"Gusta is sensual in her observations of the natural world, in the selection of her subjects and in the use of her materials. It is very clear that she delights in form and texture; from the delicate transparency of a petal to the unexpected twist of a stem, or the sculptural contours of a leaf, Gusta brings much more to this work than mechanical accuracy. Far from mere specimen renderings, Gusta's work is luminous and playful. Using colored pencil, gouache, water color and graphite, she virtually pulls life out of the paper. Where art and science meet; with skill and passion, botany is enlivened and beauty is the result."

Sue Niewiarowski, free-lance writer; The Flash, EPFL Newspaper, October 2009

 

"Gusta van Dobbenburgh takes us on a fascinating journey to the heart of the plant kingdom. With precision and great finesse, graphite, colored pencil, gouache and watercolor are the masterfully applied media that unveil the fragile beauty of the botanical universe that surrounds us. Nature speaks to us through every work of art..."

Alain Chollet, Domaine Le Daley, Switzerland, April 2008

 

"So, so, so very beautiful."

Thomas Famington, on the Ansonia Gallery exhibition, New York City, January 2006

 

"It is not only that you have depicted with great accuracy the plants that you have chosen to illustrate: it is that you have illustrated them with a  beauty and a balance that make them into great works of botanical art. The sharpness, precision and clarity of your art remind me of the works of Albrecht Dürer."

Marvin Harold Cheiten, author, poet, playwright and patron, Princeton, November 2005

 

"The fig is truly wonderful. The color, the way the light hits the fruit, the details on the leaves, the depth. First rate."

Benne de Weger, commissioning patron, The Netherlands, October 2005

 

"A sweet pea gently drapes the canvas, its wispy tendrils dancing with the flower's delicate pink petals. In contrast, a clipping of a vine exposes the artist's inner sensitivity and skill. All of her renderings reflect her personality whether gesturing or poised. Exquisitely executed."

Summit Observer-Echo Leader, New Jersey, June 16, 2005

 

"Van Dobbenburgh's work has been described as rich in form, tone and dimension. For Botanical.nl she unveils the study of bulbs, vines and flowers."

The Independent Press, New Jersey, June 15, 2005

 

"Van Dobbenburgh's graphite flowers, such as her drawing entitled "Black Rose" are a dark symphony of pleats, folds, tones, dimensions and roundness of form.

The Observer Tribune, New Jersey, November 11, 2004

 

"The "Black Rose" is a stately and elegant work taking a small bow to the world holding her hand to her face. "Under Mother's Wings" is stronger and appears as a mother with her children in a dance to life, still connected as one. The artist's sensitivity to her subject combined with her apt skill at drawing leaves us with a representation we should all be grateful for."

Franklin 54 Gallery, New York City, November 2004