This edition of Brushstrokes combines BWS news for July and August. I have done my best to include everything that was submitted, but it is possible I overlooked something. If you sent in an item that was not included and is still newsworthy, please email me. – Nancy Metz, Brushstrokes co-editor

Aug. 8
Program features local author
of “Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Dudley”

Rachel Berenson Perry will talk about her new book, “Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Dudley.” Dudley devoted most of his artistic career to painting what is now the Indiana Dunes National Park, a passion that led to his environmental activism to save the Dunes from industrial development.

Perry, fine arts curator emerita of the Indiana State Museum, is also author of “Paint and Canvas, A Life of T.C. Steele.” A representative of Morgenstern’s Book Store will be at the meeting to sell Perry’s books; cash and credit card payments will be accepted.

The meeting will be in the Great Hall of First Christian Church, at the intersection of Kirkwood and Washington, at 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8. Please enter through the Washington Street door. As is the custom for summer meetings, there will be no business agenda. At the presenter’s request, the meeting will not be available on Zoom. The Great Hall is a large room with windows that open so social distancing and good ventilation can be provided.

Get ready for We Paint…Historic Bloomington!

by Jeanne Dutton
As we prepare for the BWS annual membership show in October and November, mark your calendars for the next event: a paint-out in downtown Bloomington, Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You can set up on the sidewalks, on the lawns at the courthouse or the History Center, or grab a bench and enjoy painting en plein air. How about sketching over an iced latte at a cafe on Kirkwood?

Headquarters for the BWS paint-out will be the Monroe County History Center at 202 E. Sixth St. MCHC provides the place to cool off, greet your fellow artists, enjoy a brown bag lunch, and use of the restrooms. If it’s too hot to paint outside, bring your photos and paint inside. MCHC has graciously offered the education room for our use that day.

Betty Wagoner and Jeanne Dutton will be your hosts. Please contact Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org with questions.

BWS Membership Show: Prospectus and Schedule

“We Paint … Historic Bloomington” is the theme of the 2022 BWS Member Show. It will hang at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., from Oct. 7 to Nov. 27. A second showing will take place at the Monroe County History Center in Summer 2023.

To keep the show fresh, only new work or work not previously displayed in the Bloomington area is eligible. Members may submit one framed artwork. For size restrictions and framing requirements, consult the Show Prospectus https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/prospectus.

Of course, with the rich history of this county, the city limits is not — well, the limit! Quarries. One-room schoolhouses. Farms. So much to choose from.

We are fortunate to be collaborating with the Monroe County History Center, which has over 40,000 images in their files and has graciously waived fees for copies of photos requested by BWS members. To access the photos, go to https://monroehistory.org/photo-fees-and-guidelines/. Contact Hilary Fleck at collection@monroehistory.org for assistance.

Here are the important Show dates to mark in your calendar:

Sept. 15: Submit scanned or photographed artwork for the Online Gallery to Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. Please send in jpg format.

Oct. 4: Deliver paintings to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., between 10 a.m. and noon.

Oct. 7: Opening Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 4: Second Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 28: Pick up paintings at The Vault ay Gallery Mortgage 10 a.m. to noon.

Future paint-outs

Saturday, Sept. 10: Great Outdoor Paint Out at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. The paint-out this year is concurrent with a celebration of the birthday of T. C. Steele. There will be a birthday party with cake and lectures. Artists will enjoy painting at a beautiful site while celebrating Steele’s birthday and, of course, cake. The paint-out fee will increase to $15 which will include the celebration if paid in August. In September the fee increases by $5. To register go to https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INMUSEUM/bulletins/31f91db.

Saturday, Oct. 15: Paint-out and pot luck at Peden Farm.

Summer BWS Paint-outs

Nine BWS members attended a midsummer paint-out at IU’s Hilltop Garden. The day started with rain but as we arrived, the clouds cleared, becoming sunny with a cooling breeze. The garden was beautiful. A variety of flowers plus the Mimosa trees were blooming. We were encouraged to come back in the spring when many more plants are in bloom. Those attending were Kathy Barton, Linda Branstetter, Jan Britton, Charlotte Griffin, Andy Roberts, Patricia Rowbottom, Bill Schwab, MarySue VeerKamp Schwab, and Betty Wagoner.

BWS awards scholarship to Jesse Kogge

by Jeanne Dutton
BWS is pleased to present to Jesse Kogge the annual Art Scholarship Award. Jesse, a student of Cassidy Young, graduated from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship with an interest in photography and sustainable design practices.

Jesse was introduced to BWS via Zoom at the June meeting. Here is more about his creative approach to the art of photography.

His hobby really took hold when he built his first pinhole camera in sixth grade. With the help of a video tutorial, he was able to turn an old shoebox into a genuine, albeit grainy, film camera. Jesse says: “Unfortunately, like many other sixth graders, I was in short supply of the necessary photographic chemicals to develop my film. My workaround to this issue involved a messy concoction of coffee, washing soda, mint leaves, and Emergen-C tablets. Despite its musty odor, the photographic soup produced fair results. That year, my little shoebox camera and I ended up winning grand champion in photography at the county fair.

“Currently, I’m working to design a camera ecosystem that brings the magic of film to everyone, not just individuals with expert knowledge. Recently, I’ve experimented with designs for cameras that can be folded from flat-pack cardboard templates. My ultimate goal is to launch a brand to distribute these types of products, all while studying design at Indiana University.”

Jesse will be pursuing a major in the Eskenazi School’s Comprehensive Design program where he will gain the necessary skills to fulfill his dream of creatively designing thoughtful products based around photography.

Congratulations to Jesse and BWS wishes him the best in his goals and career.

Outgoing President’s Report 2021-2022

by Joanna Samorow-Merzer, outgoing president
With my second term as president ending, I want to thank every member for their support and involvement in our organization. We had an eventful year. BWS survived the pandemic and it keeps going strong. We welcomed new members. Once the pandemic started weakening, we were able to offer to our members a choice of meetings: on Zoom and in-person at the First Christian Church.

Our Technology Committee, Carol Rhodes and Charlotte Griffin, made sure that our Zoom meetings went as smoothly as possible. And our Program Chair, Joanne Weddle, made sure that our space at the FCC was always ready for us, and she was very committed to provide us with monthly programs and the annual holiday party. The Paint-Out Chair, Betty Wagoner, worked hard to organize paint-outs in different locations. The Fall Show Chair, Jacki Frey, organized, with help of other members, our annual membership exhibit “Celebrate Life” at the Viridian Moon Gallery, while the winter benefit show “We paint… Van Gogh’s World!” at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage was organized by Winter Benefit Show Chair Jeanne Dutton.

Our 1st Vice President, Andy Roberts, oversaw the preparation of the “Celebrate Life” exhibit, and our 2nd Vice President, Patty Uffman, worked throughout the year monitoring the membership. Our Treasurer, Carol Rhodes, managed the finances and trained Barbara Coffman to be our new Treasurer in 2022-2023. Our Secretary, Charlotte Griffin, meticulously prepared minutes of every meeting and she was always helpful with her knowledge about how our organization governs itself.

Our Brushstrokes Co-Editors, Jerry Harste and Nancy Davis Metz, kept our online presence lively.Volunteer members helped different Committee Chairs, and many BWS members enriched our exhibits with their paintings. Each of you contributed a lot of your time, hard work and effort so that all of us could enjoy being a part of the BWS family. Thanks to all of you, our organization keeps going and growing stronger. I thank you all for your ways of participating in making BWS an important part of our community.

Executive Board of 2021-2022:

President Joanna Samorow-Merzer
1st VP Andy Roberts
2nd VP Patty Uffman
Treasurer Carol Rhodes
Secretary Charlotte Griffin
Committees of 2020-2021:
Activities:
Brushstrokes Co-Editor: Jerry Harste
Brushstrokes Co-Editor: Nancy Davis-Metz
Finance: Carol Rhodes
Historian: Linda Branstetter
Membership: Patty Uffman
Nominating: Sarah Ward
Paint Out: Betty Wagoner
Programs: Jo Weddle
Publicity:
Refreshment:
Scholarship: Jeanne Dutton
Show: Jacki Frey – Fall Membership Show
Show: Jeanne Dutton – Winter Benefit Show
Technology: Carol Rhodes
Technology: Charlotte Griffin

Here is what our new Executive Board looks like going forward:
Executive Board 2022-2023:
President: Carol Rhodes
1st VP: Katya Alexeeva
2nd VP: Andy Roberts
Treasurer: Barbara Coffman
Secretary: Charlotte Griffin

The new President, Carol Rhodes, will assemble the new Committees in coordination with the new and returning Committee Chairs.

Membership
Our total membership presently is 96. That represents an increase of 11 from the prior year, so we are growing.

2021 BWS Fall Membership Show: “Celebrate Life”
The annual BWS membership show featuring the theme “Celebrate Life” was hosted in October/November 2021 by Irina Shishova at The Viridian Moon Gallery. Jacki Frey, the Show Chair, was supported by members of the board in presenting the show. The following members won awards:
Jacki Frey, First
Mary Sue Schwab, Second
Philip Bowsher, Third
Susan Savastuk, Gallery Choice
Barbara Coffman, Runner-up

2022 BWS Winter Benefit Show: “We Paint…Van Gogh’s World!”
Our BWS show benefitting The Teachers Warehouse was hosted by John La Bella in February/March 2022 at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage. The Show Chair, Jeanne Dutton, was supported by volunteer members in presenting the show. The following members won awards:
Barbara Coffman, Best of Show
Joe Lee, Silver Second

Door prizes went to Charlotte Griffin, Nancy Davis Metz, Zain Mackey and Meri Reinhold. There were eight paintings sold, with 50 percent of the sales benefitting The Teachers Warehouse.

Workshop
Carol Rhodes organized and coordinated a two-day, in-person and online workshop with the watercolor artist Carol Carter at the First Christian Church in September 2021. Ms. Carter, an award-winning artist and teacher, guided us through her process of painting with deeply saturated colors.

Field Trip
In September, thanks to Jeanne Dutton, BWS members had a chance to travel to Indianapolis to see The Lume exhibit at Newfields.

2020-2021 BWS Monthly Programs
Our Program Chair, Joanne Weddle, put a lot of effort into organizing for our members the monthly program presentations:
JULY 2021 “Crayon-Resist” presented by Carol Rhodes.
AUGUST 2021 “Building Community through our Shared Experiences” hosted by Sara Steffey McQueen.
SEPTEMBER 2021 “Show and Share” hosted by Kitty Garlock.
OCTOBER 2021 “Let’s Get Ready for Our Annual Holiday Party” presented by Joanne Weddle.
NOVEMBER 2021 “Using Digital Tools” presented by Cassidy Young.
DECEMBER 2021 Holiday Party
JANUARY 2022 “Watercolor Pencil and Watercolor Painting” presented by Betty Wagoner.
FEBRUARY 2022 “Painting Easy Trees in Watercolor” presented by Carol Rhodes.
MARCH 2022 “Painting Techniques for Water Imagery” presented by Dawn Adams.
APRIL 2022 “One Stroke Flowers in Watercolor” presented by Beverly S. Mathis.
MAY 2022 “Is My Painting Done Yet?” a discussion led by Carol Rhodes and Nancy Davis Metz.
JUNE 2022 Introduction of the Scholarship winner by Cassidy Young.
2020-2021 BWS Paint-outs

Thanks to the commitment and hard work of our Paint-Out Chair, Betty Wagoner, four paint-outs took place between July 2021 and June 2022:
July 2021 — Hilltop Garden at IU
August 2021 — Story Inn
October 2021 — Switchyard Park
May 2022 – Bloomington’s Historic Wylie House

Bloomington Garden Walk
The annual two-day June 2022 event was coordinated by Charlotte Griffin. Two of the houses on the Garden Walk are historic.

Docent Tour of the MCHC
Free event in June 2022 with an opportunity to learn the history of Bloomington and its famous people. The event was organized by Jeanne Dutton.

Scholarship
Fundraising was accomplished through the FMCCS’ online auction. Donated art work by Jerry Harste, Charlotte Griffin, Phil Bowsher, Jo Weddle, Connie McEntyre, Linda Branstetter, Bess Lee, Kriste Lindberg and Lynne Gilliatt brought to the BWS Art Scholarship 70 percent of total sales, netting $322.70. The 2022 BWS Scholarship Winner is Jesse Kogge

Brushstrokes: Periodic Newsletter of Bloomington Watercolor Society
Our online monthly newsletter Brushstrokes has been maintained by our dedicated Brushstrokes Co-Editors: Jerry Harste and Nancy Davis Metz. Both of them work to provide us with a highly professional newsletter that is a source of helpful information not only about our organization but also about the larger art world.

BWS Virtual Art Exhibitions of 2021-2022
“Fall ’21 BWS Show Online Gallery”
“We Paint… Van Gogh’s World”
At https://bloomingtonwatercolor.smugmug.com/, thanks to Carol Rhodes and Charlotte Griffin’s technological abilities, we have now the total of five virtual art gallery exhibitions (including the past three BWS gallery exhibits in 2020-2021).

Let me conclude by saying that I enjoyed seeing you during our monthly meetings on Zoom and during the last (and my first) in-person meeting at the First Christian Church. I look forward to seeing you again throughout the next administrative year.

Guido Frick workshop

by Babette Ballinger
In June Bloomington artists sponsored a workshop attended by members of BWS, Arts Alliance and Upland. Guido Frick taught for three days and it was fabulous!! He taught about seeing, working larger, expressing yourself with exuberance and joy, and it was amazing to me how it could be equally good for watercolorists and oil painters alike of all levels. He may be back in the fall since we all had such a fantastic time.

We painted plein air still lifes in my garden, then everything at Teresa Kinder’s beautiful home, followed by the landscapes at the Hinkle Garten House. It was a first for Bloomington to have an artist of this level, and it was fabulous.

Greetings for BWS Members

Traditionally, Jo Weddle has graciously sent greeting cards to those BWS members who are experiencing ill health or the loss of a family member. If you know or hear of someone in our group who could use a little cheering up, please send a note to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Lilly Library Photos

Several members visited IU’s Lilly Library last month to view watercolors selected by librarians Sarah Mitchell and Erin Chiparo. Barbara Coffman, Jacqueline Fernette, Meri Reinhold, Bess Lee and Carol Rhodes share their photos from that visit.

BWS History

Historian Linda Branstetter found this tidbit of history: From July 7 – 17, 2010, BWS artists were invited to paint or sketch during the first stages of the International Harp Competition and at the final rehearsal. BWS members who participated were Gillian Harris, Joanne Shank, Rosemary Messick, Jacki Frey, Dan Alexander, Bess Lee, Sheri Curry, Cathy Korinek, Betty Wagoner, Jo Weddle, and Tricia Wente.

Check this out

Joanna Samorow-Merzer writes: Recently I visited the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison, Wisc. There is a beautiful collection of Russian paintings. You can scroll and click through seven pages of this website to see the amazing collection. https://chazen.wisc.edu/collection/?countries[]=10

Member News

“Intuitive Inspirations: Paintings of Sara Steffey McQueen” will hang at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., Aug. 5 to Sept. 30. Sara writes: “This exhibit of intuitive acrylic paintings reflects a long-time interest in myth and world religions. These stories and images live deep in my subconscious, later to become paintings. The process is like a mystery taking me on a journey of discovery, telling a story.” The opening reception will be Aug. 5, 5 to 8 p.m. Sara also has a chapter “Creating Community,” included in the book “No Ordinary Words,” which is available on Amazon. Proceeds benefit Tree Sisters and SheHasHope charities.

“Cola Wars” by Stephen Edwards (above) has been accepted in the 2022 NWS 102nd International Open Exhibition, which will hang Sept. 1 to Nov. 6. His “Perpetual Machine” (below left) painting was accepted into the Watercolor Society Of Indiana Exhibition , and his “Jersey Girls” (below right) was accepted into the 44th Annual Indiana Heritage Arts.

Andy Roberts shared two paintings from earlier paint-outs this spring. “Griffy Lake Lull” (left), is a view of the lake mid-morning on a nice warm day. The second painting, “Spire and Spirits,” (below) is from a paint-out down at the Green Hill cemetery in Bedford. Both of these paintings are pen and ink with watercolor overlay.

Meri Reinhold won third place in the portrait group at Lawrence County Art Association summer competition. Her painting was titled “Surrounded.” The first solo show at the Cancer Support Community Center will feature the work of Meri Reinhold. It will run from Sept. 2 to Oct. 28. The opening reception will be Sept. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. (Times may change.) Meri also won third place in the portrait group at Lawrence County Art Association summer competition. Her painting was titled “Surrounded.”

Jerry Harste‘s painting “The Marsh” was accepted into the 98th Annual Hoosier Salon Exhibition. Since this is the third time that he has had a painting accepted in the Hoosier Salon annual juried shows, he is now a “Signature Member” of the Hoosier Salon. This year’s exhibition will be at the Indiana History Museum from Aug. 28 through Oct. 26 in Indianapolis.

Zain Mackey writes that she has been working on painting loosely this year. She was thinking of a Jean Haines style when Earle, the rooster with an attitude came to her.

BWS and Beyond

The Lawrence County Art Association in Bedford is happy to announce an exhibit during the month of August at the Arts Alliance Center, located inside the Bloomington’s College Mall. LCAA invites you to come and see the various forms of art work from our members, which will include watercolor, oils, acrylics, and photography, and styles featuring landscapes, portraits, animals, and abstracts. The exhibit will be on display Aug. 5 thru early September in the large room at the back of the gallery, and most of the pieces will also be available for purchase. The Arts Alliance is open every Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. LCAA is s very appreciative of this wonderful opportunity to work with the Arts Alliance Center, and invite you all to stop in and admire all the talented artists who are represented.

The LCAA Grand Champion of its summer show this year was a watercolor.

The Brown County Art Guild has announced August events in its popular “Artist is In” series. Each session is free and is from 1 to 3 p.m.

Aug. 6: Rena Brouwer, watercolor
Study Rena’s skill as her treatment of nature is awash with striking color.

Aug. 7: Luke Buck, watercolor
Watch Luke Buck create detailed scenes of the countryside to rural life.

Aug. 13: Rodney Reveal, oil
Rodney’s depiction of wildlife or nature is rich with bold color and texture.

Aug. 14: Mary Ann Davis, pastels
Watch Mary Ann create her soft and impressionistic signature style.

Aug. 21 Corinne Hull, pastels
See how Corinne captures the spontaneity and light in natural scenes.

Aug. 27 Ron Mack, oil
Ron’s pastoral scenes are a perfect example of our Down on the Farm theme.

Aug. 28: Karen Graeser, oil
Karen’s landscapes have a serene quality that are alluring and hypnotic.

The Wabash Valley Artists Society has three paint-outs scheduled for August. All events are free, open to the public and take place regardless of weather. Most paint-outs are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For confirmation of cancellation or details, contact Rachel Lattimore at 217-402-5067.

Aug. 10: Rachel Lattimore’s Home/Historic Ninth Street Hill, 510 S. Ninth St., Lafayette.

Aug. 20: Anderson Flower Farm, 2284 West CR 300 South, Frankfort. Jeff Klinker will do an oil demonstration at 10:30.

Aug. 28: Wildcat Creek Park, 5201 Eisenhower Road, Lafayette

Indiana Heritage Arts invites artists to paint on the grounds of West Baden Springs Resort Aug. 12 and 13. There is no fee but artists should register by calling Brown County Art Gallery. Artists can sell their art in the hotel lobby Saturday afternoon.

Calendar

Aug. 5 – early Sept. Lawrence County Art Association exhibit at the Arts Alliance, College Mall, Bloomington
Aug. 8 BWS Monthly Meeting. In-person/No Zoom. First Christian Church Great Hall, 6 p.m.
Aug. 10 Wabash Valley Artists Society Paint-out. Rachel Lattimore’s Home/Historic Ninth Street Hill, 510 S. Ninth St., Lafayette.
Aug. 20 Wabash Valley Artists Society Paint-out. Anderson Flower Farm, 2284 West CR 300 South, Frankfort. Jeff Klinker will do an oil demonstration at 10:30.
Aug. 28 Wabash Valley Artists Society Paint-out. Wildcat Creek Park, 5201 Eisenhower Road, Lafayette

Sept. 10 Great Outdoor Paintout at the T.C. Steele Historic Site

Sept. 15 Submit scanned or photographed artwork for the Online Gallery to Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. Please send in jpg format.

Oct. 4 Deliver paintings to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., between 10 a.m. and noon.

Oct. 7 Opening Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 4 Second Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 28 Pick up paintings at The Vault ay Gallery Mortgage 10 a.m. to noon.