Meeting: February 8 at 6 p.m. over Zoom
Program: The FUNdamentals of Abstract Art by Jerome Harste
In the spirit of Jasper Johns on how to grow as an artist—“Do something, then do something to that something and soon you will have something”– in this program we will be creating a piece of abstract art using and breaking the rules we have learned about creating art from our many years of study and experience. As we work with line, shape, color, value, space, pattern and dominance our mantra will be, “Repetition with Variation; Similar but Different.” By the end of the session participants will have a greeting card-sized piece of abstract art to use to impress friends and remind themselves how therapeutic, FUN, and educational art can be when done in the company of risk-takers.
Supplies Needed
*Ruler, pencil and a greeting card-sized piece of watercolor paper (5×7). My recommendation is to tape it down on a small cutting board so that when you remove the tape your painting will be framed.
*Watercolor paints – bring all the different blues you own and at least one or two yellows you particularly like.
*Two waterproof black markers (fine point and medium point), and something that allows you to make a white line (acrylic pen; white gouache, white gesso, etc.)
Inside BWS
President’s Corner
Do you ever wonder how to breathe new life into your watercolor portraits? Do you sometimes feel, in the middle of your project, that you are stuck? Do you then start analyzing works by others in search of inspiration? I would like to entice you to view the works of the accomplished artist Mario Andres Robinson at https://www.marioarobinson.com/
I hope that you will find some inspiration in his watercolor portraits. Have fun!
President Joanna Samorow-Merzer
2021-2022 Nominating Committee
We are at the time of the year that we have to find among you those who are interested in serving as Officers on the Executive Board or as Chairs on Committees in the next year, July 2021 – June 2022. Some of the Officers/Chairs will continue and we have a few available spots for the next year. Please see the downloadable document that President Joanna Samorow-Merzer sent to the membership describing the duties of each office if you are interested in serving.
This year’s Nominating Committee is being chaired by Andy Roberts and includes Barbara Coffman and Kathy Truelove Barton.
These are the available positions for Officers and Chairs:
1) President
2) 1st VP
3) Treasurer
4) Activities Chair
5) Refreshment
6) Show
If you are interested in serving in any of these capacities please contact Andy Roberts, Nominating Committee Chair.
BWS Thanks
At our January program Joanne Weddle presented a program on journaling along with Linda Branstetter and Jacqueline Fernette who shared examples of the journals they have made. Not only did these artists share their creativity but they inspired many of us to begin journaling ourselves. Our thanks to the three of you for a wonderful and inspirational program.
“We Paint…Carnival.”
“We Paint…Carnival!” is the theme of the 6th Annual Month of Chocolate Exhibit presented by the Bloomington Watercolor Society. Full of color and fun, it’s just what a carnival during Mardi Gras should be.
Paintings for “We Paint…Carnival!” are due at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, from 10 a.m. to Noon. If you missed the online gallery deadline, it’s not a problem – you can still exhibit at the Vault! We will be filming a video tour and, in it, announcing the Best of Show and Silver Second awards, and the raffle winners.
Painting are on exhibit at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage from February 5 through March 28. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tune into the virtual gallery opening on Friday, February 5th on YouTube and Facebook and the link below.
Month of Chocolate | LIFEDesigns
Purchases of paintings supports both LIFEDesigns and the artist. Paintings are for sale online through LIFEDesigns, along with original, handpainted and crafted greeting cards by BWS artists Linda Branstetter, Charlotte Griffin, Penny Lulich, Sharon Parsons, and Jeanne Ellen Dutton. Many with matching painted envelopes, the greeting cards are priced at $6.00 each.
Below are two examples: A painting called “Watercolor Collage” by Jan Britton and a Greeting Card called “Smudge and Pepper” by Linda Branstetter.
And remember: BWS’ Cookbook is also still available for purchase.
Outside BWS
Arts of the Earth Day at T.C. Steele
On Saturday, April 17th, T.C. Steele State Historic Site will hold its third Arts of the Earth Day. Arts of the Earth is a program to welcome spring and the return of warm weather, and to offer our visitors an inspiring day outdoors. Although we cannot guarantee it, it’s likely the daffodils will be in bloom!
If anyone from BWS would like to work outdoors at the site on that day, the staff at T.C. Steele would love to have them! The site will waive regular day admission for artists participating in the Arts of the Earth Day program.
Artist wishing to participate in Arts of the Earth Day by setting up and working outdoors between 10am-4pm on April 17th, should email Cate Whetzel (museumcommunication@indianamuseum.org) with their name and
estimated timeframe at the site. FYI Mask mandates are still in effect.
Friends of T.C. Steele Member Art Show – Feb. 6-27
Brown County Art Gallery.
This note from Betty Wagoner:
“The T.C. Steel Member Art Show includes a variety of paintings: oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel. A number of photographic processes are represented, plus a few ceramic pieces and two quilting on cardboard pieces. Ten of the
39 artists in the show are BWS members. The show is judged by Kathtryn Clark, retired co-owner of Twin Rocker Handmade Paper and Wyatt Le Grand, a nationally recognized artist who is an art teacher in the Bloomfield Public Schools. (Several years ago BWS members
traveled to Brookston, IN to tour the Twin Rocker Handmade Paper facility where they were producing watercolor paper.) This is a good show to enter whether you are a professional or an emerging artist wondering whether you could successfully enter future art shows.”
Upland Plein Air Painters
Claude Cookman is presenting a program for the Upland Plein Art Painters on February 2 at 10 a.m. He invites interested members of BWS to join him. Anybody interested who is not an Upland member should email Babette Ballinger. She will be happy to add them to the invitation list.
Prospectus. We will start with a short presentation on the two major approaches to representing the human body in the western art tradition, tracing them from Ancient Greece and Rome through medieval, Renaissance and academic art to the present.
This quick historical sketch is intended to prime your own drawing of the figure. We will do five 2-minute gesture sketches, a 10-minute pose, then conclude with a half-hour pose. This will be virtual, using photographs of academic poses.
Caveat. If full-frontal nude images offend you, you should not attend this session.
Materials. Drawing supplies. Claude recommends vine charcoal, a kneadable eraser, and newsprint (if possible, a large pad in the 16- x 24-inch range). However, any drawing materials will suffice.
Preparation. Although not required, Claude strongly recommends you watch this Youtube video on gesture drawing. Even if you feel confident in your skills, he promises you will learn something new and valuable about gesture drawing.
Questions. Please let Claude Cookman know if you have questions or concerns about this announcement or the session.
Salem Pocket Park — Mural Contest
The Washington County Community Foundation, City of Salem and Washington County Historical Society have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from an artist or artist team to design and implement a new public mural in Salem, Indiana.
The artwork will be part of a larger master plan for a new pocket park that will be located adjacent to city hall and the town’s central square. Design and planning for this project has been funded by Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement and the Eskenazi School’s ServeDesign Center. Implementation funding has been generously provided by the Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) Ready Communities Program.
Submissions are due by February 15th, 2021. Please email all inquiries and submissions to Daniel@AAOffice.com
Brown County Art Guild
 **CALLING ALL ARTISTS!** Have you ever been told you are a great painter? Here is your chance to be seen by many exceptional artists and collectors. The Brown County Art Guild is proud to present its first online art contest! Artists of all skill levels (age 15 or older) are encouraged to enter up to three works of art. All painting and drawing mediums are accepted. Registration fee is $15 per submission. Submissions will be accepted through February 14. All submissions will be judged by Guild Artist, Donna Shortt. All winners will be announced Sunday, February 28 on Facebook and Instagram. Prizes: First prize – $250; Second prize – $125; Third prize – $75. Open voting of Finalists’ artwork will take place on Facebook, February 21-25. A $50 People’s Choice Award will be presented to the Artist with the most online votes. Next week’s Guild Goes Live! will be devoted to answering questions about the #CanYouPaint_Challenge. Tune in at 3pm via Facebook and Instagram. Please see the #CanYouPaint_Challenge webpage for a complete list of rules and eligibility requirements: CONTEST RULES & REGISTRATION |
Hancock County Arts – Vawter Campaign
This note from Carol Barrett, Vawter Art Campaign Chair:
“I wanted to let you know that the Hancock County Arts Board has decided to move the annual Vawter show from April to June this year.
There were two reasons for guiding us to this decision. The first was that we are in hopes our community will be much healthier by June and folks will welcome a safe, outdoor activity.
The second reason is very exciting. We are opening our new Depot Street Park in downtown Greenfield along with the unveiling of an amazing bronzed Vawter statue there in the new park.
It will be a great event in Greenfield where we can welcome our community to not only the park but to recognize Will Vawter and celebrate our collection of art entries at the TwentyNorth Gallery.
We invite artists to a plein air event in the park to coincide with our awards presentation. We do not have dates planned yet but will let you know as soon as those details are finalized.
I hope you will welcome the additional two months to create your beautiful Vawter entries for 2021. Please take care and let us know of any questions you have at this point. See you all in June!!!!”
Viridian Moon Art Gallery
Several current and former BWS members are showing their work at Bloomington’s newest art gallery, Viridian Moon. Irina Shishova and Katya Alexeeva have opened the gallery at 1600 W. Bloomfield Road, Bloomington.
The gallery features acrylics, drawings, oils, watercolors, ceramics and fiber art from Anne-Karine Bley, Carol Rhodes, Eric Brock, Henry Leck, Irina Shishova, Jacki Frey, Katya Alexeeva, Nancy Davis Metz, Laurel Bender, and Oga Klyachko.
Viridian Moon is open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Irina and Katya invite you to come by and view the artworks. The website is https://www.viridianmoon.art/.
Membership News
Stephen Edwards wrote to say, “Very humbled to have received a Silver Medal for “Noon At The Oasis” in the 2020 International Art Professionals Exhibit. The jury was made up of 40 Professional Artists from all over the world. The painting was in the Aquarell (watermedia) Category.
Also equally humbled to receive the following award from the Brown County Art Gallery Foundation
‘Congratulations to the 2020 Vance Prize winner artist Stephen Edwards for his beautiful watercolor “Falling Temps and Flurries’.
The Prize began in the 1920s in memory of artist Frederick Vance who worked hard to establish the Brown County Art Gallery in 1926 but died before it’s opening. His family sponsored an annual prize for an outstanding work of art by an Association Member.
The Foundation Board revived the prize in recent years with a generous sponsorship by Board Member Dr. James Leatherman. Finalists receive 250.00 and the final prize is $1,000.00. The painting is available for purchase.”
Lynne Gilliatt send in a this note and a picture. “My new work is done on hand-dyed wool pieces with cotton floss, ribbon and wool threads!”
Timothy Lewis wrote to say, “I’ve been trying to loosten up a little by working on some small (7.5” x 11”) watercolors. Attached are two of the latest. I currently have artwork hanging in the Southside Art League’s Off Broadway Gallery in Greenfield, the Shelby Art Guid’s Gallery in Shelbyville, the Dragonfly Gallery in Spencer and at Generation Art & Frame in Franklin.
Penny Lulich wrote to say “I’ve entered two paintings into the T.C. Steel Member show. “On Gigi’s Farm” is from a photo of my friend’s daughters who were visiting their grandfather in northern Indiana when it snowed just before Christmas. The other painting is of my granddaughter putting the finishing touches on her snowman.
For the “Art of Chocolate” gallery show, I’m entering a painting of a blue heron in winter “Bayou Bird”.
Linda Meyer-Wright posted some of her new work on Facebook. I asked her if she was willing to share her work in the BWS Newsletter. Here is what she had to say about the initial three paintings she sent in. “The first & third are alcohol ink on panel. The 3D portions are air dry clay. These techniques can be used with watercolor on canvas and paper as well. So air dry clay can be a fun addition to watercolor and/or acrylic or just about anything. The middle one has a base of water soluble oil mixed with cold wax – several layers. The clay is the next layers – then alcohol inks – then oil & wax. Layers & layers – put it on /take it off – you know me. The top 2 are 12×12. The tryptic is 3 10×10 panels.”
Linda later wrote to share more of her work saying, “I just couldn’t help myself” along with an avatar of herself.
Andy Roberts wrote to say: “I have a change of scenery for the winter months as we are in Fort Myers, FL which affords me to paint the local beaches and other exciting subjects both flora and fauna. I have applied for entry into the Sanibel Captiva Art League’s Art Fair to be held Feb. 21st. One of the painting I have done for this is attached.
Favorite Techniques
Jerome Harste. “I have been playing around with a mixed media technique that Kathy George introduced as part of a program a Myrtle Beach artist, Rebecca Zdybel, put together. It involves using a light table, fluid acrylic paint in a needle-nosed bottle, and applying watercolor wet on wet. (I bought this needle-nosed bottle from Gaunt Industries [No. 650] online).
Step 1. Begin with a sketch. The more intricate the better. I have been working mostly with butterflies and sunflowers.
Step 2. Lay your sketch on a light table and position your watercolor paper over it so that you can see the sketch through the paper.
Step 3. With your needle-nosed bottle of fluid acrylic (I used Titan Bluff) trace you design onto your watercolor paper. What results is a small trail of acrylic paint outlining the subject you are painting.
Step 4. Allow the acrylic to completely dry.
Step 5. Wet the areas of the background you want to color and then begin to drop in the watercolor colors you have selected. The ridges of acrylic paint keep the paint more or less in place, though some bleeding into your subject may occur. (In the case of the sunflowers once I had dropped in the background I began to work the paint into leaf-like forms using both negative and positive painting techniques.)
Step 6. Allow the background to completely dry.
Step 7. Wet the subject of your painting and begin to drop in the watercolor colors you want to use, I found it is best to paint very loosely, splatter a bit of the colors I used for the flower to make things seem more realistic.
Here are some experimental paintings I have done using this technique. As you can see I have been experimenting with different colors as well as different intensities of color.
I have also tried using gouache to paint a background of flowers and leaves which I had first drew in using the needle-noosed bottle of acrylic.
Lately I have been experimenting with more geometric forms. To date the verdict is out as to whether or not I like the results. Nonetheless, it has been fun experimenting with this technique and I encourage you to give it a try.”
Calendar
February 2, 10 a.m. Upland Plein Air Program “Naked or Nude.”
February 2, 10 a.m. to Noon. Drop off Art of Chocolate paintings at the Vault, Gallery Mortgage.
February 5 – March 28. Art of Chocolate paintings on exhibit at the Vault, Gallery Mortgage.
February 5. Art of Chocolate paintings available virtually.
February 8, 6 p.m. BWS Monthly Meeting via Zoom
February 14. Last day to submit paintings to the Brown County Art Guild.
February 15. Mural proposals due for Salem Pocket Park Project.
April 17. T.C. Steele Arts of the Earth Day.
Have a Heart-Felt Valentine’s Day!!!
