I had the great honor and pleasure of sharing 4 workshops on pollen this past weekend with artist and author, Lori Weidenhammer. Lori gave me a copy of her new book, Victory Gardens for Bees, which I was thrilled to share with workshop participants. This beautiful and timely book will be on the shelves very soon. It is a fantastic compendium of gardening information with the express aim of helping our native pollinators. The book is lushly illustrated with stunning photos, and it is a delight to hear Lori’s voice come through in the text.
The free weekend workshops Lori and I facilitated were offered through Artstarts at the New Westminster Quay location and at Artstarts downtown Vancouver. We drew, stamped, collaged and embellished bees and flowers and made postcards and matching buttons. Not only did we celebrate flowers, bees and pollen but we even got to celebrate the 20th birthday of ArtStarts four times!!!!
Looking at flower parts and pollen with a loupe. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Dark purple pollen of anemone. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Peering at the stamens and pistil of a cherry blossom. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Hairy-belly bee postcard. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Artists of all ages participated – even Moms and Dads! Here’s a beautiful bee and flower themed postcard and button made by a Dad working along side his children. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Beautiful bee, flower and sunshine postcard and button made by a young participant. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Young artist proudly shows off her queen bee postcard, with golden finger-print pollen! Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Lots of food for bees in this garden postcard. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
A beautiful button of a native bee made by a young artist. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Dissected cherry blossom postcard and button. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Working on honey comb-themed button! Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
For exploration and drawing, a selection of flowers in bloom right now . Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Pink pollen and bees! Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
Self-portrait with super bees and flowers! There’s even a butterfly in this garden postcard. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
It’s great to see parents participate in the workshop. Here’s a beautifully drawn card and button made by a Mom working along side her own young artists. Photo: Lori Weidenhammer
jasna guy 
Love the idea of pollen workshops!
Thank you. It is a fantastic subject area to explore, but then, as a beekeeper, you would see the lovely pollen loads your bees bring in!
Darn- I wish I knew about this- I would have visited. I love what you two are doing. – to paint with pollen- very seductive.
Hi Tracie,
I’ll let you know next time a workshop is planned!
Many thanks for your comments.
Talk soon