March 11
Cookman to present “Beyond Perspective:
Six Steps to Spatial Depth”
At the March meeting, Claude Cookman will help members achieve perspective in their paintings. “In realistic art, we try to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat, two-dimensional surface by mimicking how our eyes and brains perceive spatial depth in the three-dimensional world,” Claude said. In his presentation, Claude will illustrate, demonstrate, and guide us in hands-on practice of the six principles to achieve spatial depth.
Supplies needed: vine charcoal; large, inexpensive sketch pad (newsprint is fine); soft cloth, paper towels or chamois; kneadable eraser.
Claude sends this image as homework for the March session. All six aspects of spatial depth are located in Gustave Caillebotte’s 1877 “Paris Street on a Rainy Day.” Can you identify them?
March 11 meeting
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
100 State Road 46, Bloomington
6 p.m.
President’s message
By Kitty Garlock
As many of you know, at our February meeting we decided to switch our location to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. This move not only frees us of having to spend time looking for parking spots but it also frees up $630 a year. The big question, therefore, has been asked: “What is our focus?” That great question connects directly with how we should use our funds.
Some of the ideas I have heard people share are to reduce the dues back to $25, fund half the cost of a workshop to make them available to more people, pay a small stipend to our program presenters, advertise our paintouts and gatherings to promote new membership and community awareness, create another set of cards, broaden our choices for potential gallery venues, become an official nonprofit, and more.
So I put this out there to you as a group of invested members: Where are we going with BWS? How will our monies be spent?
The finance committee meets this month for next year’s budget planning, and a discussion of these ideas will take place at our March meeting. Come with your ideas.
However we answer these all-important questions, I know our group and its corresponding board committees will choose wisely.
Penny Lulich, Jeanne Dutton, and Linda Branstetter painted greeting cards and sold them at the Art of Chocolate gala last month.
Upland
Check out these fun, creative opportunities
Upland Plein Air Painters is busy this month with indoor events to keep your artistic juices flowing. Come out and join us for workshops and the first paintout this spring. We generally meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, but be sure to get the final details on times and locations with a quick email to us at upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.
March 12, Cuba Watercolor Workshop, hosted by Jacki Frey
March 19, Wax Resist Workshop, hosted by MarySue and Bill Schwab
March 26, Bryant Lake Shelter, Morgan-Monroe State Forest, hosted by Betty Wagoner
April 2, Strahl Lake Brown County State Park, hosted by Claude Cookman
Upland painters gathered at El Ranchero for an eat-feast-paint-in. Two new members joined the group, Barbara (far left) and Judy (far right).
Two Saturday paint-outs in May
The first Saturday paint-out in May will be May 4 at Musgrave Orchard when the apple trees should be in bloom.
The second paint-out will be May 18 at the Hinkle-Garton Farmstead, 2920 E 10th St, Bloomington. Painters will be on site 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are invited to paint in any medium. Participants are then invited to finish and frame paintings by Wednesday, May 22, for a show that will be displayed at the Farmstead Museum. Delivery will be between 10 a.m. and noon May 22.
Watch for more information in the April and May issues of Brushstrokes.
Member News
Sweet Iris by MarySue Schwab
Turquoise Barn by Robin Edmondson
MarySue Schwab and Robin Edmundson have had paintings juried into the Kentucky Watercolor Society’s Aquaventure Show, which will hang at the James Bourne Gallery in New Albany from March 16 to April 30.
Robin Edmundson has a show at the Lawrence County Art Center from March 22 – April 22. The Artist Reception is March 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. Lawrence County Art Association is located at The Wiley Art Center, 1402 J St., Bedford.
Market Day Provence by Jacki Frey
Market Day Provence, a watercolor by Jacki Frey, has been accepted into the Indiana Artists juried show at the Indianapolis Museum of Art from April 5 to June 1.
Beyond BWS
The Watercolor Society of Indiana has posted its Prospectus for its Exhibit 2019 to be held at Newfields, Indianapolis Museum of Art Aug. 4 – Sept. 29. The Postmark Deadline for entries is May 8. And the deadline for receipt of entries to the WSI office (CDs, flash drives or emails) is May 10. The Prospectus is at https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/juried-exhibit/.
The Indiana State Fair website has posted its 2019 Indiana Arts Open Entry Book. If you are interested in showing your work at the State Fair Aug. 2 – 18, go to https://www.indianastatefair.com/state-fair/competitionscontests/ and click on Indiana Arts.
The Bloomington Environmental Commission has announced “Lakes, River, & Streams, Oh My!” as the theme of its 2019 Eco-Heroes Art Contest. This theme is intended to encourage participants to express the important role of water and water bodies play in our environment, our well-being, and our community. Participants are welcome to work collaboratively or individually. Entries using recycled or reused materials is highly encouraged. All entries should be delivered to the Department of Planning & Transportation in Showers City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., Suite 130, by 5 p.m. Friday, April 5. For more information, email Kate Corcoran (corcoak@bloomington.in.gov) or Erin Hatch (hatche@bloomington.in.gov).
IMO
Social media users recognize IMO as an abbreviation for “In My Opinion,” and each month we close by giving you the chance to share your opinion on a specific question.
This month the question is:
Why? Why are you drawn to watercolor? What is it about this medium that keeps you interested?
Kitty Garlock
I started with watercolor because my husband and I so enjoyed viewing that kind of artwork with its flowing line and easy, skillful mix of color, image, and imagination. The investment was minimal and easy to supply so equipment I got years ago are still what I use today. I stick with it because I am still challenged to do the kind of work that drew my husband and me to it in the first place!
Claude Cookman
Because one could spend three life times and still not exhaust all the challenges, possibilities and delights this medium offers.
Phyllis Taylor
The fluidity of watercolor keeps me hooked. Plus, I love transparent washes to control visual “temperature,” especially in portraits.
Jo Weddle
As I view artworks done by many artists, those done in watercolor always catch my eye and are my favorites. Watercolors on the page to me project warmth; I love the colors and shades, and they touch me with a sense of softness and tenderness more than any other medium does. That is the challenge that keeps me interested: trying to paint pieces that will give my viewers those same emotions.
Question for April:
As spring turns our world green again, what are your favorite greens to paint with? Please provide tube/pan colors, pigment codes, or “mixing formulas” you prefer.
Send your 1- to 3-sentence response by March 21 to Nancy Davis-Metz, and look for it in the April newsletter. Please use IMO as the subject line of your email.
