Exhibition Dates: January 28 - April 24, 2011

Earth, Petal, Wing / Tierra, Pétalo, Ala A Collection of Scientific Illustrations and Botanical Paintings Earth, Petal, Wing showcases the interpretation of natural subject matter by Cynthia Padilla and Julio Suarez, Texas-based artists who share a passion for nature and the natural sciences and an appreciation for the fragility and simple beauty found in nature. Using varied artistic tools, Padilla and Suarez present paintings, drawings and prints based on direct observation of natural science subjects. These include seashells, flowers, feathers and insects taken from nature journals, notebook sketches, plein air renderings and personal photography.  The works are naturalistic, realistic and stylized and demonstrate the versatility of the creativity of the two artists and their respective approaches to self-expression. Cynthia Padilla is an international botanical artist and natural science illustrator. Julio Suarez is a visual artist and art educator with an interest in botany and the natural sciences. The exhibition is curated by Janet Reynolds. Exhibit runs: Jan. 28 - April 24, 2011.    Opening reception: Jan. 28, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to Texas Discovery Gardens http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/ is free for the reception.

Cynthia Padilla Julio Suarez

Tierra, Pétalo, Ala

Earth, Petal, Wing / Tierra, Pétalo, Ala : Una coleccion de Ilustraciones Cientificas y Pinturas Botanicas La nueva exhibicion de arte de Texas Discovery Gardens empieza el viernes 28 de enero, 2011 y celebra la naturaleza en dibujos y pinturas acuarelas y acrilicas. La exhibición Tierra, Pétalo, Ala muestra la interpretación de la materia natural por Cynthia Padilla y Julio Suárez, artistas visuales basados en Texas, que comparten una pasión por las ciencias naturales - Biología, Botánica, Zoología -  y aprecian la fragilidad, sencillez y belleza de la naturaleza. Utilizando una gran variedad de medios artísticos, Padilla y Suárez presentan en esta exposición pinturas, dibujos y grabados basados en sus observaciones directas de conchas, flores, plumas e insectos en sus cuardenos de naturaleza, dibujos, pinturas al aire libre e inspirados por sus propias fotos. Las obras son naturalistas, realistas y estilizadas y demuestran la versatilidad de la creatividad de los dos artistas y sus respectivos enfoques de expresión. Cynthia Padilla es una naturalista e ilustradora internacional de botánica. Julio Suárez es un artista visual y profesor de arte con un interés en la botánica y las ciencias naturales. La conservadora de la exhibicion es Janet Reynolds. Fechas de la exhibicion: desde el 28 de enero hasta el 24 de abril 2011: Entrada a Texas Discovery Gardens http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/ se aplica. Apertura y Recepcion: el 28 de enero 2011 desde  las 6 PM hasta  las 8 PM. Entrada gratuita a Texas Discovery Gardens.

EARTH, PETAL, WING

EARTH, PETAL, WING Exhibition

Cynthia Padilla/ Julio Suarez

Texas Discovery Garden http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/

Earth, Petal, Wing [Tierra, Petalo, Ala] showcases the interpretation of natural subject matter by Cynthia Padilla and Julio Suarez, Texas based artists who share passion for nature and the natural sciences ( biology, botany, zoology) and an appreciation for the fragility and simple beauty found in  nature.

Using a myriad of artistic tools, Padilla and Suarez present in this touring exhibition

paintings, drawings and prints based on direct observation of natural science subjects… seashells, flowers, feathers and insects from nature journals, notebook sketches, plein air renderings and inspired by personal photography.  The works are naturalistic, realistic and stylized and demonstrate the versatility of  the creativity of the two artists and their respective approaches to self-expression.

Cynthia Padilla is an international botanical artist and natural science illustrator.

Julio Suarez is a visual artist and art educator with an interest in botany and the natural sciences.

Spanish Translation of EARTH, PETAL, WING Exhibition

Cynthia Padilla/ Julio Suarez

Texas Discovery Garden http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/

La exhibición Tierra, Pétalo, Ala muestra la interpretación de la materia natural por Cynthia Padilla y Julio Suárez, artistas visuales basados en Texas, que comparten una pasión por las ciencias naturales - Biología, Botánica, Zoología -  y aprecian la fragilidad, sencillez y belleza de la naturaleza.

Utilizando una gran variedad de medios artísticos, Padilla y Suárez presentan en esta exposición pinturas, dibujos y grabados basados en sus observaciones directas de conchas, flores, plumas e insectos en sus cuardenos de naturaleza, dibujos, pinturas al aire libre e inspirados por sus propias fotos. Las obras son naturalistas, realistas y estilizadas y demuestran la versatilidad de la creatividad de los dos artistas y sus respectivos enfoques de expresión.

Cynthia Padilla es una naturalista e ilustradora internacional de botánica.

Julio Suárez es un artista visual y profesor de arte con un interés en la botánica y las ciencias naturales.

Meet Julio Suarez

Julio Suarez

Visual Artist and Art Educator

Julio Suarez recalls drawing pictures
of animals on small colored paper pads
at age four. Throughout his educational
and professional life, he has integrated his
interest in art through drawing, designing
and painting. The Cuban-American artist
was raised in New York and graduated
from New York University and moved to
Plano, Texas in 1988.

His artwork primarily involves painting in
acrylic and watercolor in the style of the post-impressionists and Fauvists, particularly Matisse. Mixed media works, printmaking and graphic design are also part of his work.

As an illustrator, he has created personal greeting cards and marketing products. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area and his paintings are part of private collections throughout the United States, Canada, China and Japan.

Julio specializes in teaching children and youth in diverse educational settings both in the public and private sectors. He has been teaching art for twenty years through various programs and is a member of the faculty at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Arlington, TX. He is an artist-in-residence with Big Thought (Young Audiences of North Texas) since 1995 and with Young Audiences of Northeast Texas in Tyler since 2007. Julio works annually with special needs children through the Plano Parks and Recreation Therapeutic program for over ten years. He has been an art enrichment teacher and mentor for private students.

Julio has recently conducted visual storytelling workshops with teens at the Allen Public Library in instructing students in creating one-panel cartoons for publication. He also works in digital storytelling educational programming with CAMP (Collaborating Artists Media Project) in Dallas. He is a contributing illustrator for the poetry book, Translating the Prairie: Plano, Texas in Words and Pictures, published in 2009.

Julio has presented lectures, teacher training and art-related workshops for many organizations including The Texas Alliance for Education, Texas Commission Against Drugs and Alcohol, City of Plano Arts Council, City of Dallas, Tyler ISD, Texas Association for Environmental Education and Very Special Arts Texas. He has served as art juror with Dallas Business Committee on the Arts, Plano ISD, Dallas ISD and in private and public schools in Texas. He works with the Navarro Council of the Arts directing annual children arts festivals in Corsicana, Texas. He is an active member of the Texas Commission on the Arts.


Julio Suarez
Artista Visual / Educador de Arte

Julio Suarez recureda haber dibujado animales en un cuaderno de papeles de muchos colores a los 4 anos de edad. Durante todo su vida educacional y profesional, el ha integrado su interes en el arte haciendo dibujos, disenos y pinturas. El artista cubano-americano se crio en Nueva York y se graduo de NYU. En el 1988 se mudo para Plano, Tejas.

Las materias que el utiliza en sus obras de arte son pinturas acrilicas y de acuarelas principalmente. Su estilo de expresarse visualmente es como los artsitas de posimpresionismo y los ‘Fauvists”, especialmente Matisse. Ilustraciones de ‘mixed media’ (usando mas de una material en una obra de arte) , tecnicas de impresion y diseno grafico son partes de sus obras. Como ilustrador, el ha creado tarjetas de felicitacion y varios productos de comercializacion. Sus obras de arte se han exhibido en galerias por todo el area de Dallas y Fort Worth y sus pinturas se encuentran en colecciones privadas por todo los Estados Unidos, Canada, China y el Japon.

Julio se especializa en la ensenaza de ninos y jovenes en varios ambientes educacativos, en escuelas publicas y privadas. El ha ensenado el arte por veinte anos en varios programas y es miembro de la facultad de Holy Rosary Catholic School en Arlington, TX. El es un artista en residencia con la organizacion prestigiosa Big Thought ( Young Audiences of North Texas) desde 1995 y es un instructor de arte y conferenciante con Young Audiences of Northeast Texas en Tyler desde 2007. Julio da clases de arte terapeutico con ninos que requieren atencion especial en el Departemento de Parques y Recreacion de Plano desde 1991. El tambien continua dando clases privadas.

Julio presento un cursillo, ‘Visual Storytelling” (Contando Historias Visualmente) con adolecentes en la Allen Public Library donde el enseno el proceso de crear caricaturas para publicacion. Tambien, el trabaja con la organizacion CAMP en Dallas en ‘Digital Storytelling’ (Contando Historias Digitalmente) que usa tecnicas de fotografia digitales en proyectos narativos originales, combinando el arte visual con fotografia, musica, cinematografia y otras formas de arte. Se puede encontrar su ilustracion en el libro de poesia, Translating the Prairie: Plano, Texas in Words and Pictures, ,publicado en 2009.

Julio ha presentado conferencias, cursillos para profesores y cursos de muchos temas de arte para varias organizaciones incluyendo: The Texas Alliance for Education, Texas Commission Against Drugs and Alcohol, City of Plano Arts Council, City of Dallas, Tyler ISD, Texas Association for Environmental Education y Very Special Arts Texas. Suarez ha sido jurador de arte con Dallas Business Committee on the Arts, Plano ISD, Dallas ISD y en escuelas publicas y privadas en Texas. Colaborando con the Navarro Council of the Arts, Suarez ha dirijido diez festivales de arte para la comunidad escolastica de Corsicana, Texas. El es un miembro activo de Texas Commission on the Arts.

Meet Cynthia Padilla

Cynthia Padilla Lecturer/instructor for prestigious universities, natural science & history museums, world class arboreta and major arts & fine crafts learning centers internationally. Cynthia travels the world, sketchbook in hand, documenting wildflowers in windswept Greek isles...fallen fruit in abandoned courtyards of India...shells along Portugal’s crashing shores...glimmering butterflies in Thailand... hushed tropical rainforests of Central America, her ancestral home.


The artist’s entry into the niche of botanical arts/natural science illustration/field sketching was serendipitous. A result of Padilla’s volunteer work:


A native of New Orleans’s Garden District, Cynthia moved to southern California to pursue an advanced degree in art. Weekends were spent wandering a nearby nature center, sketchbook in hand. Staff naturalists befriended the talented art student and asked if she would sketch some of the specimens they had collected. She agreed…reluctantly. There was no pay involved. That summer was spent sketching iridescent beetles, delicate butterflies and fragile pressed plants to the exacting standards research documentation demanded.


Padilla went on to receive her BA in Art, Cal State L.A, continued studies in surface design at UCLA and began a 20 + career in the fast paced textile and fashion world.


Her love of art and nature has now combined in the perfect union… the botanical arts. With worldwide exhibitions, popular lectures and workshops, exotic travels. How could she have known that the strict training received so many summers ago while volunteering to sketch pinned bugs and pressed wildflowers at a dusty little nature center would someday be her life’s work?!

View rare antiquarian engravings hand colored by Padilla: http://antiquebotanical.blogspot.com

Find Padilla’s related workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/

Cynthia Padilla es una conferenciante e instructora de universidades prestigiosas, museos de ciencias naturales e de historia, arboretos de primera categoria y centros de educacion de artes y oficios internacionalmente. Cynthia viaja el mundo, cuaderno de bocetos en la mano, documentando flores silvestres en las isles de Grecia, frutas caidas en las plazas de la India, conchas en las orillas de Portugal, mariposas en Thailand y en los bosques tropicales de Centroamerica, su hogar ancestral.

La entrada de la artista al nicho de los artes botanicos e ilustraciones de ciencias naturales fue por casualidad, el resultado del trabajo voluntario de Padilla.

Una nativa del Garden District de Nueva Orleans, Cynthia se mudo al sur de California para conseguir un titulo advanzado en el arte. Los fines de semana, Cynthia paso su tiempo en el centro de la naturaleza son su cuaderno de bocetos. Naturalistas y maestros se hicieron amigos con la estudiante de arte talentosa y la preguntaron si queria hacer un bosquejo de unos muestras que habian recogido. Se acordo indecisamente. No habia pago. Cynthia paso el verano dibujando escarabajos, mariposas delicadas y plantas frajiles prensadas siguiendo los estándares mas exigentes demandadas en la documentacion cientifica.

Padilla recibio su bachillerato en el arte en California State LA continuando estudios en diseno en UCLA y empezo una carrera de mas de 20 anos en el mundo apresurado de textil y la moda. Su pasion por el arte y la naturaleza ha combinado en una union perfecta…los artes botanicos…. con exhibiciones mundiales, conferencias y cursillos populares, y viajes exoticos. ¿Cómo podía haber sabido que su entrenamiento estricto durantes muchos veranos dibujando insectos y flores prensadas en un pequeno centro de la naturaleza cubierto de polvo algún día sería la carrera de su vida?

Para ver los grabados antiguos raros coloreados a mano por Padilla: http://antiquebotanical.blogspot.comPara buscar cursillos de Padilla: http://www.artinstructor.blogspot.com/Para invitar Padilla a dar una presentacion a su organizacion: http://www.facebook.com/padillacasa

White Flower

watercolor on paper 6 x 9 in.

Oak Leaves II

monoprint with brown ink 8 x 10 in.

Oak Leaves I

monoprint with brown ink 8 x 10 in.

Butterfly on Orchid - Cynthia Padilla

'Butterfly on Orchid' - gouache on mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Dragonfly .......

Feather: Guinea - Cynthia Padilla

‘Feather: Guinea’ - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Butterfly: Large Tree Nymph - Cynthia Padilla

‘Butterfly: Large Tree Nymph’ - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Bouquet of Flowers

watercolor on paper 4.5 x 6.5 in.

Spider Chrysanthemum Photo

Photograph taken at the Dallas Arboretum December 2010
by Julio Suarez

Spider Chrysanthemum

watercolor on paper 8.5 x 11 in.

Bee and Chrysanthemums

watercolor on paper 8.5 x 11 inches

Egg: Willet - Cynthia Padilla

‘Egg: Willet’ - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Butterfly: Pipevine Swallowtail - Cynthia Padilla

'Butterfly: Pipevine Swallowtail' - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Feather: Blue Jay - Cynthia Padilla

'Feather: Blue Jay' - gouachecolored pencil on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Dragonfly: 12 Spot - Cynthia Padilla

‘Dragonfly: 12 Spot’ – gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Dragonfly and Chrysanthemums

watercolor on paper 8.5 x 11 in.

Morning Glory

Poppies

watercolor on paper 8.5 x 11 in.

Anemones

watercolor on paper 8.5 x 11 in.

Butterfly: Buckeye - Cyntia Padilla

Butterfly: Buckeye’ - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Egg: Scrub Jay - Cyntia Padilla

‘Egg: Scrub Jay’ - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Dragonfly: Darner - Cynthia Padilla

‘Dragonfly: Blue Darner’-  gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Cedar Branch - Cynthia Padilla

'Cedar Branch' - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Butterfly: Cleopatra - Cynthia Padilla

'Cleopatra' - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Egg: Blue Jay - Cynthia Padilla

Egg: Blue Jay - gouace, 5x7, Cynthia Padilla

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Two Shells

Watercolor on paper 8 x 11.5 in.

Seashells

Acrylic on canvas 20 x 20 in.

Julio Suarez's Sketchbooks

Collecting and drawing seashells from direct observation and memory
Media: watercolor and pencil

Copying and interpreting floral paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe
Media: watercolor

Butterfly: Julia - Cynthia Padilla

‘Butterfly: Julia’ - gouache on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Grape Hyacinth - Cyntia Padilla

‘Grape Hyacinth’ - gouache/colored pencil on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Grasshopper - Cynthia Padilla

‘Grasshopper’ - gouache/colored pencil on black mat board, 5x7

View Padilla's upcoming exhibits & workshops: http://fruitflowerinsect.blogspot.com/p/workshopsdemosexhibitions-2011.html

Sunflowers

Acrylic on canvas 12 x 16 in.

Red Rose

Added Art Works by Julio Suarez

Two Shells watercolor on paper 6 in. x 9 in.

Sunflower watercolor on paper 6.5 in. x 9 in.

Earth Petal Wing Reception - Texas Discovery Gardens, Dallas, TX.

From left to right: Cynthia Padilla, Janet Reynolds, Julio Suarez and Sarah Gardner

Julio Suarez and curator Janet Reynolds

Artists Julio Suarez and Cynthia Padilla hanging the exhibition.

Workshop: Botanical Arts/Natural Science Illustration

"Would you like to learn some of the painting and drawing techniques exhibited? Or spend unhurried time wandering lush gardens and coffee farms, sketchbook in hand? Join my annual botanical arts workshop/retreat...registering now. " --Cynthia Padilla, exhibiting artist, Earth/ Petal Wing.

 

Photos of Antigua - Lake Atitlan contribution by international pool of generous photograhers w/ a shared passion for the culture & color, people & places, flora & fauna and traditions of Guatemala, 'Land of Eternal Spring.' Thank you.

REGISTRATION OPEN!

FALL DATES: Oct 27 - Nov 5, 2011

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Join like-minded art and nature enthusiasts documenting both the natural beauty and cultivated grounds and gardens of Antigua, Guatemala. Join international arts instructor Cynthia Padilla painting in ancient structures, tropical landscapes, colorful markets, and private courtyard gardens. Spend unhurried time building a journal collection of rough sketches, tiny vignettes, notes & notations, finished paintings, measurements and personal musings. All the while lulled by splashing fountains and gentle breezes of working ‘en plein air.’(translation: Out doors).

Suggested transportable mediums: Pencil, pen & ink, colored pencil, pastel, (includng the new Pan Pastels) and/or acrylic (incuding the new Chroma Interactive 'open' acrylics), watercolor, watercolor pencil, watercolor crayon.

All levels. Complete beginners without previous art experience to advanced and returning artists will find a unique art and cultural adventure awaits beyond Antigua’s ancient color-washed walls.

ANTIGUA: Our home base is a delightful cobblestoned, bougainvillea-draped town with an international ambiance. Internet coffee shops, funky outdoor cafes, art galleries, open-air markets, artisan crafts and warm-hearted, welcoming people: http://www.flickr.com/groups/391329@N20/pool/ and view some of our previous sketch sites, field trips and workshop participants: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiapadilla/sets/72157602588307547/ I am still adding images and gathering up assignments to scan in, so check back regularly and subscribe to the blog for automated updates.

LAKE ATITLAN: (3) nights. See photos http://www.slide.com/r/rrYO49lR3T_RrHDgVvMmfAJsYSvmxFgd?previous_view=lt_embedded_url

REGISTER NOW: Art Workshops in Guatemala offering 10-day educational travel programs that are off the beaten track and at a very reasonable price. Total package price, including tuition, lodging in lovely colonial style hotels, hearty breakfasts; ground transportation and field trips.  $1845 approx.
Contact Liza Foure, Director. Ph:(612) 825-0747 Website: http://www.artguat.org/ Email: fourre@artguat.org
For workshop content questions contact me, instructor Cynthia Padilla, here or via email: padillapost2@gmail.com