Jessie Arms Botke, <em>Untitled Flamingos</em>, 1926, Oil on canvas mounted on board, 40 x 34 in. UCI Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art, Gift of The Irvine Museum
Jessie Arms Botke, Untitled Flamingos, 1926, Oil on canvas mounted on board, 40 x 34 in. UCI Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art, Gift of The Irvine Museum

Untitled, Flamingos

Jessie Arms Botke

Musings | Monthly Muse December 2022

I am transfixed by the majestic flamingos in this painting. Their demure and relaxed demeanor elicit a sense of calm, transporting me to a quiet and serene place. In Untitled, Flamingos, Jessie Arms Botke, once revered by critics as “the greatest decorative painter of the West,” depicts the familiar and lush pinkish hues of these unique birds. She deftly renders the details and softness of their feathers, repeating similar coloration and forms in the lotus flowers below. I feel a deep connection with the aura of these fantastic birds and my energy responds to the various shades of pink. I would love to spend a day immersed in the beauty of these graceful creatures.

Jamie Bigman
Assistant Director of Development
UCI University Advancement