Upcoming Monthly Meeting

Monday, March 13, 2017
6:00 p.m.
First Christian Church
Bloomington

After refreshments, socializing, and a short business meeting, BWS Signature Member Jacki Frey will present a program on creating a “Value Study Sketch Using Black or Payne’s Grey Watercolor for Sketching.”

Supplies to bring to the meeting are black or Payne’s Grey paint, a pencil, eraser, quarter sheets of watercolor paper or watercolor pad, and round brushes size 8 and 12.

Also, bring a favorite photo.  Jacki will provide some photos as well.

New Signature Members

Congratulations to the two new Signature members, Cathy Korinek and Donna Whitsitt.  To become a Signature member, certain criteria must be met.  Then, the applicants submit a selection of their work and their credentials before being “judged” by an outside juror.  Interested in applying?  The next opening will be in January 2018.  Questions can be directed to Tricia Wente.

Left to Right: Donna Whitsitt, Cathy Korinek

Welcome, New Members

Hello and welcome to Marie Kosakowski, Henry Leck, Diane Thayer, Debra Tocco, and Grant Wood.  Glad you could join us, and hope to see you soon!

BWS Spring Workshop

“Alcohol Inks and Water Soluble Crayons on Yupo”

March 25, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
First Christian Church, Bloomington

Come learn about the versatility and magic of alcohol inks on Yupo!  This workshop will inspire artists of all levels to loosen up and go with the flow. We will create abstract and non-objective works while learning the qualities of this vibrant medium. The day will start with making samples of different techniques.

We will take an intermission before lunch to introduce pearl-ex, a mica pigment that can be added to your watercolors, and water soluble wax pastels/crayons.

After lunch, you’ll apply the learned processes in your own way with suggestions and guidance.

Instructor:  Lynn Busch, who has a BFA from Berea College, is an Artist and Educator with Jacquard Products, and a manager and teacher at Preston Arts Center in Louisville.

ALL details can be found at http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/2017-spring-workshop/, or contact Jeanne at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

MEMBER ACTIVITIES

BWS has new Rack Cards, thanks to Carol Rhodes!  If you are participating in an exhibit or a craft show or are represented by a gallery, please consider taking some rack cards along with you.  Contact Jeanne at Info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org for a supply.

Sarah & Salmon by Phyllis Taylor

Congratulations to….

Phyllis Taylor, BWS’ Northwest Coast “affiliate,” was one of 19 artists, from a group of 80, juried into a show at the Cannon Beach Arts Association (Oregon) titled “Contemporary Portraiture.” Juror was Martha Lee, owner of Russo Lee Gallery, Portland.

Works explore what role portraits now play in society with today’s “selfie” culture. Taylor’s work, “Afternoon Catch,” is a portrait of friend Sarah holding a large salmon she’d caught–and looking pretty pleased about it. This was the first juried show Phyllis has entered since moving to Oregon.

Wild Women by Sara Steffey-McQueen

Sara Steffey-McQueen’s linoleum print, “Wild Women,” was juried into the 37th Annual National Print Exhibition at Artlink Contemporary Gallery.  The opening reception is March 31, 6-9 pm, at the gallery, 300 East Main Street in Ft. Wayne.

BWS Upland Painters

Reporting: Kristen Stamper
Upland Plein Air Painters Plans a Busy April.
BWS’ 1st Plein Air Exhibition will open during Gallery Walk, 5-8 p.m. on April 7, at the Bellevue Gallery in the Farmer House Museum at 529 N. College St.  Over 30 BWS artists are planning to participate. Please come out and share the fun of this exciting review of local scenes painted on location at numerous BWS sponsored paint outs. The show will be on display through May 2, Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In preparation for the Plein Air Exhibition, Kathy Barton and Donna Whitsitt are hosting a framing workshop. Ever the DIY divas, they will demonstrate framing techniques and share their knowledge on sources and professionally framing artwork yourself, including cost-saving approaches that can offer more flexibility than purchasing these services. Please contact upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org to reserve your spot and receive full details.
Finally, with the return of spring weather we will be outside to paint, starting in April. Please join us for any of these events. Please contact upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org for details.

• Tuesday, March 7, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Framing workshop, downtown location TBD, Host: Kathy Barton & Donna Whitsitt
• Tuesday, April 4, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Spring Mill State Park, Host: Rose Brenner
• Wednesday, April 5, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Turn in paintings for Plein Air Show at Bellevue Gallery, 529 N. College St.
• Friday, April 7, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Opening reception for 1st Plein Air Show at Bellevue Gallery, 529 N. College St.
• Wednesday, April 12, All Day,  Azalea Path & Arboretum in Hazleton, Indiana, Host: Kathy Barton
• Tuesday, April 18, 9 a.m.-12 noon, TC Steele State Historic Site, Host: Anne-Karine Bley

Arts in the Parks

Betty Wagoner received a grant for the state “Arts in the Parks” program. The workshop sessions will take place March through August, so watch here for later opportunities, or contact Betty.

• Saturday, March 25, 1-4 p.m.  TC Steele State Historic Site, in the Large Studio.

A brief review of watercolor pencil techniques and plein air techniques used by TC Steele as evidenced in his paintings.

• Saturday, May 13, 1-4 p.m. – TC Steele State Historic Site, Watercolor plein air painting workshop.

Watercolor techniques and plein air basics will be covered and participants will paint around the grounds.

The Art of Chocolate

Thank you to all the BWS artists who participated in the Mardi Gras show and painted at the Keynote event.  We can be proud that sales of our art generated over $600 for LIFEDesigns!  The exhibit will remain at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage through March 27.

Please pick up your paintings between 11:00 – 2:00, at the Vault on March 28.

Penance, Mardi Gras Style by Jerry Harste

Best in Show, C’est fou, by Deborah Rush

Babette Ballinger holding a painting by Tricia Wente at Art of Chocolate

OPPORTUNITIES

Eco-Heroes Contest
The City of Bloomington Environmental Commission announces the sixth annual Eco-Heroes Contest. While this art contest has always been for local K-12 students, this year the Environmental Commission is collaborating with the Commission on Aging to pilot an additional category for adults. Entries are due Friday, March 31 at 5:00 p.mm at the City’s Planning and Transportation Department in City Hall. For more information, contact Sarah Green, City of Bloomington Environmental Commission.

Orchids in Watercolor at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Now through July 9, IMA offers a wonderful show of botanical watercolors.  This exhibition features “30 orchid watercolors collected by Josiah K. Lilly, son of the founder of Eli Lilly and Company and its president from 1898 until 1932.  Through these works, significant for both their scientific accuracy and aesthetic quality, guests will be able to explore botanical facts about orchids and learn more about the Lilly family’s interest in collecting and growing them.” http://www.imamuseum.org/exhibition/lilly-collection-orchids-watercolors

Frederick William Bolas (English, 1871–1951), Orchid: Cypripedium smithae, 1907, watercolor on Whatman’s water colour sketching board, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. J.K. Lilly, 63.81

Happy St. Patty’s Day!