2 & 3 November 2024, Australian Flora Series: Wattles and relatives (Fabaceae) with Dr Tanya Scharaschkin.

Explore the science of the Australian plant family Fabaceae in detail with botanist and artist Dr Tanya Scharaschkin!

• Dates: 2 & 3 November 2024
  
• Times: Saturday and Sunday 9.30am - 4.30pm
  
• Venue: NatureArt Lab Studio, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith
• Field trip: National Arboretum, Step Gardens, Sunday 9:30am - 11:30am. (Followed by more at our studio)
  

About the Course

Undertake a 2-day close examination of wattles and their relatives, such as peas, in the plant family Fabaceae. Have you ever wondered by wattle leaves look weird? Or have you heard about the great international controversy regarding the use of the name Acacia for Australian wattles? On Day 1, we will examine flowers and vegetative material in detail and learn about the structure, ecology and evolutionary history of this family. On Day 2, participants will meet at the Nation Arboretum Step Gardens and undertake a botanical study, combining art and science to document their observations on one species of their choosing.
Tanya really enjoys drawing wattles in graphite and pen. She has attempted to capture the essence of wattles in looser style using water colour. She also illustrated a number of wattles in the ~150 or so artworks that she contributed to the Tiny Art “Day of the Species” project in 2020.

Learning Outcomes

• A greater understanding of plant structure
• Techniques for dissecting and examining flowers and other plant parts
• Steps involved in observing and documenting botanical specimens
• An understanding of botanical terminology commonly used for plant identification
• An appreciation for the beauty and complexity of plants around us
• A series of labelled drawings of plant parts
• Ink drawing inspired by parts of a plant

Discount Offer:

If you wish to attend two or more workshops of the Australian Flora Series, please use the following code for a discount of 15% off the total cost for the two workshops: AUSPLANTS24

Materials List 

A list of required materials will be emailed to you prior to the start of the course, but please bring along:

• Sketch book or note book, fine tip pens, collier pencils, watercolour, pencil, sharpener and eraser • Transparent plastic ruler with clearly marked measurements  • Reading glasses if you need to use them!
• Our studio will provide for use in this workshop: Dissecting kits with forceps, scalpel, dissecting needles; magnifying lenses with lights; microscopes. 

About the Tutor

Dr Tanya Scharaschkin is a botanist, artist and teacher. Tanya is intrigued by patterns in nature and is keen to share the beauty of plants that she sees at different scales as a botanist. Her artwork combines traditional botanical art with photography and digital art using a variety of media. She hopes her art will inspire others to not only admire plants but also develop an understanding and appreciation for the biology of plants.  

Tanya is an enthusiastic and well-organised instructor. Her lectures, talks and workshops enable the general public to understand scientific concepts. Tanya conducts a variety of workshops as a way of sharing her enthusiasm for plants and bringing art and science together. 

Tanya was born and brought up in Pakistan. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Botany and Zoology and a Master’s in Science degree in Zoology from Pakistan, followed by a Master’s degree in Vertebrate Paleontology and a PhD in Plant Systematics from the US. Much of her academic career was spent at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane. She is now a free-lance botanist and artist, living and working in Collinsvale, Tasmania. Most of Tanya’s projects incorporate a botanical theme, although she has designed, made and exhibited mathematically-motivated quilts. Her artwork is held in private collections, in Australia and overseas.

 Images: Artwork by Dr Tanya Scharaskhkin, Photographs by Tanya Scharaschkin and Julia Landford