Welcome to Reed-Turner Botanical Artists
Founded in 2005, Reed-Turner Botanical Artists is a community of local artists dedicated to the practice and promotion of traditional and contemporary botanical art. Our abiding goal is to reveal the quiet, often-overlooked beauty in plants, and raise awareness of the importance of plant conservation among the general public through botanical art. For over two decades, our esteemed members have exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally, published books, and regularly contributed to The Botanical Artist, the magazine of the American Society of Botanical Artists.
Reed-Turner Botanical Artists is an ASBA Artists’ Circle — an independent association with a mutual interest in botanical art whose participants may be comprised of ASBA members and non-members.
Members meet monthly throughout the year. Meetings give members the opportunity to gather with fellow botanical artists, learn botanical art techniques, become educated about botany, and share their botanical artwork.
Botanical art is the practice of depicting plants with both scientific accuracy and artistic elegance. It bridges the gap between science and fine art, requiring the artist to deeply understand plant anatomy while creating a visually compelling composition. Artists traditionally work in watercolor, pen and ink, graphite and, more recently colored pencil.
Botanical Illustration focuses strictly on scientific utility, often featuring a diagnostic layout (including roots, seeds, and dissected flower parts) which assists botanists to identify species. These highly accurate plates capture key distinguishing characteristics that camera lenses frequently miss. Artwork: American Blatternut by Doris Gilbert
Botanical Art focuses on a life-size, highly detailed portrait of the plant. While still scientifically accurate, it places a higher emphasis on aesthetic beauty and individual character. The artist strategically uses elements of design to create a balanced harmonious composition. Artwork: Wild black Cherry Tree by Beverly Behrens
Contemporary Botanical Art expands traditional botanical art by capturing extreme macro views or highlighting the beauty in a plant specimen at all stages of development, from seedling to its eventual senescence. While introducing scale and narrative, these contemporary approaches maintain strict, meticulous accuracy. Artwork: Fruit Triptych by Lyndsey Murphee
Membership
Dues are $25 for the year. These dues are put towards programs, website and exhibition costs.
Memberships are for a calendar year, January through December.
Benefits
Shared community of local botanical artist with common goals
Stay up-to-date with the botanical arts events
Workshops, lectures, and field trips throughout the year
Annual local exhibition and sales opportunity
Listing of members websites and artwork in exhibition galleries
Contact us for more information about joining Reed-Turner Botanical Artist.
RTBA members deadline for the Three Crowns Park show is July 10, 2026
From Our Blog
Botanical Sketches and Rambles
Chronicling the interests and activities of Reed-Turner Botanical Artists Circle
Background artwork: George Dionysius Ehret (1708 - 1770)
The Board meets with committees, followed by the members show-and-tell. Later, members share “Studio Secrets" — bring your favorite papers — including unique alternatives to Arches and Fabriano.