March 2016

Monthly Meeting
Monday, March 14, 6:00pm
First Christian Church
Corner of Kirkwood and Washington
In beautiful downtown Bloomington
After the usual short business meeting, we’ll have a special evening –
A STAYCATION PAINT-IN!
All you non-snowbirds and ones who may have returned to the North early, come to the BWS beach party. Bring your sun hats, bags and towels, wear your flip flops (even if there is snow on the ground), wear your bikinis if you are brave enough, fill your sand pails with shells, and load your bag with painting supplies. We will have a staycation party and paint the evening away. There’ll be props for you to paint or bring your beach photos.  Come and dream of warm, summer days while socializing and painting.  It’ll be fun, for sure!

Just to put you in the mood…a beach at Hilton Head.

SPRING WORKSHOP

Kriste Lindberg’s Journal

There are only four spots left in the spring workshop, “Art Journaling: Living the Illustrated Life.” It takes place Saturday, April 2, at First Christian Church, 9-3, and you can find the details and a link to enroll at www.bloomingtonwatercolor.org
Payment is due no later than March 14 for members, then non-members may register.  All payments must be made in full by March 25, and there are NO REFUNDS AFTER MARCH 25!

MEMBER ACTIVITIES
Welcome to four new members, Kitty Garlock, Lynne Gilliatt, Penny Lulich, and Susan Failey.  Glad you could join in!

Many thanks to Andy Lehman for designing the new BWS logo celebrating Indiana’s 200th birthday.  Remember the theme of our November membership show is “We Paint…the Bicentennial!”  Take advantage of opportunities to paint historic buildings and churches and whatever comes to mind that celebrates history!

Tempo Gallery is featuring Phyllis Taylor in an all Watercolor Spring Show, “DAFFODILS-THE HARBINGER OF SPRING”.  Phyllis has created a collection of paintings that capture the beauty of a variety of daffodils and other spring flowers that are found in local gardens. Her paintings are fresh and colorful and capture the detail of each blossom. Stop by to meet Phyllis and surround yourself with daffodils! Refreshments will be served from 6-8 on Saturday, March 12.
Editor’s Note: It may be challenging to “Stop by and meet Phyllis…” since the gallery is in Astoria, Oregon, but we send our wishes for a very successful opening!  facebook.com/Tempo-Gallery

“Two Narcissi,” Watercolor by Phyllis Taylor

Betty Wagoner at the Wylie House paint in, January 2016

The BWS Upland Plein Air Painters March Schedule
BWS UP is creating weekly opportunities to meet and paint together. Winter has not slowed us down! All BWS members are welcome to attend. Please email the host of the event you are interested in for full details.
March 9, Cambridge Square: Collages & Still Life, Barbara Edmonds
March 16, Pygmalion’s demo, Share tips at Anne-Karinne’s, Anne-Karinne Bley
March 23, TC Steele Studio paint in, $6.50, 10 maximum so sign up with Betty Wagoner
March 30, Hilltop Greenhouse and Gardens, In or Out, Kristen Stamper

“We Paint…Chocolate!” is such a fun show, be sure to stop by The Vault at Gallery Mortgage now through March 31. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9-5, at 121 East Sixth Street. Gallery Walk Friday, March 4, is the second reception, 5-8pm, and the Best of Show award will be presented at 6:00pm.

The “Art of Chocolate” dinner event on February 13 featured three BWS painters presenting demonstrations of watercolor techniques.   Thank you to Anne-Karinne Bley and Cassidy Young for helping your editor with this “job.” Ha! Not much of a job when you’re doing watercolors, munching on chocolate, and enjoying a glass of wine all at the same time!

Cupcakes by Cassidy Young

Anne-Karinne Bley demonstrating watercolor flowers

LIFEDesigns, Inc. has expressed their heartfelt thanks to BWS for being a sponsor of this annual event.   About $150 worth of greeting cards created by BWS members were sold, plus at least one painting so far.
Thank you, too, to all the artists who took the time to prepare a painting; to Gabe Colman of The Venue for curating the show; and to John LaBella and crew at The Vault for hosting such wonderful receptions.

If you weren’t at the Art of Chocolate dinner and auction, here are just a few of the delicious and decadent treats you missed.  Maybe next year!

Edible roses!

Chocolate Mousse Cups from Zeitgeist.

Function Brewing

One World desserts on the dining tables.

OPPORTUNITIES
From the Brown County Art Guild:

“On Saturday, March 19, the Rotary Club of Brown County will host “A Taste of Art” at the Seasons Lodge Conference Center in Nashville including a wine tasting at 5:30 pm and an auction of 24 paintings and other works of art by well-known Hoosier artists at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $35/person or $60/couple. For information and tickets, please contact Scott Hutchinson at director@browncountyartguild.org

Also from the Guild comes the announcement of a Yupo workshop led by BWS friends, Rena Brouwer and Sandy Ezell on April 2. “Join us for a unique opportunity to watch and learn from two award winning Guild Artist Members. Sandy Ezell and Rena Brouwer will be presenting a live demonstration on painting with watercolors on Yupo paper at the Brown County Art Guild on April 2, 2016. VIP Artists & Patrons will attend a group lunch with Sandy & Rena and Guild staff following the demonstration, then return to the Guild for a workshop with the artists. From beginners to advanced, all levels are welcome to attend the workshop. 9:30-11:15- Rena & Sandy will provide visitors with a live painting demonstration. This portion of the program is free and open to the public. 11:30-12:30- VIP’s ONLY- Group lunch at the Hobnob. 1:00-3:00- VIP’s ONLY- Workshop for VIP Patrons. Space is limited to 20 participants, so reserve your tickets now! Guild Artists & Patron Members receive a discount on tickets.”
http://yupoworkshop.brownpapertickets.com/

March 18 is the deadline to apply to the juried show, “The Art & Soul of Bloomington.” It’s simple. Send an email to venueartshow@gmail.com with photos of the piece or pieces you want to enter attached (one photo per piece), and include your name, email address, and phone number, Provide the title of the piece/s, outside dimensions, medium, and suggested retail price. We will contact you to arrange for your application payment. If dealing with an email or photography poses a problem, call and we will make special arrangements for you. The application fee is $40.00 for one image and $10.00 for each additional image. All application frees must be paid at the time of application, and are non-refundable.  Questions? Call The Venue at 812-339-4200 or go to thevenuebloomington.com/Juried

ART CLASSES
Check out the upcoming classes being taught at the Waldron Art Center, StoneGate Art and Education Center in Bedford, Burton Kimble Farms Education Center in Orleans, and the Orange County Learning Center in French Lick.  Lots of great opportunities to learn new stuff – cooking, sewing, weaving, calligraphy, etc. and etc.
Nancy Davis Metz’s Improvers Series continues with Composition.  Nancy is also teaching a Watercolor Basics class in Bedford.
Linda Meyer-Wright teaches Wabi-Sabi art and another class in Collage.
Yours truly will be offering Beginning Watercolor IV, a series of mini-workshops.  For the full listing of all classes offered by the Ivy Tech Bloomington Center for Lifelong Learning, go to ivytech.edu/bloomington/cll

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day…

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