March 12 meeting

Plein air painting: Ready, Set, WAIT! Paint

Painting outside can feel challenging, frustrating, and sometimes overwhelming. But having a basic plan with a few logical steps can help an artist feel prepared, confident, and free to experience more joy. Alice Sharp will take BWS members through four basic steps to outdoor watercolor painting.

1. Ready: Selecting a scene
2. Set: Composition
3. WAIT!: Value before color. This important step will be the focus of the presentation and the subject of practice exercises.
4. Paint: Discovering your ideal simple palette

Members will need the following supplies: sketchbook or sketch paper, pencil, eraser, and a variable nibbed black marker such as an Artists Loft dual nibbed or a Staedtler Mars graphic 3000 duo. If you don’t have a variable nibbed marker, any wide nibbed marker such as elMarko or Marks-A-Lot will work.

Alice’s presentation will follow a brief business meeting that starts at 6 p.m., March 12, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave.

BWS Scholarship deadline approaches

Bloomington Watercolor Society invests in the future of art by awarding a $300 scholarship to help a promising visual art student. BWS awards one scholarship annually to an MCCSC high school senior who is pursuing a degree in visual fine arts, arts education, architecture or design from an accredited college, university, or school of design. The scholarship award will be paid to the student for the purpose of purchasing art supplies necessary for the curriculum in which the student is enrolled.

Applications for this year are available online at www.mccsfoundation.org with a due date of 7 p.m., Friday, March 30.

Donations toward this scholarship fund are tax deductible and may be made any time to the Foundation for Monroe County Community Schools (FMCCS). Please specify BWS Scholarship Fund in the memo line and mail to 315 North Drive, Bloomington IN 47401.

Hidden Treasures of Indiana

to show April 3 – May 9 at Wylie House

by Kathy Barton

Upland Plein Air Painters of Bloomington Watercolor Society invites all BWS members in good standing to enter their 2D work in any media except photography. Work must have been created at least 60 percent in plein air paint-outs sponsored by Upland and BWS. For example, on-site work should — at the least — establish the composition and color notes.

The show will hang in the Wylie House Museum Bradley Education Center. The opening reception will be Saturday, April 14, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

“We want to offer opportunities to those who like to paint small as well as large,” said Kathy Barton, who pointed out that the location is well suited to many small pieces in 8 X 10-inch frames or 10 X 10-inch frames. “We also welcome pieces in 11 X 14-inch frames or similar, and a few larger pieces up to 35 inches outside frame width.” The prospectus, titled “Hidden Treasures of Indiana,” is available on www.WePaintBloomington.org and www.bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Kathy suggests work created at a paint-out often fits a precut mat. For example, a 5 X 7-inch greeting card fits a precut mat for an 8 X 10-inch frame. Both Hobby Lobby and Michael’s Arts and Crafts offer frames with mats and glass as a single unit as well as precut mats in standard sizes for reasonable prices. Check the prospectus for details on hanging hardware and wire location. Talk to Upland members about how to do this for a reasonable price.

Works can be sold from the show and replaced while the show is up. No commission will be taken from sales. Artists must make their own arrangements for sales transactions. Kristen Stamper or Kathy Barton can offer assistance, if requested, or they can sell for you if you are not available.

To enter the show, sign up with Penny Lulich at the March 12 BWS meeting.  A $5 confirmation fee is due at sign up; the fees will fund a People’s Choice Award to be announced at the reception.

BWS Portrait Group schedule

Portrait Group sessions are open to all BWS members and their guests. Participants are welcome to work in any medium. Typically models pose for 20- to 25-minute segments, alternating with 5-minute breaks. Those who attend share the cost of the models, with a minimum of $3 and a maximum of $5 charged for each session. Sessions are every other Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. The location with occasional exceptions, is the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. Seventh St.

March 8 Brycen Veach

Brycen Veach, who is majoring in fashion design at IU< is a student in BWS President Jane Matranga’s fashion illunstration course. Brycen represents a type of model we have not yet had, a male in his early 20s. He has a warm, open face, great smile, and billows of black hair.

March 22 Maria Pairitz

Maria Pairitz is an art major at IU.

April models to be announced.

May 3 Brother William Morris

An Indiana Legal Services attorney, Ivy Tech professor, and Episcopal deacon in training, Brother William Morris is best known as host of WFIU’s Soul Kitchen, an eclectic mix of musical genres from his personal collection. He’s also a closet artist and has expressed enthusiasm about modeling for our group. You can read a profile about Brother William in Limestone Post at https://www.limestonepostmagazine.com/big-mikes-b-town-william-morris-always-teaching/.

BWS helps LIFEDesigns raise money

The Week of Chocolate fundraiser generated more than $60,000 for LIFEDesign programs.

BWS contributed to the effort in a couple of ways:

• All the members who submitted artwork to the “We Paint … Jazz!” exhibit at The Vault. Kristen Stamper’s entry sold, providing 50 percent of its sale price to LIFEDesigns.
• Handpainted cards sold at The Vault, The Venue, and the Art of Chocolate event Feb. 10. Charlotte Griffin; Cassidy Young and husband Michael; Robin Edmundson, her husband Eric and daughter Claire Jenness, Carol Rhodes, and Jeanne Dutton all created cards or helped at the event.

At press time, card sales totaled about $200. Stephanie Shelton, chief development officer for LIFEDesigns, said: “We’re so impressed with how the sales of these cards has gradually increased each year.”

Jeanne Dutton and Carol Rhodes painted greeting cards at the event.

Robin Edmundson, Michael Young, and Cassidy Young. Robin and Cassidy painted cards at the event.

Steve and Candi Bailey at the Art of Chocolate Mardi Gras event

Upland

Plein air painters March schedule

All BWS members are welcome to join in at any Upland event. For more information on a specific event, email Upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Tuesday, March 6: T.C. Steele Studio paint-in or paint-out, hosted by Betty Wagoner

Tuesday, March 13: Wylie House Museum, hosted by Kristen Stamper

Tuesday, March 20: Abstract demo, hosted by Jacki Frey

Tuesday, March 27: Watercolor glazing DVD & bread baker, hosted by Kathy Barton

Friday, March 30: Nude model at IU Fine Arts, hosted by Claude Cookman

Juried art show

The Art & Soul of Bloomington III

summer schedule announced

B-town Vibe by Nancy Davis Metz was awarded Best of Show in last year’s Art & Soul show.

The Venue invites submissions to its annual juried show The Art & Soul of Bloomington, which celebrates Bloomington as “a place that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit of those who are privileged to call it home.”

Jurors will select 25 submissions for the show. All submissions must be original, created by the submitting artist, and available for sale, subject to The Venue’s normal commission. The jury panel consists of Gabe Colman, a professional art appraiser and curator of The Venue; William Hays, an educator, collector, and longtime member of the Bloomington art community; and an anonymous juror.

Cash awards will be given for Best in Show, Silver Best in Show, and People’s Choice.

To apply, contact The Venue at 812-322-1661 or Venueartshow@gmail.com. All formal applications will be made by email with attached photos where appropriate. Rules and details are available on the Prospectus on the website http://www.thevenuebloomington.com/art-soul.

Application fees paid before midnight June 15 will be $40 for one submission and $5 for each additional submission. From June 16 until midnight June 28 the fees will be $40 for one submission and $10 for each additional submission.

Show schedule

June 15: Early bird application deadline

June 28: Final application deadline

July 7: Grand opening and reception, 6 p.m.

Member News

The theme of “Professor Animalia’s Menagerie of Struggling Species: SAVE THE ANIMALS/SAVE YOUSELF!” is to raise environmental awareness through the sideshow banner genre. This concept reflects a culmination of Joe and Bess Lee‘s past experiences, both professionally and personally: Joe’s work with actual circuses and as an illustrator and Bess’s career as a public school art teacher and painter. The show will be a culmination of their experiences as individual artists and concerned citizens. It opens at the Blueline Gallery, 212 W. Fourth St., April 6, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. A percentage of all sales go to Earth Charter, a not-for-profit environmental agency in Indianapolis.

Lennie’s Restaurant has extended the showing of pastel works by Lynne Gilliatt and oils by Susan Savastuk through March 9. The restaurant is at 1795 E. 10th St., Bloomington.

Several BWS members have works in Lawrence County Art Association’s current show, “Tiny Treasures,” which continues through March 18 at the Wiley Art Center, 1402 J St, Bedford. The gallery is open 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The show features miniature works in oil, acrylics, watercolor, ink, collage, and pencil. Penny Lulich, Candi Bailey, Robin Edmundson and Don Geyra are represented in the show.

Beyond BWS

Indiana State Fair competition entries open March 1. For watercolor information, turn to page 15 in the Open Entry Book that can be found at https://www.indianastatefair.com/state-fair/competitionscontests/indiana-arts-building/.

The Kentucky Watercolor Society will stage Aqueous, its major juried show of the year, Sept, 6 – Nov. 4 at Actors Theatre of Louisville. Lian Quan Zhen, internationally acclaimed watercolorist, will be the juror. Deadline for receipt of entries is July 1. The prospectus is not yet posted on the website, but you can email questions to kentuckywatercolor@gmail.com. Or check the website periodically: http://www.kentuckywatercolorsociety.org/competitions.html.

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:

If you could paint anywhere in the world, time and money being nonfactors, where would it be and why?

Patty Uffman

Greece: Love the photos of the blues against the whites, the coastline, cobblestones, the craggy old men — not to mention the Acropolis and Mount Olympus!

Penny Lulich

There is no place like Maui for painting people and scenery, so if time and money aren’t an issue, that’s where I would go. And I would start in Makawao where you see horses being ridden right down the sidewalk on the main street of town, under the rain shadow of Haleakala.

Mary Jo Cannedy

I would love to paint in Tuscany, Italy. I have seen pictures and the landscapes look lovely. I have painted in the south of France and in Abingdon, England, so Tuscany is my next choice.

Meri Reinhold

Italy. The Tuscan countryside specifically.

Sandy Hall

My grandparents were born in the Netherlands. I would love to capture tulips during their spring festival. A canal with bridge reflections would be an equally challenging scene.

Lynne Gilliatt

Sardinia during Easter season during those pagan walks and festivals would suit me fine. … I love high holy days in other countries, having seen my first in Nicaragua years ago when I was in the Peace Corps there. Portugal and Lima, Peru, during dance festivals whet my appetite also!

Robin Edmundson

If time and money were not factors, I would go anywhere with a lot of water because I don’t really understand light and water and need to practice it more.

Jacki Frey

I could enjoy spending paint time along the harbors and inlets of Maine. Also I would like to return to the quaint and colorful coastal villages in France and Italy. All these locations have an array of boats, buildings, land, and sea to paint.

Candi Bailey

Where would I paint: New Mexico. I went to visit a friend about 1980 and was totally surprised by everything. I had expected to be in a brown desert, but the landscape was amazing!

Claude Cookman

We visited Savannah, Ga., in the late 1970s, and I’ve been trying to get back there ever since, now wielding my Urban Sketchbook and watercolor travel kit. As the oldest city in Georgia — founded in 1733 by Gov. James Oglethorpe, who organized his city plan around a series of squares fronted by elegant brick and wooden homes — Savannah is a time machine that transports the artist back to antebellum days. Featuring a major art museum, an Atlantic seaport on the Savannah River, numerous parks populated by oak trees bedecked with Spanish moss, plus the “Garden of Good and Evil,” more properly known as Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah offers the watercolorist a lifetime of motifs.

April question for IMO:

What’s your favorite triad of paints to work with? Pick three paints that play well together and share how or why you like them so well.

Send your 1- to 3-sentence response to Nancy Davis-Metz by March 21, and look for your opinion to be published in the April issue. Please use IMO as your email’s Subject Line.

First Christian Church

January 8, 2018, 6:15pm

Guests Welcome: Katya Alexeeva & Merry Wenger

New Members Introduction

Hospitality:  Thanks to Mary Walker, pass around sign-up for refreshments

Thank you to Bess, Charlotte, Jane, & Cassidy for contributing refreshments.

Minutes: Erin Duff – Minutes approval:  Motion Jane Matranga Second Patty Uffman

Treasurer’s Report: Patty Uffman – Balances & Expenses Report

Petty cash: $100, PayPal: $38, IUCU: $1,747, Balance: $1,885.

Reminder: Packets of notecards are for sale for $12 or $1 each.

Old Business

New business

BWS Operating Budget – Patty Uffman

BWS will honor our budget commitments the remainder of the year through June 2018. There are now about eighty BWS members. With continued membership growth, more shows, and more committees, there is a need for more resources. Late last year we voted yes to pass an amendment to change the bylaws. Most members voted in favor. The bylaws state that membership fees will be determined periodically (most likely an annual basis). A budget committee was formed, including Charlotte Griffin, Carol Rhodes, and Patty Uffman. We currently have limited operating funds which are an essential part of any sustainable organization. Our expenses and the list of expenses have increased over the past twelve years. BWS collects about $2,000 a year in membership dues. Our annual expenses equal about $3,000. The committee presented the budget to the board, which voted with a unanimous decision to approve increased dues. We have reallocated some amounts, including a reduced amount for the Venue emerging artists award, eliminating the BWS tote bags, and eliminating the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington membership. BWS membership dues (payable May 1st) for next year will increase by $10 (Associate membership will increase by $5). We have also added new allocations, including a $50 budget for the portraits group, a $100 budget for Upland Painters, increased the shows budget to $400, and offset the annual workshop by $250 (so members don’t have to absorb all of the cost).

Our current budget will end after the last meeting in June, 2018. The new budget starts in July, 2018.

If anyone wants to make a gift/donation please address to Bloomington Watercolor Society.

Suggestion: Adding an entry fee of $5-10 for our membership shows. The bylaws state that Signature members are exempt from show entry fees.

Note: The membership show is a benefit for being part of our organization. Adding an entry fee will complicate the show.

Suggestion: We might do another set of notecards. Notecards do bring in more money.

Suggestion: A proposed revenue coming in that would cover us from July 2018 to June 2019. It might be helpful to have revenues and expenses in writing made available to members.

Suggestion: A committee should be formed to come up with fundraiser projects, possibly charging for shows, more notecards, etc to help offset the revenue/budget balance. Motion: Cathy Barton Second: Anne-Karine Bley

Committee Reports

Activities: Jeanne Dutton Art of Chocolate: We Paint Jazz

Art of Chocolate: Mardi Gras overall theme. Our BWS theme is “We Paint Jazz”. Please submit your images soon. An image will be used for the program. The image will go online and you’ll be credited. Check out http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/bwsshows/we-paint-jazz-prospectus/ to look at the show rules. Please drop off your artwork on Tuesday January 30th. The Opening is on February 2nd for the Gallery Walk. There will be a $100 Best of Show prize and two tickets for the Keynote event ($150 value). The runner up will receive two tickets to the Keynote event ($150 value). The remaining tickets will get distributed by raffle. All details are online.

There will be three volunteers to paint notecards onsite (Cassidy, Robin, & Jeanne). You can donate greeting cards to the event. Sale from cards will go to benefit Life Designs.

Brushstrokes: Jeanne Dutton New editor: Nancy Metz

Publicity: Sara Steffey-McQueen  Anne-Karine Bley speaking for Sara

Winter Scenes for HT must be submitted by January 10th. See Anne-Karine Bley for questions. They will most likely be published January 14th.

Upland Painters Activities: Kristen Stamper

Upland, current locations for this month and general committee participation guidelines

Upland is having a winter organization meeting on January 16th, 10:30am at Jacki’s house in Ellettsville (5024 W September Drive). We are planning our calendar with a pitch in lunch. Please bring a current piece of artwork to share.

There is an organized Plein air event at the Wylie House Museum Bradley Education Center (307 E 2nd St). Theme: Hidden Treasures of Indiana. The prospectus is on the BWS website. You can submit two pieces from an event sponsored by BWS. The pieces need to be 60% completed onsite in Plein air. The final layers can be added later. There is a $5 cash commitment fee to enter. The profits will be used for People’s Choice award (voted on at the reception). Work must be framed with hangers. Please see Penny to sign up. We are taking commitments until March. The reception will be held on Saturday, April 14th 2pm-4:30pm. Please spread the word!

Programs: Jo Weddle

Betty Wagoner is doing the program tonight. Anne-Karine Bley will do the program next month (non-traditional, abstract approach to composition).

Brushstrokes will publish what supplies you need to bring to the meeting next month.

Scholarships: Jo Weddle

The scholarships go out at the end of next month. Posters from White Rabbit have been printed. Sara Steffey McQueen will hang the posters at schools. The scholarship award is $300. Theme: Paint outside the box.

Announcements

Jeanne Iler

Jeanne Iler was an original BWS member and a professional artist. She moved to California four years ago to be closer to family. Her son passed away suddenly. You are welcome to send her a card. Jo has sent a card to her family on behalf of BWS.

Tricia Wente

says “hello” to everyone!

‘

Program: Betty Wagoner – Aerial Perspective

Meeting adjourned 7:10pm.

Start 2018 with new perspective —

Aerial perspective, that is

Storm Over San Juans
by Betty Wagoner

Betty Wagoner will teach an aerial perspective lesson at the Jan. 8 BWS meeting. She will demonstrate how to use color mixes and glazes to create depth in landscape painting, and members will work with simple landscape images. Bring the following supplies to the meeting: a pencil, several sheets of watercolor paper (can be scraps), a couple of brushes, a water container and paints in the colors common to landscapes (green, blue, red, and brown).

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the First Christian Church, which is at the corner of Kirkwood and Washington.

Get your winter paintings published

Bloomington Herald-Times has invited BWS members to submit paintings of winter scenes for an Attractions cover in a January issue. Images should be high resolution (at least 200 dpi) and emailed to jtilley@heraldt.com with the subject line “BWS winter scenes by Jan. 10.

All images will be considered for print and web, although all may not be used. Publication date will most likely be Sunday, Jan. 14, but that is subject to change.

Thanks go to Sara Steffey McQueen, BWS publicity chair, for arranging this opportunity with the H-T arts editor, Jenny Porter Tilley.

by Sande Nitti

BWS Portrait Group announces schedule

After the holiday hiatus, the BWS Portrait Group is poised to resume sessions for 2018. Please mark your calendars for the coming months.

Jan. 11 Connie Brorson

BWS’s own charter and signature member and a great artist in her own right, Connie has been invited to model for the group a second time after members had a successful session with her last summer. If you’ve been contemplating portraiture but shying away from it, this would be a great session to take the plunge — with one of our own as the model. Note: This session will be at the Meadowood Retirement Community,

Jan. 25 Brian Bourkland

Brian, a competitive body builder and personal trainer, also models regularly for IU art department classes and figure sessions. Location: Banneker

Feb. 8 Shelley Given

Shelley is an MFA graduate from IU’s art photography program, who has taught photography at IU for several years. Location: Banneker

Feb. 22 TBA

Portrait Group sessions are open to all BWS members and their guests. Participants are welcome to work in any medium. However, if your medium is a messy one, please bring a drop cloth. Typically, models pose for 20- to 25-minute segments, alternating with 5-minute breaks. We share the cost of the models, with a minimum of $3 and a maximum of $5 charged  for each session. Sessions are every other Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. Most are at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. Seventh St., Bloomington, with some exceptions, such as Jan. 11 at Meadowood.

For full details, including maps, directions, parking information, etc., please email Claude Cookman.

We Paint … Jazz!

BWS is once again participating in The Week of Chocolate, a LIFEDesigns fundraiser by providing artwork for an exhibit at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage Feb. 2 to April 2. BWS chose “We Paint … Jazz!” as the exhibit’s theme in conjunction with the fundraiser’s Mardi Gras theme. The Opening Reception will be Feb. 2, 5 to 8 p.m., as part of February’s Gallery Walk.

Each BWS member may enter one framed piece of any medium; the maximum size including frame is 24″ either direction. Use D-hooks and wire for hanging; no sawtooth hangers or screw eyes are allowed. Glass or Plexiglas is acceptable.

Paintings must be delivered to The Vault Gallery Tuesday, Jan. 30, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Pick up will be Monday, April 2, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you are unable to deliver or pick up your painting, arrange to have someone else responsible for these tasks.

The sales commission of 50% goes to LIFEDesigns. It is recommended that artwork be priced below $500. Gabe Colman of the Venue Fine Arts and Gifts will handle all sales and issue payment to the artists by the end of the exhibit.

Best of Show will receive $100, sponsored by John La Bella at The Vault, and two tickets (value $150) to the Keynote Event on Feb. 10. A panel of three jurors, including John La Bella and Gabe Colman, will judge the entries. The runner-up will receive two tickets to the Keynote Event. All participating artists will be entered in a raffle for two tickets to the Keynote Event.

Members wanting to have their work considered should submit scanned or photographed artwork to Jeanne Dutton at Jazz@BloomingtonWatercolor.org before Jan. 20.

Additional information and labeling requirements for paintings are available in the Prospectus at http://wepaintbloomington.org. Email any questions to Jazz@BloomingtonWatercolor.org.

Young thanks supporters of ASE Art Show

ASE art teacher Cassidy Young and BWS member Carla Hedges

ASE Art Show

Cassidy Young, BWS member and art teacher at the Academy of Science and Entrepreeurship, thanks those who attended the Dec. 15 Art Show and especially Anne Karine Bley for volunteering to help students put up the show. Students displayed and sold artwork, played music, ran a photo booth and brought snacks. “We sold out of the coloring books before the end of the night,” Cassidy said. “So if you didn’t get one I’ll bring more to the January BWS meeting. They are $5 each.”

Upland organizes 2018 adventures

All BWS members are invited to attend the Upland Organizational meeting Jan. 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jacki Frey’s home. Along with discussion of plans, the meeting includes a pitch-in lunch social and a chance to share artistic endeavors.

• Arrive between 10 and 10:30 a.m.The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m.
• The address is 5024 W. September Rd., Ellettsville.
• Bring  your personal calendar, a pitch-in dish for lunch, and a current artwork to share.

Members can contact Upland anytime at upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Burning Bales, Cleaning Fencerows
by Robin Edmundson

Check out these Facebook groups for artists

Robin Edmundson, BWS member, has created two Facebook groups BWS members may enjoy.

White River Landscape Painters is an online critique group for all artists ( not just watercolor, not just landscapes) serious about improving their skills. Every post receives both positive feedback and options for possible changes. https://www.facebook.com/groups/663672027166173/

The Well Balanced Artist is an online support group for professional artists of all kinds trying to balance their art, business, and personal lives. It’s a lovely, varied group of artists from around the globe. https://www.facebook.com/groups/752036078321666/

BWS celebrates the holidays

Meri Reinhold created the winner in the hanging ornament competition. Her Tanabata Matsuri Tassel was inspired by the Star Festival celebrated in Japan in July or August. People display bamboo branches decorated with paper origami, paper dolls, and tassels. The decorations on the paper symbolize desired success in a chosen area. Meri’s ornament was origami butterflies and bells with pasta beads and a bell. The origami was decorated with Brusho watercolor crystals.

BWS president Jane Matranga, Cassidy Young and Claude Cookman

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Harste and Cathy Korinek

Carol Rhodes and Deborah Rush

Candi and Steve Bailey

Member news

by Sara Steffey McQueen

BWS signature member Sara Steffey McQueen will share a workshop on Personal Mandalas at the Winter Bliss Wellness Retreat Jan. 14 at the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park. “We will be exploring personal symbols, stories of our life, meditation, and a variety of techniques to create an expression of our own Mandala,” Sara said. For more information about the workshop and registration, go to https://www.facebook.com/winterblisswellnessretreat/.

Jane Matranga will exhibit her work in the IU Art, Architecture & Design Faculty Exhibition, opening Friday, Jan. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. The show is in the Grunwald Gallery on campus from Jan. 12 through Feb. 9.

Betty Wagoner will be joining Flowing Colors studio this month.The studio address is 112 N. Walnut St, Suite 600, Bloomington.

Jacki Frey, BWS signature member, received the Merit Award for The Fisherman at the Indiana Art Association show, which hung at the Brown County Art Gallery this fall.

Beyond BWS

Each issue will announce opportunities for artists that are sponsored by other organizations. If you know about shows, competitions, workshops or other activities that might benefit your fellow members, please send web links to Nancy Davis-Metz.

Heads Up! The Watercolor Society of Indiana has moved its annual  juried show to earlier in the year. Entries will be due May 11. Springfield ArtPaintings juried into the show must be delivered to the WSI office June 11 to 29, and the Juried Exhibit will hang at the Indianapolis Museum of Art Aug. 5 to Sept. 29. The prospectus will be mailed to WSI members March 1 and should be available on http://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org about the same time.

AquaVenture is a regional juried exhibit open to Kentucky Watercolor Society members and non-members.Its entry deadline is Feb. 2 with delivery of paintings to Kaviar Forge and Gallery in Louisville March 1 to 3. The show hangs from March 17 to April 28. The prospectus is available at http://www.kentuckywatercolorsociety.org/files/AquaVenture2018Prospectus_trifold_Final_1_.pdf.

Springfield Art Museum has published the prospectus for the Watercolor USA 2018 exhibit, which will hang in Springfield, Mo., June 2 to Aug. 26. The online entry deadline is March 6 with a painting delivery deadline of April 25. The prospectus URL is http://www.sgfmuseum.org/DocumentCenter/View/910.

IMO

Social media users recognize IMO as an abbreviation for “In My Opinion.” Let’s have a little fun by sharing opinions on a specific question. Each issue will close with a question that you can answer in 1 to 3 sentences. Send your response to Nancy Davis-Metz by Jan. 21 and look for your opinion to be published in the next Brushstrokes. Please use IMO as your email’s Subject Line.

This month’s question: In your opinion, who is the best watercolor artist of all time and why?

First Christian Church

November 13, 2017, 6:20pm

Guests Welcome

New Members Introduction Jan Ellis (joined in June)

Hospitality:  Thanks to Mary Walker, pass around sign-up for refreshments

A special thank you to Babette, Claude, Kathy, Patty, & Kristin!

January is taken care of for refreshments, but we need more sign-ups for future months.

Minutes: Erin Duff

Minutes approval:  Motion Babette Ballinger Second Cathy Korinek

Treasurer’s Report: Patty Uffman – Balances & Expenses Report

Note: If we buy cards directly from BWS, we keep 100% of proceeds. If we buy from the Venue, we only keep 50% of the proceeds.

Cards are $12 for a pack of 8, $1 for singles.

Patty is accepting money for the holiday party. $22 for members, $24 for guests. You can pay through PayPal or via the postal system with an email to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org saying that a check is coming to the post office box. (PO Box 5236 zip 47407).

Acceptance: Motion Charlotte Griffin Second Candi Bailey

*Note: Sue Haverstock passed in September, BWS will send a card of condolences.

Old Business

Shows: Anne-Karine Bley – Members Show Takedown & pick up

BWS Membership Show closes on November 21^st. Stop by at the Vault and check it out if you haven’t yet! Please pick up your paintings on Wednesday morning, November 22^nd from 10am-12n (the day before Thanksgiving).

New business

Membership Directory – Nancy Metz – distribute an updated membership directory

Committee Reports

Activities: Jeanne Dutton Art of Chocolate: We Paint Jazz

The prospectus is available online at bloomingtonwatercolor.org/bwsshows/we-paint-jazz-prospectus. Delivery of artwork is on Tuesday, January 30^th from 11am-2pm at The Vault Gallery. The show runs from February 2^nd to April 2^nd (2 months). The Vault will have both receptions. BWS has no financial responsibility except for printing the programs. The Best of Show award will be sponsored by The Vault. Life Designs will be giving two $75 dinner tickets to the Best of Show winner. 4 more tickets will be available to draw for. BWS is the only group who is involved in this show. 50% commission goes to Life Designs which support living situations for people with disabilities. A worthy cause!

Jazz@BloomingtonWatercolor.org -all questions regarding Art of Chocolate goes to this email address.

There will be a Keynote event at The Union- three artists sit and paint watercolor. The artists paint and sell cards. The proceeds go to Life Designs. Feel free to paint Greeting cards to donate!

Brushstrokes: Jeanne Dutton

Brushstrokes is posted online! December will be Jeanne’s last issue. Nancy will take over Brushstrokes. If someone wants to volunteer for 2^nd vice president for 6 months (involves being part of the executive board) please contact us!

Upland Painters Activities: Kristen Stamper

Upland, current locations for this month and general committee participation guidelines

The last paint-out of 2017 is November 14^th. There will be coffee and doughnuts. A winter organization meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16^th at Jacki Frey’s house in Ellettsville. Tell us your activity ideas for the cold months!

The Monroe County Barn Tour was a huge success! On Saturday, October 18^th, over 160 people came out to the barn to see the exhibition and sale tables. The sale was held from 9am-5pm. There were 16 participating artists. The $25 table was very popular. Three large framed paintings were sold and more than 20 items from $25 table. $1150 grand total.

Upland has secured a venue to have our Spring Show in 2018. The Wiley House (at the barn) will be Friday, March 30^th through May 9^th (graduation weekend). The reception will be Saturday, April 14^th.

Programs: Jeanne Dutton

Everything regarding the Holiday Party is in Brushstrokes. WePaintBloomington.org. This year’s activity will be to create an ornament. The ornament must have watercolor, must be able to hang, and must be yours. Charlotte brought in a few ornament examples. The ornaments can be made out of any material. No acrylics! They do not have to be 3D, but 3D is encouraged. The party will be held Wednesday, December 6^th at 6pm.  Dinner is at 6:30. The deadline for registering is 5pm on November 30^th.

Please tell us if you are going to send a check. Contact us at BloomingtonWatercolor.org

Announcements

Kriste Lindberg has an Artist Talk about Photography at the Venue on November 14^th from 5:30-7pm.

Cassidy Young is putting together a show for her students at the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship on Friday, December 15^th. There will be live music and snacks! Please join!

Jane Matranga has an oil painting at the School of Faculty Art show  at the Grunwald Gallery of Art, starting  January 1^st or the 2^nd Friday.

Program: Ryan Rud-Cloud from White Rabbit –  Turning Fine Art into Print

Monthly Meeting

November 13, Monday, 6:00 pm

First Christian Church

Corner of Washington and Kirkwood in downtown Bloomington

After a short business meeting, the program will be “Turning Fine Art into Print.”  The guest presenter is Ryan Rud-Cloud, manager and graphic designer at White Rabbit Printers.  Ryan will “explain the basics of turning fine art into digital imaging for custom digital printing.”  He will discuss basic photography and graphic design terminology, color profiles (RGB vs. CMYK), digital image formats and resolutions, different types of printing, and a sample of how to create a greeting card.

BWS 2017 HOLIDAY PARTY

Wednesday, December 6

Social Hour 6:00

Dinner 6:30

Meadowood Retirement Center

2455 N Tamarack Trail

Bloomington, IN

The menu, prepared for BWS by the Meadowood chef, includes Chopped Salad with House Made Vinaigrette, Chicken Dijon, Seasoned Broccoli with Lemon Zest, Bowtie Pasta with Pesto, Rolls and Butter, and Crème Brulee for dessert.  As always, coffee, tea and wine will be served.  (A vegetarian option is available if requested at time of reservation.)

Cost:  $22 per member, $24 per guest

Reservations Required and may be made at the November meeting or through PayPal at BloomingtonWatercolor.org. Deadline for reservations is 5:00 pm, Thursday, November 30. 

CANCELLATION DEADLINE:  5:00 p.m. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30.  Once the number is given to Meadowood, BWS is responsible for paying for that amount; thus, NO REFUNDS will be issued after NOVEMBER 30.

Checks are accepted, but you must FIRST send an email to info@BloomingtonWatercolor.Org.  Send the check immediately to BWS, PO Box 5236, Bloomington, IN 47407         Plan ahead:  Checks not received by the reservation deadline will cancel the reservation.

The activity this year will be an AQUAGAMI/3-D ORNAMENT CONTEST.  This is a contest to see who can paint, design, and produce the most popular ornament – and you get to vote! Contestants: just bring your entry to the party.  PRIZES will be awarded to the TOP THREE VOTE-GETTERS.

Rules:

1. The ornament must be painted with watercolors but can be on any surface…regular watercolor paper, masa, rice, Yupo, whatever.
2. The ornament may celebrate any holiday, birthday, anniversary, or just be decorative. Whatever makes you happy!
3. The ornament must be able to hang.

Any questions?  Email to info@BloomingtonWatercolor.org

MEMBER ACTIVITIES

2017 Membership Show

“We Paint….”

The Vault at Gallery Mortgage

121 E 6th Street in beautiful downtown Bloomington

The show will remain up through November 21, 2017.

Nina Ost’s painting of Autumn squash was featured on the cover of the Fall issue of Literacy Practice and Research.  (Thanks to Jerry Harste for sending this info!)

Jacki Frey is exhibiting a watercolor in the Indiana Artists Member Centennial Exhibition 2017.  The show is on display through December 17 at the Brown County Art Gallery, Nashville, Indiana.  The exhibit features the work of Indiana’s top artists and all paintings are for sale.

BWS Upland Plein Air Painters

The final weekly paint out in 2017 will be on November 13, location yet to be determined. If you would like to learn more about the Upland Plein Air Painters, please contact us at upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

• Monroe County Barn Tour Exhibit and Sale

It was a cold and breezy day on October 28, but that did not keep Barn Tour enthusiasts at home. With over 160 visitors to the lovely barn at Whippoorwill Hill, the BWS Upland Plein Air Painters managed a busy exhibition and sale from 9 am to 5 pm. Sixteen artists participated in the event which included a paint out. Artists took turns staffing the check-out area. The $25 area was especially popular with both visitors and artists. By the end of the day, three large framed paintings had sold, more than 20 items from the $25 area, and a dozen cards. Congratulations to our many members who made this day memorable for all who attended.

Jacki Frey with paintings at Whippoorwill

OPPORTUNITIES

BWS Portrait Group Schedule 

Only two more portrait group sessions are scheduled for 2017. Because of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we will have only one session for each of the remaining two months.

Portrait by Ann Umphress

November 9. Amira Sabbagh, a local fabric and performance artist, who modeled for us in early summer, shown in a drawing by BWS member Ann Umphress

December 14: Laura Pence, a graphic designer who owns her own business in Bloomington. Ms. Pence, who has angular features and a shock of black hair, wears colorful, mod outfits.

Portrait​ opportunities are open to all BWS members and their guests. Participants are welcome to work in any medium. Typically models pose for 20 to 25 minute segments, alternating with 5-minute breaks. We share the cost of the models, with a minimum of $3 and a maximum of $5 charged for each session. Sessions are on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. Location is the Banneker Community Center, 930 West Seventh Street, Bloomington.

For full details, including maps, directions, parking information, etc., please email Claude Cookman.

2017 Community Arts Awards and Ivy Tech Center for Lifelong Learning 
10-year anniversary celebration
Friday, November 10
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center

Congratulations to John LaBella at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage!  He and his crew will be honored with the Arts in Business Award.

For tickets, go to https://bctboxoffice.org/event/community-arts-awards/

Planning ahead!

BWS will participate in the Art of Chocolate again this coming February.  The overall theme is Mardi Gras, but the BWS show theme is, “We Paint…Jazz!”  So put on your creative cap and get to thinking about your entry!  The prospectus will be posted as soon as possible.

Best wishes for a truly thankful Thanksgiving!

6pm, First Christian Church

Guests Welcome (Jane Matranga)

New Members Introduction New member: Diane Thayer

Hospitality thanks (Mary Walker) Thank you Candi Bailey, Kitty Garlock & Meri Reinhold

Minutes approval:  Motion Meri Reinhold   Second Kathy Barton

Treasurer’s report (Patty Uffman) Money went up from August. BWS made a small profit from the Daniel Smith Workshop. BWS came out ahead with $65 from the $5 suggested donation per person (after paying our expenses).

*BWS cards available for purchase at our monthly meetings and at Venue. BWS recoups cost of printing, then 50% of all sales goes into the Scholarship fund.

Old Business– (Charlotte Griffin) We are proceeding with the Dale Popovich workshop. Fifteen people have expressed interest. Date TBD

New business

Committee Reports:

Activities (Jeanne Dutton) The Art of Chocolate will be in February @ the Vault, with no cost except printing. John LaBella will take care of the reception. The overall theme is Mardi Gras. BWS theme is “We paint…Jazz!”. Saxophones, slinky red dresses, smoky bars! The Prospectus will be done by the November meeting. Note: Work does not need to have chocolate in it.

Brushtrokes (Jeanne Dutton) Everything in Brushstrokes!

Publicity- Sara is out of town.

Upland Painters Activities (Kristen Stamper)

*The Barn Tour Exhibition @ Upland October 28th. Babette Ballinger, Candi Bailey, Meri Reinhold & Ann Umphress are on the committee & will take questions.

*Must fill out the registration form by October 14^th (postmarked). If you want to participate, please volunteer to work the space for at least one hour in the exhibition space. Need hands on deck!

*Can submit 1-3 paintings total, please bring your own easel. All work must be Original, no prints. It is your choice to frame or mat your work. Sale price of your choosing.

*The $25 area table means everything for sale will not exceed $25. You may bring any number of Original pieces (matted if watercolor) for the $25 table.

*All Sales will be handled w/ receipts. Cash/check accepted (your choice: to be filled out on registration form). There will be NO means to run a credit card.

*The Barn Tour: tickets $10 paid in advance. Whippoorwill Hill Farm 1780 E Rayletown Rd. Drive S on S walnut, Left on S Fairfax Rd, Left on E Rayletown Rd, Right into driveway. Will be signs.

*Welcome to join and paint-out while not exhibiting work. Please volunteer to work the exhibition space for at least an hour.

(Anne-Karine Bley) Peden Farm in September: 1,000 extra attendees showed up. We ran out of material this year, next year we will prepare with for more attendees. Thank you to volunteers: Penny Lulich, Jacki Frey, Betty Wagoner, Kitty Garlock, Babette Ballinger, Jeanne Dutton, Jo Weddle, Sara Steffey McQueen, & Cassidy Young. Anne-Karine made all of the Dot cards which were a big hit!

Scholarship (Jo Weddle) Jo has contacted FMCCS to clarify the balance in the scholarship fund. Jeanne has talked to Andy Lehman- getting posters done again. Scholarship info goes out to schools (students, counselors) in January.

Programs (Jo Weddle)

November program Sara Steffey McQueen will not be available for November. November 13th program will be with White Rabbit rep Ryan Rud-Cloud: Turning Fine Art into Print. Check out Brushstrokes to read description. Sara Steffey McQueen switched to May.

Holiday Party– Nothing planned yet. We are contacting Meadowood about our December 6^th  Holiday Party. It will be a very nice occasion. We get to dress up in holiday attire and sit down for dinner & wine.

*Let’s think about what we want to do as an activity for this year and decide!                         Contact Jo Weddle with ideas.

Shows (Anne-Karine Bley) Recap opening of membership show.

*The Membership Show is up until Nov 22^nd. Opening night was very well attended, over 150-200 people came through. Two paintings were sold that evening.

*34 BWS members participated in the show. We filled the space with art work. Thank you to volunteers: Jeanne Dutton, Mary Walker, Meri Reinhold, Jacki Frey, Babette Ballinger, Pam and Donna. Everyone did a great job!

* The Vault Gallery will be open 9am-5pm each week. Welcome to visit on First Friday Nov 3^rd from 5pm-8pm.

*November 22^nd the show comes down.

*This was Anne-Karine’s first time w/ the show- it was seamless! Wonderful job!

Announcements

Bloomington Open Studio Tour 6^th year. There will be 31 participating studios this year. 10am-6pm Saturday/Sunday. 2D, 3D, clay, glass pumpkins, everything! Grab a map and come out!

(Jeanne Dutton)- If you are on Facebook, please like the BWS page!

*Signature Members Show @ the IMA will be up until November 3rd.

*Congratulations to Cathy Korinek and Donna becoming Signature Members of BWS!!!!

Business Meeting adjourned 6:47pm.

Program: Meri  Reinhold “Courage in Profiles:  Drawing Faces without Fear”

My Experiences as an Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Artist-In-Residence

by Anne-Karine Bley

What would it feel like to be able to paint all day without any distractions?  To go wherever I liked, knowing that I was permitted, expected in fact, to be an artist and nothing more.  This was the question that led me to seek out an artist-in-residence with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the program.  I knew that I would get a tour of the park properties and a place to stay.  In return I would be asked to donate a piece of art to the Park’s permanent collection.  I didn’t really need to know anything else because all I wanted was to paint.  In mid-July I arrived open minded and enthusiastic.

There were new questions now.  What should I paint?  Where should I go first?  Is my gear too heavy for me to take on that trail?  I wanted to do it all and I only had two weeks.  In the end there was no need for further planning.  The luxury of living in the park was the tremendous diversity of subjects.  Within minutes of my doorstep were beaches, dunes, woodlands, marsh, inland lakes and historic buildings.  Not surprisingly, the Dunes National Lakeshore is ranked seventh in biodiversity.

It didn’t take long before a natural routine developed and I started to know what it felt like to paint all day.  I painted a lot.  I pushed myself to keep painting and take advantage of every moment.  The questions evolved and now I was asking ‘What am I learning about myself?’, ‘What do I know about the way I paint?’ and ‘What is true and genuine about my work?’   I challenged myself to compose regardless of the location or the weather.  I lugged my French easel everywhere  I went.  I experimented with painting a series of sunsets and skies.  When I was done with the canvases, they were put away out of sight and without judgement.

I did take breaks.  Not only were they essential to the rhythm of my day but the park service expected me to explore and enjoy the properties.  And I did have visitors, including some fellow BWS members.  (A special thank you to those who came up to the Dunes!)  With only a few exceptions I was able to visit all the major properties. Not to be missed are Cowles Bog Trail and Porter beach.  There were local offerings too.  I made new friends among the local plein air group.  I attended a demo at the Chesterton Art Gallery.  And I toured the works of local legend Hazel Hannell who painted up until her death at the age of 106.

There is probably one other question that you are wondering about: ‘What was it like to paint in such a public setting?”  Plein air painting is unusual and people are curious, so naturally I was regularly approached by the public.  I understood these interactions to be part of my function as the artist-in-residence and perhaps surprisingly it was one of the most enriching aspects of the program.  Each day I found myself having meaningful and sometime passionate conversations with all types of people from all over the country.  Many of these exchanges touched on the complicated relationship with neighbors that has shaped the park from its origins.

The park was created in 1966 and incorporated many private communities that have been returned to the nature landscape.  The remaining landowners do not always share the same mission as the park.  Some are even combative.  Consider also that the park stretches across three counties, 30 municipalities and around major industries most notably the steel mills and the port of Indiana.

The contrast of industry and nature is obvious when you look down the shoreline.  In either direction looms some sort of smoke stack or cooling tower.  The struggle for balance between public and private is clearly indicated along the beaches where signage reads ‘private’, ’keep off dune’ or ‘keep out’.  This is what many people wanted to talk about.  One of those people was a homeowner whose bungalow was right behind the foredune and was the subject of my painting.  When he approached me he might have been curious but he was definitely protective.  He had strong feelings about the park.  He felt threatened by the park and was unhappy.  I could empathize with this gentleman but his position was in contrast to my own.  I love the park and I value the role the park service is playing to restore and preserve natural spaces.  That painting is the painting I have selected to donate.  I chose it because it best exemplifies my work and skill at this time but somehow, unintentionally, also it speaks to the story of these opposing points of view.

Now that I am back home the opposition I face is between artistic and familial demands.  The intense focus on painting is gone.  Now there is reflection and assessment.  I can acknowledge what I have accomplished and I have an answer to that first question: What would it feel like to paint all day without any distractions?  To go wherever I liked, knowing that I was permitted, expected in fact, to be an artist.  It felt like exactly what I needed and what I will strive for in the future.

*BWS members wanting to know more about the application process or specific questions about the program may contact me for more information.

Further reading:

park website: https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm

‘The Indiana Dunes Revealed, The Art of Frank V. Dudley’, Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University

“We Paint….”

2017 Membership Show

Opening Reception is Gallery Walk Friday, October 6, 5-8 pm

Spread the word and come enjoy the evening with your paint pals, friends, and family.

The Vault at Gallery Mortgage

121 E 6th Street in beautiful downtown Bloomington

The show will remain up through November.

Monthly Meeting

October 9, Monday, 6:00 pm

First Christian Church

Our program will be presented by Meri Reinhold,.  Her topic is “Courage in Profiles:  Drawing Faces without Fear”.

Members will be given instruction and handouts on the ten (10) steps to properly locate the features on a human head so their portrait work is more accurate. There will be an opportunity to put these steps into real practice during the session. Bring a pencil and an eraser; other materials will be provided.

BWS Scholarship

At September’s meeting, we were so pleased to welcome the 2017 BWS Art Scholarship recipient, Ben Zumbrun.  He has started his studies here at I.U. and we wish him great success!

Scholarship Recipient: Ben Zumbrun with his former teacher and BWS member Sara Steffey-McQueen

Daniel Smith, Inc.

John Conger, president and owner of Daniel Smith, Inc. and V-P Katherine Taylor treated 40 BWS members and guests to a wonderfully informative session about watercolors.  The rocks containing various pigments were fascinating, and hearing how much labor goes into producing a tube of paint created a new, true appreciation for watercolors.  Many thanks to John and Katherine for stopping in Bloomington on their national tour, and also to Andrew Preston of Preston Arts Center in Louisville for making the arrangements.

End-of-Summer Paint Out

BWS offers its sincere thanks to Steve Dawson for hosting us at his Farm on October 1.  Thanks, also, to his dad, Steve Sr., and son Ty for being helpful co-hosts and shuttle drivers!  The weather was perfect, the food delicious, and the camaraderie splendid.

Sande Nitti at her easel

Steve Dawsons painting of the pond on his property

Lunch time in front of the fireplace in “The Barn”

Member Activities

• Bob Burris, Signature Member, has an exhibit at the Columbus Regional Hospital, Well Connect Center located at 3rd and Washington Street, across from the Columbus courthouse.  On display now through October, “In the Beginning…” includes two Black/white paintings from Bob’s college days and six current paintings.  The opening reception is Friday Oct 6, 5:00 – 6:30 pm.
• Susan Savastuk, new BWS member, will have a show this month of October at the Needmore Coffee Roasters, 104 N Pete Ellis Drive.  This is Susan’s first exhibit and will include her first works in oil. The opening is October 15,  2:00-4:00 pm.  Stop by, meet Susan, and grab a cup of locally roasted coffee while you’re there.
• Nancy Metz and Carol Rhodes introduced a “Paint Like the Masters” course through Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning.  The students will stage an informal show-and-share event from 3 to 5 pm on Wednesday, October 25 at John Waldron Arts Center, Room W201, to display their favorite work resulting from the class.    During the 6-week course, students used water media and their own subjects to emulate the styles of JMW Turner, Georgia O’Keefe, Henri Matisse, Grandma Moses, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and more.

Leslie Gamboa, A work based on Pointillism

On Wednesday, October 25, you are invited to come and see the students’ creative accomplishments while you enjoy simple refreshments and the fun.        Among the attendees will be students and their guests, Ivy Tech staff, Ivy Tech marketing and perhaps a  H-T Photographer.

Accomplishments and Kudos

T.C. Steele Great American Outdoor Paint Out

BWS was well represented in the awards ceremony.  Cassidy Young won 2^nd place in adult watercolors, while Candi Bailey and Donna Whitsitt won honorable mentions.  Lory Winford took 1^st place in adult mixed media and Eric Brock received an honorable mention in adult oils.

Candi Bailey, Honorable Mention at T.C. Steele

Cassidy Young and friends at T. C. Steele

Meri Reinhold won two awards in the Mitchell Persimmon Festival Art Show.  “Tulip at Keukenhof Garden” took second place in the floral/still life category and “Denise” won second place in the portrait category.  Linda Endris won an honorable mention for her painting, “Avocado Fish Hatchery Pond.”  This year’s judge was local artist Troy Kilgore.

Meri Reinhold, Tulip at Keukenhof Garden

OPPORTUNITIES

BWS Portrait Painters

Deborah Rush, Portrait Sketch of Amira Sabbagh

The portrait group sessions are open to all BWS members and their guests. Participants are welcome to work in any medium. Typically models pose for 20 or 25 minute segments, alternating with 5-minute breaks. The cost of the models is shared with a minimum of $3 and a maximum of $5 charged for each session. Sessions are on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 1 to 3 pm at the Banneker Community Center, 930 West Seventh Street, Bloomington.

• October 12, Rachael Jones, former owner of Rachael’s Cafe
• October 26, Wenyan Xu, an MFA painting student at IU
• November 9, Amira Sabbagh, a local fabric and performance artist who modeled for us in early summer
• November 23, No meeting – it’s Thanksgiving!

Full details, including maps, directions, parking information, etc., can be obtained by sending an email to the group coordinator, Claude Cookman.

BWS Upland Plein Air Painters

Upland has a full roster of Tuesday painting destinations lined up for this fall. Everyone is welcome to join in on any of these outings. Full details become available several days prior to each event, so the best way to learn more is email upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org about the date(s) you would like to attend.  The group meets on Tuesday mornings from 9am – noon.

Season Coordinator: Anne-Karine Bley

• October 10, Appleworks in Trafalgar, Host: Donna Whitsitt
• October 17, Gnaw Bone Camp, Host: Betty Wagoner
• October 24, Robin’s Farm, Host: Robin Edmundson
• October 31, Champs Barn, Host: Sande Nitti
• November 7 Kathy’s House Host: Kathy Barton
• November 14, Host: Nancy Metz
• January 17, Organization Meeting at Jacki’s, Host: Jacki Frey & Kristen Stamper

Monroe County Barn Tour

Registration due October 14

BWS Upland painters have organized a one-day exhibition and sale in conjunction with the Monroe County Barn Tour, an Indiana Barn Foundation event.  All BWS members are invited to participate with up to 3 rural-themed paintings. Participation requirements include a one-hour shift manning the exhibition, which will be held in a newly constructed event barn on the south side of Bloomington. Registration forms are due in the mail postmarked no later than October 14, 2017. Full details are available at bloomingtonwatercolor.org under the “Show Rules” tab.

IN/A

James Hubbard, president of the Indiana Artists, has invited Bloomington Watercolor Society artists to the IN/A Centennial Member Exhibit from November 5th to December 17th.   The opening is November 5 at the Brown County Art Gallery, 1 Artist Drive, Nashville.  www.indianaartists.org 

T.C. Steele Friends Exhibit
“Calling all Friends Member Artists! The Friends Member Art Show is coming up in November, and we want YOUR artwork in the Large Studio. This year’s theme and Steele quote comes from “The Artist’s Way of Seeing”:

“There is no universal or standard way of seeing. Each sees for himself and what he sees and how he sees is governed by the quality of his mind.”  –T.C. Steele

The entry form and guidelines are downloadable here: http://www.tcsteele.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Member-Show-GUIDELIINES-2017.docx

For more information go to http://www.tcsteele.org/programs/

Photo Credits

Photo credits to Kriste Lindberg, Charlotte Griffin, Penny Lulich, and Candi Bailey.

What’s Happening in the Neighborhood?

• Check out the Cinefest Event in Brown County October 15.  Addiction to Art: Three Women Who Changed the Art Culture in America – Films and presentations featuring stories of three bold and adventurous women whose mission was to bring modernity to the art world. Details at http://artalliancebrowncounty.org/event/cinefest
• Every Thursday from 1:00 – 3:00, the Lawrence County Art Association has a paint in at the headquarters in Bedford.  The session is hosted by artist, Phyllis Westfall.  Find more information by calling the gallery at 812-277-8280 during business hours, Thursday and Friday 1:00-6:00, or Saturday 10:00-1:00.

“Brushstrokes” is an (almost) monthly

publication of the Bloomington (IN) Watercolor Society.

Jeanne Ellen Dutton, Editor

Info@BloomingtonWatercolor.Org

PO Box 5236

Bloomington, IN  47407

2016-2017 BWS State of the Society

Submitted by Charlotte Griffin, BWS President, 2016-2017

The year from July 2016 to June 2017 was very busy with many activities for artists to participate in.  The membership count was at 78 as of June 2017.

Many thanks to the committee chairs, co-chairs, and officers for 2016-2017 (listed below) for their work on behalf of BWS.

• Nancy Metz, 1^st VP
• Jeanne Dutton, 2^nd VP
• Patty Uffman, Treasurer
• Carol Rhodes, Secretary
• Activities:  Jeanne Dutton
• Brushstrokes:  Jeanne Dutton
• Historian: Candi Bailey
• Hospitality: Betty Wagoner and Mary Walker
• Nominating Committee: Patty Uffman, Kathy Barton, Bev Ohneck-Holly
• Programs:  Jo Weddle
• Publicity: Susie Graham
• Scholarship:  Jeanne Dutton and Jo Weddle
• Show: Tricia Wente and Anne-Karine Bley
• Technology:  Carol Rhodes and Charlotte Griffin
• Upland Painters:  Kristen Stamper

The treasury stood at $1633.58 as of June, 2017.

Meetings Programs and Activities

Our regular meetings throughout the year except in the two months of summer, have a business and an artistic component.  The artistic component is provided either by one of the members or by outside artists.  Our December meeting is a holiday celebration with no business component; however, we made the meeting “artful” by exchanging handmade holiday cards. Our programs this year were:

• September: Show and Share, members talking about work they created over the summer
• October: Sea Scape Demo by South African watercolor artist Grant Wood
• November: Grisalle Technique for Watercolor by Nancy Davis-Metz
• January: Perspective Techniques and One Minute Drawings by Steve Dawson
• February: Mastering Disasters (Fixing Errors) by Carol Rhodes and Tricia Wente
• March: Value Study Sketching by Jackie Frey
• April: Gamboling Goats by Jerry Harste
• May: Color Harmony by Robin Edmundson
• June: Watercolor Underpainting and Pastels by Sandra Nitti

Many members participated in the sporadic Saturday and the Tuesday (weekly) paint outs.  There are so many that not all can be listed here but here is a sampling.

Peden Farm (during the Children’s Festival), Bybee Limestone Company site, TC Steele Festival of Flowers, Bloomington Garden Walk (Artist in the Garden), May Creek Plein air, Columbus City, Butler Winery, Tibetan Center, Harvest Moon Farm, Moody Farm, and many more.

BWS had a number of shows during the 2016-2017 year and they were well attended by the artists and the public.

• From December 6, 2016 to February 19, 2017, BWS displayed its Members Show at the Monroe County History Center with Indiana’s Bicentennial as its theme
• In February, BWS participated in the Annual Art of Chocolate event which had a Mardi Gras theme.  Over 30 works were on display at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage during February
• The Upland Painters Plein Air group had a show of works done en plein air on April 6 through May 2 at the Bellevue Gallery at the Farmer House Museum
• The Signature Members of BWS had their own show at Meadowood between May 5 and May 27.

On November 5, 2016, BWS was fortunate to engage a visiting artist from South Africa named Grant Wood who gave 15 attendees a workshop showing watercolor techniques used in the seascapes that he sees from the deck of his house in South Africa.

In June 2017, the BWS Scholarship was awarded to Benjamin Zumbrun.  In an effort to raise the award in future years, a number of art supplies and books were contributed by members and were offered to other members at a table sale during regular meetings.  Proceeds were sent to the Foundation for Monroe County School System to be used in future awards.

BWS members often contribute their time and works to charities and philanthropic organizations.  This year was no exception.

• Three artists painted watercolor cards for sale to attendees at the Art of Chocolate Gala.  All proceeds went in support of Life Designs.
• Many members volunteered to be part of the Peden Farm Children’s Festival at a booth where local school children had the chance to learn about watercolor and color mixing using a card with thee dots of primary colors.

The Bloomington Watercolor Society begins its 13^th year as an active, convivial group of artists who share their love of art with everyone.