June Natural Treasures Challenge "Something Violet"

We received two submissions for the June Natural Treasures Challenge for "Something Violet". As many of us continue to stay close to home, we are drawing inspiration from our gardens. Mary Atkins sent in a coloured pencil painting of her Bearded Iris flowers in three stages of development. Theresa Bolton submitted a coloured pencil painting of her Baptisia. Celeste Dion submitted two entries for the challenge: purple chili pepper in watercolour and coloured pencil and a Pansy in watercolour.

The theme for July will be "Something Red (ish)".

Bearded Iris in Three Stages in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

Mary Atkins submitted a coloured pencil painting of her Bearded Iris in three stages of development. Mary noted "Bearded Iris (again!). This time though, I have drawn three different stages before the bloom. The spathe (the papery cover around the emerging buds) are considerably more colourful. I think the pre-blooms are just as beautiful as the actual flower. This was done with coloured pencil on Hahnemuhle - Harmony 140lb hot press."

Baptisia in coloured pencil by Theresa Bolton

Theresa Bolton found inspiration in her garden by painting a Baptisia in coloured pencil. Theresa commented "Here is my late contribution for June. This is a Baptisia that I had planted last year after it had bloomed so I never saw the colour of the blooms until this Spring.I may not have captured the blue-violet colour of the blooms but if not I can always try next year! Coloured pencil."

Violet Chili Pepper in watercolour and coloured pencil by Celeste Dion

Pansy in watercolour by Celeste Dion

May Natural Treasures Beautiful Blooms

This month we are sharing the "Beautiful Blooms" as our theme for the month of May. We have three artists participating in this month's challenge. Next month the theme will be "Something Violet" and we look forward to the purple treasures our members find. Some suggested subjects are violets, lilacs, irises, pansies, and other early blooms.

Mary Atkins contributed an Iris painting completed in coloured pencil. Mary noted "This Bearded Iris is more in the pink to burgundy line instead of the typical purples ones. It stands 6 to 8 incyhes (15 to 20 cm). Not sure how I acquired these but they have been in my garden for many years. This was done with coloured pencil on Stonehenge 140 lb. hot press.".

Bearded Iris in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

Anne Pichora submitted a Daffodil completed in coloured pencil. Anne worked from a subject found in her garden.

Daffodil in coloured pencil by Anne Pichora

Janice Kelly submitted a watercolour painting of a Magnolia that she photographed on the grounds of the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museums extensive grounds. Janice commented that magnolias are "for me, a quintessential sign of Spring Blooms".

Magnolia in watercolour by Janice Kelly

April Natural Treasures: Renewal

As most of us our spending more time at home due to the Covid Pandemic, many are finding solace in the beauty of nature. As we are experiencing spring conditions here in Ottawa, we thought that the April theme of "Renewal" would be appropriate for both the season and the current events we are experiencing.

Our frequent contributor Mary Atkins has submitted a coloured pencil painting of a Hyacinth. Mary comments on her project: "I bought this hyacinth several years ago when I was taking Kerri Weller's classes. It was then planted on the west side of my house along with three others. So one morning I decided to dig this plant up and put it in a pot it so it would be easier to draw. I would say that about three hours after I dug the hyacinth up, the other three plants were beheaded. The likely suspects 🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿 or 🐇🐇 Once this plant was inside, it changed very quickly because it bloomed and died within a few days. Fortunately I took many pictures. This was done with coloured pencil on Strathmore Bristol smooth (100lb)."

The theme for our May Natural Treasures Challenge will be "Beautiful Blooms".

Hyacinth in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

March Natural Treasures Challenge: Houseplants

The March Natural Treasures Challenge was houseplants. Celeste Dion contributed a watercolour painting of a Jade plant, Mary Atkins contributed an Anthurium in coloured pencil and Janice Kelly contributed a begonia completed in watercolour and coloured pencil.

Jade plant in watercolour by Celeste Dion

Celeste Dion writes: Here is a small painting I did of one of my houseplants for the challenge. It is a Jade plant (Crassula) variety. It is done in watercolour."

Anthurium in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

Mary commented "This is an Anthurium. It was a subject that I chose back in November 2019 in Jan Salmon's coloured pencil course. This plant is still alive and fortunately thrives on neglect. I am much more mindful of outdoor plants. This was done on Legion Stonehenge 140 lb hot press paper."

Begoinia in watercolour and coloured pencils by Janice Kelly

Janice Kelly: "Here’s my March OSBA Challenge of the Begonia houseplant completed
in watercolour and coloured pencils. Hope all OSBA members and families and friends are staying safe and well.”

Natural Treasures -- January and February

Chinese Lanterns Physalis alkekengi in watercolour and coloured pencil by Lauren Foster-MacLeod

We are continuing our Natural Treasures Challenge in 2020. Lauren Foster-MacLeod painted something from her stash -- a Chinese Lantern Physalis alkekengi in watercolour and coloured pencil in her Moleskin sketchbook. Mary Atkins submitted two coloured pencil paintings, one for the January theme of "Something from your Stash" and another for "The Naked Tree". Janice Kelly submitted a coloured pencil drawing of a mushroom. The theme for March will be Houseplants so looking foward to seeing green again!

Iris Germanica Seed Pod in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

Silver Maple Branch in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

Mushrooms in coloured pencil by Janice Kelly

Happy Holidays! Natural Treasures Challenge Theme of "Festive"

The Ottawa Society of Botanical Artists (OSBA) extends holiday greetings to our friends near and far. To celebrate this season, the December Natural Treasures theme was Festive and three members shared their work. All pieces have been completed in coloured pencil.

Thanks goes to OSBA members who participated in this year's Natural Treasures Challenge. We received a lot of positive feedback so will be continuing this project in 2020. The January theme will be "Something from your Stash". Many of our members collect dried plant material and can rumage through their stash to find something interesting to draw or paint. January entries will be posted throughout the month on both this blog and our Facebook page.

Holly in coloured pencil by Marina Ferrarin

Poinsettia in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

Holly in colourd pencil by Theresa Bolton

November Natural Treasures Challenge: Stayin' Alive

As we enter late autumn in Ottawa, we challenged our members to find subjects that were "stayin' alive". Considering the mid-month snow flurries, this required a bit of plant hunting. The December theme is "Festive".

Lambs Ear in coloured pencil by Mary Atkins

Begonia root in watercolour pencil and graphite by Gillian MacDonald

Pumpkin in watercolour by Esra Ozgun