Artist

Artistic work

I will always be an Artist.

Throughout my art career, I have studied a variety of subjects and media, and have enjoyed working both on location and in the studio.

Working seated out in nature led me to a deeper appreciation of plants and trees.

It was inspired to take classes at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, in Richmond Virginia. There I began the formal study of botanical illustration, working in various media including graphite, watercolor, and metal point.

I have an extensive resume of local and national exhibitions, and my work is included in private collections in the United States and in Europe.

I continue to work in the tradition of botanical illustration, studying the science (botany) and drawing and painting the natural world.

Inspired

Garden of Inspiration

I’ve always had a garden where I grew herbs, vegetables, and flowers as well as perennials such as azaleas, camellias, roses, and other trees and shrubs. A Harry Lauder Walking Stick tree (Corylus avellana, ‘Contorta,’) is a favorite.

Nature is my source for inspiration. It continues to change and grow throughout the year offering continual interest and an abundance of opportunities to observe something new.

Teaching

Sharing my creative knowledge

I have been an instructor at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden since 2011 and coordinator of the planning committee for the program since 2013.

I was offered the opportunity to teach in the Botanical Illustration Certificate program after completing my Certificate in Botanical Illustration in May 2010.

I studied Botanical Illustration with Juliet Kirby, Cynthia Kollman, Margaret Saul, Anne Marie Evans, and Karen Coleman among others.

I’m delighted to share my knowledge with students, acknowledging them and cheering them on to achieve creative success.

Oil Painting

Landscape Painting

I studied landscape painting and color theory over several summers with Bill White at his Mt. Pass studio in the Roanoke Valley near Hollins University. The beauty of the countryside was a constant inspiration, as are the beautiful scenes nearer home along the James River, on the campus of the University of Richmond, at the Roslyn Center, and at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

I’m an opportunist, seizing every chance to be a student of art, to learn all I can about making drawings and paintings.

One summer I even drew cartoon-style portraits at King’s Dominion!

I’ve always enjoyed making representational art.

Fortunately, there were many opportunities to do that. I studied with Richmond artist David Tanner, Roanoke artist Bill White and Academy of Realist Art (Toronto/Boston) instructors Cindy MacMillan and Matthew Mancini.

I developed a body of work in landscape, still-life, and the figure/portrait. Plein-air painting was a particular joy, as is fieldwork in botanical illustration now.

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About Hazel

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selected exhibitions

4/28 – 6/3/2012 Selected Paintings & Drawings by Botanical Illustration Instructors & Students, LGBG, Richmond, VA

7/3 – 7/30/2011 “In Praise of Nature”, invitational exhibition, Asbury United Methodist Church, Harrisonburg, VA

2/26 – 3/21/2010 One person show, “Baker’s Dozen,” Helena Davis Gallery/Artspace, Richmond, VA

Nov/Dec 2009 “ThinkSmall 5” International Invitational Exhibition, art6 and Artspace, Richmond, VA

Jan/Mar 2008 Solo exhibition of landscape paintings, VA Senate OB, General Assembly Building, Richmond, VA

Nov/Dec 2007 “ThinkSmall 4” International Invitational Exhibition, art6 and Artspace, Richmond, VA

Oct/Nov 2007 Invitational Exhibit, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, VA

Nov/Dec 2005 “ThinkSmall 3” International Invitational Exhibition, art6 and Artspace, Richmond, VA

September 2004 Member Exhibition, art6, Richmond, VA

August 2004 “The Art of Seeing – Botanical Works by Regional Artists”, Invitational Exhibition, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD.

July 2002 Hampton Bay Days 20th Annual Juried Art Show, the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Hampton, VA

Juror: James Gadson Award: Hampton Arts Commission Special Purchase Award

March 1998 Award: Excellence in Art, Women’s Caucus for Art

July 1994 “Crucifixion of the Feminine” Invitational Exhibit, Martha Mabey Gallery, Richmond, VA

September 1993 “Border Beings, A Gatherings of Angels” Invitational Exhibit, Martha Mabey Gallery, Richmond, VA

1990-1991 “Bright Visions: The Making of Myth”, Rahr-West Art Mus, Manitowoc, WI Jurors: Ruth D. Kohler, Bev Harrington, Margaret F. Rahill

1980 – 1990 Multiple exhibitions in VA.

selected private collections

McSweeney, Burtch and Crump, P.C., Richmond, VA

City of Hampton, VA

Luciano Nonella, Kilchberg, Switzerland

Pat and Rita McLoughlin, Dungarvan, County Cork, Ireland

Jacqueline and Kieran McLoughlin, Paris, France

Melvin and Mildred Spicer, Charlottesville, VA
Joan Lee Carmody, Wilmington,DE
Hirschler Fleischer, Richmond VA
Marilyn and Don Martin, Richmond, VA
Milton and Bridgitte Goodwin, Tulsa, Ok

publications

2014 – Present articles in BASNCR newsletters and ASBA journals

2011 – 2018 Reviews of children’s and YA books published for CLCD (Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database).

2016 River City Secrets: Stories from Richmond, published by Chop Suey Books, (Buys et al. 33-42, 168 – 179)

2010 OLAF’S DOOR, a narrated picture book, e-published by FrogDog Media/Zuuka

education

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, VA Certificate in Botanical Illustration, May 2010

VCU, Richmond, VA, Certificate in Information Systems, August 1987 Honors: DPMA Scholarship, January 1987

University of VA, Charlottesville, VA, M.Ed., August 1976

Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, B.A. French, August 1969 Honors: Dean’s List

American University in Paris, Paris, France, 1/66 – 6/67

employment

2011 – Present Instructor, botanical painting, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, VA.

2009 – 2015 Narrator, audio books.

11/05-1/2018 Reviewer, Children and YA Books, Children’s Literature.

7/01 – 6/02 Consultant, Adoptive Family Preservation Initiative, RRP/VDD, VCU, Richmond, VA

2/00 – 5/00 ESL Instructor, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Corporate Program, Richmond, VA

10/97 – 5/00 Assistant teacher and art teacher at the Tuckahoe Montessori School, Richmond, VA

5/81 – 1/92 Programmer/Systems Analyst, Information Systems, State Government, and private industry.

9/71 – 5/81 Counselor, State Government and private, non-profit rehabilitation agencies in Virginia