbs and saplings. On Saturday, April 28 (rain date Sunday, April 29) at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden, under his expert guidance, learn how to construct a terrific garden gate, trellis or side table in this half-day, hands-on workshop. You will learn how to use straight, curved and forked branches for design and structural integrity. Create harmonious, sculptural forms by carefully coordinating the complex shapes of individual wood cuttings. Take home a terrific addition to your garden, home or yard. (Log on to www.frankhamm.com for ideas.) Bring a hand drill and small bits, measuring tape, hammer and saw if you have them. Dress for the weather. Wood/building materials supplied. WCFH members $75, non-members $95. To register, visit www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.

    http://www.frankhamm.com/Tennis%201%206x9.jpg

  • Monday, February 27, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – In Bloom: The Ferguson Greenhouse Collection

    For the past few years, Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture docent Vivi Leavy has recorded the blooming of greenhouse flowers—showstoppers as well as those easily overlooked, in her task of updating the “What’s in Bloom” board in the Visitor Center. Come for a great photo tour of the greenhouses in bloom on Monday, February 27 and to hear Vivi’s stories of her favorites from the collection. Tea will be served at 2 pm, followed by the tour and talk. WCFH members $10, non-members $15. Register at www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.

  • Friday, August 12 – Sunday, August 14, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Bring in the Garden

    The Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture bring Carol Ann Morley to guide you in this three day course at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden, Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14, from 9:30 – 3:30 each day.  Discover graphite pencil techniques for sketching more quickly and looking more closely at flower structures.  Sketch the shape and movement of flowers sitting amongst them in the garden.  Then bring your notes and sketches into the studio to render the intricacies of flowering plants with finely detailed tonal studies.  WCFH members $250, non-members $300.  To register, call 781-283-3094, or log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.  Illustration by Diane Cardaci.

  • Tuesday, June 28, 7:30 am – 6:30 pm – On the Road: New Hampshire, From Rocks to Roses

    Take a day trip from Wellesley College with the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture.  Travel by car north to visit Bedrock Gardens in Lee, New Hampshire, pictured below, and other nearby gardens of note, with an optional stop at Fuller Gardens.  The fee ($48 for WCFH members, $60 for non-members) includes lunch.  Contact horticulture@wellesley.edu for more details.

  • Wednesdays, June 29, July 13, August 10, and September 14, and Tuesdays, July 12 and August 9, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm – New England Flora 2011

    The Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture presents a class with Carol Govan, who will help you follow plants through the growing season.  Expand your creative botanical art and illustration skills through the close study of natural plant communities and seasonal changes.  Between meetings, study independently and create accurate illustrations of a local habitat.  Focus on gathering data in the field to understand how to identify plants and render them.  You will draw faster when you understand what is important for identification and the difference between a field sketch and a plant portrait.  Experiment with different media.  The six day course will take place June 29, July 12 and 13, August 9 and 10, and September 14, from 9:30 – 2:30 at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden in Wellesley.  WCFH members $360, non-members $450.  To register, call 781-283-3094, or log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.

  • Friday, June 10 – Sunday, June 12, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – More than Just Pretty Needles: Conifers

    Spend three days, Friday, June 10 – Sunday, June 12 studying conifers with the effervescent plant guru Dick Rauh.  He begins with the architecture and how to look for such things as the differences in the branching patterns, leaf forms, and cones.  Working both outdoors and in the classroom, he shows you how to apply observational and sketching techniques to the broader field of nature-sketching.  Using technical pens (pen and ink) on watercolor paper, learn eye-to-hand rendering for both the entire tree as well as its parts.  Drawing experience required.  The class, at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden in Wellesley, will run from 9:30 – 3:30 each day, and costs $250 for Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture members, and $300 for non-members.  To register, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or call 781-283-3094, ext. 4.  The white pine study below by Betsy Gray Bell is available for purchase at www.fineartamerica.com.

  • Mondays and Wednesdays, June 13, 15, 20, and 22, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm – Roses: An Exercise in Form and Dimension

    Take inspiration for your rose paintings from Redoute and Rory McEwen.  Sarah Roche guides your interpretation of the form and dimension of this most elegant of flowers through a series of basic exercises in drawing and painting.  Learn to decode the complex shape and structure of flowers.  Apply your skills in a watercolor study, portraying the way the petals overlap and curl, the sharp edges of the thorns, and the smooth textures of leaves.  Techniques covered in this class will reinforce your painting skills so that you can add a painting of the rose and other similar complex flower forms to your portfolio.  The four day class will take place Mondays and Wednesdays, June 13, 15, 20 and 22 from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden in Wellesley, and costs $225 for Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture members, and $275 for non-members.  Sign up at www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or call 781-283-3094, ext. 4.  The image below, by Maria Cecilia Freeman, is part of an  art exhibition entitled “Rose Studies” on view through April 30, 2011 at the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum.

  • Saturdays, April 30 – May 28, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Elements of Botanic Illustration: Beginning Watercolor Techniques

    Join Jeanne Kunze (one of her peony pictures is shown below) at the Wellesley Botanic Garden on five successive Saturdays, April 30 – May 28, from 9:30 – 12:30, in an art and plant exploration inspired by the interrelationship of paper, brushes, water, and pigments.  Mixing color and application will be the focus of this beginning watercolor experience, sponsored by the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture.  Be guided with classroom sequential exercises and demonstrations.  Bring your curiosity and enthusiasm to class and learn techniques to express our “inner artist.”  There will be group instruction followed by individualized attention from the instructor.  Some previous drawing experience is helpful.  WCFH members $225, non-members $275.  To register, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH, or call 781-283-3094, ext. 4.

  • Tuesday, April 19 – Thursday, April 21, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm – Going Underground: Bulbs and Roots

    Award winning botanical artist/illustrator Elaine Searle from England joins the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture to share her approach to this often overlooked subject, Bulbs and Roots.  Starting with close observation and tonal graphite drawings, students will work towards a finished watercolor study capturing tangled and fragile roots, translucent colors, and the wonderful papery texture of bulbs.  Elaine has a relaxed and supportive teaching style, which along with her demonstrations and individual guidance will enable students of all levels to make good progress.  Some drawing and watercolor experience is required.  The class will take place at the Wellesley College Botanic Garden on Tuesday, April 19 – Thursday, April 21, from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, and the WCFH member price is $495, non members $595.  To register, or for more infomation, call 781-283-3094, ext. 4, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.  Below is Mary Grierson’s painting Colocasia Esculenta.

  • Wednesdays, April 6 and 13, and Monday, April 11, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm – Let it Shine! Painting Reflected Light

    Learn the techniques of capturing reflected light on fruits and vegetables in your watercolor painting with this Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture studio focus taught by Carrie Megan, on three days, Wednesday, April 6, Monday, April 11, and Wednesday, April 13, from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm each day.  Under Carrie’s guidance, achieve the look of a shiny surface with layers of drybrush wash.  This studio course is for Advanced Beginners and beyond, and watercolor and drawing experience is required.  WCFH member price is $150, and non-members will pay $200.  To register, or for more information, call 781-283-3094, ext. 4, or email horticulture@wellesley.edu.  One of Carrie’s persimmon paintings is shown below.