“Zorro” by Richard Schmidt. Photo by Jacki Frey. To understand the significants of this painting in Richard Schmidt’s life and career, see Jacki Frey’s entry in Membership News (this issue).
Meeting: April 14
The Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet on April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. Details will be sent to the membership via email. A brief business meeting will open the meeting.
Program: “Monotype Printing”
April 14 – Nicola Payne will conduct a watercolor demo and participation session on Monotype Prints. (See “From the Dest of BWS President Laura Brown” for more information.)
Inside BWS
From the Desk of BWS President Laura Brown:
Thank you to everyone that participated in the show at Gallery Mortgage. It was a fantastic show and pick up was completed March 31st.
Spring has sprung and some exciting things are coming up just around the corner! Our next member meeting will be April 14th so keep an eye out for the meeting reminder with all the details.
Our April Membership Meeting the program will be: WATERCOLOR MONOTYPE PRINTS
Demonstration by BWS Member Nicola Payne
Demo and Member Participation
Below is a summary of the program and what to bring from Nicola:
A monotype is one of a kind, a unique piece of artwork. It is the simplest form of printmaking, requiring only pigments, a surface on which to apply them, paper and some form of press. This technique is usually done with oil based ink or paint, but I will be using watercolor.
Here is the supply list:
Tube watercolor -Black, dark Brown or any strong color you want to try. I have used both Winsor and Newton and Hobby lobby brands, the paint grade doesn’t seem to matter much.
****tube watercolor works best for more representational images. Pan may be used but it is more suited towards more abstract works as it causes some nuances to happen during the printing process***
A 5×7” (approximately) piece of plexiglass, or glass, sheet of acetate, transparency sheet, solid piece of plastic from a lettuce/salad mix, box, or something similar (make sure there are no holes in it!)
Other Supplies:
Paper- mixed media paper (120lb)or 140lb hot press watercolor paper, not your best paper!
Water container -big enough to soak paper in, or a spray bottle of water.
Hand towel to “dry” paper.
1” flat brush
Q tips
Paper towels
Masking tape (especially if using glass)
Smaller brushes
Water for brush cleaning
A piece of printer paper
Manila folder or equivalent for transportation-print will be damp
A sheet of wax paper or tracing paper can be useful.
Image will be monochrome so bring an appropriate picture to work from or use your imagination!
March Program Report
Jeanne Dutton and Charlotte Griffin offered a program on “Unique Techniques” using watercolor including lifting out color using a toothbrush, painting Gingham cloth using a plastic fork, using credit cards to paint rocks, and creating textures such as moss on tree trunks using watercolor pencil. Thank you Jeanne and Charlotte!!
20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
Patty Uffman reminds members that BWS was organized in 2005 and has been going strong ever since! With 20 years under our belt, she says, “We think it’s time to celebrate!”
Please SAVE THE DATE: July 12, 2025 / 7-9 pm
The venue will be The Mill at 642 N. Madison Street. Aside from light appetizers, a cash bar, cake, and door prizes, we will have a short program highlighting the people who have made it possible and the accomplishments of our organization.
More information coming soon!
“We Paint…Dali and Degas”
At the March 7 reception, we were pleased to greet our 2024 BWS Art Scholarship winner, Seongwon “Sarah” Park, shown here with her proud father.
Many thanks to the many people who help make the show happen, including the workers who hang and take down the show, the judges, John La Bella for providing the gallery and the Best of Show award, the list goes on.
Congratulations again to Lynne Gilliatt and Laura Brown for winning Best of Show and Runner Up respectively.
Photo custody of Jeanne Dutton
BWS Scholarship
Jeanne Dutton reports that the posters for the 2025 BWS Scholarship have been distributed with the Monroe County Schools. Students graduating in the Spring with a plan to continue their education in the arts can apply for a $500 scholarship to be used for their art supplies.
Cancer Support Center
Linda Meyer Wright retrospective show is being shown at the Cancer Support Center (CSC) and will be available through April. As always, contact the Cancer Support Center to make sure that there is not an event occurring that conflicts with your viewing Linda’s paintings.
Outside BWS
John Waldron Art Center
Watercolor Society of Indiana
Upcoming WSI Events (Detailed info an each of these events can be found at: https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/Calendar)
• Annual Members Exhibition is open to WSI members. Each member can enter one painting per the prospectus. The show is not juried or judged. The Exhibition will be at the Eiterjorg Museum in Indianapolis from May 10th through June 14th with a public reception on May 10th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Entries are accepted through April 7th.
• 43rd Annual Juried Exhibition is open to WSI members. This is the premier watercolor show in Indiana and will be judged this year by Thomas Schaller, a signature member of AWS, NWS, TWSA. The show will be at the Indianapolis Art Museum at Newfields from September 5th through November 1st with a public reception and awards ceremony on September 7th from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. The prize fund this year is expected to be around $10,000. Entries are accepted through June 20th at 5:00 pm.
• “Beginning Watercolor” class on September 21st from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Jewish Community Center, 6701 Hoover Road, Indianapolis. This class will be taught by Ann Rose and Cheryl Lowe, both Cardinal Fellow members of WSI. This class is for adults only and no previous experience with watercolor is required.
• “Painting a Figure From a Photo” workshop by Ted Nuttall, a signature member of AWS, NWS , TWSA will be held at the Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis from October 14th through the 17th. This workshop is for intermediate to advanced watercolor artists. You do not have to be a WSI member to enroll in this workshop.
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| Join the Hoosier Art Salon for a 3-Day Immersive Art Experience! Lilacs, Peonies, and Hydrangeas in Oil with Douglas David. Three-Day Oil Painting Workshop, Tuesday – Thursday, May 13-15, 9:00 – 4:00 pm CT. Capers Emporium Glass Fusion Studio. Two Hour Workshop, Tuesday, May 13, 6:00 pm CT. Capers Kitchen Cooking Class. An upscale simple meal prepared to dine in the Capers Kitchen!, Wednesday, May 14, 5:00 pm CT. Fun for the whole family! |
Artists for Climate Awareness
Two items: The organization Artists for Climate Awareness is hosting “climate art” exhibition. The exhibition, named “Distant Thunder,” includes 2-D and 3-D artwork to be displayed online and at the Arts Alliance Center in the College Mall from April 3rd to April 28th.
Discover the art of color and conservation with Indiana artist Avon Waters in this all-day Saturday workshop. Learn how to mix colors that sing, while mastering techniques to elevate your work—whether you prefer watercolor, gouache, acrylic, pastel, or oil. Avon will share his expertise in pastel as he guides you through color theory and introduces ways to connect your art to conservation and the interconnectivity of nature: https://tinyurl.com/waters-color
Membership News
Robert Thrasher. A painting from my visit to Sumona, Italy last fall.
Timothy Lewis. My newest work is entitled “Bailey’s Mill,” a 22” x 15” watercolor of the mill that was built by Ira Bailey around 1823, constructed on the Blue River in what would become the town of Freeport in Shelby County. This mill had a horizontal mill wheel powered by water diverted from the Blue River. Commissioned by Dana and Lora Hamblin, current owners of the property where the mill stood.
“Bailey’s Mill” by Timothy Lewis
My watercolor, “Crusher”, will be a part of the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Regional Show at Hendricks Live! In Plainfield, IN. The show runs from April 16 through May 31 with a public reception on April 16 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
“Crusher” by Timothy Lewis.
My watercolor, “Entropy”, will be a part of the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Annual Membership Exhibition at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, IN. The show runs from May 10 through June 14 with a public reception on May 10 from 3:00 pm through 5:00 pm.
“Entropy” by Timothy Lewis.
Lynne Gilliatt. Here is my latest goauche on black paper. I’m in the process of putting together a “Backyard Series” consisting of twelve paintings.
Stephen Edwards. My watercolor “ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A BOY WHO LOVED TRAINS” in the American Watercolor Society’s 158th Annual International Exhibition has been awarded the Joan Ashley Rothermel Memorial Award.
Also Extremely surprised and elated that “ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A BOY WHO LOVED TRAINS” also took the top prize of Recognition of Excellence (Best Of Show) in the Watercolor Society Of Alabama’s 84th National Watercolor Exhibit.
The surprises just keep coming this year! I was awarded the Third Place Award for my watercolor “WAITING FOR JUST ONE MORE TURN” at the 93rd Annual Indiana Artists Club Exhibition.
Come and see the exhibit at Newfields as soon as you can. It’s a really good show.
Catalog link : Indiana Artists Annual Juried Exhibition 2025
Editor’s Noe: When I wrote to Stephen Edwards on his impressive contributions to our profession, he responded: “I keep trying Jerry. Too many artists have been shifted to acrylics. I try to keep to push the boundary past what plastics can do.”
“Waiting for Just One More Turn” by Stephen Edwards
Jacki Frey. Here I am with my painting, “Stonington,” at the Indiana Artist Club Exhibition at Newfields Art Museum in Indianapolis.
Read on for a surprise birthday present I gave myself:
Jacki Frey with her painting, “Stonington,” now showing at the Indiana Artist Club Exhibition in Indianapolis.
My surprise birthday present is that I got to see several original Richard Schmidt paintings today in all places — the little town of Plainfield. The reason his work was on exhibit in Plainfield was because the artist Libby Whipple lives in Plainfield, and Libby studied with him at an artist portrait convention.
Attached are several photos. The opening photo to this issue of Brushstrokes is a portrait of “Zorro,” Richard’s cat. While he often painted “Zorro” in oil, this portrait is done in gouache; “but,” the placard explains, “It’s really a watercolor with white wash added to it on a gesso surface.” The second photo (below) tells the story of “Zorro,” and the role she played in Richard Schmidt’s life and career. The third photo, taken in 2007, shows Libby Whipple with Richard Schmidt and his wife as well as some of his writings, with Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting being his best known publication.
Richard was born in the 30s in Chicago and studied art at the Chicago Art Institute. His mentor artist was the very knowledgeable Bill Mosby; together they studied the classical painters of Europe. Richard received numerous awards over his lifetime. His paintings hang in a variety of collections, including the Smithsonian Institute. Richard died about three years ago.
Calendar
Now through April: Linda Meyer-Wright Retrospective, Cancer Support Center, Bloomington.
Now through May 16: Indiana Artists Exhibition at Indianapolis Art Museum at Newfields.
April 3 – April 28: Artists for Climate Awareness Exhibition at Art Alliance Center, College Mall.
April 4 – April 27: Opening Reception to new exhibit, John Waldron Art Center, Bloomington.
April 7: Last day to submit a painting to the IWS 2025 Membership Show, Indianapolis.
April 12: Artists for Climate Awareness Workshop, “Color Theory for Artists Demystified,” at Art Alliance Center, Bloomington, Mall, 9-4 p.m.
April 14: BWS Meeting, First Christian Church, 6-8 p.m.
May 13 – 15: Hoosier Salon Workshops (see website for specifics).
July 12: Save this date to celebrate BWS’ 20th Anniversary!!!!
