For the month of May, we are elated to have Botanical Artist, Linda Vorobik displaying her works on the walls of the library, and fiber artist, Michelle Mielke displaying her Anigurumi crochet works in the display case.
Both artists will give talks at the opening reception on Saturday, May 3 at 5 pm as part of First Saturday Art Walk. There will also be a one day installation of community dollhouses on display during First Saturday Art Walk!
More about Linda Vorobik:
Linda Ann Vorobik, PhD, is a research affiliate at the University and Jepson Herbaria, University of California, Berkeley, and at the Herbarium, Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle. She is the principal illustrator for botanical publications including but not limited to Flora North America Volume 25 (Grasses; Barkworth, Editor)), The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California (Baldwin, Editor), The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California (Hickman, Editor), and four floras of the California Channel Islands by Junak and Guilliams of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
Linda cherishes all three west coast states as home: she holds a PhD from the University of Oregon, Eugene, conducts field research and teaches in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon, and studies the flora of the Sierra Nevada, California. Linda was editor of Fremontia, the journal of the California Native Plant Society from 2000-2006, and she conducts research on the genera Arabis and Erysimum in Oregon and California. Linda currently lives at her family home on Lopez Island, Washington.
As well as executing precise and accurate botanical illustrations for books and journals, Linda sells her color work as originals, prints, and cards, and teaches botany and botanical illustration workshops. For more information, see www.VorobikBotanicalArt.com.
More on Michelle Mielke:
I am primarily a self-taught crocheter who loves creating amigurumi – the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting stuffed yarn creatures. Initially inspired by their mythology and variety, I started making gnomes. As my technique and consistency improved, I expanded to teddy bears, dolls and representations of animals and people. Recently, I have added the element of fantasy including dragons, nixies, sprites – mythical creatures of land, air, and water. I love adding the details and accessories to each one. As every creature comes into being, I am filled with joy as each one seems to have their own expression, character and uniqueness. I am most happy when this joy is shared by a child or adult who picks up a creature that calls to them.