On December 7th members of BWS took a trip to Newfields to see the LUME exhibit “Monet & Friends.” Kathy Barton’s photos document the adventure.
BWS’s Holiday Party
On December 12th BWS had its annual holiday party at Meadowood. Participants were invited to bring a painting inspired by Monet for the annual holiday exchange. Nancy Metz documented the event in pictures.
BWS’ Winter Benefit Show: We Paint Monet and More!!
Jeanne Dutton announced that again this winter, BWS will host an exhibit to benefit Teachers Warehouse. Last year, we were incredibly successful and raised over $1000. Because of TW’s purchasing arrangments and buying power, that $1000 translated into more the $10,000. In short, we did GREAT!
This year, our theme moves from the post-impressionist Van Gogh to the Impressionist artists. Founded by Claude Monet, others who followed this movement were Degas, Delacroix, Cassatt, Matisse, just to name a famous few.
Remember, this show is open to all 2D mediums, so get out those pastels, oils, acrylics, inks, any medium you choose. And to inspire you, here are some links to enjoy and a sample from one of your fellow artists. (Thank you, Deborah Rush!)
Opening of article from Herald-Times submitted by Nancy Metz
Sandi Nitti Education Fund
Sandi Nitti donated her collection of art books to BWS. BWS has used the money from sales of these books to set up rhe Sandi Nitti Scholarship Fund. The Fund is awarded to members who need assistance in attending watercolor events of interest to them which they could not otherwise afford.
Kathy Truelove Barton reports that to date BWS has generated $320.00 from sales of Sandi Nitti’s books and to remind the membership that the book sales continues. More than 50 books are still available. Techniques in pastel, watercolor and ink as well as some books with beautiful pictures of paintings for inspiration and browsing. Contact Kathy Truelove Barton to schedule an appointment to select a book or two, or three. Hardback books are $10.00 and soft cover books are$ 5.00.
Outside BWS
Upland Plein Air will host their Winter Membership Show entitled “Things We Love” at the Bloomington Arts Alliance from January 13th through February 12th.
The Watercolor Society of Indiana celebrates the artists of Indiana in its watercolor show in Fort Wayne from January 7th through February 25th.
The Viridian Moon Art Gallery in Bloomington will host an All Media Winter Art Show entitled, “Let It Snow!” from January 7th through February 25th.
Membership News
Jacki Frye. This is my snow scene for the Veridian Moon art show in January. Also, it is the scene I painted for a few Christmas notes that I mailed out. This farm actually exist. It’s on the winding road as you go back to Yellowood State Park from Highway 46. Title: moon rising.
Susan Savastuck. I will have some pieces in the Virdian Moon Gallery Show in January, Meanwhile I continue to display at the art Alliance Center in the Collage Mall. Will have some pieces in the Viridian Moon Gallery Snow Show in January. This painting is called “Winter Crisp,” painted on a 12″x 12″ piece of gesso board. Finished right before I came down with Covid.
Laura Brown. Here are some winter themed paintings I’ve been working on. They are all submitted for the “Let It Snow!!” exhibit at Viridian Moon in January.
Footprint in the Snow 11″x14″ framed,WatercolorTrees in the Snow, 11″x14″ framed, Homemade Walnut Ink, Micron Brush Pen, White Gell PenBlizzard on the Highway, 11″x14″ framed, Watercp;pr
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Rose Brenner. Attached is a flyer for my show at the Cancer Support Community Center.Everyone Is invited to Rose’s opening reception on January 13th.
Nancy Metz send in pictures from BWS’s Trip to Newfields to see the Monet and
friends exhibit.
Top Row: Jan Britton & Joanne Weddle; Opportunity to look for some familiar faces; Cathy Barton, Greg Barton & Sarah Ward;; Bottom Row: Barbara Coffman; Charlotte Griffin; Jeanne Dutton
Mary Sue & Bill Schwab will have artwork in the Patron Show at theBrown County Art Guild. MarySue’s student entered the show with a beautiful pastel of a horse. As a horse lover, Ms. Deboy drew and painted her horse, “It’s the first time I used pastels” she said!
MarySue has been accepted in the light Space and Time online Botanical art show from entries around the world.
Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Each member may bring a guest. To join in the fun, you can optionally create and bring a painting in the manner of Monet (sized 5×7 to 9×12) to exchange with someone else who participates in the optional activity. This activity coordinates with the field trip to The LUME to see the Monet exhibition on Dec. 7. (See https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/lume-field-trip-monet-exhibition/)
Family Portrait by Lynne Gilliatt is one of five items contributed by BWS members to the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools for its 2022 online auction.
BWS awarded its scholarship this past spring to Jesse Kogge, who is now studying at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design at Indiana University. The scholarship provides $500 for the purpose of purchasing art supplies. We now need to pump up our scholarship fund. Will you help with that?
Here are two ways you can contribute and THANKS in advance!
ONE, make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools (FMCCS) at https://mccsfoundation.org/. Please be sure to indicate that your donation should be directed to the Bloomington Watercolor Society Scholarship.
TWO, FMCCS holds an online auction every autumn, “Reading, Writing, Bidding.” The 2022 auction will be “live” from Nov. 28 to Dec. 6. The BWS Scholarship fund benefits from every item offered by BWS members. Thanks to Bob Florini, Lynne Gilliatt, and Phil Bowsher for their contributions. You can also find up for auction a set of watercolor greetings cards and a three-hour watercolor lesson.
Order your personalized BWS name badge
Still time to order a BWS Personalized Name Badge. This badge is white, made of hard plastic, 2.5 in x 2.5 inches, with the BWS logo in blue and your name printed underneath it in black. It is secured to clothing via a magnet strip and magnet. The badges are $9 and can be ordered via our BWS Website: https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/members-purchase-a-permanent-badge/ .
“George and Viola Taliaferro” by Joanna Samorow-Merzer
“We Paint…Historic Bloomington!”
People’s Choice Award
Congratulations to Joanna Samorow-Merzer for winning the People’s Choice Award in the 2022 Membership Show. Her painting of George and Viola Taliaferro was the overwhelming favorite, and that earned Joanna a prize of $50.
Credit also goes to second place, “Yellow House on West 7th Street” by Jacki Frey and third place to “Light of the World” by Nancy Davis Metz.
The comments were varied and all complimentary: “Beautiful show” and “I loved the educational component,” to “Reminded me of my great-great aunt’s beautiful watercolors.”
Many thanks to all who helped take in the entries, hang the show, host at receptions, and take it down, and to all the very talented BWS artists who participated.
Thanks also to the Monroe County History Center for collaborating with us, and to the Vault at Gallery Mortgage for the gallery space.
Sara Steffey McQueen will be exhibiting her prints and cards this month at the Cardinal Collective, 24 E. Main St., Bloomfield. She will have signed giclee prints, boxed card sets, and more. Sara is also participating in Bloomfield’s Hometown Christmas Sunday, Dec. 4, noon to 5 p.m. The event on the town square will feature food trucks, craft vendors, family-friendly activities, and Santa Claus arriving in style. Also, the weekend of Dec. 10- 11 Sara will be at the Arts Alliance Center in College Mall from noon to 6 p.m. offering short Tarot Constellations of individual’s Birthdays on original designed Mandalas.
“Sunday at the Lakeshore” by Kathy Truelove Barton
Kathy Truelove Barton has a solo show, “Happy Little Paintings,” at Bloomingfoods Near West Side, 316 W. Sixth St. The show will go through the end of December.
Beyond BWS
Viridian Moon Art Gallery is calling for entries for its Winter Art Show, “Let It Snow!” which will hang from Jan. 7 to Feb. 25. Online submission of artworks is ongoing through Dec. 28 with drop-off Jan. 4 – 5 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd. The opening reception will be 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Prizes will be awarded, based on People’s Choice votes, on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. If you have questions, email info@viridianmoon.art.
Paint Bloomington! Artist, Deborah Rush “Portrait of Annalise”
November 14 — Membership Meeting
The Bloomington Watercolor Society will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, November 14, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. Members are welcome to share the number with guests, and a phone number will be posted on the door as backup. For those choosing to attend via Zoom, the meeting room and password stay the same month to month. However, for security reasons, Zoom meeting details are not published on the Web. Instructions will be sent by email and members are welcome to share them with guests.
After a brief business meeting, BWS member, Penny Lulich will present the program.
“Finding Joy and Confidence with Watercolors: What I’ve Been Learning Along the Way.”
Paintings: Haystack Rock, Sand Dunes, Depot Bay, Oregon Coast
“I’ll be painting a scene from a photo I captured of Big Sur on the coast of California, while sharing some of my watercolor story, and the watercolor adventures I’ve had over the past seven years. I’ll chat about how I found joy and confidence after a very rocky beginning, and even during a time of lonely painting under the “stay at home” Covid conditions. I’ll share my favorites; paints and palettes, inspirational watercolor artists, books, and videos, and tools that have helped me along the way.
I don’t know how much of the painting I’ll finish during the BWS program at the November meeting, but my hope is to inspire by sharing my story with you.
Below you will find my drawing of the Big Sur scene, and the photo I took. I’ll list the paints, brushes, and paper I use. Bring your own along with you or paint from home if you like.
Paper: 140 lb coldpress
Brushes: Escoda Prado #20 (for covering large areas quickly), Princeton Aqua Elite # 12, Princeton Aqua Elite # 8 (Mostly, I like round brushes)
Paint and palette: I mostly use Daniel Smith paints, but occasionally I use M. Graham or Windsor Newton. Bring the paints you use and enjoy.
Palette: All the usual suspects; yellow ochre, burnt Sienna, cobalt blue, new gamboge, lemon yellow, ultramarine blue, Indigo, sap green, green gold, cobalt violet (or any purple color that you like), Alizarin Crimson, cad orange, cobalt turquoise, shadow violet, shadow green, cascade green. Any other color combinations that you like to use, that include both warm and cool tones.
Inside BWS
October Was Some Month!!BWS Has Lots of People to Thank!
We ended September on a bang! On September 29 and 30, BWS supported the Peden Farm Children’s Farm Festival by assisting young children in creating thumbprint animals. The Children’s Festival was a large event, with hundreds of elementary and pre-school children in attendance. BWS volunteers worked full or half-day shifts in groups of three or four. Sarah Ward coordinated the effort. And then came October…..
Paint Bloomington-Babette Ballenger
On October 8, The Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, Upland Plein Air, Bloomington Watercolor Society, Artists for Climate Awareness, and Bloomington Portrait Group teamed up to provide a free all-day event. Patty Uffman reported that although the day was chilly those who attended enjoyed the day and the excitement it fostered. The sessions for both adults and children were well attended. Babette Ballinger thanks BWS members for their support in donations of supplies and volunteering their time.
Paint Historic Bloomington Show– Jeanne Dutton
This BWS Membership Show can be seen through November 23 at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage. The first reception was on October 7. Somewhere between 50 to 60 people attended. There is an on-line version of the show available via Smugmug. A second reception will be held on November 4. Members are reminded that works from the show will be shown again next year at the Monroe County History Center.
Special visitors to the Opening Reception were the daughters of George and Viola Taliaferro, featured in the painting shown here. Linda Harvey on the left and Renee Taliaferro on the right posing with artist Joanna Samorow-Merzer.
BWS Saturday Paint Out-Betty Wagoner
BWS had its final Saturday paint out on October 15 along with a pot luck at Peden Farm. Patty Uffman and Betty Wagoner provided two flavors of chili (Red-beef and White-chicken) while participants bought side dishes. Here is Betty’s report:
“It was a beautiful day although a bit nippy. We enjoyed the fields, farm barns and a variety of animals and birds. The Pedens were gracious hosts. For our lunch, they set up tables and chairs in one of the barns and Mrs. Peden provided vases of cut flowers from her garden. We enjoyed red chilli from Patty Uffman and white chilly from Betty Wagoner. Those attending: Babette Ballinger, Linda Branstetter, Jackie Frey, Kitty Garlock, Pennly Lulich, Andy Roberts, Patty Uffman, Betty Wagoner.”
Top Row:Linda Bransletter, Kitty Garlock, Andy Roberts. Group Photo: Patty Uffman, Jacki Frye, Babette Ballinger, Linda BransletterArtists: Jane Matranga & Nancy Metz’s paintings at the Vault
Second Reception: “We Paint…Historic Bloomington!”
Mark your calendar! The 2nd reception for the BWS Annual Membership Show takes place during the Gallery Walk, Friday, November 4, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage (121 E. 6th Street). It’s a great show featuring 26 watercolor paintings by Bloomington Watercolor Society members. You don’t want to miss this beautiful – and educational – exhibit, created in collaboration with the Monroe County History Center.
While you’re there, please be sure to vote for your favorite piece of art. The People’s Choice award of $50 will be announced on November 28.
LUME field Trip: Monet and Friends
Wednesday, December 7th, 2022
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 (ish)
Newfields – the Indianapolis Museum of Art
Bloomington Watercolor Society members are invited to jump on the bus and take a road trip to see this fabulous display at Newfields! Discounted ticket price is only $25 per person. Reservations begin November 1. Members, watch your email for all the details. Questions? Send an email to info@BloomingtonWatercolor.org.
“The moment you step out of the elevator into Floor 4 of the IMA Galleries, you are transported to 19th century Paris, when the face of European art changed forever. Your journey comes to life with a rich, dynamic display of light, color, and sound. Impressionist paintings, dance around you on an enormous scale, revealing the vivid detail and bold brushstrokes of some of the most famous artists of all time including Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Cézanne, and more—all set to a musical score that includes Europe’s most renowned composers.“
A Monet-Inspired Christmas Party at Meadowood!
Mark Your Calendar!!! Monday, December 12, 6 p.m.
This year our BWS Christmas Party will be at Meadowood. The event will feature a buffet dinner. While not mandatory, participants are invited to bring ‘a Monet-inspired painting’ (5″x7″ – Greeting Card Sized) for a “Bring One; Take One” Exchange. Your attendance is important, whether you engage in the “Bring One; Take One Exchange or not. Signing up to attend will begin at our November meeting and continue through December 1. Dinner choices and costs will be sent to you once these details have been finalized, but probably will be about the same as in other years.
A Historic Note
Linda Bransletter, BWS Historian, reports that in September of 2010, after the business meeting, Nancy Metz and her team took on a project of selling BWS greeting cards for $12 a packet to help raise funds for the BWS Scholarship Fund. Member were encouraged to buy and sell the card packets for distribution as Christmas, birthday, and hostess gifts.
BWS Name Badges
Andy Roberts is willing to order a BWS Name Badge for anyone who wants one. The badges are made of durable plastic with a magnetic backing (size 2.5″ x 2.5″). Attached is a mock-up. Andy sees wearing BWS name badges as a public relations effort; good advertising for for BWS when a member is volunteering or just out painting plein air. Andy estimates the cost of each badge to be between $8 and $9. If interested, contact Andy for ordering and for making payment.
Outside BWS
Viridian Moon Art Gallery has made a call for entries to its all media art show: “Let It Snow!” which will run from January 7 to February 25. Art work can be submitted online from now to December 28. Gallery hours are Wednesday to Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information go to the Viridian Moon website (www.viridianmoon.art). Questions: infor@viridianmoon.art.
The Indiana Watercolor Society is having aplein air paint out for it members and guests at Heritage Farms Alpacas & Events, 4175 North 1200 West, Flora, IN 46929 on Monday, November 21, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Swope Art Museum ‘s 78th Annual Wabash Valley Show opens with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on November 4. On November 12 the Museum will hold a fund raiser entitled The Big Deal. One hundred and fifty works of art will be up for sale at $99 dollars each. Tickets for the event cost 25 dollars.
Member News
Joe Lee. If you haven’t seen it, do get a copy of the latest Bloom Magazine. Our own Joe Lee is the featured artist. Our sincere congratulations!!!
And for your information: Joe will be selling his clocks at the Bloomington City Holiday Market on Saturday, November 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Showers Common, 401 N. Morton Street).
Kathy Truelove Barton has a solo show of her watercolor paintings at Gallery B in BloomingFoods Near West from October through December. BloomingFoods is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (316 W. 6th Street). A reception will be held November 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Kathy wrote to add this update:
“My web site is now secure and the address is as follows. Https://kathysartllc.Square.Site. All the works in the show are on the site but the colors are much richer in real life.
My grandson is getting married the week of the November reception so my administrative assistant will be covering for me that night. She is a middle-aged woman who has been working with me for four years and is quite capable.
Thank you all for your interest in my works and progress as a painter.”
Laura Brown. “I have some news. I am going to have a show up at Cancer Support Community Center on the corner of Landmark and West Third Street. The opening is November 11th. I have attached the details in the flyer for the show and my gallery bio. For clarification on the RSVP, if anyone is wondering, all it means is to please email Stephanie so they are aware and on the lookout for gallery visitors as they have a small staff and want to make sure all gallery visitors have staff that can assist them with questions or purchasing.
Jerome Harste. In addition to attending Claude Cookman’s Portrait Class (which has been absolutely wonderful!) at the Art Alliance of Bloomington Center in the Mall, I attended a three day workshop with Liam Stewart, a Scottish artist, in Indianapolis. One of the most interesting things I learned was how to lay down a two-toned wash using plain water to save the white for focal areas. His technique involves catching the wash after the sheen has gone and lightly brushing the painting using a dry hake brush to make sure the gradation between hues is seamless. Works wonderfully.
Andy Roberts sent in two pictures. The first is entitled ‘Apollo Spring’ painted at the West Baden Paint-Out sponsored by Indiana Heritage Arts. The second is from the BWS Paint-Out at Peden Farm. This one is called, quite appropriately, “Peden Farm Barn”.
.MarySue & Bill Schwab. Bill was accepted in the Richmond Art Museum art show which runs November through December. We both also have paintings hanging at the Brown County Art Gallery, in the Brown County State Park’s show
Calendar
Now – Entries wanted for the “Let It Snow” Show at the Viridian Moon Gallery.
Now – Let Andy Roberts know if you want him to order you a BWS name tag.
Now – See Mary Sue and Bill Schwab’s art work at the Richmond and Brown County Art Museums.
Now through December — See Kathy Barton’s Show at BloomingFoods.
November 4 – Reception, BWS Membership Show, at the Vault.
November 11 through December – See Laura Brown’s Show at the Cancer Support Center.
November 14 – BWS November Meeting, 6 p.m. with Penny Lulich presenting.
November 21 – WSI Paint Out at Heritage Farms & Events.
December 7 – LUME Field Trip to IMA to see Monet & Friends.
The Bloomington Watercolor Society will hold its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. Members are welcome to share the number with guests, and a phone number will be posted on the door as backup. For those choosing to attend via Zoom, the meeting room and password stay the same month to month. However, for security reasons, Zoom meeting details are not published on the Web. Instructions will be sent by email and members are welcome to share them with guests.
After a brief business meeting, Sara Steffey McQueen will lead a session on creating Mandala Art. She writes:
“I was first introduced to Mandala art around 1973 with the work of Jose Arguelles and his book on the subject. Studies of Indian philosophy, Tibetan Buddhism, and southwest Native American art deepened my interest. Early 20th century psychologist Carl Jung used mandalas as a tool to bring the inner psychological world of his clients into expression. An 11th century nun, Hildegard von Bingam, drew and painted mandalas as a part of her path to God. Mandalas cross all cultures and beliefs. Throughout history and in nature, the circle has been a great source of artistic inspiration.
“Mandalas come in many different forms, but they have the common element of radial symmetry and concentric bands or borders. Different than a kaleidoscope, mandalas do have symbolism and personal meaning for the artist. In psychology and art therapy, they are used for organizing our ideas and as a method inquiry and a focusing technique. Today there are many personal development approaches that use drawing and collage for gathering ideas and structuring and exploring our inner world. Sometimes these are called ‘Mapping’ or ‘Story boards.’
“I have found the use and study of Mandalas to be a way to bring my interests & inspirations into awareness and expression. In this workshop I will introduce a different approach to painting from the ‘inside-out.’”
Suggested material to bring (Sara will bring extras):
Sketchbook or Journal
Square paper
Straight edge
Compass, tracer shapes (circles, any shapes)
Watercolor paints
Crayons
Permanent markers
Red Man Lodge Hall – Smithville by Andy Roberts
COMING SOON!
2022 Annual Membership Show of the Bloomington Watercolor Society:
“We Paint…Historic Bloomington!”
Oct. 7 – Nov. 23
Beautiful homes, historic buildings, cultural trailblazers, prominent folks and memorable places, captured in watercolor and other water mediums are all part of this year’s membership show.
Please join us at the Opening Reception on Gallery Walk Friday, Oct. 7, 5 – 8 p.m.
The Vault at Gallery Mortgage
121 E. Sixth Street
Bloomington, Ind.
Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Many thanks to the Monroe County History Center for their collaboration in creating this exhibit!
BWS paint-out and potluck
Saturday, Oct. 15 at Peden Farm
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Enjoy a paint-out at a pleasant, historic Monroe County farm. Share a meal with fellow BWS members. White and red chili, coffee, and tea are provided. Bring a dish to share.
More information and driving instructions to be provided closer to the date.
Paper marbling workshop with Andrew Preston
Experience the ancient art of paper marbling using acrylic paints, homemade rakes and combs, and specially prepared papers. Students learn to create multiple patterns, from the simple and elegant “stone” to the eye popping “nonpareil.” We will also practice special effect processes such as Spanish Wave and the use of synthetic gall. By the end of the workshop, students will have made a variety of marbled pieces.
Cost: $75 ALL supplies included PLUS supplies to take home!
Non-members may register for unfilled spaces beginning Oct. 10 for $85.
Heston shares his caterpillar bookmark.Organizer Sarah Ward poses for official photo.Children could choose which thumbprint animal to paint on their bookmarks.
BWS at Peden Farm Children’s Festival
by Jeanne Dutton
September 29 dawned sunny and chilly – very chilly – but that didn’t slow down the volunteers at Peden Farm! It was busy as a beehive with dozens and dozens of folks of all ages setting up tables, preparing displays, keeping the coffee pots full and donuts served before the hundreds of children began arriving.
BWS members met and greeted the little visitors to the table and each child chose an animal drawing from the sample sheet. We showed them how to ink their thumb and press their fingerprint onto a BWS bookmark, and then we helped them draw their animal…and sign their name because artists must always sign their artwork!
Our reward on Thursday was a wonderful lunch of hearty beef stew and fried biscuits with apple butter, just the thing to perk us up after the morning chill.
BWS was well represented and what a fun time we all had. Many thanks to these folks for volunteering: organizer Sarah Ward, Linda Branstetter, Patty Uffman, Andy Roberts, Sharon Parsons, Sara Steffey McQueen, Jan Ellis, Jo Weddle, Kitty Garlock, and Carol Rhodes.
A little history
In 2008 BWS member Tricia Wente wanted to have a “We Paint Parks” exhibition. In 2010 BWS members drew names of Bloomington parks out of a hat and then took on the challenge to do a painting of whatever park each had chosen . Forty-two members participated and had 12 months to complete their paintings. Some members painted two areas. BEAD and Bloomington Parks and Recreation were big supporters of the event, which was shown at the Showers Atrium from Nov. 4 to Dec. 2 of 2011.
Obituary
Barbara Edmonds, 1948-2022
Longtime BWS member Barbara Edmonds died unexpectedly at her home Aug. 27. Her daughter Angela asked us to pass along these words: “The UU family with Free Thinkers, Humanists, Poetry classes, Womens Alliance, and general community of artists were very important to her, especially during the pandemic and times of challenging political climate. She revered all of the individual and collective intellectual conversations, talents and compassionate efforts within these arenas. Thank you for embracing her contributions and giving her a platform for living her purpose of transformation and service to others.”
Angela suggests anyone wanting to make a memorial donation consider Green Initiatives program through https://amma.org or the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Bloomington (https://www.uubloomington.org).
Member News
Brigit’s Cross by Sara Steffey McQueen
Sara Steffey McQueen will be exhibiting her intuitive acrylics in Seymour for the month of October. They are on display at Pacey Apothecary, 125 W. Second, Seymour, IN 47274. There will be a reception Friday, Oct. 28.
Zain Mackey’s “May Creek Farm Pond” painting has been accepted accepted for the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) October exhibition in Indianapolis.
Still Waters by Carol Rhodes
Carol Rhodes’ painting, “Still Waters,” was accepted for Greening the Statehouse 2022: Clean Water for Indiana. The 15th annual Greening the Statehouse, Indiana’s largest environmental gathering, will take place Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the IMMI Conference Center in Westfield, Ind. The event is water themed, and Hoosier Environmental Council called for water-themed art because 2022 is the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The program for the day includes presentations, a lunch of locally produced foods, and abundant break time for networking and engagement with the artwork. Juried Artwork will be displayed in the conference space for this one-day conference. Learn more about the event at https://www.hecweb.org/gts/.
Sunday at the Lakeshore by Kathy Truelove Barton
Kathy Barton has a solo show, “Happy Little Paintings,” at Bloomingfoods Near West Side, 316 W. Sixth St. The show will go through the end of December.
Beyond BWS
Phil Bowsher
Phil Bowsher, a BWS member, will return to Owen County Art Guild for another Human Figure Drawing class Oct. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. The session will have a live model. Any medium is welcome. Bring an easel and supplies. Watercolor paper will be for sale for $2 per sheet. Cost is $25 per person. Call 812-829-1877 to reserve your space. Address is 199 W. Cooper St., Spencer 47460.
Viridian Moon is currently hosting a Middle School Art Teachers show: https://www.viridianmoon.art/events. Irina Shishova, gallery owner, said. “It would be great if local artists could come for the reception on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. to show these amazing teachers their support.”
Paint! Bloomington is a citywide art event that encourages everyone to paint anywhere in Bloomington on Saturday, Oct. 8. Organized events include a judged paint-out, classes, and demonstrations. Advance registration is NOT required and the events are free. To participate in the judged paint-out, artists must check in between 9:30 and 11 a.m. at the Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park to have their canvases or papers stamped before beginning their work. To be eligible for judging, completed works must be delivered to the Woodlawn Pavilion by 3 p.m. Classes will be at the Woodlawn Pavilion from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for youth and teens/adults. Participants will have opportunities to paint with them, and models for portrait classes will be there from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Throughout the day artists will be giving demonstrations and participants will have opportunities to paint with them. Supplies will be available for classes at the Pavilion and some supplies are available for painting on the Bryan Park grounds. Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, Bloomington Watercolor Society, Upland Plein Air Painters and The Portrait Group and Artists for Climate Awareness are teaming up to bring this fun event to Bloomington. Please email paintbloomington@gmail.com for additional information.
Calendar
Oct. 7 Opening Reception for BWS Membership Show, “We Paint … Historic Bloomington,” at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., Bloomington
Oct. 8 Paint! Bloomington. Starts at 9:30. Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park
Oct. 10 BWS monthly meeting. 6 p.m. First Christian Church and via Zoom
Every artist was first an amateur. ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is not what you look at, it is what you see. ― Henry David Thoreau
“Raspberry Bush” by Patricia Uffman
September’s Program: “Show & Tell”
After a short business meeting, Kitty Garlock will moderate the September program. Members are asked to bring paintings that have have completed over the summer and share them with the membership.
In addition, members are invited to bring favorite “art-related” books for members to see. These could be novels about painters/painting, informational books about painting, etc. Be sure to put your name on the outside of the books you bring. There will be time for you to look through the materials others bring so you can copy down titles of ones you may wish to purchase on your own.
This will be an in-person/Zoom meeting to be held at First Christian Church at 6 p.m., Monday, September 12. Please enter through the Washington Street door. Zoom information will be send out to the membership just prior to the meeting.
Inside BWS
“Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Dudley”
Our August program featured Rachel Berenson Perry talking about her new book, Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Dudley. Dudley devoted most of his artistic career to painting what is now the Indiana Dunes National Park, a passion that led to his environmental activism to save the Dunes from industrial development. In this picture Rachel interacts with Barbara Coffman and Andy Roberts.
Historic Bloomington Paint Out
1928 Elm Heights House by Deborah Rush
On August 6th BWS sponsored at paint out at the Monroe County History Center. Jeanne Dutton reported that “in spite of the dire warnings of thunderstorms and rain, it turned out to be a lovely day to sit outside sketching, painting, and visiting. Eight artists attended and thank you to Betty Wagoner for co-hosting. Seeing the preliminary sketches and paintings, everything points to this show, “We Paint…Historic Bloomington!” being a very special one!
Thank you, also, to the Monroe County History Center for inviting us to headquarter there for the paint out. We enjoyed hearing Daniel Schlegel, director of MCHC, share some interesting stories about the Elephant Hitching Post, the new exhibit “Order Up! Restaurants of Monroe County”, and other curiosities on hand.”
Salt Lick Caldron. Photo taken by Andy Roberts.
West Baden Paint Out
On August 12 and 13 the Indiana Heritage Arts sponsored a paint-out at the West Baden Hotel. Indiana artists painted on the hotel grounds. On the last day, their artworks were displayed under the hotel’s dome. BWS painters at the paint out were: Katya Alexeeva, Kathy Barton, Kitty Garlock, Andy Roberts, Henry Lack and Betty Wagoner. Several participants (Andy Roberts, Katya Alexeeva, and Betty Wagoner) sold paintings to the French Lick Resort for their shop.
Betty Wagoner at West BadenKathleen Truelove Barton at West Baden Paint Out
Quick Reminder
Traditionally, Jo Weddle has graciously sent greeting cards to those BWS members who are experiencing ill health or the loss of a family member. If you know or hear of someone in our group who could use a little cheering up, please send a note to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.
A Historical Note
Linda Branstetter, BWS Historian, wrote to say, “As I was looking through the history binders I saw where BWS closed out their 2011 paint out schedule with a picnic lunch and painting session at Musgrave Orchard. At that time Musgrave was open and sold fresh cider, apples of all kinds, pumpkins, squash, popcorn, and caramel apples. Not sure they will be open this fall. Nonetheless, it ia a pretty drive on old SR 37. I imagine it was fun to paint the orchard decked out in all its fall colors.”
BWS Activity Calendar: Keeping Yourself in the Know
Now, information about all BWS events is easy to find in the BWS activities calendar. The calendar offers several views, a search field for quick access, and lots of attractive images. If there is a BWS sponsored event or activity that is not in the calendar, you can submit one for moderation. You can even subscribe to get notifications about new events. To see the calendar, go to https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/bws-calendar/ or simply find it in the menu on our website at bloomingtonwatercolor.org.
Key activities for the month of September follow.
September Paint Out: T.C. Steele Historic Site
Saturday, Sept. 10: Great Outdoor Paint Out at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. The paint-out this year is concurrent with a celebration of the birthday of T. C. Steele. There will be a birthday party with cake and lectures. Artists will enjoy painting at a beautiful site while celebrating Steele’s birthday and, of course, cake. The paint-out fee will increase to $15 which will include the celebration if paid in August. In September the fee increases by $5. To register go to https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INMUSEUM/bulletins/31f91db.
BWS Membership Show: Prospectus and Schedule
“We Paint … Historic Bloomington” is the theme of the 2022 BWS Member Show. It will hang at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., from Oct. 7 to Nov. 27. A second showing will take place at the Monroe County History Center in Summer 2023.
Of course, with the rich history of this county, the city limits is not — well, the limit! Quarries. One-room schoolhouses. Farms. So much to choose from.
We are fortunate to be collaborating with the Monroe County History Center, which has over 40,000 images in their files and has graciously waived fees for copies of photos requested by BWS members. To access the photos, go to https://monroehistory.org/photo-fees-and-guidelines/. Contact Hilary Fleck at collection@monroehistory.org for assistance.
Here are the important Show dates to mark in your calendar:
Sept. 15: Submit scanned or photographed artwork for the Online Gallery to Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. Please send in jpg format.
Oct. 4: Deliver paintings to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., between 10 a.m. and noon.
Oct. 7: Opening Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 4: Second Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 28: Pick up paintings at The Vault ay Gallery Mortgage 10 a.m. to noon.
Peden Farm Children’s Festival
Peden Farm Children’s Festival is on again this year! On Thursday and Friday, September 29 and 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., BWS members will conduct art activities for local school children in conjunction with the Peden Farm Children’s Festival. We’re expecting 1,250 young children to pass by our table. Volunteers are needed on both days, morning and afternoon shifts. Contact Sarah Ward by phone or email.
BWS – October’s Paint Out
Saturday, October 15, there will be a Final BWS paint-out and Potluck at Peden Farm from 10a.m. to 1 p.m. Betty Wagoner says, “We will paint and share a meal in the barn/visitor center. There is water, a restroom and electrical outlets.” Look for more information later in September.
BWS – Cancer Support Center Gallery Show
On Friday, September 9, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Cancer Support Community Building, 1719 W 3rd Street, there will be a reception for Meri Rienhold’s exhibition, Places to Go; Peopleto See. Meri’s show features paintings that capture her travels and the people she met along the way. Her show will be up through the months of September and October.
This gallery partnership is between BWS and the Cancer Support Community. Every two months a new artist will display a solo show of works. The public is invited to the opening reception. Works can be seen at the gallery during business hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
Paint Bloomington!!
WHAT:First Annual Bloomington Paint Out WHEN: Saturday, October 8, 2022. RAIN OR SHINE WHERE: Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park (Next to the swimming pool).
HOSTED BY: Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington. Bloomington Watercolor Society, Upland Plein Air Painters are teaming up to bring this fun event to Bloomington!
NO REGISTRATION FEE: FreeNo advance registration required. Artists must check-in between 9.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Pavilion the day of the event. All artists will have canvasses or multi-media paper stamped before beginning their work. Supplies will be available for classes at the Pavilion and some supplies are available for painting on the Bryant Park grounds.
HOW: Artists will be able to paint anywhere in Bloomington. The event is open to professional and emerging artists of all ages and skill levels to create original artwork of any subject in any medium. All stamped/tagged works must be completed that day by 3 pm to be eligible for judging.
Completed works need to be brought to the Woodlawn Pavilion by 3:00 p. m. marked with the artist’s name and email address or telephone number on the back. Please do not sign artwork until after judging. Wet Oil paintings should be in a frame for safe handling. Artists are encouraged to bring their own easel for display.
AWARDS: ALL stamped works completed that day will be eligible for judging. Awards will be for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place artists in following categories: Professional artists, Emerging Artists, Teens (12-17), and Youth )7-11)
The 98th Hoosier Salon Juried Exhibition is at the Indiana State Museum, 650 West Washington Street, and runs through October 23. Stephan Edwards and Jerome Harste have paintings in this show. Both won awards.
The Indiana Artist Club Member Show is exhibiting September 3 through September 29 at one of Indiana’s Historic Homes, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis. The reception and opening is September 2 at 5:30 p.m. Awards will be made at 7:00 p.m. Jacki Frey is exhibiting a watercolor in the show.
The Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Annual Juried Exhibit is currently showing at Newfields Indinanapolis Musuem of Art through September 24. This Exhibition is free and open to the public.
The Brown County Art Gallery Foundation is gearing up for the annual Collector’s Showcase called “Snowfall”, featuring glorious snow scenes by early Brown County Artists. The exhibit opens October 1 and runs through November 13.
As part of the Showcase activities, artists are invited to participate in the second Brown County State Park Paint Out on October 28 and 29. Last years event was a first for the park and they are going to allow it again. All Indiana artists are invited to register. The Foundation will pay park admission for registered artists.
The Anderson Museum of Art’s Figures of Speech Exhibition opens with a reception on September 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. AMOA’s A Starry NightExhibition opens September 17. The AMOA is located at 32 West 10th Street in Anderson.
Carmel on Canvas is a Plein Air event held in Carmel from September 17 to 19. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Indiana Design Center in Carmel, 200 S Angeline Road. For more information search carmelartsanddesign.com on the Internet.
The Haan Museum of Indiana Art in Lafayette invites artists to paint on its grounds and in its sculpture garden on September 14 starting at 9 a.m. The Haan Museum is located at 920 E. State Street.
The SWOPE Art Museum, between now and September 19 is accepting work for its 78th Annual Wabash Valley Show. The 78th Annual Wabash Show will run November 4 to January 8.
Member News
Sara Steffy McQueen’s Intuitive Inspirations
Sara Steffy McQueen wrote to say that she would “love to invite you to view my exhibit, of 35 acrylics entitled, Intuitive Inspirations, showing through September at the Vault on 6th Street.” The Vault is open daily. In addition, the Vault will be open Friday evening, September 2, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Painting by Sara Steffy McQueen
Katya Alexeeva’s The Magic of Water
Katya Alexeeva wrote to invite BWS to her first personal art exhibition entitled The Magic of Water, at the Viridian Moon Art Galley, 1600 W. Bloomfield Road. The gallery is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Rose Brenner: Not Everyone Has a Signature Wine Label!!
“Here is an article about one of my paintings winning a wine bottle label contest for Mallow Run Winery. I’ll be signing the wine bottles at this famous theatre in Franklin, Indiana on September 10, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.” Folks, this is our chance to get a signed bottle of wine to impress our friends!!
Joanne Weddle Gets Interviewed by Morgenstern’s Mitch Teplitsky
Last month, artisan curator Jen Abrams, co-owner Sam Eads, and I (Mitch Teplitsky) dropped by the Bloomington Watercolor Society’s monthly meeting at First Christian Church to table some art books. That’s where I spotted Joanne Weddle, BWS’s Program Chair — and Jen’s former third-grade teacher!
(Mitch Teplitsky) This is quite a reunion! Have you been a teacher all your life? (Joanne) I had 38 years in our school district. When I retired in 2005, I was the Director of Reading Services.
How did you get involved with the Watercolor Society? I’m an art museum person. I’ve always gravitated to watercolors. When I retired, I decided to take up watercolors. There’s a warmth and softness about them I just love!
Jen tells me you are a regular customer at Morgenstern’s? I can’t stay out of there — I love it! I have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I’m in that children’s section all the time!
What was the last book you bought there? I bought two copies of Corduroy in the children’s section. And another little book, with cloth animals in the pages. I love that store!
Do you remember the original Morgenstern’s? Yes, I remember when it was over in Eastland. I remember going there one time and seeing a picture book Scott Russell Sanders had just written, the story of the family who came down on a raft from the Ohio River. And when they came to where Louisville is now, they stopped and built their cabin.
Why was that particular book so memorable, do you think? I was thrilled when I saw that book because my mother was born and raised in Bethlehem, right on the Ohio river. It’s a town this big (holds her hands a couple of inches apart), ten miles south of Madison. That’s where I’ve gone my whole life.
I love that story. And we’re big fans of Scott Sanders. When I was at Morgenstern’s the other day, I saw that Scott has written another book!
Yes, Small Marvels, and it’s really good. We did an author talkwith him recently. I didn’t buy it, but I’m going to! Promise?
I’m going to hold you to that, it’s in the newsletter! (Laugh) Well, I love teaching, and I love Indiana history.
You were telling me earlier about First Book — Yes, I work with a national organization called First Book, that gets books into the homes of low-income children. We raise funds and award grants to schools and programs. We’ve been able to provide more than 80,000 books to the children in Monroe County.
That’s wonderful! How can people find out more? We have a Facebook page, Team First Book – Monroe County. (Note: To access you need to log on as this site is not public.)
May I ask what you’re reading right now? Well, I just got through ordering a book online.
I presume from Morgenstern’s? Oh, I didn’t this time — I ordered a book from Amazon.
Oh no….(feigning horror) (laugh) I know, I know … But I come to Morgenstern’s to buy books all the time! I buy a lot of books, a lot of children’s books.
We know you do — and so appreciate your support! Well, Is there anything else you’d like to add? I am SO glad Morgenstern’s is here. We needed it badly!
Cookman Curates AIDS Exhibition
Long-time BWS member Claude Cookman is lead curator of an exhibition entitled, Wild Horse Running: The Courageous Journey of Tom Fox. Comprising 60 photographs, it tells the story of Bloomington native and IU alumnus Tom Fox, a gay man who contracted AIDS in the late 1980s, when there was no adequate medical response. Fox, who worked in advertising at the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, invited photojournalist Michael A. Schwarz and medical writer Steve Sternberg to document his illness and death.
“I am a PWA (Person With AIDS), diagnosed on Oct. 2, 1987,” Fox wrote to Sternberg. “I am certainly no activist, only a person living with a serious illness, trying to make the most of life. I represent a growing number of people who unfortunately are not able to share their thoughts and experiences, but if I could help one person open his mind to this problem, I would feel like I made a difference.”
An inspiring instance of the human condition, the exhibition relates how Fox faced his illness and death with humor, courage, and a love for life. A photograph of him on his death bed, surrounded by his grief-stricken parents and brothers, became an iconic image of the AIDS epidemic. Notwithstanding its impact, the more interesting photographs show Fox interacting with family and friends, clowning for laughs, playing with his dogs — typical human behaviors everyone can identify with.
The exhibition, jointly sponsored by IU’s Kinsey Institute and the IU Cook Center for Public Arts and Humanities, hangs in the Grand Hall of Maxwell Hall on the IU Bloomington campus through September 23. A reception and program, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on September 23, will feature Schwarz and Sternberg telling how their interaction with Fox affected their own lives. Cookman will moderate the program. He also wrote an essay for the exhibition catalog. Free copies will be available.
A Kaposi sarcoma lesion is evident on Tom Fox’s bicep as he undergoes a medical examination. Photograph by Michael A. Schwarz.
Susan Savastuk Wins Ribbons & Has a Show
Susan’s show at the Engraving and Stamp Center, 218 North Madison Street (in between Boom-a Rang Salon and Hopscotch Coffee, will be part of the September First Friday Gallery Walk. The opening reception of her show is Friday, September 2, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In other news, Susan is happy to report that her paintings received 1st and 2nd Place Awards at the Lawrence County Art Association Mid-Summer Show.
Susan participated in the recent Bloomington Garden Walk at the home of Jan and Jack Bulla Baker.
Phyllis Taylor Continues to Shine
Phyllis Taylor (one of our off-site members) won first place with her portrait, entitled Sleepy, in the Watercolor Division of the Trails End Art Association (TEAA) 71st Annual Judged Show held in Gearhart, Oregon on August 2022. TEAA was thrilled with the array of talent displayed by the 54 artists accepted this year. The show was judged by Marilyn and Joe Clayton of Bronze Coast Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR.
Andy Roberts Shares His West Baden Paintings
Majestic Heights by Andy RobertsBillards & Bowling Pavilion by Andy Roberts
Now to Sept. 19 SWOPE Art Museum is accepting work for its 78th Annual Wabash Show, Terra Haute
Now to Sept. 23Wild Horse Running: The Courage of Tom Fox Exhibition, Maxwell Hall, IU Campus
Now to Sept. 24 WSI Annual Juried Show, Indiana Museum of Art at Newfields
Now to Oct. 23 98th Hoosier Salon Exhibition, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis
Sept. 2 Susan Savastuk Exhibition at Engraving and Stamps, 218 North Madison Street, Bloomington
Sept. 2 Sara Steffy McQueen Exhibition at the Vault Gallery, Bloomington.
Sept. 2 Meri Reinhart Exhibition at Cancer Support Center, 1719 West 3rd, Bloomington
Sept. 3 Indiana Artist Club Exhibition, 1205 Central Avenue, Indianapolis
Sept 8 Paint Bloomington, Bryan Park, Bloomington
Sept. 8 AMOA’s Figure of Speech Exhibition, Anderson
Sept. 9 Reception for Meri Reinhart at Cancer Support Center, Bloomington
Sept. 10 Rose Brenner Opening Reception at Mellow Run Winery, Franklin
Sept. 10 Great Outdoor Paintout at the T.C. Steele Historic Site
Sept. 12 BWS October Meeting, Show & Tell, 6 p.m. at First Christian Church, Bloomington
Sept. 14 Haan Museum of Indiana Art Paint Out, Lafayette
Sept. 15 Submit scanned or photographed artwork for the BWS Membership Show Online Gallery to Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. Please send in jpg format
Sept. 17 AMOA opening of A Starry Night Exhibit, Anderson
Sept. 17-19 Carmel on Canvas, Indiana Design Center, Carmel
Oct. 4 Deliver BWS Membership Show paintings to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., between 10 a.m. and noon
Oct. 7 BWS Membership Show Opening Reception during Gallery Walk, 5 to 8 p.m
Nov. 4 Second BWS Membership Show Reception during Gallery Walk, 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 28 Pick up BWS Membership Show paintings at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 10 a.m. to noon
This edition of Brushstrokes combines BWS news for July and August. I have done my best to includeeverything that was submitted, but it is possible I overlooked something. If you sent in an item that was not included and is still newsworthy, please email me. – Nancy Metz, Brushstrokes co-editor
Aug. 8 Program features local author of “Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Dudley”
Rachel Berenson Perry will talk about her new book, “Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Dudley.” Dudley devoted most of his artistic career to painting what is now the Indiana Dunes National Park, a passion that led to his environmental activism to save the Dunes from industrial development.
Perry, fine arts curator emerita of the Indiana State Museum, is also author of “Paint and Canvas, A Life of T.C. Steele.” A representative of Morgenstern’s Book Store will be at the meeting to sell Perry’s books; cash and credit card payments will be accepted.
The meeting will be in the Great Hall of First Christian Church, at the intersection of Kirkwood and Washington, at 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8. Please enter through the Washington Street door. As is the custom for summer meetings, there will be no business agenda. At the presenter’s request, the meeting will not be available on Zoom. The Great Hall is a large room with windows that open so social distancing and good ventilation can be provided.
Left: The Hopewell House, site of the first hospital in Bloomington. Center: Restored log cabin room in Monroe County History Center. Right: First diesel running through Bloomington c. 1940
Get ready for We Paint…Historic Bloomington!
by Jeanne Dutton As we prepare for the BWS annual membership show in October and November, mark your calendars for the next event: a paint-out in downtown Bloomington, Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can set up on the sidewalks, on the lawns at the courthouse or the History Center, or grab a bench and enjoy painting en plein air. How about sketching over an iced latte at a cafe on Kirkwood?
Headquarters for the BWS paint-out will be the Monroe County History Center at 202 E. Sixth St. MCHC provides the place to cool off, greet your fellow artists, enjoy a brown bag lunch, and use of the restrooms. If it’s too hot to paint outside, bring your photos and paint inside. MCHC has graciously offered the education room for our use that day.
Betty Wagoner and Jeanne Dutton will be your hosts. Please contact Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org with questions.
BWS Membership Show: Prospectus and Schedule
“We Paint … Historic Bloomington” is the theme of the 2022 BWS Member Show. It will hang at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., from Oct. 7 to Nov. 27. A second showing will take place at the Monroe County History Center in Summer 2023.
Of course, with the rich history of this county, the city limits is not — well, the limit! Quarries. One-room schoolhouses. Farms. So much to choose from.
We are fortunate to be collaborating with the Monroe County History Center, which has over 40,000 images in their files and has graciously waived fees for copies of photos requested by BWS members. To access the photos, go to https://monroehistory.org/photo-fees-and-guidelines/. Contact Hilary Fleck at collection@monroehistory.org for assistance.
Here are the important Show dates to mark in your calendar:
Sept. 15: Submit scanned or photographed artwork for the Online Gallery to Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. Please send in jpg format.
Oct. 4: Deliver paintings to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., between 10 a.m. and noon.
Oct. 7: Opening Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 4: Second Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 28: Pick up paintings at The Vault ay Gallery Mortgage 10 a.m. to noon.
Future paint-outs
Saturday, Sept. 10: Great Outdoor Paint Out at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. The paint-out this year is concurrent with a celebration of the birthday of T. C. Steele. There will be a birthday party with cake and lectures. Artists will enjoy painting at a beautiful site while celebrating Steele’s birthday and, of course, cake. The paint-out fee will increase to $15 which will include the celebration if paid in August. In September the fee increases by $5. To register go to https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/INMUSEUM/bulletins/31f91db.
Saturday, Oct. 15: Paint-out and pot luck at Peden Farm.
Top row: Bill Schwab, Charlotte Griffin and Jan Britton. Middle row: Kathy Barton, Linda Branstetter and MarySue Veerkamp Schwab. Bottom row: Pat Rowbottom and Andy Roberts
Jane Matranga at the Garden Walk Paint-out.
Summer BWS Paint-outs
Nine BWS members attended a midsummer paint-out at IU’s Hilltop Garden. The day started with rain but as we arrived, the clouds cleared, becoming sunny with a cooling breeze. The garden was beautiful. A variety of flowers plus the Mimosa trees were blooming. We were encouraged to come back in the spring when many more plants are in bloom. Those attending were Kathy Barton, Linda Branstetter, Jan Britton, Charlotte Griffin, Andy Roberts, Patricia Rowbottom, Bill Schwab, MarySue VeerKamp Schwab, and Betty Wagoner.
Deborah Rush at the Garden Walk Paint-out.
Jesse Kogge
BWS awards scholarship to Jesse Kogge
by Jeanne Dutton BWS is pleased to present to Jesse Kogge the annual Art Scholarship Award. Jesse, a student of Cassidy Young, graduated from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship with an interest in photography and sustainable design practices.
Jesse was introduced to BWS via Zoom at the June meeting. Here is more about his creative approach to the art of photography.
His hobby really took hold when he built his first pinhole camera in sixth grade. With the help of a video tutorial, he was able to turn an old shoebox into a genuine, albeit grainy, film camera. Jesse says: “Unfortunately, like many other sixth graders, I was in short supply of the necessary photographic chemicals to develop my film. My workaround to this issue involved a messy concoction of coffee, washing soda, mint leaves, and Emergen-C tablets. Despite its musty odor, the photographic soup produced fair results. That year, my little shoebox camera and I ended up winning grand champion in photography at the county fair.
“Currently, I’m working to design a camera ecosystem that brings the magic of film to everyone, not just individuals with expert knowledge. Recently, I’ve experimented with designs for cameras that can be folded from flat-pack cardboard templates. My ultimate goal is to launch a brand to distribute these types of products, all while studying design at Indiana University.”
Jesse will be pursuing a major in the Eskenazi School’s Comprehensive Design program where he will gain the necessary skills to fulfill his dream of creatively designing thoughtful products based around photography.
Congratulations to Jesse and BWS wishes him the best in his goals and career.
Outgoing President’s Report 2021-2022
by Joanna Samorow-Merzer, outgoing president With my second term as president ending, I want to thank every member for their support and involvement in our organization. We had an eventful year. BWS survived the pandemic and it keeps going strong. We welcomed new members. Once the pandemic started weakening, we were able to offer to our members a choice of meetings: on Zoom and in-person at the First Christian Church.
Our Technology Committee, Carol Rhodes and Charlotte Griffin, made sure that our Zoom meetings went as smoothly as possible. And our Program Chair, Joanne Weddle, made sure that our space at the FCC was always ready for us, and she was very committed to provide us with monthly programs and the annual holiday party. The Paint-Out Chair, Betty Wagoner, worked hard to organize paint-outs in different locations. The Fall Show Chair, Jacki Frey, organized, with help of other members, our annual membership exhibit “Celebrate Life” at the Viridian Moon Gallery, while the winter benefit show “We paint… Van Gogh’s World!” at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage was organized by Winter Benefit Show Chair Jeanne Dutton.
Our 1st Vice President, Andy Roberts, oversaw the preparation of the “Celebrate Life” exhibit, and our 2nd Vice President, Patty Uffman, worked throughout the year monitoring the membership. Our Treasurer, Carol Rhodes, managed the finances and trained Barbara Coffman to be our new Treasurer in 2022-2023. Our Secretary, Charlotte Griffin, meticulously prepared minutes of every meeting and she was always helpful with her knowledge about how our organization governs itself.
Our Brushstrokes Co-Editors, Jerry Harste and Nancy Davis Metz, kept our online presence lively.Volunteer members helped different Committee Chairs, and many BWS members enriched our exhibits with their paintings. Each of you contributed a lot of your time, hard work and effort so that all of us could enjoy being a part of the BWS family. Thanks to all of you, our organization keeps going and growing stronger. I thank you all for your ways of participating in making BWS an important part of our community.
Executive Board of 2021-2022:
President Joanna Samorow-Merzer 1st VP Andy Roberts 2nd VP Patty Uffman Treasurer Carol Rhodes Secretary Charlotte Griffin Committees of 2020-2021: Activities: Brushstrokes Co-Editor: Jerry Harste Brushstrokes Co-Editor: Nancy Davis-Metz Finance: Carol Rhodes Historian: Linda Branstetter Membership: Patty Uffman Nominating: Sarah Ward Paint Out: Betty Wagoner Programs: Jo Weddle Publicity: Refreshment: Scholarship: Jeanne Dutton Show: Jacki Frey – Fall Membership Show Show: Jeanne Dutton – Winter Benefit Show Technology: Carol Rhodes Technology: Charlotte Griffin
Here is what our new Executive Board looks like going forward: Executive Board 2022-2023: President: Carol Rhodes 1st VP: Katya Alexeeva 2nd VP: Andy Roberts Treasurer: Barbara Coffman Secretary: Charlotte Griffin
The new President, Carol Rhodes, will assemble the new Committees in coordination with the new and returning Committee Chairs.
Membership Our total membership presently is 96. That represents an increase of 11 from the prior year, so we are growing.
2021 BWS Fall Membership Show: “Celebrate Life” The annual BWS membership show featuring the theme “Celebrate Life” was hosted in October/November 2021 by Irina Shishova at The Viridian Moon Gallery. Jacki Frey, the Show Chair, was supported by members of the board in presenting the show. The following members won awards: Jacki Frey, First Mary Sue Schwab, Second Philip Bowsher, Third Susan Savastuk, Gallery Choice Barbara Coffman, Runner-up
2022 BWS Winter Benefit Show: “We Paint…Van Gogh’s World!” Our BWS show benefitting The Teachers Warehouse was hosted by John La Bella in February/March 2022 at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage. The Show Chair, Jeanne Dutton, was supported by volunteer members in presenting the show. The following members won awards: Barbara Coffman, Best of Show Joe Lee, Silver Second
Door prizes went to Charlotte Griffin, Nancy Davis Metz, Zain Mackey and Meri Reinhold. There were eight paintings sold, with 50 percent of the sales benefitting The Teachers Warehouse.
Workshop Carol Rhodes organized and coordinated a two-day, in-person and online workshop with the watercolor artist Carol Carter at the First Christian Church in September 2021. Ms. Carter, an award-winning artist and teacher, guided us through her process of painting with deeply saturated colors.
Field Trip In September, thanks to Jeanne Dutton, BWS members had a chance to travel to Indianapolis to see The Lume exhibit at Newfields.
2020-2021 BWS Monthly Programs Our Program Chair, Joanne Weddle, put a lot of effort into organizing for our members the monthly program presentations: JULY 2021 “Crayon-Resist” presented by Carol Rhodes. AUGUST 2021 “Building Community through our Shared Experiences” hosted by Sara Steffey McQueen. SEPTEMBER 2021 “Show and Share” hosted by Kitty Garlock. OCTOBER 2021 “Let’s Get Ready for Our Annual Holiday Party” presented by Joanne Weddle. NOVEMBER 2021 “Using Digital Tools” presented by Cassidy Young. DECEMBER 2021 Holiday Party JANUARY 2022 “Watercolor Pencil and Watercolor Painting” presented by Betty Wagoner. FEBRUARY 2022 “Painting Easy Trees in Watercolor” presented by Carol Rhodes. MARCH 2022 “Painting Techniques for Water Imagery” presented by Dawn Adams. APRIL 2022 “One Stroke Flowers in Watercolor” presented by Beverly S. Mathis. MAY 2022 “Is My Painting Done Yet?” a discussion led by Carol Rhodes and Nancy Davis Metz. JUNE 2022 Introduction of the Scholarship winner by Cassidy Young. 2020-2021 BWS Paint-outs
Thanks to the commitment and hard work of our Paint-Out Chair, Betty Wagoner, four paint-outs took place between July 2021 and June 2022: July 2021 — Hilltop Garden at IU August 2021 — Story Inn October 2021 — Switchyard Park May 2022 – Bloomington’s Historic Wylie House
Bloomington Garden Walk The annual two-day June 2022 event was coordinated by Charlotte Griffin. Two of the houses on the Garden Walk are historic.
Docent Tour of the MCHC Free event in June 2022 with an opportunity to learn the history of Bloomington and its famous people. The event was organized by Jeanne Dutton.
Scholarship Fundraising was accomplished through the FMCCS’ online auction. Donated art work by Jerry Harste, Charlotte Griffin, Phil Bowsher, Jo Weddle, Connie McEntyre, Linda Branstetter, Bess Lee, Kriste Lindberg and Lynne Gilliatt brought to the BWS Art Scholarship 70 percent of total sales, netting $322.70. The 2022 BWS Scholarship Winner is Jesse Kogge
Brushstrokes: Periodic Newsletter of Bloomington Watercolor Society Our online monthly newsletter Brushstrokes has been maintained by our dedicated Brushstrokes Co-Editors: Jerry Harste and Nancy Davis Metz. Both of them work to provide us with a highly professional newsletter that is a source of helpful information not only about our organization but also about the larger art world.
BWS Virtual Art Exhibitions of 2021-2022 “Fall ’21 BWS Show Online Gallery” “We Paint… Van Gogh’s World” At https://bloomingtonwatercolor.smugmug.com/, thanks to Carol Rhodes and Charlotte Griffin’s technological abilities, we have now the total of five virtual art gallery exhibitions (including the past three BWS gallery exhibits in 2020-2021).
Let me conclude by saying that I enjoyed seeing you during our monthly meetings on Zoom and during the last (and my first) in-person meeting at the First Christian Church. I look forward to seeing you again throughout the next administrative year.
Guido Frick leads a workshop discussion.
Guido Frick workshop
by Babette Ballinger In June Bloomington artists sponsored a workshop attended by members of BWS, Arts Alliance and Upland. Guido Frick taught for three days and it was fabulous!! He taught about seeing, working larger, expressing yourself with exuberance and joy, and it was amazing to me how it could be equally good for watercolorists and oil painters alike of all levels. He may be back in the fall since we all had such a fantastic time.
We painted plein air still lifes in my garden, then everything at Teresa Kinder’s beautiful home, followed by the landscapes at the Hinkle Garten House. It was a first for Bloomington to have an artist of this level, and it was fabulous.
Greetings for BWS Members
Traditionally, Jo Weddle has graciously sent greeting cards to those BWS members who are experiencing ill health or the loss of a family member. If you know or hear of someone in our group who could use a little cheering up, please send a note to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.
Lilly Library Photos
Several members visited IU’s Lilly Library last month to view watercolors selected by librarians Sarah Mitchell and Erin Chiparo. Barbara Coffman, Jacqueline Fernette, Meri Reinhold, Bess Lee and Carol Rhodes share their photos from that visit.
Clockwise from top left: Orson Welles’ correspondence with Rita Hayworth. Two pages from one of Tyler’s Books of Life, which are filled with a “language of his own creation and elaborate diagrams. Deck of cards c. pre-1654. Mary Elizabeth Tayleur’s watercolor drawing of a geranium. Botanical watercolor by Ellen Arabella Whinfield. An engraved image of a watercolor of the Boston Massacre, printed and sold by Paul Revere.
BWS History
Historian Linda Branstetter found this tidbit of history: From July 7 – 17, 2010, BWS artists were invited to paint or sketch during the first stages of the International Harp Competition and at the final rehearsal. BWS members who participated were Gillian Harris, Joanne Shank, Rosemary Messick, Jacki Frey, Dan Alexander, Bess Lee, Sheri Curry, Cathy Korinek, Betty Wagoner, Jo Weddle, and Tricia Wente.
Check this out
Joanna Samorow-Merzer writes: Recently I visited the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison, Wisc. There is a beautiful collection of Russian paintings. You can scroll and click through seven pages of this website to see the amazing collection. https://chazen.wisc.edu/collection/?countries[]=10
Member News
Into the MysteryNaturaSophia
“Intuitive Inspirations: Paintings of Sara Steffey McQueen” will hang at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., Aug. 5 to Sept. 30. Sara writes: “This exhibit of intuitive acrylic paintings reflects a long-time interest in myth and world religions. These stories and images live deep in my subconscious, later to become paintings. The process is like a mystery taking me on a journey of discovery, telling a story.” The opening reception will be Aug. 5, 5 to 8 p.m. Sara also has a chapter “Creating Community,” included in the book “No Ordinary Words,” which is available on Amazon. Proceeds benefit Tree Sisters and SheHasHope charities.
The Mimosa Tree by Bill Schwab, who wrote that he is “happy to have had the chance to paint this beautiful Mimosa without the hassle of maintaining this tricky tree.
Summer Garden by Patty Uffman, watercolor and ink
“Cola Wars” by Stephen Edwards (above) has been accepted in the 2022 NWS 102nd International Open Exhibition, which will hang Sept. 1 to Nov. 6. His “Perpetual Machine” (below left) painting was accepted into the Watercolor Society Of Indiana Exhibition , and his “Jersey Girls” (below right) was accepted into the 44th Annual Indiana Heritage Arts.
Andy Roberts shared two paintings from earlier paint-outs this spring. “Griffy Lake Lull” (left), is a view of the lake mid-morning on a nice warm day. The second painting, “Spire and Spirits,” (below) is from a paint-out down at the Green Hill cemetery in Bedford. Both of these paintings are pen and ink with watercolor overlay.
by Meri Reinhold
Surrounded by Meri Reinhold
Meri Reinhold won third place in the portrait group at Lawrence County Art Association summer competition. Her painting was titled “Surrounded.” The first solo show at the Cancer Support Community Center will feature the work of Meri Reinhold. It will run from Sept. 2 to Oct. 28. The opening reception will be Sept. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. (Times may change.) Meri also won third place in the portrait group at Lawrence County Art Association summer competition. Her painting was titled “Surrounded.”
The Marsh by Jerome Harste
Jerry Harste‘s painting “The Marsh” was accepted into the 98th Annual Hoosier Salon Exhibition. Since this is the third time that he has had a painting accepted in the Hoosier Salon annual juried shows, he is now a “Signature Member” of the Hoosier Salon. This year’s exhibition will be at the Indiana History Museum from Aug. 28 through Oct. 26 in Indianapolis.
Earle by Zain Mackey
Zain Mackey writes that she has been working on painting loosely this year. She was thinking of a Jean Haines style when Earle, the rooster with an attitude came to her.
BWS and Beyond
The Lawrence County Art Association in Bedford is happy to announce an exhibit during the month of August at the Arts Alliance Center, located inside the Bloomington’s College Mall. LCAA invites you to come and see the various forms of art work from our members, which will include watercolor, oils, acrylics, and photography, and styles featuring landscapes, portraits, animals, and abstracts. The exhibit will be on display Aug. 5 thru early September in the large room at the back of the gallery, and most of the pieces will also be available for purchase. The Arts Alliance is open every Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. LCAA is s very appreciative of this wonderful opportunity to work with the Arts Alliance Center, and invite you all to stop in and admire all the talented artists who are represented.
The LCAA Grand Champion of its summer show this year was a watercolor.
The Brown County Art Guild has announced August events in its popular “Artist is In” series. Each session is free and is from 1 to 3 p.m.
Aug. 6: Rena Brouwer, watercolor Study Rena’s skill as her treatment of nature is awash with striking color.
Aug. 7: Luke Buck, watercolor Watch Luke Buck create detailed scenes of the countryside to rural life.
Aug. 13: Rodney Reveal, oil Rodney’s depiction of wildlife or nature is rich with bold color and texture.
Aug. 14: Mary Ann Davis, pastels Watch Mary Ann create her soft and impressionistic signature style.
Aug. 21 Corinne Hull, pastels See how Corinne captures the spontaneity and light in natural scenes.
Aug. 27 Ron Mack, oil Ron’s pastoral scenes are a perfect example of our Down on the Farm theme.
Aug. 28: Karen Graeser, oil Karen’s landscapes have a serene quality that are alluring and hypnotic.
The Wabash Valley Artists Society has three paint-outs scheduled for August. All events are free, open to the public and take place regardless of weather. Most paint-outs are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For confirmation of cancellation or details, contact Rachel Lattimore at 217-402-5067.
Aug. 10: Rachel Lattimore’s Home/Historic Ninth Street Hill, 510 S. Ninth St., Lafayette.
Aug. 20: Anderson Flower Farm, 2284 West CR 300 South, Frankfort. Jeff Klinker will do an oil demonstration at 10:30.
Aug. 28: Wildcat Creek Park, 5201 Eisenhower Road, Lafayette
Indiana Heritage Arts invites artists to paint on the grounds of West Baden Springs Resort Aug. 12 and 13. There is no fee but artists should register by calling Brown County Art Gallery. Artists can sell their art in the hotel lobby Saturday afternoon.
Calendar
Aug. 5 – early Sept. Lawrence County Art Association exhibit at the Arts Alliance, College Mall, Bloomington Aug. 8 BWS Monthly Meeting. In-person/No Zoom. First Christian Church Great Hall, 6 p.m. Aug. 10 Wabash Valley Artists Society Paint-out. Rachel Lattimore’s Home/Historic Ninth Street Hill, 510 S. Ninth St., Lafayette. Aug. 20 Wabash Valley Artists Society Paint-out. Anderson Flower Farm, 2284 West CR 300 South, Frankfort. Jeff Klinker will do an oil demonstration at 10:30. Aug. 28 Wabash Valley Artists Society Paint-out. Wildcat Creek Park, 5201 Eisenhower Road, Lafayette
Sept. 10 Great Outdoor Paintout at the T.C. Steele Historic Site
Sept. 15 Submit scanned or photographed artwork for the Online Gallery to Jeanne Dutton at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. Please send in jpg format.
Oct. 4 Deliver paintings to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., between 10 a.m. and noon.
Oct. 7 Opening Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 4 Second Reception for Gallery Walk 5 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 28 Pick up paintings at The Vault ay Gallery Mortgage 10 a.m. to noon.
Paintings from Irina Shishova”s solo show “Dancing Shapes” at Viridian Moon Art Gallery. There will be a reception on June 25th from 3 to 5 p.m. Here is the link to the event: https://www.viridianmoon.art/events`
Our June Get-Together June 13, 6 p.m.
Zoom and/or in-church Presentation. If you are vaccinated you can attend in person at the First Christian Church’s Great Hall, 205 E. Kirkwood Avenue. Free parking is available in the IU Poplars Garage, opposite the Runcible Spoon on Sixth Street. Pay parking is available on the street and in the Fourth Street Garage across from the former Waldron Building. To attend via Zoom, look for a link in an email from Joanna Samorow-Merzer or from Carol Rhodes.
AGENDA
First off: The installation of new officers by Joanna Samorow-Merzer. No Business Meeting is planned.
Following installation, Cassidy Young will introduce the 2022 BWS Scholarship Winner Jesse Kogge over Zoom. The presentation will be broadcast both in the church and to home viewers. This meeting’s presentation will be an opportunity for our members to virtually meet Jesse and to hear all about him, his art, his goals, and his future plans.
For in-person activities, bring your summer-inspired painting such as flowers, people at play, a summer event or vacation location, along with a small refreshment offering to share. Before and after the formal meeting we will be able to casually talk in the church about how our art and inspiration may have developed during the absence of face-to-face meetings.
Inside BWS
Election Results
by Joanna Samorow-Merzer BWS President, 2021-2022
On May 9th, the BWS election took place. With the majority of votes in favor, the quorum was met and the proposed slate of officers was accepted. The work of the new Executive Board will begin as of July 1st, 2022, and will last through June 30th, 2023. Here are the newly elected Executive Officers:
President: Carol Rhodes 1st VP: Katya Alexeeva 2nd VP: Andy Roberts Secretary: Charlotte Griffin Treasurer: Barbara Coffman
Congratulations to the new Executive Board!
Dues Are Due!!
FRIENDLY REMINDER: Annual dues should be paid by the end of June. As things stand, our current BWS year ends in June, and our new year runs from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Please check our website for the cost of different levels of membership and information regarding payment options. You may also contact Carol Rhodes, Treasurer, or Patty Uffman, 2nd Vice President, for more information. (After July 1 contact Barbara Coffman, Treasurer, or Andy Roberts, 2nd Vice President.)
BWS Membership Show!
by Jeanne Dutton
Greetings, fellow artists! It’s going to be a fun summer as we prepare for our 2022 Membership Show in October and November.
The theme this time around is “We Paint…Historic Bloomington!” Events and activities are scheduled and there’s something for EVERYONE!
Most of you will remember the “We Paint…Cemeteries!” project and exhibit a few years back. That was a collaborative project with the Monroe County Historic Center. So is this one! We’re still working out the finer details, but save these dates and we’ll see you then
1. Garden Walk June 11-12Two of the homes on the walk are historic homes.
2. Docent Tour of the Monroe County Historic Center (MCHC) – FREE EVENT. Wednesday, June 15, 11:00 a.m. MCHC is providing a docent tour with Andrea Hadsell, MCHC Education Manager. Learn about our county’s history and famous Bloomingtonians, take photos of exhibits, and enjoy the morning! Maximum participation is 20 artists. Registration starts now! To save your space, email to me at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org
3. Architectural Drawing Class — Saturday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Education Room, MCHC. Steve Dawson, well known artist and BWS friend, will instruct the class and provide a book for you to take home. STAY TUNED for REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS and FEE INFORMATION. (It won’t be a big fee, I promise!) Maximum participation is 20 students. After the class, and weather permitting, Steve will invite students to join him outside on the lawn to practice their skills. (Thank you, Steve!)
4. Downtown Paint Out — Saturday, August 6, 9:00 – 1:00 p.m., MCHC Education Room. MCHC will be the headquarters for the paint out for cooling off, use of rest rooms, and painting indoors, if desired. So many wonderful old buildings, including MCHC, churches, the courthouse, Princess Theatre, etc. How about the soon-to-be-shortened Johnson Creamery smokestack?! Paint plein air or bring your photos and paint inside.
5. Opening Reception for We Paint…Historic Bloomington! — Friday Gallery Walk, October 7, 5:00 – 8:00, The Vault at Gallery Mortgage.
6. Second Reception — Friday Gallery Walk, November 4, 5:00 – 8:00. The Vault at Gallery Mortgage.
7. A SECOND EXHIBIT — Summer 2023. As a special opportunity for BWS, MCHC will host an exhibit of our paintings. More details to come on this event as we get closer.
Bloomington Garden Walk
by Charlotte Griffin
BWS has been invited to participate with the Bloomington Garden Club in the Bloomington Garden Walk by having artists painting in each of 6 locations. The dates and times are listed below:
Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 12, 12 noon to 4 p.m.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
BWS considers this a Plein Air paint out. However, BWS creates a signup sheet and the artist who signs up commits to be at the garden, rain or shine, for the time slot. The artist should bring their gear (including an umbrella possibly) and set up in the garden so that they do not hinder the walking traffic (there can be over 800 people walking the gardens over the two days).
There are 5 gardens plus the Hilltop Garden and Nature Center community/university garden. There will be a flower arrangement display at Hilltop Garden for those who would like to paint Still Life.
If you would like to participate, contact me with the garden location (address) and time that you would like to paint; I will get back to you as to whether the slot is yours. (See next article, Using the Garden Walk to Get a Jump on Our Membership Show for garden descriptions.)
Here’s an Idea:Using the Garden Walk to Get a Jump on Our Membership Show
by Betty Wagoner
The BWS Fall Member Show is going to be “We Paint… Historic Bloomington” and here is an opportunity. Two of the houses on the Garden Walk qualify as “Historic” because they are in Bloomington proper and were built before 1940.
If you would like to sign up to be the artist in one of these gardens and perhaps capture part of the house in your picture of the garden, here is your chance.
Attached are descriptions of the various gardens that will be painted. Slots are available at #3 and #4 and at Hilltop, but contact Charlotte Griffin for current information.
503 S Eagleston, built 1928.
905 S Madison St., built 1925.
1. Doug McKinney & Peter Burkholder — 2501 Cedarwood Circle.
This garden features 10 varieties of redbuds, 22 varieties of perennial hibiscus, many irises and an uncountable number of daylilies. There is something always in bloom throughout the growing season.
2. Jack Baker & Barbara Bulla-Baker — 905 S. Madison St .
Right onto The Stands Dr. Left on Rogers Rd., which turns into Winslow, to Rogers St. Right on Rogers. Right on W Dodds St. Right on Madison. Garden is on the left.
This garden is a continuing work of sinuous informal beds, formal boxwood partitioned beds, and “secret garden” seating areas. Self-curated, the garden expresses the owners’ love of texture, color and scent.
3. Victoria and Bill Witte — 1300 E. Maxwell Ln.
Right on Dodds, cross S. Walnut St. Left on Henderson. Right on E Maxwell. Garden on corner of Maxwell and Highland.
The addition of an owner-designed deer fence allowed for the renovation of an older gardens and the opportunity for new gardens around the house and patio. The flowering shrubs provide a habitat for butterflies, bees and birds.
4. Maurice Garnier — 925 E. University.
North on Highland. Left on University. Garden is on the right.
Here is an outstanding example of a naturalistic, all season, meadow-style garden. The garden is a tapestry of native plants and spring bulbs, designed for continuous bloom and long-term, low-cost maintenance.
5. Richard and Conna Oran — 503 S. Eagleson (formerly Jordan) .
East on University. Left on Eagleson. Garden is at the corner of Eagleson and Hunter.
This garden was re-designed to accommodate the loss of large trees. All the area in this small city lot has been filled with an interesting array of shrubs and assorted perennials (many native), as well as vegetables and herbs.
6. Hilltop Garden and Nature Center — 2367 E. 10th St.
North on Eagleson. Right on 10th to Hilltop Garden on the left, just before the 45/46 Bypass.
The flower show theme, Flags and Flowers, presents delightful flower arrangements coordinated with national flags. Also at Hilltop, tour IU’s unique Shakespeare Garden containing only plants mentioned in his writings, plus the refreshing Shade Gardens.
A Follow-Up Report: Wiley House Museum Paint Out
by Betty Wagoner
Sandwiched between storms and rain, six BWS members attended a paint-out at the Wylie House Museum in Bloomington. We painted in the Museum, on the Museum grounds, and in the Education Center (the barn). We were greeted warmly by the Museum staff and student trainees. All enjoyed coffee, donuts, and cookies while painting at this pleasant and beautiful site. Painters include: Barbara Coffman, Kathy Barton, Andy Roberts, Marcie LeMasters, Jennifer Wyrick and Betty Wagoner. Marcie and Jennifer are new BWS members.
A Little History by Linda Bransletter, BWS Historian
I found BWS had a paint out at Bunham Woods Nursery in August 2006. The Herald Times wrote an article titled ” Making Art Outside”. This showed a photo of BWS artist Carol Rhodes painting at the nursery. Also Paul Sharp had completed a sketch to help him remember the shapes and shadows as the day progressed. Elizabeth Carey was another painter at the BWS paint out. Her painting focused on the butterflies and insects among the flowers.
Beyond BWS
The Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Juried Exhibit is scheduled to run from August 5 to September 24 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Final selection of work is pending but several BWS members have entered paintings for inclusion in this show.
The Watercolor Society of Indiana is also hosting a four-day workshop with Ken Call on “Portraits” to be held from July 5 – 8 at the Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 Meridian St., Indianapolis.
The Hoosier Art Salon’s 98th Annual Exhibition and Awards will by held at the Indiana State Museum from August 26 to October 26. Apply online from May 2 to June 10 at juriedartservices.com.
The Brown County Art Guild is putting on a fundraiser called “Art in the Garden” on July 25, 5 – 8 p.m.,in Nashville. Tickets for their annual raffle are also on sale.
Hancock County Arts 2022 Will Vawter Juried Art Show will be held from June 4 to July 16.
The Wabash Valley Artists Society juried show will be at The Arts Federation in Lafayette, September 2 – 30. See the organizations website for a prospectus and further information. The Wabash Valley Artists Society also has several upcoming paint-outs of interest:
June 4, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wyatt LeGrand Plein Art Workshop, 102 S 10th Street, Lafayette.
June 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., The Farm at Prophetstown, 5545 Swisher Rd., West Lafayette.
July 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Delphi Canal Days, 1030 N. Washington St., Delphi, Ind.
July 14, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. , Jerie Art Home for Bastille Day, 3635 Goodall Court, West Lafayette.
July 30, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Yea Creek Orchard — Sunflower Festival, 5618 S. 200 E, Lafayette.
Guido Frick Workshop
by Guido Frick
Upland Plein Air and the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington are offering a Guido Frick plein air workshop, “Adding Power and Emotion to Your Painting,” June 3 – 5. The class size is 6 to 10, and the experience is geared for intermediate and advanced painters. The cost is $550. For additional information and to reserve your place, contact Babette Ballengers. Visit https://www.guidofrickfineart.com to learn more about the instructor.
Viridian Moon Gallery plans to launch a fundraising campaign in support of this Ukrainian non-profit organization: https://shelter-plus.com/support/eng. Artists have designated a percentage of their sales during this time period to go to the organization.
Indiana Heritage Arts will sponsor the West Baden Paint Out on August 12 and 13 at West Baden Springs Hotel. Artists can paint the beautiful West Baden Springs Hotel and gardens and then sell their art in the hotel lobby on Saturday afternoon. There is no registration fee, but interested artists should call the Brown County Art Gallery at 812-988-4609.
Membership News
Andy Roberts. Here are two watercolor paintings I started last fall during Upland Paint Outs that I recently finished in my studio. The first one is a pen and ink with watercolor of a gate and stone fence at the Marshall Township Park’s “Avoca Fish Hatchery” in Lawrence County. The second one is the Tulip Trestle viewed from the observation deck.
Jerome Harste. I’ve been teaching a Zoom class on how teachers might use art to support students in becoming critically literate. We have been studying several artists including Jacob Lawrence and William R. Johnson. Adopting their techniques and following these artists’ lead, I have decided to do a series of painting on Education. Here is my first attempt called, “Teaching Critical Race Theory.” The elaborated title, which I am somehow going to affix to the painting, is: “In 2022 Texas banned the teaching of Critical Race Theory, an educational movement inviting all teachers and all students to explore the systematic causes of racism in our society for purposes of doing something to stop it. Many are questioning the constitutionality of such a law.“
Teaching Critical Race Theory by Jerome Harste
MarySue Schwab. We are painting in Arizona. This is a watercolor from Walnut Canyon, Arizona.
Bill worked on this drawing of Walnut Canyon for a painting. The rim is 7,000 ft. And there are 240 steps to decend into the canyon where there are cliff dwellings. Quite a hike up!
Susan Savastuk. I currently have art work at The Dimension Mill on Madison and Rogers. I also won a second place award for my 2022 Echo Hero Art submission, entitled ”Compostables”. I did a painting demonstration of my Covid Mask Pointillism process for the Bloomington 50+ Expo held at Switch Yard Park.
Bess Lee. I have been influenced by a group of artists who call themselves, “Artist for Climate Awareness.” They go be to thinking about all the animals that I really love. Here are two of my most recent paintings. My plan is to continue to paint imagines that pertain to this theme.
“The Old Man of the Sea” and “Exodus Across the Gulf” by Bess Lee
Calendar
June 3-5 — Upland Plein Air Workshop with Guido Frick.
June 4 — Wyatt LeGrand Plein Art Workshop, Lafayette.
June 4-July 16 — Hancock Valley’s Will Vader Art Show.
June 10 — Last day to enter a painting in the Hoosier Salon’s Juried 2022 Exhibit.
June 11-12 — The Bloomington Garden Walk
June 13 — Monthly BWS Meeting, 6 p.m.
June 15 — Docent Tour, Monroe County Historical Center, 11 a.m.
June 18, — Wabash Valley Paint Out, The Farm at Prophetstown, West Lafayette.
July 2 — Wabash Valley Paint Out, Canal Days, Delphi.
July 5-8 — WSI’s 4-day Workshop with Ken Call, Indianapolis.
July 14 — Wabash Valley Paint Out, Bastille Day, West Lafayette.
July 23 — Architectural Drawing Class, Monroe County Historical Center, 10:30 a.m.
July 25 — Brown County Art Guild Fundraiser, Nashville.
July 30 — Wabash Valley Paint Out, Sunflower Festival, Lafayette.
August 5-September 24 — WSI’s Juried School, Indianapolis Museum of Art.
August 6 — BWS’s Downtown Paint Out, meet at the Monroe County Historical Center.
August 12-13 — Indiana Heritage Arts Paint Out at West Baden.
August 26-October 6 — Hoosier Salon Juried Show, Indiana History Museum, Indianapolis.
This month’s program features Penny Lulich leading a paint-along of the Big Sur coastline. “I paint intuitively as well as trying to remember to practice with all of the tools and techniques I’ve been learning along the way,” Penny said. “I’ll be sharing some of my journey with you as we paint this scene together. I’ll be talking about teachers I’ve learned from, groups I’ve enjoyed, my favorite watercolorists and why, my favorite paints and colors, brushes and tools.” She will also talk about finding her style and other factors that impact her watercolor life.
Supplies: Round brush that holds lots of water, a flat brush, paper towels, spray bottle, Mr. Clean sponge, and140# watercolor cold press paper. Penny will be working with yellow ochre, quinacridone sienna or burnt sienna, cobalt blue, and some kind of cool blue like phthalo turquoise, lemon yellow, hansa yellow deep, green gold, shadow green, cobalt violet, purple, indigo. A hair dryer will be useful.
Penny suggests that members have the sketch above drawn on watercolor paper before the meeting.
The May 9 meeting will be in person and online, starting at 6 p.m. If you are vaccinated you can attend in person at the First Christian Church’s Great Hall, 205 E. Kirkwood Avenue. If attending in person, dress in layers as windows will be open to facilitate ventilation. Masks are optional.
Free parking is available in the IU Poplars Garage, opposite the Runcible Spoon on Sixth Street. Pay parking is available on the street and in the Fourth Street Garage across from the former Waldron Building.
To attend via Zoom, look for a link in an email from Joanna Samorow-Merzer or from Carol Rhodes.
Slate of BWS officers
to be voted on Monday
Officers for the 2022-2023 year will be elected at the May 9 meeting. The Nominating Committee, chaired by Sarah Ward, announced the following slate:
President: Carol Rhodes
1st Vice President: Katya Alexeeva
2nd Vice President: Andy Roberts
Secretary: Charlotte Griffin
Treasurer: Barbara Coffman
2022 BWS paint-out schedule
Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Bloomington’s historic Wylie House
This is a wonderful place to paint. For more information about this
Look for more information and instructions by email as the date approaches.
Saturday and Sunday, June 11 & 12
Bloomington Garden Walk
This event is organized by Charlotte Griffin. She will be sending out a schedule and sign-up closer to these dates.
Saturday, July 16
IU’s Hilltop Garden
Saturday, Sept. 10
Great Outdoor Art Contest
Sponsored by the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. More information will be emailed later in the summer.
Saturday, Oct. 8
BWS Potluck and Paint-Out at Peden Farm on N. Maple Grove Road
Please let Betty Wagoner know if you are interested in an August paint-out. Suggestions for paint-out sites are encouraged.
New members
Bloomington Watercolor Society would like to welcome its two newest members: Natalie Curts and April Bledsoe. We look forward to meeting you and sharing art with you in the months and years ahead! This brings our membership total to 94.
FRIENDLY REMINDER: Annual dues should be paid in May or June for the coming year. As things stand, our current BWS year ends in June, and our new year runs from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Please check our website for the cost of different levels of membership and information regarding payment options. You may also contact Carol Rhodes, Treasurer, or Patty Uffman, 2nd Vice President, for more information.
June program
The June 13 program will be a discussion. We will share thoughts and ideas in response to the question “How will I know when my painting is done?” Sometimes we may feel we have overworked a painting and we may not have known when to stop. You are invited to participate in sharing your thoughts on this topic. Come prepared to contribute. Send your name to Jo Weddle ahead of June 13 if you would like to be on the list of members who want to contribute ideas, thoughts, and your examples of experiences.
Christmas ornament
Jo Weddle still has one ornament to return to someone who brought it to the December dessert meeting. It is a lovely green wooden Christmas tree. Jo will bring it to FCC at the May meeting, or you can contact Jo to let her know it is yours and she will arrange to get it to you. There was not a name on it.
Member News
“The Collection” by Tim Lewis will be shown in the 2022 WSI Membership Exhibition at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis from May 14 through July 8.
Spring Mill by Debbie Tocco
Tricia Wente has two paintings in the front window of Elsinore Gallery in Salem, Ore. They are part of the AiA “Spring Fling Show,” which can be viewed on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E6ROokAKif8
Tricia Wente’s “Green Flash” (top) and “Flying and Flinging on Dumbo” (bottom)
by Rose Brenner
Rose Brenner is the featured artist for the month of May at the Arts Alliance in College Mall. Her show includes 12 new paintings in the style of Van Gogh (outlining parts and using short strokes). “I’ve been painting for nine years and tend to paint in series,” Rose writes. “My last series was all birds. Now it’s this style. Every painting in this series has a table, some fruit, a vase of flowers, wallpaper, and sometimes an animal.” Check out more of her work at https://www.rosebrenner.com.
Captiva School and Chapel-by-the-Sea, by Andy Roberts
Andy Roberts shares his last painting from his winter in Southwest Florida. This pen/ink watercolor is of Captiva School and Chapel-by-the-Sea, one of my favorite places. Situated adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico beach and among palm, seagrape, and gumbo limbo trees, the building was originally constructed in 1903 for use as a county schoolhouse and in 1921 was purchased from Lee County’s “Board of Public Instruction” by three Captiva Island citizens, identifying themselves as “Trustees of Methodist-Episcopal Church South.” During those school years, the building was also used for religious services whenever a circuit preacher would be in the area. Because of the infrequency of those religious services, at a time when Captiva Island was growing in population, the chapel (then known as the Wayside Chapel) evolved into the Chapel by the Sea and services were then held with more regularity with a circuit preacher brought over, often by ferry, from the mainland. Today, Captiva Chapel by the Sea is a seasonal, inter-denominational, mission-oriented congregation. Captiva School & Chapel by the Sea was recognized in 2013 as a Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places.
Beyond BWS
The Wabash Valley Artists Society juried show will be at The Arts Federation in Lafayette Sept. 2 – 30. To request a Prospectus, visit the Wabash Valley Artists Society Facebook page and send a message.
The Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Juried Show applications are due May 6. The prospectus is available at: https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org. There is also a link to register and pay online.
The Wabash Valley Artists Society has a couple of upcoming paint-outs of interest: June 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., The Farm at Prophetstown, 5545 Swisher Rd., West Lafayette. July 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Delphi Canal Days, 1030 N. Washington St., Delphi, Ind.
by Guido Frick
Upland Plein Air and the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington are offering a Guido Frick plein air workshop, “Adding Power and Emotion to Your Painting,” June 3 – 5. The class size is 6 to 10, and the experience is geared for intermediate and advanced painters. The cost is $550. For additional information and to reserve your place, contact babettebal@gmail.com. Visit https://www.guidofrickfineart.com to learn more about the instructor.
Students from one of Jeanne Dutton’s Spring Flowers workshop display their work.
Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning will offer two watercolor courses this summer. Beginning Watercolor II will be taught by Nancy Metz on Thursdays from 6 – 8:30 p.m. from May 12 – June 16. Watercolor Spring Flowers, a one-day, workshop, will be taught by Jeanne Dutton Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.ivytech.edu/bloomington/cll/index.html.
During May and June Viridian Moon Gallery plans to launch a fundraising campaign in support of this Ukrainian non-profit organization: https://shelter-plus.com/support/eng. Artists have designated a percentage of their sales during this time period to go to the organization.
Indiana Heritage Arts will sponsor the West Baden Paint-out Aug. 12 and 13 at West Baden Springs Hotel. Artists can paint the beautiful West Baden Springs Hotel and gardens and then sell their art in the hotel lobby Saturday afternoon. There is no registration fee, but interested artists should call the Brown County Art Gallery at 812-988-4609.
Calendar
May 6 Entry deadline for Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Juried Show
May 9 BWS Monthly Meeting. 6 p.m. Online and in person at First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood
May 21 BWS Paint-out. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wylie House
June 3 – 5 Guido Frick Workshop
June 11 – 12 BWS Paint-out. Garden Walk
June 13 6 p.m. BWS Monthly Meeting
June 18 Wabash Valley Arts Society Paint-out. The Farm at Prophetstown
July 1 Pay BWS dues for 2022-2023
July 16 BWS Paint-out. IU’s Hilltop Gardens
Aug. 12 – 13 Indiana Heritage Paint-out. West Baden Springs Hotel and Gardens
Sept. 10 Great Outdoor Art Contest. T.C. Steele Historical Site
The April 11th meeting will be in person and online. If you are vaccinated and wearing a mask, you can attend in-person at the First Christian Church’s Great Hall, 205 E. Kirkwood. If attending the meeting in person, dress in layers as windows will be open to facilitate ventilation.
Free parking is available in thr IU Poplars Garage, across from the Runcible Spoon. Pay parking is available on the street and in the Fourth Street Garage, across from the former Waldron building.
To attend the meeting via Zoom, look for the link in an email from Joanna Samorow-Merzer or from Carol Rhodes
Program: ONE STROKE FLOWERS IN WATERCOLOR by Beverly S. Mathis
DEMONSTRATION:
For a change of pace, let’s do a painting in one sitting, without a detailed plan, and have some fun. We will capture the simplicity and beauty of flowers by using your watercolor brushes in a new way. And learn how to paint a loose watery foreground. What you learn can be used for a framed piece of art, or smaller pieces such as greeting cards.
SUPPLIES:
One piece of 140# HOT PRESS watercolor paper, such as a quarter sheet of Arches or your favorite brand, or a page from a watercolor tablet, whatever you have.
Masonite board (or other waterproof board) Masking Tape Assorted WC brushes in lots of different sizes and shapes (round, pointed, blunt, filbert, flat, etc.) Any kind of synthetic, blend or sable will work. Transparent watercolors, and opaque gouache Palette with plenty of mixing areas Water container Paper towels No.2 or HB pencil, and kneaded eraser Masking fluid, old brushes for applying, and pickup for removing Old Windex pump bottle, or adjustable nozzle sprayer, that makes DROPLETS of ater and not a mist
Inside BWS
A Request From Our President
In early March, Gabe Colman gave me a tour of the Teachers Warehouse located in a former Monroe County school. The Teachers Warehouse provides free school supplies for local teachers and their students. There are chairs, bookcases, shelves, backpacks, books, papers, notebooks, pens, pencils, knitting supplies, and so much more. Please check your homes and see what you have there that you could donate to the Teachers Warehouse. Every item matters. You can go to the website of theTeachers Warehouse for examples of what you can donate.
Joanna Samorow-Merzer
Ad Hoc Nominating Committee
The 2022-23 Nominating Committee is made up of Sarah Ward as the Chair and Zain Mackey and Meri Reinhold as committee members. The committee is eager to hear from anyone who would like to serve in the vacant slots for officers and chairs. Still needed — Someone to run for President and these committees chairs: Activities, Paint-Out, and Publicity. Contact Sarah Ward or any member of the Nominating Committee (see the Membership Roster for email addresses and telephone numbers).
Paint-Outs
Chair: Betty Wagoner reports the following:
The May 21 paint out will be at the Wiley House.
The June 11 and 12 paint out will be part of the Bloomington Garden Club Garden Walk. There will be a signup distributed to let members signup for a 2 or 4-hour slot to be an “Artist in the Garden” at one of 5-6 gardens that will be on display.
The July 16 paint out will be at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center.
The October 8 paint-out will be a Peden Farm.
Historical Note
Linda Branstetter, BWS Historican, sent in this historical note: In April of 2012, BWS had an art supply drive for Henryville Schools that were affected by the March 2nd tornado.
Outside BWS
Upland Plein Air 2022 Member Exhibition
Painting by Kitty Garlock
The Upland Plein Air 2022 Member Exhibition will hang at Viridian Moon Gallery April 1 – May 15. The opening reception will be 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2.
Votes will be taken for peoples choice awards so come and submit a vote for your favorite painting
T.C. Steele Historic Site
Cate Whetzel, Program Developers for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites wrote to say: “Hello everyone! Please contact me if you would like to paint at the site for Arts of the Earth Day. Just a correction—the event is next MONTH, Sat. April 23, between 12-4pm.” (Cate can be contacted by email via the Indiana State Museum site on the Internet.)
Watercolor Society of Indiana
The Annual Watercolor Society of Indiana Membership Exhibit will be held at the Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis from May 14 to July 8. Deadline to register April 29th. $16 Entry. The Membership Exhibit Opening Reception and Luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022. 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. $20 per person.
The 40th Annual WSI Juried Exhibit will be held at Newfields/Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 N. Michigan Rd., from August 5, 2022 – September 24, 2022. Deadline to enter is May 6th. Artist Ken Call, AWS, NWS, TWSA MS is this year’s juror. $35 for one entry. $45 for two entries.
Workshops in New Harmony are not just about learning, they are about your experience with other artists! The April workshops are just three weeks away. Join the other artists who have already signed up.
Bloomington Portrait Group Moves Outside to Switchyard Park for Summer Schedule
The Bloomington Portrait Group will meet at the Switchyard Park Shelter from April 14 through October 27. Sessions are from 1 to 3 p.m., every other Thursday. The $30 model fee is divided among participating artists. The summer line-up includes some teenagers, the directors of Monroe County’s Habitat for Humanity and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), and Sylvia McNair, Metropolitan Opera star, two-time Grammy winner, and IU Jacobs School of Music emerita professor. If you would like to be included in the announcement list, email BWS member Claude Cookman, who also directs the BPG.
Joanna Samorow-Merzer • James Stewart • Pastel From last September’s BPG exhibition at Viridian Moon Gallery.
Member News
NEW MEMBER: Our newest member, Marcie LeMasters, is ready to embark on a new phase of her creative journey. Marcie has been in Bloomington since 1970 while she was earning a fine arts major in photography from I.U. and much more recently enrolled in an online watercolor class during the pandemic. She says it piqued her interest and was a fabulous investment of $27.00! She has been a personal trainer and yoga instructor, is now semi-retired but still works as bookkeeper for A-1 Window Cleaning Services which her late husband started. Please join me in welcoming Marcie to Bloomington Watercolor Society!
“The Promise of Spring” by Tim Lewis
Tim Lewis. I recently donated one of my original watercolors to WSI for their Colorvision 2022 Silent Auction. The proceeds for this auction will go towards watercolor classes for kids aged 5-12 at The Christamore House as well as demonstrations and classes in communiuties throughout Indiana. Donated paintings will hang at Sak’s Third Floor Gallery at Sak’s Fifth Avenue here in Indianapolis during the auction. More information about this activity is available at https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/Silent-Auction-2022.
“Boats in the Harbor” and “Cat Napper” by Jacki Frey
Jacki Frey. Juniper Art Gallery and Gifts in Spencer is hanging their new spring show. I have 4 paintings in the gallery space for spring. Please check out their website at https://juniperartgallery.com or stop by, 46 E. Market Street, downtown Spencer.
Sandy Hall & Betty Wagoner
Sandy Hall received best of Show in the Friends of TC Steele members exhibit, held in March at the Brown County Gallery, Nashville IN. Kudos to Betty Wagoner who organized this wonderful show.
Some of the feathers to be painted in Sandy’s watercolor class this April.
Sandy teaches a watercolor class once a month at the Hancock Co Arts Gallery, 20 N State in Greenfield, IN. April’s topic is painting a feather.
“Granddaughter” by Sandy Hall (Acrylics on Yupo)
This one is a study of my granddaughter using fluid acrylics and marker on yupo. I love to paint images that tell a story.
MarySue Schwab. I recently won second place in the TC Steele Members show. My Painting is called, “Yellow Glen” and is oil on linen board. I have also been accepted in the129th Women’s Art Club Show in Cincinnati. The painting is a watercolor of pears on a tree called, “Study in Green.”
Susan Savastuk. My Boomingfoods Gallery B show closed on March 28th. I sold 30% of pieces and received 3 commissions during the 3 month show. $100 raised for Middle Way House.
Punkin House Kate from Needmore Coffee Roasters
I had 2 pieces in the Friends of T.C. Steele show at Brown County Art Gallery in Nashville. One piece sold. Show closed March 27th.
I entered the City of Bloomington Environmental Commissions’ Eco-Heroes Art Contest. This years theme is “Fighting Fragmentation”. The awards ceremony will be April 23rd @ 10:00 AM at Cascades Park. Email Ben Sharaf at environment@bloomington.in.gov for more information.
I also submitted one piece to the Upland Plein Air Show at Viridian Moon Gallery, runs from April 1-May 15th.
Finally, I also have a number of paintings hanging at the Art Alliance Center at College Mall.
Tricia Went. A triple portrait commission in acrylics has been consuming my studio time for the past 4- 5 months. Also, I have been showing watercolors and acrylics in several local juried shows, one recently in California, and two in the Elsinore Gallery in Salem, OR. This summer, I plan to be painting plein aire in the Willamette Valley Lavender Festival, which culminates with a two day July show in the Chehalem Art Center in Newberg.
I finally feel back in the groove after the move from Indiana, but I will always miss my BWS art family.
Weekly, now that covid is behind us, I am painting in McMinnville with several artists working in watercolor, critiquing and mostly socializing!
Kathy Barton wrote to say that her husband, Craig D. Barton, has received “Artist in Residence” status at Glacier National Park and at Crater National Park. She also has invited BWS members to come and see Craig’s photographic series, “Wide Awake and Dreaming” Show at the Monroe Convention Center, Ralph Rogers Room, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
18″x25″ Photographs in Craig D. Barton’s Show
Nina Ost. These two pictures are done by transferring photo to paper and then masking the area of lightest value and applying rose, yellow, gold and blue paint with a mouth atomizer. After the first coat is dry, you mask next lightest value and blow paint . Repeat for a few more applications until only the darkest area is not masked. When dry, peal and reveal. I’m still working on concentrating paint to control color. It isn’t cheating to do brush touch ups. I can forward specific instructions if anyone likes. The surprise at the end is fun!
InspirationalTips & Techniques
Brenda Ueland inher book, “If You Want to Write: A Book About Independence and Spirit“:
“When Van Gough was a young man in his early twenties, he was in London studying to be a clergyman. He had no thought of being an artist at all. He sat in his cheap little room writing a letter to his younger brother in Holland, whom he loved very much. He looked out his window at a watery twilight, a thin lamppost, a star, and he said in his letter something like this: “It is so beautiful I must show you how it looks.” And then on his his cheap ruled note paper, he made the most beautiful, tender, little drawing of it. When I read this letter of Van Gogh’s it comforted me very much and seemed to throw a clear light on the whole road to art. Before, I thought that to produce a work of painting or literature, you scowled and thought long and ponderously and weighted everything solemnly and learned everything that all artists had ever done aforetime, and what their influences and schools were, and you were careful about “design” and “balance” and getting “interesting planes” into your painting, and avoided, with the most astringent severity, showing the faintest “academical” tendency, and were strictly modern. And so on and so on. But the moment I read Van Gogh’s letter I knew what art was, and the creative impulse. It is a feeling of love and enthusiasm for something, and in a direct, simple, passionate and true way, and you try to show this beauty in things to others, by drawing it. And Van Gogh’s little drawing on the cheap note paper was a work of art because he loved the sky and the frail lamppost against it so seriously that he made the drawing with the most exquisite conscientiousness and care.”
Calendar
April 1 – May 15 — Upland Plain Air Show, Viridian Moon Gallery
April 14 — Bloomington Portrait Group, Switchyard Park Shelter, 1-3 p.m.
April 23 — Art of Earth Day, T.C. Steele Historic Site, 12-4 p.m.
April 25 – 29 — Hoosier Art Along Spring Workshops
April 29 — Last day to register for Annual WSI Membership Exhibition
May 6 — Last day to register for Annual WSI Juried Exhibition
“Sky Pilot” by Stephen Edwards was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2022 Abstracts International Light, Space & Time Exhibit. For more Member News, keep reading and scrolling.
March 14 meeting
Dawn Adams to demonstrate
painting techniques for water imagery
“Water is a dimensional element,” Dawn Adams writes. “The surface has one visual story, but what happens beneath the surface has its own story and both contribute significantly to the look of water. This layering of realities is something I have tried to mimic in paint. Using thin layers of oils in a variety of techniques with mostly translucent glazes helps to create the visual depth of water. I will be demonstrating some of these techniques, like sponging, combing, and resist, and will also show some examples of the cumulative results.”
Dawn will bring some blank canvases and several others with a specific image in development. Each example will have another technique layered on it. She will show techniques on the blanks and then show how it has changed the painting. She will be paying attention to how long it takes to develop these consecutive paintings. She may actually paint on one or more of them or stay with the blank canvases and then show the panels she has already worked on as they are. She may bring another completed painting to point out some of the techniques. She expects to be doing this by moving panels in and out of a specified spot on the table during the presentation.
Because Dawn works in oil, it will be difficult to translate to watercolor during the demo. She suggests using the demo as a springboard for experimentation later and lists the following utensils:
plastic bag
combs made from erasers and other squeegee implements
spray bottles with water and oil paint solvent
brushes with bristles cut from them to make “teeth”
mineral spirits
linseed oil
The March 14 meeting will be in person and online. If you are vaccinated and wearing a mask, you can attend in-person at the First Christian Church’s Great Hall, 205 E. Kirkwood. If attending the meeting in person, dress in layers as windows will be open to facilitate ventilation.
Free parking is available in thr IU Poplars Garage, across from the Runcible Spoon. Pay parking is available on the street and in the Fourth Street Garage, across from the former Waldron building.
To attend the meeting via Zoom, look for the link in an email from Joanna Samorow-Merzer or from Carol Rhodes.
From the president
“We Paint… Van Gogh’s World!” is on until March 27 and it is a great show. We can be proud of all the BWS artwork that is exhibited at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage. Please make sure that you go to the gallery to see the show. will be a wonderful treat for your eyes and your soul!
I’d like to express my gratitude to many people who were involved in creating and supporting this exhibit:
Gabe Colman for serving in various capacities: curator, judge, emcee, adviser and moral support.
John La Bella who sponsors the Best of Show award and graciously shares his space with us for the exhibit.
Becky Lagle for her help.
Andrew Preston from Preston Arts Center for donating door prizes and being such a great friend to BWS.
Susan Cull and Rebecca Stanze from Teachers Warehouse, who have promoted the show with enthusiasm.
Emily Rosolowski for serving as one of the judges.
Wes Lasher, videographer, for taping and editing the YouTube video.
Cyrilla Helm at MCCSC for sending out the scholarship flier with the show info to their mailing list.
And from our own membership I want to thank:
Jeanne Dutton for her ideas, energy and time in organizing and creating this fabulous show.
Carol Rhodes, Barbara Coffman, Charlotte Griffin for help with SmugMug, YouTube, Square, the website and their all-around constant support and work. Charlotte kept Jeanne going with a latte!
Kathy Truelove Barton for her help at a very busy take-in day and for buying Jeanne’s lunch!
And to all the BWS artists who made this exhibit so beautiful with their artwork. And to many of you who created and donated the greeting cards for sale during the March 4 reception.
I also want to congratulate our winners Barbara Coffman for Best in Show and Joe Lee for Silver Second. And congratulations to these artists whose paintings were sold: Candi Bailey, Barbara Coffman, Claude Cookman, Charlotte Griffin, Joe Lee, Penny Lulich, Denise Lessow and Sharon Parsons.
With my gratitude to all of you,
Joanna Samorow-Merzer
BWS President, 2021-2022
Barbara Coffman’s “Vincent Visits Kirkwood” painting was awarded Best of Show.Joe Lee’s self portrait, “Van Joe,” received the Silver Second award. The detachable ear delighted gallery visitors.
We Paint … Van Gogh reception
BWS finally celebrated its fund-raising show, “We Paint … Van Gogh’s World,” March 4; snow the first week of February had delayed the reception a month.
So far, eight paintings have sold, an all-time high for BWS shows, with 50 percent of the sales benefiting Teachers Warehouse. In addition, 100 percent of the sales of hand-painted cards goes to Teachers Warehouse.
All artists exhibiting work were entered into a drawing for door prizes provided by Preston Arts Center in Louisville. Charlotte Griffin took home the postcards, Nancy Metz won the Van Gogh watercolor paper, and Zain Mackey won the Van Gogh paint box. Meri Reinhold won the grand door prize: a Sierra pochade paint box.
Jeanne Dutton, coordinator for the event, offers much thanks to ALL those who helped with the show – from Patty who proofed and edited the prospectus right on through to Charlotte and Carol who helped tidy up after the reception. The artists. Teachers Warehouse. Those patrons who purchased paintings. Our curator, Gabe Colman. Our host and sponsor, John La Bella. Our other sponsor, Andrew Preston of Preston Arts Center, who graciously donated the door prizes.
Bloomington Portrait Group work
shown at State of City event
An audio slideshow featuring more than 150 portraits by members of the Bloomington Portrait Group was shown as a prelude to Mayor John Hamilton’s State of the City Address in late February. It’s online at this URL:
Many BWS members also participate in BPG, and you will see their work in this video.
Since January 2017, the group has met every other Thursday afternoon to draw and paint from live models. There are no dues, but participants share the cost of the model fee. Artists work in a wide range of mediums from oil and watercolor to charcoal, graphite, pastel, collage, even the old Renaissance favorite, silverpoint. All are welcome. Models represent our community’s rich diversity in age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. During school vacations we try to schedule children. Our youngest model was 8; our oldest a nonagenarian. They also include people who help make Bloomington a great place to live. “Interesting faces, interesting lives” has become the group’s motto. In March, BPG is meeting at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage. From April through October, it will meet at the Switchyard Park shelter. Covid protocols apply.
If you have questions or would like to be put on the BPG announcement listserv, please contact the director, Claude Cookman. His email is in the Member Directory, which was most recently updated in a March 4 email from Patty Uffman.
BWS Paint Out schedule
May 21 – Wylie House
June 11-12 – Bloomington Garden Walk
July 16 – Hilltop Garden at IU
BWS doesn’t just happen;
It takes volunteers
Please consider volunteering for available vacant slots on the BWS Executive Board and committees in 2022-2023. Some of the officers and chairs will continue serving, and available vacancies are listed below. Let president Joanna Samorow-Merzer know if you have any questions If you are interested in volunteering for any vacant slot, please contact the Nominating Committee Chair Sarah Ward. Her email is listed in the Member Directory emailed to you March 4 by Patty Uffman.
BWS Executive Board Officers Available Slots 2022-2023
President – Presides over all regular meetings. May attend all committee meetings, except the nominating committee, as an ex officio member. Oversees Executive Board and Chairs. Signs checks.
1st Vice President – Presides over all meetings in the absence of the president. Becomes president of BWS in the event that the office of president becomes vacant. Oversees the Show Committee.
Secretary – Keeps a record of all meetings including board meetings. Beginning in July of even numbered years, reviews the By-Laws along with one other member.
BWS Committees Chairs Available Slots 2022-2023
Activities – Ensures that BWS offers at least one workshop, paint-outs and other activities.
Paint-Outs – The term on this position is from January 2023 through December 2023. The Chair ensures that BWS provides opportunities to work en plein air, planning paint-outs. Please note that Betty Wagoner will end her term as the Chair with the final October 2022 paint-out.
Publicity – Distributes information about BWS, using appropriate media.
Refreshment – Works with the committee to provide refreshments at meetings, receptions, and other group functions.
Scholarship – Oversees, with the committee, the scholarship application process and assures delivery of the scholarship in appropriate form. Please note that Jeanne Dutton is willing to either continue or to step down if someone else wants the position.
Show– With help from volunteers, the Chair leads the annual Membership Show in the fall and arranges avenue for the annual member show for the next year. Please note that Jeanne Dutton manages the Winter Benefit show/Art of Chocolate.
Reminder:
“Like” the BWS page on Facebook.
Remember …
… April 2012 when the Bloomington Watercolor Society teamed up with the Parks and Recreation Department to paint pictures of local parks. Deborah Rush had her painting selected to go on the front cover of the Parks and Recreation Departments Program Guide from May to August. Delores Schnider and Diane Probst had their paintings illustrated on the inside cover.
Member News
Two of the three paintings by Tim Lewis that will hang in the Watercolor Society of Indiana SHow at the Whitewater Valley Arts Association gallery in Connersville. Above: “Portland Head.” Below right: “Visions of Ortegia.”
Tim Lewis was recently elected to the Watercolor Society of Indiana Board of Directors as Annual Juried Show Chair for 2022 and 2023. He has also been busy showing his work. He will have three paintings at the Watercolor Society of Indiana Show at Whitewater Valley Arts Association gallery in Connorsville. This show runs from April 3 through May 5. He also is showing two paintings at the Art of Transportation show at the 20 North Gallery in Greenfield. That show runs from March 2 through 26. Tim also had two paintings in the Nature’s Inspiration show at the Cool Creek Nature Center in Fishers last month
Friends of TC Steele Member Art Show runs from March 5 – 27 in the Stevens Education Studio at the Brown County Art Gallery. A number of BWS members have paintings in the show.
“Sanibel Post Office Circa 1926” by Andy Roberts“The Bubble Room” by Andy Roberts
Andy Roberts sends along two photos of recent paintings done in Florida. “Sanibel Post Office Circa 1926” was exhibited at the Sanibel Historical Village and Museum on Sanibel Island during the month of February and was sold while on display. The second painting is a fun rendition of a popular restaurant on Captiva Island, “The Bubble Room,” a very eclectic place. “I hope everyone in Bloomington is getting through this winter and looking forward to spring and painting outdoors in Indiana,” Andy writes.
“Lotus Mandala” by Sara Steffey McQueen“Last Catch” by Penny Lulich“Honey Horn Camellia” by Nancy Davis Metz“Vevie’s Morning Glories” by Nancy Davis Metz
Three BWS members have had work juried in to the 2022 Kentucky Watercolor Society Aquaventure Show. Sara Steffey McQueen’s “Lotus Mandala,” Penny Lulich’s “Last Catch” and Nancy Metz’s “Honey Horn Camellia” and “Vevie’s Morning Glories” will hang at the Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Ky., until April 15.
“Sky Pilot” by Stephen Edwards
Stephen Edwards has received word that “Sky Pilot” has been awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2022 Abstracts International Light, Space & Time Exhibit. “As I don’t do many abstract paintings, it was a pleasant surprise to get this award out of over a thousand entries,” Stephen writes.
Top: “Zen Reader” by Jerome Harste. Bottom: “Marsh Water” by Jerome Harste
Jerry Harste, who has been “wintering” in Myrtle Beach, writes: “To pass the time I have been trying my hand at painting the marsh at Pawley’s Island. A close-up called “Marsh Water” is my third painting in what has become my marsh series. The first two marsh painting can be seen on Facebook). In addition, I have been showing some of my work at the William H. Miller Gallery here in Myrtle Beach and am happy to report that my “Zen Reader” sold as part of the 11th Annual Collectors’ Event sponsored by the Burrough-Chapin Art Museum.
Kitty Garlock says she rarely finishes a painting, especially in the last two years when one would expect to be prolific. “So since I just finished one I want to share it,” she says. “This is the home of my good friend Teresa Kinder whose only daughter was married in Australia last October (needless to say no one was allowed into the country at that time so Teresa did not get to be there). I wanted her daughter to have a memory of her home living so far away so I picked up a painting I had started in 2019 at an Upland paint-out at Teresa’s house and gardens and finished it for Lily and Lewis when they visited recently as their country just opened up. So now she has a little bit of home at their home in Australia.”
by Kitty Garlock
Beyond BWS
Well-known artist Luke Buck will demonstrate his watercolor and gouache techniques at the Brown County Art Guild March 19 and 20. Painters of all skill levels will benefit from his honed mastery and many years of teaching. The workshop, “Watercolors with Luke Buck,” will be housed at the Guild and lunch will be catered. $225 members, $250 non-members. For more information, go to https://browncountyartguild.org/product/watercolors-like-buck/.
The Upland Plein Air 2022 Member Exhibition will hang at Viridian Moon Gallery April 1 – May 15. The opening reception will be 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2.
Jasper Community Arts is looking for solo and group exhibits for 2023 to fill our new galleries in the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center! Email submissions or questions to visualarts@jaserindiana.gov. The deadline is March 11.
From Hayley Parnell, the marketing director for Mallow Run Winery and The Sycamore Event Center in Bargersville, Ind. “Every year we release our special Artist Series wine with a local artist-created label on the bottle. This year we are happy to dedicate our proceeds to the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Artcraft Theater in Franklin, Ind., and encourage artists to submit artwork inspired by this wonderful local business. The link to the information page for any artists interested in entering this competition is https://mallowrun.com/artist-series/. The deadline is March 15.
Calendar
March 14 BWS Monthly meeting. 6 p.m. Online and in person at First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood
Now – March 27 “We Paint … Van Gogh’s World,” The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St.
March 11 Deadline to apply for 2023 exhibition at Thyen Clark Cultural Center in Jasper, Ind.
March 15 Deadline to enter Mallow Run competition
March 19-20 Watercolors with Luke Buck Workshop, Brown County Art Guild
March 28 Pick up paintings from “We Paint … Van Gogh’s World” 10 a.m. to Noon
April 1 – May 15 Upland Plein Air 2022 Member Exhibition, Viridian Moon Gallery, with reception April 2, 3 to 5 p.m.
