Learn how to draw in nature

Preston Montague, landscape designer and botanical illustrator, is teaching a series of classes on drawing in nature at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum.

All the classes are intended for enthusiasts with little to no artistic training. Classes may be held indoors or outdoors depending on weather. Here is the schedule:

▪ Drawing in Nature I: Botanical Illustration with Pencil and Pen will be 9 a.m.-noon July 11 and 25. The class introduces basic observation and drawing techniques. The course focuses on pencil and pen to create accurate and beautiful botanical illustrations in black and white.

▪ Drawing in Nature II: Botanical Illustration with Colored Pencil will be 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 15 and 29. This class introduces basic tenets of color theory and techniques for applying color to make illustrations spring to life.

▪ Drawing in Nature III: Botanical Illustration with Watercolor will be 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 19 and 26. This class introduces participants to basic painting techniques using watercolors to produce rich, vibrant botanical illustrations. This course builds on the color theory and colored pencil exercises learned in Drawing in Nature II.

Each class costs $120 for members and $150 for nonmembers. Advance registration is required and can be completed online: jcra.ncsu.edu.

The arboretum is at 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh. Info: 919-515-3132.
Check out U.S. Modernist Radio Podcast

George Smart, founder of N.C. Modernist Houses, is hosting a new podcast, “U.S. Modernist Radio: Architecture You Love.”

Recent episodes include: a conversation with The Avett Brothers cellist Joe Kwon and Craig Kerins and Robby Johnston of Raleigh Architecture & Raleigh Construction about Kwon’s new modernist house; and a talk with Louis Cherry and Marsha Gordon about the controversy and litigation surrounding their modernist home in Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood.

To see how to download episodes, go to usmodernistradio.org.
N.C. Botanical Garden’s pollinator programs continue

The N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill is continuing its Saving our Pollinators programs.

Here is the schedule for July:

▪ Noon-1 p.m. July 9. Johnny Randall, the garden’s director of conservation programs, will talk about the efforts at pollinator habitat restoration in the garden’s nature preserves. Free but preregistration required.

▪ 10-11 a.m. July 18. Bring children, ages 3-5, to learn about our pollinators through nature hikes, games, crafts and stories. Cost per child with one accompanying adult: $10 ($8 members).

▪ 3-4 p.m. July 19. Poet Jeffery Beam will read bee poems including from his own “Life of the Bee” and poems by Neruda, Plath and Virgil, among others. Cost: $10 ($8 members).

▪ 2:30-4:30 p.m. July 26. Nancy Adamson, a pollinator conservation specialist, will lead a walk in the garden to see who inhabits native plants. Cost: $15 ($10 members)

The garden is at 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill. Info: 919-962-0522, ncbg.unc.edu.

Weigl: 919-829-4848;

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/living/home-garden/article25840402.html#storylink=cpy