Activity Exhibition
Botanical Study Watercolor Workshop with Jean Cate of Martha Mae (SOLD OUT)
Thursday, August 7, 2025, 2025
Inspired by Rory McEwen’s: A New Perspective on Nature, artist Jean Cate will be leading a botanical study watercolor workshop at the Driehaus Museum.
Join artist and Martha Mae Art Supplies and Beautiful Things and The Center of Order and Experimentation owner, Jean Cate, for an in-person botanical study watercolor workshop. Dive into the world of watercolors by studying an array of floral subjects. The shapes, textures, color, and movement of each stem will inform our portraits. Live botanicals will line the tables and guests will be able to pick and choose their muse. Jean will start class with a tutorial and offer hands-on assistance throughout
the session.
Snacks and drinks to enjoy on the terrace will be provided as well as a private tour through the Museum.
All necessary materials will be provided for your painting session, but feel free to bring your favorite art supplies if you have them. Martha Mae will bring a selection of painting tools that you can purchase post-event.
About the Artist
Jean Cate is an artist, living and working in Chicago. She received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with focuses in painting, drawing, printmaking, and ceramics. Cate also studied papermaking, philosophy, and performance at Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency in Saugatuck, MI.
Cate creates evocative paintings and drawings exploring the theme of atmosphere. Her works draw inspiration from the ever-changing and dramatic forces of nature. Utilizing watercolor, pastel, ink, and salt on raw birch wood panel, Cate engages with these mediums in a dance-like manner, relinquishing the illusion of control and allowing natural forces like water, air, and gravity to shape the artwork. When not working in abstract form, Cate draws quiet, still portraits of flora and fauna.
Cate’s work has been featured in hotel projects by Marriott, print publications: Cereal, Monocle, Wallpaper*, and the Steve McQueen film Widows.
Image courtesy of Jean Cate.