This week, we are highlighting two incredibly talented individuals who have illuminated the beauty and diversity here at Bees N Blooms in ways that invite people in to take a closer look. As stated by local artist Erin Dertner, Bees N Blooms is one of those special, peaceful places that “aches to be painted” and photographed. Through painting in a Fanciful Impressionism style, Dertner has created four stunning paintings of our lavender labyrinth and flower gardens and is working on more. Similarly, photographer Mark Hullinger has captured the diversity and complexity of the collection of insects that call Bees N Blooms home with his state-of-the-art macro lenses and keen eye. As a side note, if you are viewing this blog from your email, please click on the link to view it on our website to see the images of the various paintings by Erin Dertner and photos by Mark Hullinger.
Erin Dertner
For those that have a yearning for peace and beauty, Dertner delights in capturing stand-still moments in time in idyllic places, like Bees N Blooms. She particularly loves to paint flower fields, European and Mediterranean villages, gardens, vineyards and all places bright and beautiful. Creating dramatic lighting, captivating expanses and dreamlike backdrops are some of the things that drive her to create art that evokes the feeling of peace and tranquillity. As seen in her artwork below, she has captured the stunning elegance and vast beauty that emanates from every corner of the land at Bees N Blooms.
When asked what she enjoys most about the setting of BNB, she responded with gratitude that she doesn’t have to fly all the way to the South of France every time she wants to be surrounded by lavender. “Bees N Blooms is such a place, chock full of colors, textures, glorious close-ups with distant horizons…how can one not be inspired” she asked. Thank you to Erin Dertner for capturing the inspiring beauty and brilliance here at the farm.
You can view her orginal artwork at 127 4th Street here in Santa Rosa near Railroad Square at the end of this month, or purchase a greeting card, cup or face mask with her paintings of Bees N Blooms at our Farm Stand during our open Lavender Daze.
Mark Hullinger
Mark has been photographing the various critters of Bees N Blooms for the past three years. Considering our role as a toxic-free sanctuary for wildlife and pollinators, the land is always teeming with thousands of different varieties of bees, insects, butterflies and other insects.
Starting out, you would never believe that Hullinger had no interest in photography. He had won a Canon 40D DLSR in a company sales contest in 2012 and didn’t know what to do with the camera once he got it. It wasn’t until 2014 when he started using it to take closeups of insects and wildflowers when his newfound passion for photography bloomed. When he first started out, he would only do high magnification macro photography of insects and wildflowers. Now, he is branching out and taking more photos of birds with his zoom lens.
His all time favorite setting to capture is insects on flowers because of the interdependence between the two. Mark notes: “A flower needs the bee and the bee needs the flower. Both are beautiful and even more so together. I capture details that I can’t see with the naked eye.”
He enthusiastically said “Bees N Blooms is my favorite place in Sonoma to photograph. The abundance of flowers and insects blows me away. I see new insects every time I go there. I have taken pictures of nearly 20 different species of wild bees and wasps there. I had no idea so many existed in such a small area. I am also getting photos of many different birds there. I captured a Hooded Oriole there on my last trip.”
When asked why he enjoys photography, Mark stated “Quite simply, photography has forced me to take a closer look at things and to see things differently. I am in love with the vast, beautiful diversity of nature. I can capture what I see with a camera and return to it.” Ultimately, Hullinger shares his photos with others so that they can also participate in what he gets to see. I get really excited when others ask me about getting into photography since it has brought me so much joy.”
Caitlyn,
Very nice write up on such a great place. You are a gifted writer.
This is absolutely great. Caitlyn, you do a great job and these two artists are really outstanding! Does Erin give any water painting classes there? That would be fun. Anyway, just want to say you are doing a great job for Bees N Bloom!
Thea