In the Pink

I love cactus blooms.  They come in so many different shapes, sizes and colors.  And here in Southern California it's easy to find them just about anywhere.  I found these outside the library at Pasadena City College.

"In the Pink"      © Kathy Dunham 2011

Wall Decoration

The Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California is maturing nicely. Completed two years ago, according to strict Chinese design, it is a peaceful and elegant area to relax and enjoy the beauty of a well arranged landscape. These cut outs in the outer wall take on a dramatic look when the light hits it.

"Wall Decoration"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Bachelor Bee

I never realized how many pictures I've taken of bees, insects and critters until I started doing this blog. You'd think I was an entomologist. This little guy was busy collecting pollen on a bachelor's button (hence the title of this image) in the herb garden at the Huntington Library this past summer. Notice that his pollen is red. And earlier posting showed a bee with yellow pollen. These guys sure do get around.

"Bachelor Bee" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Orchid Waterfall

The conference is over and most of the attendees have headed home, but as I review my photos, this a spectacular one that doesn't do the actual scene the justice it deserves. These beautiful Phalaenopsis were striking in that they were so perfectly matched, all the same size and shape, all with the same number of blooms, all 24 plants.

"Orchid Waterfall" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Foo Dog

Just outside the Education Center at the Huntington stands a pair of Chinese Foo Dogs. Keeping guard over the Children's Garden, they make a formidable and regal presence.

"Foo Dogs" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Pagoda of the Three Friends

Today I taught a class in the beautiful Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA. We spent most of the day at the boat pavilion and had a spectacular view of the pond and the wonderful landscaping on the other side. This is the Pagoda of the Three Friends - the Bamboo, Pine and Plum. The plum because because it's the first to bloom, the bamboo because it's flexible and bends and the pine because is survives tough surroundings. The Chinese put much thought, feeling and meaning into the design of their gardens. This one is a spectacular place to meditate and be one with nature.

"Pagoda of the Three Friends" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Halloween Bug

I'm in Pasadena preparing for the annual conference of the American Society of Botanical Artists. We have artists from all over the world joining us for our three day event. This little critter, "Oncopeltus", is dressed out for Halloween. I found him at the Huntington Library earlier this year on his favorite plant "Scarlet Milkweed". I'll be teaching a journaling class later this week at the Huntington so you'll be seeing lots of pictures from the gardens.

"Halloween Bug" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Chinese Magnolia

I'll be teaching a workshop at the Huntington Library and Gardens in a few weeks and decided to review my photos to help plan my class. We'll be in the new Chinese Garden which is absolutely stunning so I wanted to check out the possibilities for sketching when I came across this beautiful Chinese Magnolia. I remember this was a favorite of my Mom's. She planted one in the front yard of our house and since it was outside my bedroom window I always had the pleasure of watching it bloom.

"Chinese Magnolia" © Kathy Dunham 2008

See the Face?

The new Chinese garden at the Huntington Library in San Marino is a must see. Beautiful mosaic walks, pagados, lotus flowers in the pond, stone bridges and statues. I've seen this particular shape in various Chinese gardens but have no idea if it has a special meaning. But it wasn't until I was looking through my photos that I realized the angle of this shot gave it the look of a cartoonish face. See the funny little hat, two eyes and mouth? I'll never look at this the same way again.

"See the Face" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Lotus Land

Today I attended a meeting of my fellow botanical artists at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino near Pasadena. After the meeting, I took advantage and the time to slip into the new Chinese Garden that was just opened earlier this year. They've done a spectacular job with the pagodas, ornamental plantings, koi pond and beautiful tea house. These Lotus plants are enjoying their new location and blooming profusely. Many people mistake them for waterlilies but they differ in that they raise their leaves and flowers out of the water. Their seed pods when dried are often used in decorative dried floral arrangements.

"Lotus Land" © Kathy Dunham 2008