#botanicality15

After your 48 official entries were narrowed down to 15 finalists, this year’s winners are ...

BEST OF SHOW: DIGITAL CATEGORY

Sasha’s Friends by to-see-clearly

BEST OF SHOW: DRAWING CATEGORY

Wood Strawberry Botanical Plate by seas-of-stars

BEST OF SHOW: MIXED MEDIA CATEGORY

Two Magnolias (Magnolia stellata and Magnolia x soulangeana) by aaronapsley

BEST OF SHOW: PAINTING CATEGORY

Gasteria bicolor var. liliputana by aaronapsley

BEST OF SHOW: PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORY

Asparagus by pragmaculture

Congratulations to all of our winners, and now comes the fun part! We will be contacting you via email to get your mailing address to send your prizes!

Who are you and what do you do?

“[I am] full-time managing a food forest and my website.

In a very short time, her blog, biodiverseed has exploded due to in-depth, scientific information as well as a willingness to tackle controversial topics. (She is also on twitter) What kind of art are you typically drawn to?

I love photography! I do quite a bit of it myself, and worked for a year as a model. 

What compelled you to accept the challenge of being on the Botanicality jury?

The entries last year were quite spectacular! I think passion for plants and nature is contagious, and also leads to more mindful living, so I'm all for it.

She is also serving double-duty as a show host this year to allow a wider audience access to the show (and prizes)!

Favorite artist, natural area, or plant?

The Alberta side of the Canadian Rockies is the most beautiful biome on earth, in my biased opinion. I have a tattoo of a mountain I used to camp on when I lived in Canada.

Any other information we should know about you?

Who are you and what do you do?

“I am the graphics ranger at Acadia National Park, where I spend my days immersed in the amazing ecosystems and environment of coastal and island Maine, creating avenues for visitors to connect with the park. Though I studied music and theoretical mathematics in school, after a summer as a park ranger in Grand Canyon, I found my home with the National Park Service.”

So, what is a graphics ranger exactly? If it is photographed, printed, tweeted, or otherwise shared, chances are, Kristi has created it. Check out this shot of Acadia that she shared with me:

So, what kind of art do you prefer? 

“Typically, I am drawn to pen and ink drawings and stunning photography.”

Why did you take me up on joining the art show this year as a jury member?

“I accepted the challenge to serve on the Botanicality jury because I feel it will be a great opportunity to be inspired by the creativity of others.”

In fact, Kristi doesn’t just take awesome photos, here is an ink piece that she created:

So, I know that you work at Acadia National Park, but what other places do you love to see?

“Though it's tough to pick just one, I'd have to say my favorite natural area is Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah. There are some incredible geologic features that fully display the mathematical beauty of nature.”

Jeff Hager, known by the tumblr handle flora-file, has been a co-host of the Botanicality Spring Botanical Art Show since its inception. 

I work as a middle school science teacher and garden educator. I love educating people of all ages about plants and organic gardening, and I love showcasing their amazing beauty. I truly am a floraphile, and my favorite gardening niches include succulents and xeriscape, edibles and permaculture, zen gardening, and California native plants. 

His tumblr is regularly flooded with images like this:

Though my artistic specialty is garden photography, I enjoy most forms of drawing and painting as well, but my skills are less developed in these disciplines. I enjoy stalking through the garden with my camera, searching for garden magic and moments that capture my eye. Macro, colors, patterns, textures; I try to preserve all those tiny precious details so I can share them with others. 

Besides photography my favorite creative activity is writing fiction and creative nonfiction, which will hopefully become a larger part of my life in the near future.  

As a contest host, Jeff provides some outstanding prizes for the winners. Take a look at just a sampling of what he has sent in the past:

His interests include planting seeds, abusing hyperbole, and inventing new ways to procrastinate. He resides in Northern California with one yogic wife, two hungry dogs, and a big patch of dirt. Find tmi at jdhager.com.

Your finalists for Best of Show in the Painting Category, listed in alphabetical order, are: 

Blue Metallic Lady by havekat

Gasteria bicolor var. liliputana by aaronapsley

Passion Flower by johnfrancispetersart

Your finalists for Best of Show in the Mixed Media Category, listed in alphabetical order, are:

Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis by absurdiverum

Empty Sun by shy-electron

Two Magnolias (Magnolia stellata and Magnolia x soulangeana) by aaronapsley

Your finalists for Best of Show in the Drawing Category, listed in alphabetical order are:

Physalis peruviana by absurdiverum

Pink Bromeliad Flower by seas-of-stars

Wood Strawberry Botanical Plate by seas-of-stars

Your finalists for Best of Show in the Digital Category, listed in alphabetical order are:

Sakura by ourlilythelily

Sasha’s Friends by to-see-clearly

Spring Queen Symphony by kihaku-gato