The Newton Creek Alliance launched their “Field Day Fridays: Art + Nature Series” at Kingsland Wildflowers on June 15th with Botanical Printmaking. On July 20th the second of three in this summer series offered a Botanical Illustration class led by artist and naturalist Gabriel Willow, who has led tours and teaches classes for NYC Audubon, Wave Hill, etc. The class began with an informative presentation on the global history of botanical illustration to provide some inspiration and background. Then Willow guided the class in art techniques: shading tone gradients each for pencil and ink, blind contour, modified blind contour, negative space drawing, and then drawing a flower of choice in the garden.
The class was made up of a variety of levels of art experience from true beginners to the self- and formally studied. They came from Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. The instruction provided practical guidance and positive encouragement for all, and was a wonderful opportunity to commune and record nature in one of the city’s more unique vistas. Materials and refreshments were provided; a donation of $10 was suggested.
The Newton Creek Alliance will finish this series at Kingsland Wildflowers with “Start Your Own Herbarium with Lisa Bloodgood” on Friday, August 17th from 4 p.m.–7 p.m.
Kingsland Wildflowers is located at 520 Kingsland Avenue. Kingsland Wildflowers is a Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF) project committed to expanding natural habitat and green corridors for bird and wildlife populations. In addition to Field Day Fridays they host Open House Saturdays the third Saturday of the month through September 22nd. For more information: http://www.kingslandwildflowers.com
The Newton Creek Alliance is a community-based organization dedicated to protecting the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of Newtown Creek. For more information: www.newtowncreekalliance.org To register for the next Field Day Friday go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-and-nature-series-pt-3-start-your-own-herbarium-with-lisa-bloodgood-tickets-46990158830
