Orinda Art Scene – June 2026

   Few Californians would disagree with famed Renaissance scientist and clearly, wine connoisseur, Galileo Galilei when he said, “Wine is sunlight, held together by water.” Even fewer would disagree that the transformation of light and color into waves of fascinating watercolor paintings has its own magic, especially after viewing the June exhibit at the Art Gallery in the Orinda Library.
   Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to explore what artists from the California Watercolor Association and the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists can do with light, color and water media from May 30 to June 26. Their opening reception on June 6 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. is a good time to meet this group of water-loving painters.
   Board Member Kathleen Stumpfel of the 500-strong California Watercolor Association (CWA) said their mission is to create, foster and sustain artistic growth and interest in water media. These goals are accomplished through their community outreach programs, workshops, public exhibitions and public art demonstrations. Visit californiawatercolor.org/ for more information.
   The theme for this CWA show is “The Wild and the Still.”
   “There are many meaningful subjects that inspire our artists, including about 30 paintings of wild or still places or people,” said Stumpfel.
   Cash awards are presented at the opening reception for first, second and third place, plus honorable mention.
   Along with Stumpfel, at press time, exhibiting CWA members include Donna Davies, Tiffany Ferreri, John Hopper, Carol Irwin, Carol Husslein, Ben Mohr, Marina Omelianenk, Michael O’Rourke, Sue Pearistein, Jaladhi Pujara, Heidi Schmidt, Kristen Theurer and Joseph Tringali.
   Northern California Society of Botanical Artists (NCalSBA) exhibiting work include Cindy Barber, Gina Barretta, Linda Kam, Carol Lee-Chung and Tina Locke. All have participated in the “Plants Illustrated” exhibit at the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley.
   They have all had pieces juried into the prestigious “UC Botanical Garden Florilegium.” All exhibitors, plus Bea Haase, are students of botanical artist and instructor Catherine Watters. Haase also serves as treasurer of the Lamorinda Arts Council.
   “I am deeply grateful to Catherine Watters for introducing me to this art form and a community of artists who constantly inspire me,” said Barber. “The meditative experience of close observation of botanical forms and the challenge of capturing their image accurately and creatively is, for me, rewarding and enriching.”
   Their subject matter includes not only botanical art, but a few other areas such as portraiture.
   “Through my botanical and Chinese brush paintings, I make every effort to capture natural beauty and quiet energy,” said Kam. “I am in awe of nature’s creations that I try to depict in my artwork.”
   It is said that passion for detail is what separates botanical artists from floral artists; they are rigorous in depicting an accurate image of their subject matter.
   Sometimes it takes months to complete a single painting. Barretta said this is because botanical paintings reflect the artist’s deep understanding of their subject matter. She points out that historically, botanical paintings were used for scientific purposes and species identification; ergo, accuracy was paramount.
   “I have been a student of Catherine Watters for 22 years. It has been a wonderful journey learning about the amazing details that make up a flower, tree, fruit or plant,” said Locke.
   To learn more, visit ncalsba.org/.
   Visit the gallery to view artwork from May 30 to June 26 at 26 Orinda Way. Hours are Monday -Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sundays and June 19.
   Call 925.254.2184 for more Library information or visit ccclib.org/. Questions about the exhibit or need more information? Call 925.359.4490, email gallery@LamorindaArts.org or visit LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2.