ARTIST'S STATEMENT My painting-- from life and from flowers in my garden--has taken an added focus in recent years, as the discipline of botanical illustration has caught my interest. The new experience is stimulating with classes and working with other artists of this genre. I enjoy plein-air sketching at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Reed Turner Nature Preserve, Volo Bog, Middlefork Savanna, and Mettawa Manor; plus, when possible, bringing plants into my studio for close-up study. BACKGROUND Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts degree cum laude - University of South Dakota Continued study with workshops and classes - Evanston Art Center, North Shore Art League, and with instructors from the Art Institute and the Palette and Chisel Independent studies - Regenstein School of the Chicago Botanic Garden Juried Shows in 2010 : Art is…Botanic and Organic, May 21-July 1, Deer Path Gallery, Lake Forest Illinois Watercolor Society "Small Waters": ‘A national juried exhibition of small scale watercolors,’ July 25 – August 27, Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst, IL The Gala of the Arts, Catholic Charities, September 10, Ballroom of Chicago Navy Pier Galleries and Other Juried Exhibits: Lake Forest Frame and Design Studio Deer Path Art Gallery, Lake Forest Artists on the Bluff Gallery, Lake Bluff Twigs Florist, Lake Bluff Peg Ann Kompany, Lake Bluff Art fairs of the North Shore area Spring event of the Reed Turner Botanical Artists Circle, Long Grove Summer Bog Art Show, Volo Bog State Natural Area The “Garden Party” at The Art Center, Highland Park Fall exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden Recent Awards and Honors: 2009 - One of five artists, "Locally Grown" Project , Brushwood, Ryerson Woods Conservation Area - five botanical paintings of garden vegetables 2009 - A winner in the Chicago area-wide competition sponsored by Friends of the Wilmette Library - awarded a one-month solo show 2006 - The inaugural artist for the University of South Dakota’s Alumni Gallery - exclusive exhibit of 35 watercolors 2007,2008, 2009 - Award recipient in the Lakes Region Watercolor Guild’s show, Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine, North Chicago Employment: Staff artist for the Wilmette Public Library for more than 30 years - posters, murals, and constructions to highlight their programs Professional Affiliations: • Sustaining Fellow and Buckingham Society Member - The Art Institute of Chicago • President's Circle and Garden Heritage Society Member - Chicago Botanic Garden • Member - American Society of Botanical Artists • Member - Transparent Watercolor Society of America • Member - Illinois Watercolor Society • Member, past Director, and past Treasurer - Glenview Art League, Glenview, IL • Member and past Director - Wilmette Arts Guild, Wilmette, IL • Member - Friends of Volo Bog • Member - Friends of Ryerson Woods • Member and Secretary - Lake Forest Symphony Guild • Member - Lake Forest Open Lands Association • Member - Lake Forest Preservation Foundation • Member - Reed Turner Woodland Botanical Artists • Member - Artists on the Bluff, Lake Bluff • Member and Membership Chair - Lakes Region Watercolor Guild, Lake County • Member and Botanical Art Instructor - Deerpath Art League, Lake Forest |
| BEVERLY BEHRENS WATERCOLORS |
| About the Artist |
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