Camp David Botanicals

The Camp David Botanicals are reproductions from a 12-piece series of original works by artist Wendy Cortesi, commissioned by Mrs. Laura W. Bush. The original paintings reside at Camp David and were inspired by the native plants on the grounds.

Prints are available unframed or framed and matted. Please make your selection above.

Measurements:

• Unframed: 17 1/2 inches x 22 inches
• Framed: 24 inches x 29 inches (+$250)

MADE IN THE USA

WENDY CORTESI'S STORY BEHIND THE ART

This watercolor was based on studies, photographs, and collected specimens of plants in the wild found in the Catoctin Mountain Park area of Pennsylvania and Maryland, the National Arboretum and various locations in Virginia. I used my favorite 300-pound, soft press, Fabriano Uno watercolor paper. This paper is acid free, does not buckle in humid conditions and has a slightly textured finish between hot and cold press. I also use distilled water and the most stable and lightfast watercolor paints available. My palette does not include any cadmium colors, which may be unstable in damp conditions, or ultramarine blue, which actually disappears when touched with anything acidic. I occasionally apply masking fluid to protect fine detail and often draw with quill pens with mixed watercolor tints instead of ink. I do not currently combine watercolor with colored pencil or gouache. My interest in photographing and painting medicinal plants sprang from a 2006 exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of Art entitled Botanical Treasures of Lewis and Clark—New Art For the Bicentennial. I was one of the three organizers, and a participating artist, for the exhibit that featured plants collected or described by Lewis and Clark during their extraordnary expedition of 1804 – 1806.