Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, October 9th, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.
Program
The October 9 program is a Fall Paint In led by Charlotte Griffin. There will be three still life setups for you to choose from. Two are flower arrangements and one is a scarecrow and some pumpkins. Bring you paper, brushes, and your palette filled with fall colors.
Inside BWS
State of the Society — Past President’s Report
Bloomington Watercolor Society State of the Society Report (July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023)
Dear Members of the Bloomington Watercolor Society,
As I step down from my role as President, I take immense pride in the growth and accomplishments we have achieved together as the Bloomington Watercolor Society. It has been an honor and privilege to serve this remarkable community, and I am immensely proud of our collective achievements. The dedication, talent, and passion displayed by each member continue to inspire me and reaffirm my belief in the transformative power of art.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the entire executive committee and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make BWS a resounding success.
I am pleased to present to you the State of the Society report for our organization, summarizing the activities and events that took place from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. It was an eventful year, and we are grateful for the continued support and participation of our members.
Meetings:
Throughout the year, our society hosted a variety of meetings and workshops to engage our members in the world of watercolor art:
July 2022 – We kicked off the year with an Etagami workshop by Ruth Bogan.
August 8th, 2022 – A demonstration featuring Rachel Berenson Perry, author of Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Virgil Dudley. Morgenstern’s Books was there with copies of the book to sell.
September 12th, 2022 – We had a Show and Share session and a Book Exchange.
October 10th – Sara Steffey McQueen led a Mandala Art workshop.
November 14th – Penny Lulich shared insights on “Finding Joy and Confidence with Watercolors,” along with her demonstration of painting the California coastline.
January 9, 2023 – We visited McCalla Elementary School, which is now an art gallery showcasing artworks collected by Indiana University affiliates.
February 2023 – Unfortunately, this meeting was canceled due to Covid.
March 13th, 2023 – We had a still life setup to paint, featuring flowers, fruit, shamrocks, and other objects.
April 10th – Carol Rhodes and Jeanne Dutton presented various watercolor mediums.
May 8th – The FrameMakers demo was canceled due to the presenter’s Covid situation, and business was conducted among officers only.
June 2023 – We had a Show and Share session, the installation of officers, and a farewell to Carol Rhodes as BWS President.
Paintouts:
Our paintout events provided opportunities for members to practice their skills in different locations:
July 16 – A paintout at Indiana University’s Hilltop Garden.
August 6th – Downtown Historic Places paintout in Downtown Bloomington.
September 10th – Great Outdoor Paint Out at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site.
October 8th – A Multi-Organization Paint Out at the citywide Paint “Bloomington!” event.
October 15th – A paint-out and pitch-in event at Peden Farm.
April 22nd – A paintout at T.C. Steele State Historic Site for Arts of the Earth Day.
May 20 – A paintout at Hilltop Garden Nature Center.
June 3rd – A paintout at Monroe County History Center on the Lawn.
June 10th and 11th – “Artist in the Garden” paintout in collaboration with the Bloomington Garden Club Garden Walk.
Gallery Shows:
Our members showcased their talents in various gallery exhibitions:
“We Paint…Historic Bloomington” October 7 through November 23, The Vault at Gallery Mortgage
“We Paint…Monet and More!” – February 3 – March 21, 2023 at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage which benefited Teachers Warehouse. $286 was donated from the proceeds.
Tue Apr 25th – Sat Jul 8th – “We Paint…Historic Bloomington” Encore at the Monroe County History Center.
Thu Jun 22nd – Sat Aug 5th – “BWS We Paint…Outside the Box” at Waldron Arts Center, featuring non-traditional watercolor pieces and various mediums.
Cancer Support Community Shows:
Our members contributed to meaningful exhibitions at the newly formed Bloomington Watercolor Society Gallery, located in the Cancer Support Community. So far, the artists have raised over $1000 for CSC programs.
Fri 9/2/22-10/28/22 – “Places to Go, People to See” by Meri Reinhold
Fri 11/4 – Fri 12/23 – “Right Where You Are” by Laura Brown
Fri 1/9/23- Fri 2/24/23 – “Sunrise of Hope” by Rose Brenner
Fri 3/3 – Fri 4/28 – “Intuitive Acrylics” by Sara Steffey McQueen
Fri 5/5 – Fri 6/30 – “Spice of Life” by Christine Peterson
Special Events:
We enjoyed several special events throughout the year:
July 12 – Lilly Library watercolor book tour, where we admired antique watercolor works in the collection.
Sep 29th and 30th – BWS participated in the Peden Farm Children’s Festival, offering thumbprint activities for children.
October 8th – BWS offered thumbprint animals for children at “Paint Bloomington.”
Dec 7th – LUME field trip to the Monet and Impressionist Exhibition of lights at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.
Dec 11th – BWS Holiday Party at Meadowwood, featuring dinner and activities.
Book Sale:
At our spring 2023 meetings, we held an informal book sale, with proceeds benefiting the Sande Nitti fund, which supports BWS participants attending art workshops. The sale was administered by Kathy Barton.
Workshops:
Our members had the opportunity to enhance their skills through workshops:
July 23, 2022 – An architectural drawing class instructed by Steve Dawson.
June 9, 2023 – A 3-D watercolor paintings workshop led by Anne Farley Gaines.
Scholarship Award:
We awarded a $500 scholarship to Danza Batson, a recent graduate from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship who will be majoring in Fine Arts at Indiana University. The scholarship committee will attempt to arrange for Danza to showcase some of his work at our meeting.
Treasury:
Our treasury remains healthy, with a year-to-year balance increase of approximately $90. These funds were used to make BWS activities more affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for our members by supporting or subsidizing expenses.
Membership:
Membership has grown from 90 to 94 members from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. We are thrilled to welcome new members and continue fostering our watercolor community.
Thank you for your continued support and participation in the Bloomington Watercolor Society. We look forward to another year of creativity and artistic growth.
Sincerely,
Carol Rhodes
President, Bloomington Watercolor Society (July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023)
Membership Show: “We Paint…Things We Love”
The Fall Membership Show is hanging in Viridian Moon Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd., from Sept. 20 through Oct. 28. Viridian Moon Gallery hosted an opening reception Sept. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Important Show dates Oct. 28, 3 – 5 p.m. Closing Reception Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pick up artwork
A $50 People’s Choice Award will be awarded at the closing reception, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m. Questions: contact Laura or Jeanne at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org
Field Trip to “The Lume” on October 18
Bloomington Watercolor Society has arranged a trip Wednesday, Oct. 18 to Newfields – The LUME to see a new version of the Van Gogh exhibit that many of us enjoyed last year. Aside from the vast array of spectacular images that surrounded us before, there will also be eight Japanese woodblocks and a “Sunflower Room” with seemingly endless fields of sunny flowers. Many aspects will be as brilliant this time as last, but we have learned that there will also be different effects with this newer version of the exhibit. If you saw the Van Gogh exhibit before, you know how stunning the immersive art, the classical music, the orchestrated lighting, and the interactive exhibits were. This is another chance to experience that once again without worrying about navigating traffic in Indianapolis.
Particulars:
DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 18 COST: $25 per person (includes bus transportation, if desired) OPEN TO BWS MEMBERS: One additional reservation may be made at the rate of $25 per guest MAXIMUM NUMBER OF BUS SEATS: 26 TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER: Rural Transit (Bus is NOT wheelchair equipped.) MEETING TIME: 9:30 a.m. at Lowe’s (Please don’t be late.) DEPARTURE: 9:45 a.m. ARRIVAL AT NEWFIELDS: 10:45 a.m. (est.) ENTER NEWFIELDS: 11 a.m. DEPARTURE BACK TO BLOOMINGTON: 1:30 p.m. ARRIVAL IN BLOOMINGTON: 2:30 – 3: p.m. (EST) RESERVATION DEADLINE: Sept. 30 CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Oct. 10 (No refunds thereafter)
If you are interested, please don’t wait to make reservations; there is a limited number of bus seats. If you have not been to Newfields, there is a a gift shop (naturally) and a cafe where you can take a break if you like. To reserve your spot and pay electronically, go to https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/lume-roadtrip-2023/. To pay by check, contact the BWS Treasurer, Barbara Coffman through info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.
Second Annual “Paint Bloomington,” October 7
WHEN:Saturday, October 7, 2023. RAIN OR SHINE Registration begins at 9:30!
WHERE: Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park (Next to the swimming pool).
HOSTED BY: Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington. Bloomington Watercolor Society, Upland Plein Air, The Portrait Group and Artists for Climate Awareness along with Bloomington Parks and Rec are teaming up to bring this fun event to Bloomington!
NO REGISTRATION FEE. Free!No advance registration required!. Artists check-in between 9.30 am and 11:00 a.m. at the Pavilion the day of the event. All artists should have canvas or multi-media paper stamped before beginning their work. Supplies will be available for classes at the Pavilion and some supplies are available for painting on the Bryan Park grounds.
HOW: Artists will be able to paint anywhere in Bloomington. The event is open to professional and emerging artists of all ages and skill levels to create original artwork of any subject in any medium. All stamped/tagged works must be completed that day by 3:00 p.m. to be eligible for judging.
Completed works need to be brought to the Woodlawn Pavilion by 3:00 marked with the artist’s name and email address or telephone number in the back. Please do not sign artwork until after judging. Wet Oil paintings should be in a frame for safe handling or BYO easel/display.
AWARDS: ALL stamped works completed that day will be eligible for judging.
Awards will be for artists in all media in the following categories: Professional artists, Emerging Artists, Teens (12-17), and Youth )7-11) and Collaborative Art!!
CLASSES will be at the Pavilion beginning 10:00-2:00 for youth and teens and adults.
DEMONSTRATIONS: Various artists will be giving demonstrations throughout the day and there will be opportunities to paint with them. Plein Air Painting will be all over town and the park!!
Music, Storytelling, Poetry readings will be at the Pavilion throughout the day. Bring a picnic!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
May Creek Farm Paint-Out and Carry-In, October 14
BWS’s End of the Season Paint-Out and Carry-In will be held at May Creek Farm on Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arrive any time after 9:30 a.m. Please follow the signs to park in the parking area.
The shelter house is located across the field. Water, drinks, food, chairs, and electrical outlets are available at the shelter. If you or someone has difficulties walking, transportation across the field will be provided.
Set up anywhere in and around the field. Paint 10 to noon. At 12, lunch (white chili chicken and snacks) will be served. Please bring side dishes and desserts.
You are welcome to stay and paint after lunch. The event is over at 2:00 p.m.
Zain, Sharon, and Sara are excited to be your hosts.
Address: 8745 Rockport Road.
The easiest way to get to May Creek Farm is to follow Rockport Rd from Rogers Street for approximately 14 miles. You will go through the town of Kirksville. May Creek Farm is located about 1 mile past Kirksville on the left. Look for the signs.
NOTE: In case the paint-out needs to be cancelled due to weather, an email will be sent by 8 a.m. the day of the paint-out.
Out of Darkness Walk, October 22
Thanks to several member artists, BWS was able to contribute four dozen painted rocks to the Out of the Darkness walk! Scheduled for October 22 at Switchyard Park, walkers will receive a rock and “plant” it along the trail. This project is co-sponsored by Project STAY, Kiwanis, and BWS as part of a national program of suicide prevention.
Climate change is real. Come to a presentation of scientific and artistic visuals curated and presented by Ben Brabson, climate scientist and Emeritus Professor of Physics at Indiana University.
Using art for communication can raise awareness, provoke impactful dialogue, and inspire action about environmental issues. Brabson’s talk includes engaging and artful illustrations that simplify concepts of climate change for ordinary people, making the concepts more concrete, meaningful, and motivating.
Mary Sue Schwab to Conduct a Workshop on Painting Indiana’s Trees
Mary Sue Schwab at the WSI 2023 International Exhibition at Newfields
Sponsored by the Artists for Climate Awareness, Mary Sue Schwab will be conducting a one-day workshop at Ivy Tech on October. 27th, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. In that workshop she will demonstrate key techniques for watercolor success. Participants will paint native Indiana trees, landscapes and more. Participants will be instructed in multi-layered, wet-on-wet techniques employing watercolors to create highly effective tree formations using a mixture of warm and cool greens, juxtaposing shadow and form. Participants are encouraged to bring a reference, such as a photo for their own piece. This workshop is open to artists of all levels and each will receive individual attention. Limited space sign up soon!
During October and November, the Bloomington Portrait Group will exhibit work at The Vault at Mortgage Gallery, 121 E. 6th Street. Opening reception is 5 to 8 pm, Friday, October 6. The exhibition runs until Friday, November 24.
Many BWS members also participate in the Bloomington Portrait Group. Several work in watercolor. Come and support your fellow artists.
Jane Matranga • Watercolor • Donna Carlton in her belly dancing costume
WSI Sponsors a 3-Day Workshop
The Watercolor Society of Indiana is proud to bring Michael Holter to Indianapolis to teach a 3-day workshop, October 4 to 6, 2023. In this workshop Michael will help you build off of the principles of design to create emotional and expressive paintings, engage in exercises that will solidify the content that you are working on, spend time viewing other artists’ work, and discuss the methods that these artists achieve using their techniques.Michael welcomes novice and advanced students and tailors the experience to individual needs.
The Workshop takes place at Second Presbyterian Church in Indy. The room is equipped with Audio Visual Equipment, and each artist is given their own 8-foot table.
Fiber Arts on Display
The City of Bloomington, in collaboration with By Hand Gallery, presents “Threads of Meaning”, an exhibition of work by Bloomington-based textile artists on view at Fountain Square Mall Bloomington from July 1 – October 9, 2023. Closing reception is on October 6th, 6-8 pm. The exhibition features artists Beatrice Atencah, Ary Bird, David Joseff Sloma, Patricia Coleman, Alizah Sage, Nina Montenegro, Emily Chase, Ileana Haberman, and Alexis Zabor. Go check it out! The locations of the show are the following: Fountain Square Bloomington Gallery Wall in the main atrium and the Fountain Gallery Lower-Level Walls and Upper-Level Walls.
Trivia Night at Cardinal Spirits, October 1
The Cancer Support Community has been truly supportive of BWS artists through the establishment of the Bloomington Watercolor Society Gallery. In return, here’s a fun way we can support their programs.
“From My Fair Lady to Lady Gaga, George Michael to Michael Scott, and Downton Abbey to Uptown Funk, join us at Cardinal Spirits for “That’s Entertainment,” a trivia game that’s all movies, music, TV, and pop culture through the decades!”
This event is to support the Cancer Support Community of South Central Indiana (CSCSCI) and will be hosted by Josh Johnson of Bloomington Pub Quiz. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the CSCSCI.
Food, drinks, fun, trivia, prizes!!!
Swope Art Museum to Host Rachel Branson Perry
The Swope Art Museum in Terra Haute will host a reception for RachelBerenson Perry on Friday, October 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Her latest book, “Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Virgil Dudley,” is part of the Historical Society’s Youth Biography series. The author will give a lecture about Frank Dudley and his work. Her presentation will start at 6 p.m. sharp.
Rachel Berenson Perry is fine arts curator emerita of the Indiana State Museum. She has written numerous articles for “American Art Review” and “Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History” (Indiana Historical Society) and has completed seven books about historical and current Indiana artists.
Artist Talk with Max Ginsburg
The Hamilton County Artists Association is hosting a talk by Max Ginsburg on October 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lacy Art Building (848 Logan Street) in Noblesville. His artist talk is open and free to the public. Bill and Mary Sue Schwab have taken workshops with Max. Mary Sue reports, “Both Bill and I have taken workshops in New York with Max. I highly recommend his workshops. His Alla prima way of painting portraits is amazing!”
Artist Talk with Max Ginsburg October 3, 2023, 7:00 – 9:00 PM The Lacy Arts Building, 848 Logan St, Noblesville, IN 46060, USA
Membership News
Congratulations to Babette Ballinger on winning the Gallery’s Choice Award at Upland’s Members’ Show 2023!
Patty Uffman is the featured artist at the Community Cancer Support Center for September and October. Her show is entitled, “Outside Influences.” Although it will continue until October 26, the hours are limited: Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (or by appointment by calling 812-233-3286.). The holidays are coming. Patty has a variety of prints available for purchase as well as small framed artwork.
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Zain Mackey. Above is “Dusty River,” a watercolor that’s part of my new southwestern series. I’ve been remembering the trip my husband and I took driving across country last year.
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Jane Matranga. Everyone is invited to see my exhibition called,Wearing the Painting at the Bloomington Arts Alliance. Opening reception is this Friday, September 29th from 6-8pm. The show runs through October 22nd.
Mary Sue Schwab. “It’s Fall!” I recently sold my Plein Air painting of Ogle Lake at Brown County State Park.
Mary Sue closed her note with this announcements: “Coming soon, November and December, Allen Hunton and Mary Sue Schwab will have a BWS art show at The Cancer Support Center of Bloomington, watch for more information.”
Joanne Shank. Bloomington Open Studios Tour is Saturday, October 14 from 10-5 and Sunday, October 15, from 12-4. Fifteen artists will be participating this year. Find a map to studios and listing of all the artists at https://bloomingtonopenstudiostour.com/
Joanne Shank will be one of the artists. Her studio is now in her home and no longer downtown. She would love to have any BWS members stop by.
Stephen Edwards. Stephen writes “I’m finally painting again.” He’s also winning lots of awards!! “My ‘Tree of Life’ (Below: Painting 1) won Best of Show at the Artist Association of Madison County Open Annual Exhibition (now showing at the Anderson Museum of Art) and was also accepted in the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Open Exhibition. ‘Keeping the Seat Warm’ (Painting 2) was accepted in the Philadelphia Watercolor Society’s 123th International Exhibition of Works on Paper. ‘Cola Wars’ (Painting 3) was accepted into the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s 41st Annual Exhibition now showing at Newfields.”
Timothy Lewis. It has been a busy month.
New work: watercolor, Old Faithful, Through The Mist. and Solitaire.
Nov. 3rd through Jan. 7th – My watercolor, Spring Fed, was juried into the 79th Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition which will feature artwork by artists from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. The show is at the Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, IN.
October – I will have a solo show at the Midtown Gallery in Broad Ripple the entire month of October. All watercolors in the show will be for sale directly from the artist.
On October 10 I participated in a curated tour of the Quest For The West show at the Eiteljorg Museum. Our guide was Gayle Weisfield, a well known western watercolor painter and regular participant in the show. From the 11th through the 13th I participated in a workshop by Gayle at a private residence in Zionsville. This workshop was arranged through the Watercolor Society of Indiana and included 16 participants.
Andy Roberts. These are a couple of my recent paintings: (1) Fountain Square Downtown Bloomington- August Paint Out Plein Air; (2) T.C. Steele’s Outdoor Studio Wagon, T.C. Steele Historical Site – July Plein Air.
Anticipating seeing a large turnout for “Paint Bloomington” Saturday October 7th, and the dedicated BWS members who are participating or volunteering.
Patricia Coleman. I would like to share a link to my recent blog post on persimmon astringent at:
There are some references to persimmon astringent being used to strengthen some handmade papers and in stencil making and its use as a paint. Traditionally it has been used in ways similar to indigo.
Jacki Frey. Here is painting I did this Tuesday after visiting Gnawbone camp. I do not often paint horses, however, these guys posed for me!!
Betty Wagoner. I recently attended the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s 3-day workshop with Taos artist, Gayle Weisfield. A day before the workshop, we met at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis for a tour of the Quest for the West exhibit. Gayle was one of the artists featured in that exhibit. While there, we met an African-American artist in the show who gave an inspirational speech about his paintings and his life. The combination plein air and studio workshop itself was held on an estate in Zionsville. It featured wet-on-wet painting and storytelling. It was both eye-opening and inspirational. Gayle is a wonderful teacher. The hosts fed us a wonderful breakfast and lunch in their beautiful home. If you have a chance to attend one of Gayle’s workshops, I highly recommend it. Attached is a photo of a not quite finished painting of one of the workshop participants sitting at a creek that ran through the property.
Don Madwig. The Opening Reception to Don Madwig’s show at the Fell Gallery, entitled “Nocturnes – Variations on a Theme,” will be on October 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. Don’s show runs through the month of November.
Calendar
Sept. 29 Opening Reception, Jane Matranga’s Wearing the Painting Exhibition, Art Alliance Oct. 1 Trivia Night at Cardinal Spirits, Cancer Support Community Oct. 3 Opening Reception, Don Madwig’s show at The Fell Gallery Oct. 4-6 WSI Workshop with Michael Holter, Indianapolis Oct. 6 Closing Reception, Fibers on Display, Fountain Square Mall Oct. 6 Opening Reception, Bloomington Portrait Group Exhibition, The Vault Oct. 7 2nd Annual Bloomington Paint-out, Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park Oct. 9 BWS October Meeting, First Christian Church Oct. 12 Ben Brabson at Ivy Tech, Artists for Climate Awareness Oct. 14-15 Open Studio Tours, Bloomington Oct. 18 BWS Field Trip to Newfield’s – The LUME Oct. 22 Out of Darkness Walk Oct. 27 Mary Sue Schwab Workshop at Ivy Tech Oct. 28 3-5 p.m. Closing Reception for Member Show, Viridian Moon Nov. 1 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Pick up Member Show paintings at Viridian Moon
