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  • Enriching Life ยท 2021
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  • Teri Kuwahara
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​As a native Californian and third generation American of Japanese ancestry, I have spent my life in a variety of careers including a Law Librarian, Non-Profit Program Director, Teacher and College Counselor before realizing I always had art and plants in my blood. My maternal grandfather was an artist and poet who had to make his living as a farmer. My father was a nurseryman who could name any plant by
its botanical name. Growing up I wish I had paid more attention.
I started my college prerequisite courses with art classes but finding I had no portfolio to apply as an art major, I turned to social sciences in order to graduate in four years. Over forty years later I finally took my first watercolor class where the instructor told me I had a “botanical style” to which I replied, “what’s that?”
An online search found botanical art classes at the Los Angeles County Arboretum where I met a group of artists studying with Cristina Baltayian. They quickly introduced me to the American Society of Botanical Artists and the local chapter, The Botanical Artist Guild of Southern California (BAGSC). I have been very fortunate to have access to workshops by artists around the world including Anne-Marie Evans (UK), Elaine Searle (UK), Asuka Hishiki (Japan), Denise Walser-Kolar (US), Jenny Phillips (Australia), John Pastoriza-Pinol (Australia), Carrie Di Costanzo (US), Vincent Jeannerot (France) and Heeyoung Kim (US). I have been fortunate to exhibit some of my work in BAGSC group displays in the Brody Botanical
Center at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, St. Petersburg Botanical Garden in St. Petersburg, Russia and with the South Bay Watercolor Society and South Bay Festival of the Arts! in Torrance, California. The Rudbeckia hirta, state flower of Maryland, is part of my personal project to illustrate all 50 state flowers and the District of Columbia. Covid-19 has temporarily halted my travel to find real live botanical samples and observation. With the resourceful adaptation of online classes by the wonderfully thorough and talented artist Heeyoung Kim and her generosity of taking any reference photographs from her neighborhood, I am working to check Maryland off my list
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Rudbeckia hirta, Watercolor
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Rudbeckia hirta - Detail, in Progress, Watercolor

advance to the next artist  ·  return to the main exhibition 
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21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
​Riverwoods, IL 60015

224.633.2424 info@brushwoodcenter.org
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is committed to enabling the participation and enjoyment of our programming and events for all visitors. At Brushwood Center, you will have open access to accessible parking and entrance to the house, a gender neutral bathroom, and changing tables.
If you require certain accommodations in order to observe or attend our events, or have questions regarding accessibility of our facilities, please contact our Manager of Public Programs and Communications, Parker Nelson, at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org or at (224) 633-2424 ext. 1.
Programming and events at Brushwood Center is available to everyone, including but not limited to age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.​
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​OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10am - 3pm
Sundays: 1pm - 3pm
and by appointment 
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Our Staff
    • In the News
    • Blog
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
  • EVENTS
  • ART
    • Gallery >
      • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
      • Past Exhibitions
    • BASE - Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
    • Classes >
      • Botanical Art Academy
      • Create and Sip Classes
    • Calls for Art
  • MUSIC
  • WELLNESS
    • 2022 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
    • Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator
    • At Ease: Nature and Art for Veterans
    • It's A W.I.N. - Programming for Community
    • Senior Wellness
  • RENTALS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Become a Partner
    • Volunteer & Job Opportunities
    • Our Sponsors
    • Shopping Cart