Brushstrokes January 2016

January 2017

Monthly Meeting
Monday, January 9, 6:00 pm
First Christian Church, Bloomington
After a brief business meeting, where we can catch up on things after the holiday break, guest presenter Steve Dawson will provide us with the program, “Perspective Techniques and One-Minute Drawings.”
“How does an artist achieve realistic three-dimensional drawings from a flat 2D picture plane?  We will explore techniques in linear and visual perspective that will help bring depth to your work.  We will also briefly discuss creating a focal point, creating visual interest around your subject, and creating color harmony in your work.
Last, we will wrap up with some 1-minute drawing exercises to illustrate some of the key points.  SUPPLIES:  Bring a sketchbook or your favorite watercolor pad/paper, a pencil or pen and a small watercolor kit.”
Steve is a Bloomington, Indiana artist working in oil, watercolor and pastel.  With a primary focus on the landscape, he works to create paintings that capture a specific moment in time so that the viewer can feel the beauty of what he saw in the scene.  Steve’s award-winning work is represented by the Brown County Art Gallery.  He has taught classes and workshops to bring simple ideas into focus to spark creativity.
Steve is president of HFI (Harrell-Fish Incorporated) Mechanical & Building Solutions.  He enjoys all things outdoors and lives on his Sagamore Farm Estate with his family and their yellow lab, Linus.
MEMBER ACTIVITIES
HOLIDAY PARTY
Forty-five people enjoyed a beautiful evening at Meadowood on December 6.  The food, as always, was delicious, the décor outstanding, and the group in great spirits!  Many thanks to Connie Brorson for hosting BWS and to Jo Weddle for making all the arrangements with the chef.  Artists were invited to bring a hand painted greeting card.  Using a number system, people then picked their favorite to take home.  Here are the artists’ creations.
cards-at-the-2016-holiday-party
The door prizes included a Chinese watercolor set, a Strathmore 9×12 journal, and assorted items.   Congratulations to Kriste Lindberg who won the Grand Prize (which was really grand!), an original watercolor by visiting South African artist, Grant Wood.
Here’s a note from Kriste:
“The holiday dinner is always a wonderful event.  It is such a pleasure to see everyone and share in blessings of the season.  This year, I was pleasantly surprised to win a door prize, a Grant Wood original, the one he used as a demo in his workshop.  I have already had it framed and it is now hanging up in my home!  Thanks to all and I look forward to painting with you in the New Year…”

Seascape, the grand prize at the Holiday Party 2016

Seascape, the grand prize at the Holiday Party 2016

nina-and-friend-visiting-12-9-16

Nina Ost chats with a visitor at the opening reception.

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Guest cellist, Claire Solomon, entertaining at the opening reception.

We Paint…the Bicentennial!
The Opening Reception took place Friday, December 9, at the Monroe County History Center with over 100 people in attendance!  It’s a beautiful show in an appropriate setting and will be up through February 18.  Many thanks to Anne-Karine Bley and Tricia Wente, co-chairs, and their helpers who put in lots of hours to make this show and reception such a great success!
Jerome Harste received a Merit Award for his painting “Jericho” at the Missouri Watercolor Society’s 2017 Membership Exhibition now being shown in Gallery 1900 located in downtown St. Louis.
Jerry also was honored as one of his paintings was used as the cover for an ebook.

"Jericho," watercolor on paper, Jerry Harste.

“Jericho,” watercolor on paper, Jerry Harste.

 

jerrys-hearts-as-ebook-coverBetty Wagoner has received an Arts in the Parks grant from the Indiana Arts Commission. The title is “Plein Air Painting with Watercolor Media.”   Betty will be teaching five plein air classes in watercolor pencil and watercolor painting at T.C. Steele State Historic Site and at Starve Hollow State Recreation Area. The classes begin in March and end in August.  Keep watch for more news about the classes!
BWS Upland Plein Air Painters
From Kristen Stamper:
Organization Meeting and Potluck Lunch
Tuesday, January 17, 10 am – 1 pm
Hosted by Jacki Frey
“BWS Upland Plein Air Painters will be scheduling painting events for nearly every week in 2017. Come to our organization meeting and lunch on Tuesday, January 17. This is a great time to get involved and help us plan where to go painting in 2017. The one requirement of membership is to host at least one painting event in the coming year. This means you get to decide where we will go to paint—it could be a public park, private land, your studio, or wherever you would like.”
For full details, send an email to upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org
GALLERY WALK
On Friday, January 6th, 2017, Flowing Colors Studio, a working arts studio located above Caveat Emptor Book Sellers, 112 North Walnut Street, Suite 600, will have the studio open to the public from 5 pm to 8 pm.  Flowing Color Studio artists are Don Geyra, Kathy Barton, Patricia C. Coleman, and Joanne Shank, members of BWS.  Some artists may demonstrate during the open studio.  Flowing Colors Studio offers an eclectic mix of media, from oils, watercolors and acrylic to botanical dye, book arts, tessellations and fiber arts.  Classes in bookmaking and contemplative creative arts for small groups scheduled for 2017.  Stop in and see what’s happening.  Visit Flowing Colors Studio online at http://flowingcolorsstudio.blo gspot.com
Herald-Times
Thanks to the H-T for featuring so many BWS artists in their special featuring winter scenes!
herald-times-and-bws
Tricia Wente‘s portrait commission was recently unveiled in Portland, Oregon. The painting is honoring three historic foresters: David Mason, Donald Bruce and Jim Girard, the founders of MB&G. The natural resources consulting firm is celebrating its 95th year in business. Wendy Wente is shown here with the painting.tricia-wente-portrait-of-founders-portland
Anne-Karine Bley joined Jeanne Dutton at College Mall on December 14, providing demonstration of watercolor painting by creating holiday cards.  Thank you to Gabe Colman of The Venue for arranging the opportunity.  Watch for further news about possible events at the mall in the future.  Sales of the cards support the BWS Scholarship!
anne-karine-and-me-at-macys

OPPORTUNITIES
Arts Fair on the Square
Don’t delay – apply NOW to join! The artist application deadline is March 17, 2017. For more information about Arts Fair on the Square and submission guidelines, please visit the website at www.artsfair.org. Submit your application through ZAPP at www.ZAPPlication.org (register for a free account and then search for Arts Fair on the Square Bloomington). Please contact us with any questions or concerns; our team is committed to supporting YOU and providing the best experience possible!    www.artsfair.org/artists.html
fair-on-the-square-2017ART of CHOCOLATE
February brings back the month of chocolate, and this year’s theme is Mardi Gras!  Because of the success of last year’s involvement, BWS has been invited to participate again in 2017.  For a copy of the prospectus, send a request to info@BloomingtonWatercolor.org.  Paintings are due February 1, so there’s plenty of time to create your work of art!  Any medium is accepted with Mardi Gras as the theme.  The BWS exhibit will be held at The Vault Gallery.  Opening Reception is Gallery Walk, Friday, February 3.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES
Ivy Tech is offering several opportunities to grow your watercolor and mixed media skills with BWS members.  Happily, an evening class is now being offered!  Carol Rhodes will be teaching Beginning Watercolor I and II on Tuesday evenings.
Nancy Metz is continuing her “Improvers’ Series” with “Exploring Art Elements” on Wednesday afternoons.
This editor is offering Beginning Watercolor III and IV on Thursday afternoons.
In Bedford, starting March 21, Nancy Metz is teaching “Watercolor Basics.”
March 18, Jeanne Dutton (that’s me!) leads a watercolor workshop at Burton Kimble Farms in Orleans.  “Watercolor Spring Flowers and Lunch on the Farm” offers an opportunity for non-artists to learn the quick basics, then paint two-three small works of art, and enjoy a light lunch in the cozy, charming country kitchen in the old farmhouse.
“Mixed Media Collage Exploration” and “Wabi Sabi Art” is taught at the Waldron by Linda Meyer-Wright.
Don’t delay – register today! – some classes start in two weeks!  Find the full descriptions and register online at https://www.ivytech.edu/bloomington/cll/

 

Your editor toasts in the new year with the best of wishes to all of you for a wonderfully happy 2017!
jeanne-toasting-a-merry-christmas-12-6-2016

Brushstrokes is the (almost) monthly
newsletter of the
Bloomington (IN) Watercolor Society
Jeanne Ellen Dutton, Editor
BloomingtonWatercolor.org
info@BloomingtonWatercolor.org

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