Flora of the National Parks Exhibit

My watercolor painting of Channel Islands native plant Dudleya greenei is selected by Flora of National Parks Exhibit in Washington D.C. This is an exhibit co-held by U.S Botanic Park and National Park Service in order to celebrate 100 years of National Park Service. A copy of this painting will be on display at U.S Botanic Garden in Washington D.C from Feb.18th to Oct. 2nd 2016!
Visit U.S. Botanic Garden website:
www.usbg.gov

Wish you a very happy year of 2016!

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie 

Catching Up With Greene's Dudleya

Greene's Dudleya Dudleya greenei

Family: Crassulaceae

Genus: Dudleya

Species: D. greenei

This is a Channel Islands native dudleya. I really love the bluish gray color of the rosette leaves. I had to leave to the Bay area for one week during the painting process. So I hurried to finish most of the blossoms and the base layer of the stem before my departure. Upon my return, the stem was starting to dry out. Painting dried leaves was a fun challenge. I haven't had a chance to paint Dudleya traskiae blossoms this year and hope I will catch up with it next season.

About this artwork:

Watercolor

Original size: 9" x 14"

Paper: Fabriano Hot Press 140 Lb

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie 

Magnolia Seedpod: Pen and Ink Sketch in My Temporary Studio in The Bay Area

I was given a magnolia seedpod a couple of days ago while taking pen and ink classes at Filoli Gardens in the Bay Area. The alien looking seedpod is a mixture of intriguing shapes, textures and colors. I made 2 pen and ink sketches with watercolor in my 'temporary studio', which is actually the living room of the hostel during its quiet hours.

Finished sketches.

Watercolor: Toyon Blossom

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), or Christmas Berry, has almost done blooming by now. Currently the green berries on the trees are slowly turning into red. By the time of Christmas and New Year, these trees decked will red berries and green leaves will be the most delightful holiday eye-candy. Toyon is also called California Holly. This California native perennial shrub grow abundantly in Los Angeles area, therefore we have an area called Hollywood!

A few close-ups:

The process of a beautiful leaf. The imperfection makes it the perfect natural beauty.

About this artwork:

Watercolor

Original size: 12" x 15"

Paper: Fabriano Hot Press 140 Lb

May The Bb Power Be With You,
Ellie 

Channel Islands National Park Guidebooks Illustrations- California Native Plants With Pen and Ink

If you have a chance to visit Channel Islands National Park, don't forget to pick up a copy of new guidebooks at the Native Plant Garden in front of the visitor center. I did the original pen and ink illustrations for these two informative and beautifully designed guidebooks 'Guide to Island Plant Adaptation' and 'Guide to Island Chumash Plant Usage'. This is a very rewarding experience knowing that my illustrations play a part to help the public better understand these unique islands!

Here are a few pages of the books:

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie

Last Wisteria of 2015- Wisteria floribunda With Colored Pencils

I was very lucky to obtain the last wisteria blossoms from a friend's friend--Connie, and finished a wisteria with colored pencils commissioned by friend Bill for his mom as a birthday gift. I hope this painting brings Ms. Yukiko warm memories of her home country Japan. When I think of the creation of this painting, it seems magical that it is not a straight line but actually is woven by threads of different friendships, fates, and geographic memories.

Following are some pictures of the drawing process:

The models I got to bring home from Connie's yard. They are just elegant.

On-site sketches

Color testing after I got home

Working on leaves

Here I'm using Caran d'Ache Softcolor, Dark Green #229

Leaves finished. After this I added the vine, one more blossom and buds.

Close-ups:

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie

Pokeweed: Watercolor Sketch

American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana

Family: Phytolaccaceae

Genus: Phytolacca

Species: P. americana

I really like the shape and colors of pokeweed. Maybe because it's native to eastern U.S, I don't see it often. So when I saw it in the farmers market yesterday, I decided instantly that it would be my next model despite that I already have a few on-going projects.

Pokeweed is deadly toxic if eaten raw, so don't let your children or pet play with it.

I did a page of watercolor sketches and plan to draw more tomorrow.

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie

My Artist Page on ASBA American Society of Botanical Artists

My artist page in the gallery of American Society of Botanical Artists was launched online this week!

https://www.asba-art.org/member-gallery/ellie-yun-hui-tu

I am very excited to show the best of my artworks on a site with very high reputation. I will also update my page constantly with new paintings.

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie 

Safflower Carthamus tinctorius

Carthamus tinctorius

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Carthamus

Species: C. tinctorius

There were several exciting things happened this past week:

1. I finished a watercolor safflower to submit to the art exhibiton at Ventura County Fair.

2. And it's framed!

The safflower was among a field flower bouquet my friend Carol gave me. Although it's not a California native plant, I did love the different textures it had.

The history of human's growing safflower can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Dyes, cooking oil, and traditional medicine can be made. One interesting fact: safflower seed can replace sunflower seed in birdfeeder, since squirrels don't like the taste of it.

About this artwork:

Watercolor

Original size: 12" x 15"

Framed size: 16" x 20"

Paper: Fabriano Hot Press 140 Lb

May The Bb Power Be With You,
Ellie