Selected Artists for ASBA 26th Annual International Exhibition (2023)

The 26th Annual International Exhibition of Botanical Art by the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) opens next month. ​The exhibition comprises two-dimensional, original, botanical art and runs from 17th September to 26th November at Marin Art & Garden Center (MAGC)  in California. (More details of this and the opening event at the end)

This post is about the artists whose artwork has been selected for this exhibition.
[UPDATE 31 August 2023: It has now been updated to include

• the link to the art on the website 
  
• the title of the artwork included on the exhibition
  
• more details about all the events and how to register for them]

Gossypium hirsutum ‘Arkansas Green’ by Susan Tomlinson

Selection process

The selection jury for this show comprised three botanical artists and educators.

• Beverly Allen (Australia) - see my profile in Beverley Allen - 2023 Shirley Sherwood Award for Botanical Art
• Lee McCaffree (US / North California branch)
• Deborah B. Shaw (US) She is an active member of member of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA), the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California, Northern California Society of Botanical Artists, the Southwest Society of Botanical Artists, and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.​

The jury met in May 2023 and selected 48 artworks by 47 artists from 150 entries (giving a 32% success rate)

Selected artists 2023

The artists who produced artwork selected by the jurors are listed below.

• Artists are listed by country
• Links embedded in the artist's name are either to
  • their website (where known)
  • Instagram account (if no website)
  • or their member art gallery page on the ASBA website (if created).

The thing I noticed as I went through the listing below is that a lot of names are new to me and are artists who have not exhibited in the ASBA International before. I understand a total of ten (22%) are new to having their art displayed in the Annual International.

UPDATE: You can now see ALL the artworks in digital form on the ASBA website - in alphabetical order of the surname of the artist. Find out about the artists below....

US

• Helen Byers (New Mexico) - Yucca baccata Banana Yucca - She has exhibited her botanical art widely within the US.
• Sophie Chartier (California) - Sequoia sempervirens California Coast Redwood - a French Canadian who 'transplanted' herself to the SF Bay Area
• Yoona Chea - Corylopsis coreana Korean winter hazel - grew up in in her native South Korea but is now based in the USA. She was recently made a Fellow of the SBA. 
• Hyunjin Cho - Pachypodium lamerei Stippled Madagascar Palm - Lives in the USA. She was awarded an RHS Silver Medal in 2022
• Mary Crabtree (Colorado) - Midsummer Penstemon x mexicali 'Pike's Peak Purple', Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'George Davison', Scrophularia macrantha, Kniphofia 'Mango Popsicle’, Lavandula angustifolia ‘BeeZee Dark Blue', Lavandula x intermedia Phenomenal ('Niko' ) - previously exhibited in the 23rd and 25th Internationals; she is also a Fellow of the SBA and member of ABA. She earned the Denver Botanic Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration Certificate with Distinction in 2021 and is currently studying with the RBGE online.​
• Antoaneta Denkin - Cucurbita pepo - MFA at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphi. Started botanical drawing in 2018. Exhibited at 24th International in 2021. Became a Fellow of SBA in 2023.
• Dorothy DePaulo - Aloe arborescens Desert Delight - an active member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists as well as ASBA. (NOTE: Dorothy's artwork is on the cover of the Catalogue for this exhibition - it's a stunner!)
• Carrie DiCostanzo - Tulipa cv. Two Tulips - Took up botanical art in 2008 and is an active ASBA exhibitor; won the Jurors’ Award for Distinction of Botanical Art Presentation at the 14th International show. Now works in egg tempera as well as watercolour.​
• Sharon Duplantis - Rosa 'Ville de Roeulx'Go Lovely Rose - 'Ville de Roeulx'  AND Monarda punctata Is the Party Over? - better known as a photographer; began her studies in art and photography, first receiving an A.A. in Graphic Arts, then a B.S. in Education. 
  • ​Note: Sharon is one of two artists to have two artworks selected for this exhibition
• ​Jean Emmons (Washington) - Dahlia 'Black Jack'Black Jack Dahlia - an award-winning botanical artist whose technique for painting on vellum is based on medieval manuscript illumination. In 2007 she won “Best in Show” at the International Botanical Art Exhibition at the Horticultural Society of New York. In 2011 she won the Best Botanical Painting in the RHS Botanical Art Show - plus a Gold Medal.​
• Christiane Fashek (NY, NY) - Ramalina americana, Punctelia sp., Quercus fusiformis Gimlet-eyed - Botanical Artist and Instructor. Interested in Lichens and natural ephemera​
• Karen Kluglein - Malus pumila Dwarf Espalier Honeycrisp Apple - Graduating from the School of Visual Arts in 1980; worked as a commercial artist specialising in illustrations for food packaging  prior to becoming a botanical artist. Her work has been used by numerous leading clients. She is also a botanical art teacher who has taught at NYBG.
• Claudia Lane - Cleome hassleriana Jefferson’s Cleomes: as grown at Kelton House Farm, Wisconsin - Current President of ASBA. In 2014, she earned the Certificate in Botanical Art from the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG) and soon after joined the CBG faculty to teach pen & ink and colored pencil drawing for the Certificate Program. NOTE: Lovely to see another artist producing etchings!
• Curly Lieber (Connecticut) - Aesculus hippocastanum Horse Chestnut #2
• Lucy Martin (Sonoma County, California) - Arbutus menziesii Grandmother Madrone - She paints in paints in gouache and watercolor, with occasional use of colored pencil. and tends to focus on the overlooked (fungi, lichens etc). Recently she developed a suite of paintings associated with the plants left 'after the fire' which swept through the woodland near her home.
• Tammy McEntee - Andropogon virginicus Embankment Broomsedge - Born in New Jersey. Graduated with a degree in painting with a minor in art history from Montclair State College and a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. She is also a member of the Tri-State Botanical Artists, a Fellow of the Society of Botanical Artists and a Member with Distinction with the American Women Artists.
• Sally Petru (California) - Echinacea purpurea 'Prairie Splendor' Pink Coneflower - A career on landscape architecture developed into a love of botanical painting. Former ASBA President.​
• Linda Powers (Minnesota) -  Cypripedium candidum Small White Lady's Slippers - Studied art at the University of Minnesota, Morris, and has worked as a graphic designer and product developer. Member of the Great River Chapter of the ASBA.
• Richard (Dick) Rauh (Westport Connecticut)  - Iris sp. Iris Capsules - Born 1925 and lives in Connecticut. Began botanical painting in retirement, after a career in Motion Picture Special Effects. Completed a certificate program in Botanical Art at the New York Botanical Garden. Subsequently pursued a graduate program in Plant Sciences at the City University of New York, ending up with a doctorate in 2001. Now teaches at NYBG and around the USA. Won an RHS GM in 2006. Past president of the GNSI.  Member of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Florilegium. ​
• Gillian Rice (Colorado) - Opuntia santa-rita Purple Prickly Pear - Currently Secretary of ASBA Executive Committee. Born in England and moved to Colorado. Completed DBG's Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration. She has completed illustrations for The University of Arizona Desert Legumes Program and her work appears in The Sonoran Desert Florilegium. 
• Betsy Rogers-Knox (Connecticut) - Asclepias syriaca Seedburst Finale - Completed the NYBG Botanical Illustration Program in 2006 and has since exhibited widely and taught botanical art. Won the Judges’ Special Award at the RHS Botanical Art Show in 2019: for Exploring the Seasons at Beckley Bog. This was awarded because of the significant educational value about plants growing in a specific environment.
• Alice Rosa (Masssacusetts) - Fall Bouquet Dahlia pinnata, Hydrangea macrophylla, Rosa floribunda, Eustoma grandiflorum, Eucalyptus pauciflora​ - From Pordenone, Italy. Living in Concord, MA. A botanical artist who works in coloured pencil.
• Constance Scanlon (Minnesota) - Rubus idaeus Two Raspberries - Studied botanical art at Minnesota School of Botanical Art. Paints on Kelmscott Vellum. Has exhibited with ASBA, RHS and in galleries. Awarded a Silver Grenfell Medal awarded at the RHS Botanical Art Show in 2013. 
• Mitsuko Schultz (California) - Iris ‘Persian Berry’ Persian Berry Iris
• Heidi Snyder (Colorado) Pinus ponderosa Male Ponderosa Pine
• Vi Strain (California) - Castilleja linarifolia Wyoming Indian Paintbrush - Studied fine art at Montana University. Graduated from San Francisco University in Town Planning and was a town planner for the next 30 years. Member of Northern California Society of Botanical Artists. Works in colored pencils on Duralar.
• Susan Tomlinson (Lubbock, Texas) - Gossypium hirsutum 'Arkansas Green' Arkansas Green Cotton - A botanical artist, writer, and teacher. BFA in Studio Art; MS and Ph.D. in Geology.  She is an Associate Professor in the Honors College at Texas Tech University. Member of the Texas Tech University Teaching Academy. Her book is called How to Keep a Naturalist's Notebook . She has also been selected to exhibit in the Hunt Insititute of Botanical Documentation's Triennial International Exhibition in 2024. Also provided excellent advice which led to my blog post about eyesight issues and optics  for botanical artists - see Prescribing eyeglasses for botanical art.
  • ​​Her artwork for this exhibition - Gossypium hirsutum ‘Arkansas Green’ - can be seen at the top of this post

• Donnett Vanek (California) - Peritoma arborea Peritoma arborea - previously worked as a commercial textile designer. As a botanical artist she works in working in watercolor, graphite and linoleum block prints.
• Denise Walser-Kolar (Minnesota) - Rosa 'Morden Blush' My Dad's Garden - Her work is held in the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. Teaches vellum workshops in the USA ​
• Carol Woodin (New York state) - Ophrys speculum Mirror of Venus Orchid, Lafkos, Greece - Carol has been the Director of Exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists since 2005. Carol specialises in painting rare plants in watercolour on vellum. She has been awarded: an RHS Gold Medal (1995) and the 1998 “Bouchier ASBA Award for Excellence”.

"Glorious Decline: Desiccated Hippeastrum Bulb" on natural vellum by Julia Trickey

AUSTRALIA

• John Pastoriza-Piñol - Pinus lambertiana Sugar Pine Pinecone - Has work in the collections RBG Kew Library, The Highgrove Florilegium, The Transylvania Florilegium, Hunt Institute, Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Geelong Botanic Gardens Victoria, Art Gallery of Ballarat, RMIT University Melbourne and Collection of Alisa and Isaac M. Sutton.  Exhibits frequently and internationally. Last year was a juror for this exhibition and has been awarded the  ASBA Diane Bouchier Award for Excellence and an RHS Gold Medal.
• Halina Steele - Eucalyptus recurva Mongarlowe Mallee - In 2015 she was awarded a Gold Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Malvern UK and Best Botanical Art Exhibit. One of the works (Eucalyptus recurva) is now held at the Lindley Library London

CANADA

• Crystal Driedger - Phaseolus vulgaris Black Turtle Beans AND Zea mays var. indentata
  Jimmy Red Corn - an artist and illustrator with a passion for exploring the natural world. She graduated from MacEwan University from the Design program, specialising in Illustration
  
  • Note: Crystal is one of two artists to have two artworks selected for this exhibition
• Myra Sourkes - Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue' Heavenly Blue Morning Glories

CHILE

• Claudia Campazzo - Gevuina avellana Summer Solstice Hazelnuts - Born in Chile to an Italian family, she lived all of her adult life in the United States before recently returning to live in chile. Lost her hearing in 2016 and began painting as a creative alternative to her career as a violist.

FRANCE

• Anne Pieussergues Dherbicourt - Raphanus sativus Radish - Works as a freelance artistic director and illustrator. Discovered botanical art in 2016 and joined SFIB – French Society of Botanical Illustration and subsequently ASBA, SBA. Previously exhibited in 24h International.

INDIA

• Damodar Lal Gurjar (India) - Cajanus cajan Pigeon Pea Plant -  in 2001, his paintings were featured in a solo exhibition, Enduring Perfection: Paintings by Damodar Lal Gurjar, at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation. Last year he won the Eleanor Wunderlich Award at this exhibition.

IRELAND

• Mary Dillon - botanical artist and teacher. Elected member of the Watercolour Society of Ireland and Fellow Member of the Society of Botanical Artists. Also member of the Vienna School of Botanical Illustration and member and Founding Chairperson of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists

JAPAN

• Akiko Enokido - Camellia japonica 'Hana-no-sato'  - Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from The New York Botanical Garden (2004). Won an RHS Gold Medal for her watercolour paintings of "Classical Camellia Japonica" on vellum in 2016. She began painting them when she returned to live in Japan in 2012. Read an interview with her
• Yoko Harada (Tokyo) - Arisaema kishidae - started to study botanical art with Elaine Searle in 2010. In 2018 she graduated with distinction and a Top of the Class award from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) Diploma Course in Botanical Illustration. She now studies under Mieko Ishikawa in Tokyo. In 2022 she was awarded a Gold Medal and the Best Botanical Artwork award at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Botanical Art and Photography Show 2022 ​
• Asuka Hishiki - Solanum lycopersicum Red and Green Tomato - Has exhibited at the ASBA International for many years. b. 1972 in Kyoto. Lives and works in Hyogo, Japan after living for 10 years in New York. Graduated with Masters Degree in Fine arts from Kyoto City University of Arts. Exhibited at the Hunt 14th International Exhibition (2013), . She won a Gold Medal at the New York Botanical Garden Triennial in 2014 and at RHS in 2023 plus a number of other awards. Her work is in the Hunt Institute, New York Museum and Shirley Sherwood Collection.
• Wako Tashiro - Tillandsia paucifolia

​SOUTH KOREA

• Sora Han (Seoul) - Pelargonium inquinans Scarlet Geranium - a botanical painter and illustrator based in Seoul, South Korea. She has exhibited her paintings at botanical gardens, the national arboretum, and national institute of ecology in South Korea.

UK

• Liz Shippam - - Vaccinium corymbosum 'Bluetta' Bluetta Blueberries - A painter of fruit based in West Sussex. She exhibits in the USA - and has previously exhibited at ASBA Internationals - London and Sussex. You can see her blueberries on Facebook.
• Julia Trickey - Hippeastrum cultivar Glorious Decline - Desiccated Hippeastrum Bulb - Works in watercolour and lives and tutors near Bath.  She's a Fellow of the Chelsea Physic Garden Florilegium Society, the SBA and ASBA. She's won four RHS Gold Medals and the Bates Award for Excellence at the ASBA 19th Annual International Exhibition.
  • Her artwork for this exhibition - Hippeastrum cultivar Glorious Decline - Desiccated Hippeastrum Bulb - can be seen between the US and international artists

UNKNOWN

• Rebecca Davies - Celebration of Greens Eucalyptus pulverulenta 'Baby Blue', Chrysanthemum 'Rossano Charlotte', Dianthus caryophyllus cv., Hydrangea macrophylla

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ASBA: 26th Annual International

Organised by: American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art & Garden Center
Venue/Event page: The Studio, Marin Art & Garden Center, 
Address: 30 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, Ross, CA 94957
Dates: September 17 - November 26 2023
Gallery Hours: Fridays & Saturdays 10 am–4 pm | Sundays 12–4 pm

• Opening reception: Sunday, 17th September 2023, 4–6 pm. 
• A full color catalog will be published.
• “Artists’ Stories Behind the Art” is being compiled by Myra Sourkes and Gillian Rice for ASBA’s website.
• Awards will be presented during the opening reception, including ASBA’s Eleanor Wunderlich Award, Marin Art and Garden Center’s Best in Show, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Award for a Print or Drawing. 

EVENTS will also be held as part of ASBA's 26th Annual International. [UPDATED]
You need to register for all events by individual artists

• Upper Gallery: An exhibition of the sketchbook exchange project developed by the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists (NCSBA).
• September 23rd: Drawing Lights: live demonstration with Akiko Enokido a 2-hour demonstration in the Northgate Building at the Marin Center. ($50 - you need to register in advance)
• October 8th: Sketching for Fun with Lee McCaffree ($50 - you need to register in advance)
• November 8th: Live in the Studio with Julia Trickey is a one-hour session - via Zoom - with internationally renowned artist Julia Trickey in her UK studio. This will allow for 45 minutes of tour and demonstration, and 15 minutes for a Q & A. Those who register can either view live or on demand for two weeks following live airing.  Active members $15. Non-members registration fee $20.