Friday 13 June 2014

Finding Focal Points: BAASA WC Workshop Feedback

BAASA WC's workshop with Vicki Thomas on 10 June was enlightening and reminded us of finding the focal points in our paintings. She's such a good teacher with an amazing eye for detail and composition.

There were 15 of us in the Molteno library at Kirstenbosch and she talked for two hours, with a presentation on the ways Old Masters and modern artists create focal points in their paintings.

In the afternoon she gave advice to artists on their work in progress - a very happy, friendly and relaxed day had by all.

Unfortunately no photographs taken as we were too intent on learning!

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Paula Louw "Anthology" at Everard Read Gallery

Invitation to Opening 12 June @ 6pm at the Everard Read Gallery, 6 Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank.
"My enjoyment of drawing, of making use of the liquid qualities of ink and the delicious crumbliness of charcoal, have recently resurfaced, and I have allowed myself the simple pleasure of working with these..." Paula Louw, April 2014



For more go to http://www.everard-read.co.za

Wednesday 4 June 2014

Honorary Life Membership of BAASA Awarded to Jeanette Loedolff

by Basia Hitchcock & Wendy Burchell

Jeanette Loedolff was presented with Honorary Life Membership of BAASA on Thursday 22 May 2014 by the BAASA Western Cape region at their general meeting. The honour is in acknowledgement of her contribution to botanical art, where she has voluntarily taught botanical illustration at Kirstenbosch to BAASA Western Cape members every Tuesday morning for the past 12 years.
Jeanette with artwork of Albuca deaconii which she nurtured on her stoep
Jeanette is a founding member of BAASA and attended some of the first meetings held at Vicki Thomas's home 15 years ago. She was employed as a plant illustrator by SANBI from 1982 until her retirement in 2002. Most of her work entailed line drawings for scientific publications. She is currently working with Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld on illustrations for his books on cliff dwelling plants and a new revision of the genus Gasteria. Most of this work has been completed and is awaiting publication.

At the meeting Jeanette and Ernst also discussed their work together over the past 12 to 14 years. Ernst remarked that Jeanette is a calm and constant person - unlike some of the volatile artists with whom he has worked in the course of his career.
Jensenobotrya lossowiana by Jeanette Loedolff

The meeting was treated to a presentation of the many line and pencil crayon drawings, as well as paintings, that Jeanette has done for Ernst’s current books. None of us realised just how many paintings and colour pencil drawings she has done over the years. She really is prolific!

Hoodia gordonii by Jeanette Loedolff

It was so interesting to hear their stories: Ernst's forays into ravines and cliffs to find the plants, bee attacks and broken limbs included; Jeanette's capturing the short-lived flowers at a moment’s notice. She often grows these plants for him on her stoep. Once he has collected them in the field he gives some to Jeanette to nurture and bring to flower - she has extraordinarily green fingers!

Jeanette was absolutely delighted with the award and sent the following email:

Dear BAASA members,

Everyone of us who is involved with botanical art knows what a joy it is to rise to that special challenge that every botanical subject presents to the artist. It is an experience that in itself brings such fulfilment that one hardly expects to be otherwise rewarded. Yet, now BAASA has elected to present me with an Honorary Life Membership.

This gesture of goodwill from BAASA makes me feel very honoured and deeply touched. Thank you so very much. Please know that it will serve as inspiration to do only better, each time I try.

Sincerely,
Jeanette Loedolff.

PS. In November 2014 Jeanette was also awarded the Cythna Letty medal by the Botanical Society. See the news post here.