February 2016
Monthly Meeting
Monday, February 8, 6:00 pm
First Christian Church
Corner of Kirkwood and Washington
Bloomington, Indiana
After the usual short business meeting, the program begins…and this one is going to be fun!
BWS has happily added many new artists recently to its roster…artists not only new to BWS, but new to Bloomington. So, in order to meet each other, we will be doing “Speed Dating!”
Carol Rhodes, 2nd VP, who has extensive experience coordinating workshops for IU and national organizations, will lead us as we get to know each other. Here’s what she has to say:
“Over the past few years, speed networking has emerged as an entertaining and humorous activity for getting to know people. Speed networking takes place in a room layout that configures people in pairs. As soon as participants have assembled, an event leader announces an art-related topic and then signals the beginning of timed conversations. At the beginning of each “round robin,” the first person in each pair introduces him/herself and says something about the topic. At the halfway point, the conversation switches to the other person, who then adds their perspective on the same topic. After a 4-to-5-minute total period for each topic, the event leader indicates that it is time to move on to the next person and to talk about a new art topic. At the end of the event, everyone has made new artist friends, most of them with people they would not ordinarily have approached. It’s a little noisy, but it’s very jovial! Ideas for topics are welcomed.”
Suggested topics may include, “Why I love watercolor,” or, “Tell me about your background in art.”
THE ART OF CHOCOLATE
Opening Reception: Friday, February 5, 5-8
The Vault at Gallery Mortgage
“Waiting for Godiva,” watercolor by Char Dapena
121 E Sixth Street
Bloomington, Indiana
Who doesn’t love Chocolate, especially at Valentine’s Day? Bring your sweetie and enjoy this fun exhibit! It runs through March 31, and gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9-5.
Friday, March 4, there will be a second reception during Gallery Walk.
BWS will be represented at The Art of Chocolate dinner event on February 13 with artists Nancy Davis Metz, Cassidy Young, and yours truly doing watercolor demos. Ten to twelve paintings from the exhibit will be featured for sale at the dinner event, also.
All sales benefit the artist and LIFEDesigns, an organization which helps people with developmental disabilities gain community living skills…a very worthy purpose. For a complete listing of the events for the Week of Chocolate, go to lifedesignsinc.org/week-of-chocolate-2/. For tickets to the dinner, click on that event’s link.
Take-in Day: Tricia and Nina admire Cassidy’s entry, “Milk and Chocolate.”
ANNOUNCING the BWS SPRING WORKSHOP
“Art Journaling: Living the Illustrated Life”
Steve Dawson, Instructor
Saturday, April 2nd
9:00 – 3:00
First Christian Church
Cost: $50 for members; $60 for non-members
Catered light lunch available for $7
Fee includes a 9×12 watercolor journal!
Reservations open at the February meeting.
Journal page, Steve Dawson
“Sailboat,” watercolor by Steve Dawson.
Steve is a prolific and very talented journaling artist and brings a special inspiration to his classes. For his bio and complete workshop details, please go to BloomingtonWatercolor.org.
Description: “In this workshop, we are going to explore Art Journaling and how we can use it as a way to bring Art into our lives on a daily basis. Art Journaling is a no-stress and pressure-free way to relax, experiment, and have fun! And, by keeping our art journaling supplies close by, any time is art journaling time. In the hectic and busy world we all live in, Art Journaling is an easy and inexpensive way to remember to have fun and explore our world through Art. Over time, the little journals and sketchbooks we keep become treasures that chronicle our Illustrated Life.”
Workshop Supplies: Watercolor paints, brushes, ink pens, pencil, ruler or straightedge, and something from your studio or junk drawer that you haven’t used in a while. We can sometimes find inspiration by experimenting with a different medium or tool. And, lastly, a fun attitude – we are going to tap into our inner 8 year old and have a blast playing in our art journal sandbox!
MEMBER ACTIVITIES
BWS Upland Plein Air Painters (UP)
UP is the recently organized group of BWS artists whose goal is to provide a weekly opportunity for painting en plein air. Because winter is a challenging time for plein air, but enthusiasm is strong, several fun events have been organized that are less “weather dependent.” All BWS artists are welcome and, if you’d like to get on their email list, please contact Kristen Stamper.
February 10, Cambridge Square: Valentines, collages & still life. Host: Barbara Edmonds.
February 17, Hutton Honors Building and IU Union: Tour of IU Paintings. Host: Kathy Barton.
February 24, Studio Paint-in or Paint-out at Donna’s. 12 Noon – 3pm. Host: Donna Whitsitt.
UP will meet this winter on Wednesdays from 10am-1pm, unless otherwise specified. The remaining winter season includes February and March, and the March schedule will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Photo by Candi Bailey.
Painting Class
Tricia Wente, BWS Signature member, is leading a workshop this month in Florida at the Boca Grande Art Center. If you’re going to be in the area, feel free to sign up! bocagrandeartcenter.org/
OPPORTUNITY
Indiana Now 2016: The Bicentennial
As Indiana celebrates 200 years of statehood in 2016, The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette will celebrate by presenting the art of contemporary artists in INDIANA NOW 2016: THE BICENTENNIAL. Simultaneously, A BICENTENNIAL LEGACY, ARTSMART: INDIANA featuring historic Hoosier works from public, private and the permanent collection will be on exhibition.
Indiana Now 2016 is a juried, fine art exhibition featuring the work of today’s Indiana artists. If you are a Hoosier by birth or have been a resident for one (1) year anytime in your lifetime you are qualified to enter. We believe “Once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier”.
Chicago artist and gallery owner Kenneth Probst is juror. A total of $2,100.00 cash will be awarded. Both 2D and 3D work will be accepted. The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette may select works for their permanent collection.
Join this celebration of Indiana’s rich artistic culture, both past and present.
Details and entry at www.callforentry.org keyword Indiana Now.
Wishing each and all of you, and those you love, a
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Brushstrokes is the (almost) monthly
newsletter of the
Bloomington (IN) Watercolor Society
Jeanne Ellen Dutton, Editor
BloomingtonWatercolor.org
WePaintBloomington.org
