Bloomington Watercolor Society

Meeting Minutes

January 14, 2019

Call to order:

Kitty Garlock called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. She welcomed new member Mark Seaman.

Hospitality:

Carla Hedges thanked Kristen Stamper, Jane Mantranga, Joanne Shank, and Suzanne Thorin for bringing refreshments.

Minutes of the November meeting:

Suzanne moved to approve the minutes. Nancy Metz seconded the motion, which passed.

Treasurer’s report:

Treasurer Patty Uffman reported that recent expenses included the holiday party, post office rental, room rental, and janitorial services. Income came from a membership renewal and notecard sales. There is a balance of $4047. Carla moved to accept the report and Mary Walker seconded the motion, which passed.

Technology:

Charlotte Griffin passed out a new membership roster.

Upland Painters:

Kristen Stamper had an Upland membership sheet as a handout. She said that Upland programs for the season include mini workshops and discussions as well as meeting at coffee shops and eateries for urban sketching. The group recently met at Hopscotch and was hosted by Kitty.

Upcoming Upland meetings:

• 15, Babette Ballinger will host the meeting.
• 22, Troy Gilmore will do a demo at his home.
• 29, Preparing for “Show Season,” by Anne-Karine Bley. Everyone is invited to hear about general tips and a list of shows going on. There will be a match up of people interested in shows. Let Anne-Karine know if you’re not on the Upland list and would like to attend.
• 8, Fri., Live model at the IU Fine Arts Building, hosted by Claude Cookman
• 12, Urban Sketching at the Inkwell, hosted by Katya Alexeeva
• In March there will be a session with access to the ballet rehearsal at IU.

Kristen said Upland has been at it for three years and several members are participating in regional shows. For more information about Upland, email Kristen at upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org

Shows:

Anne-Karine said that the “We Paint … the Blues!” exhibit will go up at the end of the month. Delivery of artwork is Wed., Jan 30, 10 a.m.-noon at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage.

Scholarship report:

Joanne Weddle said that she met with Sara Steffey McQueen and Jeanne Dutton. The committee will have a document for the board and membership soon. There’s $1,500 in the scholarship account with the Foundation of the Monroe County Community Schools. The Sept. table sale raised $300 and about $200 came from greeting cards sales. Membership dues don’t go into the scholarship. The scholarship posters are ready. Andy Lehman designed them for free. Sara will deliver the posters to North and South High Schools and the Project School. Students must submit their applications by March 29. The foundation goes through the applications and the chosen candidates are passed on to the scholarship committee.

February program:

Jane Matranga, Head Count-Figure Proportion by Counting Heads.

Activities:

• Katya Alexeeva said that on March 30 there will be a Judy Mudd workshop at First Christian Church, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The cost will be $75 per person. There’s a minimum of 10 people and maximum of 20. The subject is landscapes.
• Kathy Barton talked about a paint out scheduled for May 18 at the Hinkle Garton Farmstead with the Brown County Art Guild, Upland Painters, and BWS. There will be a prospectus and a show connected with the paint out.

Follow up to possible venue change:

Kitty said the BWS Board met in Dec. at St. Mark’s and decided that all of BWS should meet there to experience the venue. So next month the BWS monthly meeting on Feb. 11 will not be at First Christian Church, it will be at St. Mark’s. There has not been a vote on the move so far. After the Feb. trial meeting at St. Mark’s there will be a vote. There is no charge at St. Mark’s, so $635 a year would be saved by the move and there’s free parking. The disadvantage at St. Mark’s is the lighting. We will need to be creative to improve the lighting. Kristen said she was there in Dec. and lighting was a concern then, but it is lighter at other parts of year. Members may want to bring their own light source in Feb. There will be extension cords. We may also want to get a wireless mike because the room is big. Eventually, we could purchase lights of our own.

New financial committee:

• Kitty said that in Dec. the executive board met to decide how to proceed with the new financial committee. The financial committee will be an umbrella committee for the organization’s finances. Committee members need experience with spread sheet use, managing budgets, and would benefit from some financial experience. The committee will meet twice a year, November and May, with the treasurer as chairman. It’s a supportive group that will replace the budget committee, provide emergency back up for the treasurer, and assist with advice in money matters. Kathy Barton has accepted a position on the committee. Carol Rhodes has volunteered to assist with the transition. Patty will be on the committee as
  the chairman.
• After the meeting Mark Seaman volunteered and was gratefully accepted as our fourth member of the committee.

For the Good of the Order:

• Suzanne shared the obituary for Jessica Tcherepnine, Botanical Artist.
• Jo showed a medium blue t-shirt that she’s selling for $20.
• Cassidy invited people to Monroe Convention Center for First Friday on Feb. 1, where she will have a show of interiors and street views. There will be music
  and munchies.
• Nancy requested that anyone not receiving Brushstrokes please let her know. The last one went out Jan. 2. She said an email is sent out with a link to Brushstrokes.
• Kristen has a solo show in Greenwood Southside Art League until Jan. 29 and she will be teaching a workshop at Brown County Art Gallery in Feb.
• Kathy Barton invited us to the Brown County Art Gallery Patron Show. The closing reception is Jan 26, 2-4 p.m.
• Katya said this is her first year anniversary and she thanks us for the help, advice, and experience. She’s really happy this society exists.
• Patty had BWS notecards for sale, $12 for 8 cards.
• Bob Burris had artwork to share during break.

Kristen moved to adjoin. Jane seconded motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

Following the meeting, Jane led the group in a session on loosening up with gesture drawings.

Respectfully submitted,

Char Dapena

BWS to meet at St. Mark’s in February

by Kitty Garlock, BWS president

It is important that everyone is aware that we will be trying out St. Mark’s United Methodist Church for the location of our Feb. 11 meeting, located off the Bypass just west of Starbucks. Take Seventh Street off the Bypass and drive around the building to the parking lot. For those wanting to use a GPS, the address is 100 State Road 46, Bloomington. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

We have bantered about the possibility of moving to this location for several months now and want people to experience it before we vote. It does have a few adjustments we will have to make, but ease of parking and the fact that it is a free venue may make it worth a few inconveniences.

However, a big consideration is the lighting, and though we do not know exactly how this will be, we want to be as prepared as possible. Thus, we are asking people to bring a lamp for their use at a round table. (Probably each table will need only one lamp.) It would be good to have a battery-operated lamp, but we will have extension cords and power strips that we hope can be arranged to work for people to plug into.

As with all changes, adjustments will need to be made and old ways changed to new, but sooner or later the new becomes what we are used to and life goes on. This I am feeling will be no different.

Feb. 11

Jane Matranga presents program

on head count-figure proportion

Jane Matranga introduced gestural figures at the January meeting. She will present Part Two of figure drawing this month, focusing on proportions.

This presentation will demonstrate how to use the head as a unit of measurement for calculating figure proportions. “Learning the locations on the body for each head will help artists build a figure without looking at a model,” said Jane Matranga, who will present the program. Bring a sketchpad (the larger the better), a ruler or straightedge, pencil, and eraser.

The program follows a business meeting that starts at 6 p.m. A refreshment break is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. with the program starting at 7 p.m.

March 30

Judy Mudd to present workshop

on Watercolor Landscapes

Judy Mudd

In this one-day workshop, attendees will work from photographs to complete one or two landscape paintings. Beginning with an urban scene, workshoppers will explore the process of creating an artistic vision including atmosphere, design, and composition, simplifying and expanding to improve the subject and how to say more.  Painters will work on developing various elements of a street scene, including simplified figures and vehicles, poles, signs, and more. If time allows, the workshop will also include a simplified rural scene.

Judy Mudd is a full-time artist and has been a watercolor instructor for over 10 years. She is a juried member of numerous watercolor societies and has just been named Kentucky Watercolor Society’s Watercolor Artist of the Year for 2019.

The workshop runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the First Christian Church, 202 E. Kirkwood Ave. The fee is $92 for BWS members and $100 for non-members. The class has a maximum number of attendees of 20. BWS will fill the class with members first and if slots are available after March 9, non-members will be registered.

You can register instantly online if paying by credit card or PayPal http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/member-shows-workshops/workshop-registration/. If you pay by check, make it payable to Bloomington Watercolor Society and mail it to P.O. Box 5236, Bloomington, IN 47407-5236. Please email info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org to let us know the check is coming so that we hold a spot for you.

“We Paint … the Blues!”

for LIFEDesigns’ Week of Chocolate

“Playing the Blues” by Bob Burris will be featured on the Art of Chocolate’s program cover.

The opening reception for “We Paint … the Blues!” was a great success, thanks to many people:

• Artists who braved the amazingly cold weather to drop off their paintings
• Gabe Colman of The Venue Fine Art and Gifts and Anne-Karine Bley, BWS Show Chair, and their crew who hung the show
• Judges Gabe Colman, John LaBella, and Julie Roberts
• John LaBella of The Vault at Gallery Mortgage for providing us the space and his awesome red beans and rice, served at the reception along with lots of goodies.
• Stephanie Shelton of LIFEDesigns for inviting BWS to be a part of the Week of Chocolate.
• The art lovers who purchased hand-painted greeting cards and one of the paintings on display

Congratulations to Claude Cookman, who won Best of Show; Bob Burris, BWS signature member, who won runner-up; and Nancy Metz who won the drawing for two tickets to the Art of Chocolate Feb. 9.

The show will be up until March 29 with a second reception 5 to 8 p.m. March 1 during Gallery Walk. The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bob Burris’s painting will be featured on the cover of The Art of Chocolate program for the Art of Chocolate gala event Feb. 9.

Bonus content

How the Best of Show painting came to be

by Claude Cookman

Image 1

Image 2

I audited an IU drawing course last fall with Professor Caleb Weintraub, who encouraged us to be expressive and experimental. By the time the course project was assigned, BWS had announced the theme of “The Blues” for its exhibition at The Vault. So I decided to combine the two. I submitted the first image for the course project in mid December. I kept working and submitted the second image for our exhibition. I finished it late Tuesday night. More precisely, I stopped working on it; nothing is ever finished. Then I framed it Wednesday morning.

I had never done an homage before and wanted to honor Joel Washington, a truly great Bloomington artist who has created hundreds of such paintings, all of them much better. Anything of value in my painting goes to his credit.

Technical details: The base layer is gouache with pumice to which I added blue watercolor. Washington paints with acrylic. My painting is pastel, and that makes it more difficult to get crisp edges.

Contents: The polka dots and stars evoke designs on the socks and handkerchiefs Hooker wore in his later years. The capital and lowercase Greek letters reference the Mississsippi Delta where the blues were born.

If you’ve never heard Hooker’s signature number, “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom,” I encourage you to check out this version from the 1980’s movie “The Blues Brothers”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUUyFrHERpU.

Check out these fun, creative opportunities with Upland

The first 2019 Upland event was at Hopscotch Cafe where many people showed up to loosen up with some quick sketches.

Upland Plein Air Painters is busy this month with indoor events to keep your artistic juices flowing. Come out and join us for urban sketching, special opportunities with a live model and the IU ballet rehearsal, breakfasts out, and art viewing in Nashville. We generally meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, but be sure to get the final details on times and locations with a quick email to us at upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

*Feb. 8 Live model at IU Fine Arts Building, hosted by Claude Cookman. Note that this is a Friday.

Upland’s next gathering was at Babette Ballinger’s to hear about and share color palettes and brushstrokes of artists from Impressionists to Fauvists.

Feb. 12 Urban Sketch at Inkwell, hosted by Katya Alexeeva

Feb. 19 Breakfast and Urban Sketch at El Ranchero, hosted by Kristen Stamper

Feb. 26 Breakfast at the Art Colony with Brown County art tour, hosted by Babette Ballinger

*March 5 Ballet rehearsal sketch, hosted by Barbara Edmonds. Note that this is 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. rehearsal times.

Another wonderful experience was at Henry Leck’s home where Troy Kilgore, a local plein air oil painter, gave us a demonstration and answered questions. All photos by Kitty Garlock

Member News

The Great Egret
by Meri Reinhold

Meri Reinhold writes that it is cold in Florida, although not as cold as Indiana. She says she did a “very bad painting” at a plein air event sponsored by the Brevard Watercolor Society and then went home and painted this one.

Needmore Coffee Roasters is displaying works by Susan Savastuk and Katie Mysliwiec this month. Needmore, 104 N. Pete Ellis Dr., is open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This book features paintings by BWS members Jeanne Dutton and Phyllis Taylor.

A Summary of the Cemeteries in Monroe County, Indiana features two watercolors by BWS members. Jeanne Dutton’s painting of the Bethel Old Fashioned Chapel at the corner of Hinkle Road and Bethel Lane is on the cover, and Phyllis Taylor’s painting of Dunn Cemetery is inside. Both of these were done for the “We Paint … Cemeteries” calendar project several years ago. The $18 book is available only at the History Center. It is full of color and black-and-white photos, maps, history, GPS coordinates, and lots of trivia about Monroe County.

Beyond BWS

Kristen Stamper at the Southside Art League in Greenwood, where her solo exhibition “Fresh Air” hung last month. Photo by Kathleen Barton

Up your eye for value, color, and more with a two-day workshop for oil and acrylic with BWS member Kristen Stamper at the Brown County Art Gallery Feb. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Feb. 17 from 12:20 to 3:30 p.m. Learn when to make specific decisions as you develop your painting; then let go and play. These techniques are excellent for plein air, still life, and any application where your goal is painting quickly and with confidence. Class size is limited, so register today. Call 812-988-4609 by Feb. 10. The cost is $130. Snow dates are Feb. 23 and 24.

The Missouri Watercolor Society is holding its 2019 International Exhibition in St. Louis June 15 through July 27. Awards are expected to exceed $13,000. The prospectus is at www.mowsart.com, and the deadline for entry is midnight March 21. Michael Bailey, AWS, NWS, will serve as judge of selection and awards. He will also teach a four-day workshop June 24 through June 27.

Pikes Peak Watercolor Society of Colorado Springs, CO, has announced that its biennial International Watermedia 2019 Call is now open for entry at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=6212. The organization is also having a three-day watermedia workshop taught by Martha Mans, AWS, June 12 through June 14. Contact Mary Piche at watermedia2019@gmail.com.

The Springfield Art Museum in Missouri has announced its call for Watercolor USA 2019 entries. The annual show highlights the very best in contemporary American watermedia. This year’s exhibit will run from June 8 through Sept. 1. The deadline to apply is Feb. 27. For full information on entry rules. fees, and how to submit artwork, go to www.sgfmuseum.org.

The Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington will conduct its annual meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Bloominton Playwrights Project, 107 W. 9th St. Everyone is welcome, but only members can vote. You can join online or in person at the annual meeting. For more information, contact info@bloomingtonarts.org.

IMO

Social media users recognize IMO as an abbreviation for “In My Opinion,” and each month we close by giving you the chance to share your opinion on a specific question.

This month the question is:

What is your best method for getting out of a painting slump? We all have them; what do you do when the creative spirit is not moving you?

Steve Dawson

I find looking at artwork gets me fired up and ready to paint; I do this either by going to a gallery or looking at art books or magazines such as Plein Air Magazine. Instagram is another source as I follow many painters and artists there. Seeing other people working on their craft sends that message to me that I need to get to work!

Claude Cookman

Artist’s block, like its cousin writer’s block, often stems from not knowing what to do next; so if you’re working on a long-term project, always stop while you know the next two or three steps and can pick up your trajectory at the next session. If you have no project in the works, try warm-up exercises, especially gesture drawings — just enjoy scribbling with your tools/paints with no end product at stake. If you’re bored, change mediums, subject matter, formats, styles, etc.; discover the fun of taking a totally new tack.

MarySue Schwab

This is inspiring when one is in a slump! Very good ideas that give you a jump start and may give you a new perspective! He has a second book out, too.

Tricia Wente

I head to the local art supply store, handle the brushes, then check out new materials, and that always does the trick! Usually I end up making a few purchases, and of course that is stimulation enough just to get things going on new paper or canvas; it makes me curious to see what can be done with something different. Recently, I have been playing with assorted watercolor paper textures and just experimenting has kept me busy!

Robin Edmundson

The way I get out of a slump is to choose a subject and do small drawings or paintings of it over and over again. It takes the focus off of “What do I paint?” and on to “How can I do this in an interesting way?” If I use scrap paper, then I don’t have to worry about creating a masterpiece or things getting too precious, and I can just explore/experiment.

Meri Reinhold

I usually draw instead. I’m more confident about my skills with pencil and paper than I am in paint. Sometimes I look through my collection of photos that I call “inspirations” and that gets me going again.

Char Dapena

Deadlines help me pick up a paint brush. Getting a painting done in time for “We Paint … the Blues!” got me out of my last painting slump.

Kitty Garlock

When I am in an art slump, it really helps me to go to an Upland paintout or a portrait group session. The enthusiasm I see in others and the inspiration of the samples of their work is very encouraging. Also, lately I have been looking at some art magazines and online videos, and it is amazing how helpful they can be.

Question for March:

Why?

Why are you drawn to watercolor? What is it about this medium that keeps you interested?

Send your 1- to 3-sentence response to Nancy Davis-Metz by Feb. 21, and look for your opinion in the March issue. Please use IMO as your email’s subject line.

Jan. 14 meeting

Loosen up with Gesture Drawing

Jane Matranga will present a program on figure drawing with an emphasis on gesture drawing. Gesture drawing is a type of sketching that is employed to capture a subject’s (usually a figure’s) basic form and illustrates movement. Practicing gesture drawing of figures can improve hand/eye coordination, drawing speed, and expressive mark making. Quick, fluid gesture drawing is used to capture the essence of movement and a figure’s pose. Bring a large sketch pad, and a pencil, pen or crayon to the meeting.

The business meeting starts promptly at 6 p.m. with a refreshment break at 6:45 p.m. and Jane’s program at 7 p.m.

The January meeting is at First Christian Church on the corner of Washington Street and Kirkwood Avenue. Please use the Washington Street door.

As always, members are invited to bring any artwork they have been working on.

Playing the Blues
by Bob Burris

Feb. 1 – March 29

We Paint … the Blues! exhibit

Each BWS member may submit one framed artwork in any medium to the “We Paint … the Blues!” exhibit for the “Week of Chocolate,” benefiting LIFEDesigns. The works will hang Feb. 1 to March 29 at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., Bloomington.

The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 1, 5 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours for the exhibit is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

All entries must be for sale; a sales commission of 50 percent will go to LIFEDesigns. A $100 Best of Show Award is sponsored by John LaBella at The Vault. The winning artist as well as the runner-up will each receive two tickets to the Keynote Event Feb. 9. Other participating artists will be entered into a drawing for a pair of tickets to the Keynote Event. 

Delivery of artworks is Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 10 a.m. to noon at The Vault.

For show requirements and labels, go to http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/2019-art-of-chocolate-prospectus/.

New Signature Members

Betty Wagoner was awarded Signature Member status at the November meeting by 2nd Vice President Charlotte Griffin.

Meri Reinhold (left) also received her Signature Member certificate and pen from Charlotte Griffin.

Upland winter season includes

Urban Sketching and education programs

Upland event details are shared a few days prior to the event. If you would like to join us, please email upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org to obtain information for a specific date.

Jan. 8 Urban Sketch at The Hopscotch, corner of S. Morton and W. Dodds, hosted by Kitty Garlock

Jan. 15 Impressionist & Fauve Palettes, hosted by Babette Ballinger

Jan. 22 TBD, hosted by Henry Leck

Jan. 29 Preparing for “Show Season,” hosted by Anne-Karine Bley

Friday, Feb. 8 Live model at the IU Fine Arts Building, hosted by Claude Cookman

Feb. 12 Urban Sketch at Inkwell, hosted by Katya Alexeeva

Holiday Party

Candi Bailey and Connie Brorson

Cassidy Young and Deloris Schneider

Babette Ballinger holds the painting by Deborah Rush (left) during the painting exchange. Members painted their own subjects in the style of a famous painter; those paintings were then distributed randomly.

MarySue Schwab draws Santa’s hat. Members were each assigned one item to draw — blindly — on Santa or on the Grinch.

Santa?

The Grinch?

Activities chair Katya Alexeeva and program chair Jo Weddle planned the Holiday Party.

Obituary

Vi Working helped establish BWS Scholarship 

As a BWS member, Vi Working was a program presenter and influential member of the original Scholarship Committee. A retired art teacher, she was influential in helping determine the criteria and standards for the BWS scholarship. Vi was a gracious hostess, welcoming many BWS members in to her home.

Vi loved creating art as well as teaching. She won awards in juried competitions in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio, and in Sampson County, N.C. She had solo art exhibitions in Bloomington, and her work was accepted in juried shows in Indianapolis. In 2012, she and her husband, Russ, published “Art Lesson Handbook, a Guide for Teaching Art in the Classroom.”

Vi died Dec. 23 in Bloomington. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana University Foundation for the Russell A. Working Science Teaching Education Scholarship, School of Education, Indiana University.

Member News

Wild Women
by Sara Steffey McQueen

Sara Steffey McQueen‘s “Wild Women” linocut will be published in the We’Moon Datebook for 2020.

An American Beauty
by Kristen Stamper

Kristen Stamper will show her “Fresh Air” inspired oil and watercolor paintings in a solo exhibition at the Off Broadway Gallery at the Southside Art League in Greenwood, Ind., Jan. 3-30. The address is 299. E. Broadway St. The artist reception is Friday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Please call SALI to arrange for viewing by appointment at any other time at 317-882-5562.

Bartholomew County ornament for State Museum’s 92 County Tree by Bob Burris

Bob Burris has created a Columbus-themed paper ornament for the 92 County Tree on display through Jan. 6 at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. Bob created a six-sided paper ornament depicting six Columbus sites: The Commons, Bartholomew County Courthouse, Large Arch, First Christian Church, Round Lake, and the covered bridge at Mill Race Park.

Jacki Frey is exhibiting her work at the Bloomington Convention Center through Jan. 13. The Convention Center is open regular business hours Monday through Friday. Artwork is displayed on the main floor near the front desk.

Beyond BWS

The deadline for entering the Kentucky Watercolor Society’s Aquaventure exhibit is Feb. 1. The exhibit will hang March 16 – April 30 at the James Bourne Gallery, 137 E. Main St., New Albany, Ind. The entry fee is $35 for KWS members for up to three entries and $55 for non-members for up to three entries. the juror of acceptance and awards is Daniel Pfalzgraf, curator for the Carnegie Center for Art & History in New Albany. For more information and a prospectus, contact Chairperson Trudi Bellou at tbf344@aol.com or phone 502-895-8881.

Rod Crossman has been posting his painting process videos on Youtube. Here is the link to his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgcdE2P2BWjZ3PrylHBhe0Q.

IMO

Social media users recognize IMO as an abbreviation for “In My Opinion,” and each month we close by giving you the chance to share your opinion on a specific question.

This month the question is:

What is your watercolor resolution for 2019?

Kathy Barton

My watercolor goal for 2019 is to submit to juried shows and work on signature status for 2020.

Carla Hedges

Just do it! Get my paints out and go for it!

Patty Uffman

Set up different color palettes for different subjects and seasons of the year.

Dawn Cartwright

I would like to challenge myself to paint at least once a week.

Meri Reinhold

Paint more often!

Bess Lee

To look, listen, learn from our local “masters,” art museums and images and … to practice, practice, practice!

Question for February:

What is your best method for getting out of a painting slump? We all have them; what do you do when the creative spirit is not moving you?

Send your 1- to 3-sentence response to Nancy Davis-Metz by Jan. 21, and look for your opinion in the February issue. Please use IMO as your email’s subject line.

Minutes of the Bloomington Watercolor Society

November 12, 2018, First Christian Church

The meeting was called to order at 6:10 PM by Kitty Garlock, President

Welcome

Returning member:  Evelyn Alwine

Hospitality

Carla Hedges thanked Anne-Karine Bley Cathy Korinek, Char Dapena, Jeanne Dutton, and Barbara Coffman who, along with herself, provided refreshments.

A Moment in History

Candi Bailey reported that between the years 2005-2007, BWS met in area restaurants, then the Monroe County Public Library, before finding its current home at First Christian Church where we have met since 2007.

Secretary – Jill Olshavsky

October 8 minutes approval:  Motion Kathy Barton; Second Jerry Harste

Treasurer’s Report – Patty Uffman

October 8 report approval:  Motion Meri Reinhold; Second Candi Bailey

Patty reported that we have enough in the treasury to be able to do more next year.  We currently have 50 packs of note cards which cost $12 per pack or $1 each.  If the cost to produce the cards remains the same, for $425.00 we could set up and produce a new set of notecards.

Technology/New Signature Members – Charlotte Griffin

Charlotte thanked the Signature Committee, Sara Steffey McQueen and Maura Stanton.  She reported that Meri Reinhold and Betty Waggoner have both achieved signature status.  They were cheered with a round of applause, and Charlotte presented each with a certificate and pen.

Charlotte brought copies of the BWS roster for those who still need one.  She again asked members to review their information and to make any necessary corrections.

Show – Anne-Karine Bley

Anne-Karine passed around a sign-up sheet for volunteers for our February Art of Chocolate show.  She needs people to help hang the show in January and noted that Gabe Colman will also help.  Drop off day is January 29. (The drop off day was amended after the meeting and is now January 30 from 10 AM to noon at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage.)

Programs – Jo Weddle

Jo has additional copies of the cards which list 2018-2019 Programs at Monthly Meetings and Paint outs and Shows for anyone who needs one.  She passed out a sheet with information about reservations for the BWS Holiday Party on Dec. 5 at Meadowood Retirement Center.  Reservations may be made by check or through Pay Pal.  The art activity for an exchange will be an 8×10 or smaller painting which is in the style of a master.

Upland Painters – Kristen Stamper

Kristen reported that the final Upland event for 2018, November 13, is an organizational meeting for 2019.  Anyone who is interested in learning more about Upland Painters is invited to attend.

Venue Vote – Kitty Garlock

Kitty announced that the vote on moving our meetings to St Marks Church has been postponed due to finding that lighting in the proposed meeting room is too dim for painting.  Kitty and her committee will continue to investigate options.  Jerry Harste noted that Jo Weddle has done a great job serving as a liaison between BWS and First Christian Church and that we would need someone to do the same if we move to a different venue.  Kitty agreed and said Jo has been invaluable to BWS in many ways.  She added that, in her experience, there always seems to be someone who rises to the occasion and that Carla Hedges has offered to be a contact person if we move to St Marks.

By-laws Vote, Finance Committee – Jill Olshavsky

Jill announced the vote on the proposed by-laws amendment to create a Finance Committee and add it to the committees listed under Article XI of BWS By-laws.  She read the rationale for this addition as well as the wording of Article XI if the amendment is approved.  She called for comments, and they primarily addressed two issues:

1. Given the small size of BWS and the required duties for members serving on a committee, is creating a separate committee necessary? Discussion included a report that the Leadership Handbook (which reflects current practice and does not require votes for modification) states that the Treasurer is the chair of the budget committee which includes 2 other members.  It was also noted that because having a budget committee has proven to be valuable, if the Finance Committee is approved, the Leadership Handbook would be revised to reflect the broader committee structure.
2. What would be the reporting process for the Finance Committee and Treasurer? The rationale for the proposed amendment indicates the Treasurer will recommend the committee members and that they would be approved by the board.  Several Executive Board members stated that because the Treasurer and budget committee report to the President, the reporting lines are already established.

Call for a vote:  Meri Reinhold; Second Nancy Davis Metz

Members were asked to vote by paper ballot, and Jill and Charlotte collected the ballots.

Opportunity– Charlotte Griffin

Charlotte reported that Jeanne Dutton received an invitation from Gabe Colman, owner of The Venue, to again paint with watercolors by his pop up shop at the College Mall near Macy’s main entrance on weekends from Nov. 16-Dec 23.  BWS artists may sell our cards or create their own cards which would be sold for $5.00 with all proceeds going to BWS scholarship.  Members may also sell their own paintings.  Proceeds would be divided so that 25% goes to The Venue, 25% goes to BWS, and 50% goes to the artist.  All sales must go through The Venue.  Artists may sign up for 2 hour shifts of 11-1 or 1-3 on Saturdays or 12-2 on Sundays.  Two artists may work during the same shift, and the Venue will provide a table and 2 chairs and will store our supplies at their shop.  Jeanne Dutton will provide details later.

 Move to adjourn–  Charlotte Griffin; Second Char Dapena.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50.

Refreshments were available until 7:10 when Nancy Davis Metz and Carol Rhodes presented our program:  Paint a flower like Georgia O’Keeffe.

Nov. 12

BWS meeting program focuses on Georgia O’Keeffe florals

Carol Rhodes and Nancy Metz will present an abbreviated sample of the class they teach for Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning, “Paint Like the Masters.” The program will feature Georgia O’Keeffe, focusing on her abstract florals. After a brief presentation about O’Keeffe, members will practice composing abstract shapes, mixing and glazing colors, and different methods for veining. Bring watercolor paper, pencil, ruler, scissors, brushes and paint (cobalt or ultramarine blue, transparent yellow, quinacridone gold, permanent rose, and permanent alizarin crimson).

The business meeting starts punctually at 6 p.m. with a refreshment break at 6:45. The program begins at 7 p.m. The meeting is at the First Christian Church at the corner of Kirkwood and Washington in Bloomington. Please enter through the Washington Street door.

Jo Weddle, Deborah Rush, and Claude Cookman work on their botanical paintings at the October meeting, when Suzanne Thorin presented the program.

Sharing to be a regular feature of monthly meetings

Bring to the November meeting the botanical paintings you started at the October meeting plus any artwork you are working on or have recently finished. “We always learn and grow from seeing how and what others are doing,” BWS President Kitty Garlock said, “and it is a great way to share our expertise.”  So bring your work — finished or in progress — and display it (no presentation), so people can enjoy it and discuss it on break if they like.

By-laws revision and future meeting location

to be voted on at November business meeting

Bylaws revision

The BWS Executive Board received two proposals for by-laws amendments which would add two additional committees, and the board approved both. Due to recent re-evaluation the item to add the Portrait Group as a committee to the by-laws has been discontinued. Members will vote on the remaining proposed amendment at the Nov. 12 meeting. The current by-laws can be found at http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/about/by-laws/. Jill Olshavsky, BWS secretary and by-laws chair, asks all members to consider the amendment and be ready to vote.

Amendment 1: Create a Finance Committee and add it to Article XI: Committees

The President, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint standing and special committees as necessary to carry forward the objectives of BWS. Standing Committees shall include: Activities, Finance, Historian, Meetings/Programs, Membership, Newsletter, Nominating, Plein Air, Publicity, Refreshment, Scholarship, Shows, and Technology.

Rationale: A Finance Committee to assist the treasurer would be able to: provide a contingency in case the treasurer is ever unable to perform duties or attend external finance meetings, offer historical and organizational perspective, and witness the treasurer’s decisions. It would be a supportive deliberative body in cases of conflicting visions with regard to what is most important to the organization. The committee would be recommended by the treasurer and agreed upon by the board and, when Finance Committee meetings occur that may involve decisions that would affect some stakeholders, those parties could be invited.

Venue change

At the Nov. 12 meeting, members will vote whether to continue meeting at the First Christian Church (FCC) or to move BWS meetings to St. Mark’s United Methodist (SMUM), 100 N. State Road 46, Bloomington, a site researched by an ad hoc committee and approved by a nearly unanimous vote of the Executive Committee.

At the meeting, no more than five people will be allowed to speak to the benefits of FCC and five for SMUM alternately. Each person will be given one minute to speak. A silent ballot vote will be taken and counted that night with results being announced either that night or online the next day.

If you cannot attend the meeting, you may vote online at venuevote@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

The following is a comparison of the two venues.

Parking

FCC: Some free parking in the nearby lots but people often have to use meters or walk long distances. The city’s new proposals for parking lot changes would also effect this issue.

SMUM: Private parking lot for the church and activities, all free and close to the meeting room. Handicapped entrance close to the handicapped parking area.

Cost

FCC: With the added service of a helpful custodian, the yearly cost for the space is close to $630 a year.

SMUM: Building cost is free to us. The custodian is in the building and available for assistance but table arrangement is easily done by our members since the standard room arrangement is set up just like we would have it. We may want to move the tables closer together.

Secure location

FCC: Street lights keep sidewalks well lit, but the back alley is dark and poorly paved. There is some apprehension about potential encounters with questionable sorts and scooters. Building is kept locked. Members must memorize a security code to enter.

SMUM: Location is on the Bypass with minimal pedestrian traffic for potential encounters. Walkways and parking lots are well maintained and lit. Building remains unlocked until 8:30 p.m. when our meeting time is over. We are expected to be out of the building by 8:30 p.m.

Convenience of the location

FCC: Location in the center of town lends to access from all areas; can be congested but rarely on Monday nights.

SMUM: Travel distance would be shortened considerably for close to 75% of our active members. The Bypass just before 6 p.m. can be a challenge with rush hour traffic for some people coming from the west side.

Promise of a designated space every month at the time we meet

FCC: Yes, with annual renewal fee

SMUM: Yes, with annual application. Building closes at 8:30 p.m.

Technology and acoustics

FCC: Presenters bring in their own equipment which can sometimes cause a lot of setup time and extension cords. No digital projector or screen. Two electrical outlets in the room. The wall used as back drop is very good, but there is no screen. Sometimes the emergency lighting is so bright in front of the wall that visibility can be limited. Minimal, if any, problems with acoustics. If need be that can be addressed with a microphone.

SMUM: With no experience at this yet, we may find problems later, but a screen and digital projector are in the room. Presenters can hook a laptop to a projector jack for showing Powerpoint or other presentation software. Personal device use is accelerated due to having access to WiFi. Electrical outlets every 15 feet or so (albeit along the perimeter of a very large room). Microphone use is a necessity in the room we will use due to poor acoustics, but mikes are also part of the equipment which is permanently set up and ready for use. We may have to invest in a portable mike if we find it necessary.

Adequate area, light, and durable tables

FCC: A bit congested, well lit, durable tables

SMUM: Plenty of space, well lit, durable tables

Break down/Set up

FCC: Available with a custodial fee at the same cost as room rental. Jo has often assisted with cleanup as late as 9 p.m.

SMUM: Unnecessary as standard room setup is good for our purposes — we could move the tables closer together if we like though, We would have to have things in order by 8:30 p.m.

Water

FCC: Not a problem

SMUM: Not a problem

Handicapped accessible

FCC: A bit of a challenge with steps at every entrance requiring lifts/elevators

SMUM: Designated handicapped parking has a convenient entrance to the room we would use.

Availability for workshops

FCC: Has the upstairs room with more expansive space — a bit dark in spots — extra cost?

SMUM: Same room available for fee. A One-Day Use application would need to be completed to set up a time to coordinate in to their main schedule

Kitchen facility

FCC: Has always met our needs. We do most of the cleanup except dirty dishes and floors. A kitchenette serves the meeting room. Full kitchen is upstairs.

SMUM: Full kitchen (on same level, about 20 feet from meeting room). Cleanup is required by the group using it. Minimal work but a small team — maybe people who brought refreshments — may be used for quick cleanup. (This January the kitchen will be unavailable due to renovation work being done.)

Area for supplies

FCC: Jo has always found room for us to keep needed materials

SMUM: Right now no such area is available but Carla is looking into it

Coffee

FCC: Yearly budget for coffee and hospitality is $90 — $50 for coffee and $40 for supplies. Used the church pots and hot plate.

SMUM: Coffee urns available, no coffee pots unless we bring our own (which we have to do for January anyway) Assume the yearly budget would be the same as for FCC

Distribution map

Photos and visits

We are familiar with FCC so pictures of SMUM and the distribution map (every x marks a place where a member lives — lists include people off the map) are provided. If you would like to see the facility before you make your decision, we have a list of people who are willing to show you around. Give us a time and we will see if we can set you up with someone. You can also visit on your own. The building is open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Claire Schaffer is a secretary there if you feel you need to contact someone before you go. Her number is 812-332-5788.

Upland painted in Nashville, Ind., last month.

Upland to plan 2019 activities

Upland invites all BWS members to its 2019 planning meeting and lunch social Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sherwood Green Clubhouse, 985 E. Buckingham Street, just off Winslow Road in Bloomington.

Bring a potluck dish and one of your paintings to share as well as your ideas for next year’s programming. The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m., with lunch around noon followed by show and tell.

“We will discuss fun indoor ideas to keep us inspired through the winter (mid January – March) plus where to go painting this coming spring and beyond,” said Kristen Stamper, Upland chair. “Winter is a great time to shake things up a bit. How about at breakfast urban sketch at the new El Ranchero restaurant? Or afternoon refreshments and wine with an instructional video? Know an artist whose studio we could visit who is not from our group? Want to organize a field trip to the Indianapolis Art Museum or another destination?”

Stamper also welcomes Upland painters to teach what they have learned in a workshop or share an exciting technique.

“Your wonderful contributions in the past have gotten us into urban sketching, taken us to sketch ballet practice, educated us on paint pouring, Notan composition, and so much more,” Kristen said.

Email Kristen with your idea for hosting a session and a date request or other items for the agenda. You may also sign up at the meeting for a hosting date.

Celebrate at the BWS Holiday Party Dec. 5

BWS members will gather at the Meadowood Terrace Room Wednesday, Dec. 5, for its annual Holiday Party. Social “hour” is at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. The dinner menu, cost and reservation instructions will be announced at the Nov. 12 meeting.

To participate in the Painting Exchange, bring an original painting no larger than 8 x 10. The painting can be matted but does not have to be. Paintings should be a copy of a master painter or a painting in the style of a master painter. The name of the BWS member as well as the name of the master painter (and title of the painting being copied, if that is the case) should be on the back of the painting.

At the party, numbers will be put on the outside of each painting. A paper with the same number will be put in a drawing box. Each member who brought a painting will draw a number from a box and then claim the painting with the corresponding number. Everyone who brings a painting will go home with a painting.

We Paint … the Blues! 

The prospectus for our exhibit for the Week of Chocolate is now online at http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/2019-art-of-chocolate-prospectus/.

The exhibit will be hung in time for the Feb. 1 Gallery Walk. All details are on the website.

The Vault and LIFEDesigns will sponsor a Best of Show prize package worth $250, including $100 cash and two tickets to the Keynote Event of the Week of Chocolate.

The deadline for submission of images for “We Paint … the Blues!” has been extended to Dec. 1. LIFEDesigns marketing for the Week of Chocolate will determine the image used, and one image will appear on the front cover of the program at the Art of Chocolate.

May Creek Farm

2018’s final Saturday Paintout

Sara Steffey McQueen (l) hosted the final Saturday Paintout of 2018 at May Creek Farms. With her is BWS President Kitty Garlock.

Jacki Frey

BWS Scholarship

The BWS Scholarship table sale met its goal of $300. Thank you to all who donated and to those who shopped. The leftover supplies were taken to the Teachers Warehouse, including the books, which will certainly contribute to art libraries in various schools around the county.

Portrait Group exhibits 50+ works at MCPL

The Portrait Group’s first public exhibit included more than 50 works. The show hung at the Monroe County Public Library last month.

Member news

Robin Edmundson has artwork in the 2018 Rose-Hulman fall art exhibit, “through her eyes.” The show at Moench Hall on the Rose-Hulman campus in Terre Haute runs through Dec. 20.

Betty Wagoner, Jacki Frey, and Ann Karine Bley are showing their paintings at the T.C. Steele site in the art show, Friends of T.C. Steele. Ann Karine and Jacki both won special awards for their paintings. The show hangs until Nov. 28.

Sovereign
by Sara Steffey McQueen

Sara Steffey McQueen will be showing her “Mythological Stories” acrylics at the THOMAS GALLERY, 107 N. College St. in Bloomington, for the month of December. She will be sharing the space with a painter, Randy Rud-Cloud. The reception will be on First Friday, Dec. 7, 5 – 8 p.m. The show is titled “Intuitive by Nature.”

Betty Wagoner has had two watercolor paintings accepted in to the Richmond Art Museum 120th Annual Exhibit, Nov. 8 – Jan. 12. The juror for the show was Tyler Cann, curator at the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio.

Jacki Frey has a one-woman art show at the Bloomington Convention Center, 302 S. Walnut St. Dec. 1 – 28. The show has both watercolors and oils. The opening reception is on First Friday, Dec. 7.

Beyond BWS

The Kentucky Watercolor Society has published the prospectus for the 2019 AquaVenture, a regional exhibit open to KWS members and non-members 18 and older. The entry fee for KWS members is $35 for up to three entries and $55 for up to three entries from nonmembers. The show runs from March 17 to April 30 at the James Bourne Gallery, 137 E. Main St., New Albany, Indiana. The deadline for submitting entry form and digital images is Feb. 1. Work must have been completed in 2014 or later. For complete information, contact AquaVenture chair Trudi Bellou: 502-895-8881, 502-541-7543, tfb344@aol.com.

Workshops on the horizon

May 20-23 Anne Abgott Workshop, Kentucky Watercolor Society, $425 KWS members, $440 nonmembers. www.anneabgott.com

July 9-12 Don Andrews, “Landscape Color and Composition,” Watercolor Society of Indiana, $450 WSI members, $460 nonmembers, www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org or email lhalcomb@indy.rr.com

Aug. 26-29 Paul Jackson Workshop, Kentucky Watercolor Society, www.Pauljackson.com.

Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 Soon Warren Workshop, Watercolor Society of Indiana, www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org

IMO

Social media users recognize IMO as an abbreviation for “In My Opinion,” and each month we close by giving you the chance to share your opinion on a specific question.

This month the question is:

How do you know when a painting is finished? 

Kitty Garlock

In my opinion, a picture is done when there is enough information shared but it still has a bit of mystery for the viewers to do a little work themselves. Ultra realistic to simple geometric abstracts all have a tipping point — giving too much can backfire. And then, of course, there is a point where things get muddy or squeezed together or the freshness is gone — then it is too late!

Claude Cookman

I subscribe to the Japanese aesthetic called Wabi Sabi: “Nothing is perfect: nothing lasts forever; nothing is ever finished.” I understand the concern that too much fussy overworking can ruin a drawing or painting, but, rummaging through the clutter in our studios, we’ve all come across a work that’s a year or two old and immediately seen five or six additions and/or corrections we want to make. Our paintings are never finished because we are never finished.

Francie Agostino

After years of teaching art, I used to tell my students to look at their work and ask themselves these questions: Does my work have “Something short? Something tall? Something big? Something small? Something dark? Something light? Then my work should look all right!” I think every “finished” piece of artwork will fit this formula — albeit some better than others!

Meri Reinhold

I set my paintings up on an easel and “live with if for hours/days/weeks,” tinkering occasionally with areas that “bother” me. When I haven’t touched it for awhile, it is done.

Question for January:

What is your watercolor resolution for 2019?

Send your 1- to 3-sentence response to Nancy Davis-Metz by Dec. 15, and look for your opinion in the January issue. Please use IMO as your email’s subject line.

Minutes of the Bloomington Watercolor Society
October 8, 2018, First Christian Church

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Kitty Garlock, President.

Welcome
Guests: Jan Barns, Sarah Salmon, and Valerie Long
New members: Carol Koetke, Joanna Samorow-Merzer, and Peggy York-Garcia
Welcome back returning members: Jan Ellis and Delores Schneider

Hospitality – Carla Hedges thanked Jo Weddle and Kitty Garlock who, along with herself, provided refreshments.

A Piece of History – Candi Bailey shared photos from our 2011 holiday party.

Secretary – Jill Olshavsky
September 10 minutes approval: Motion: Candi Bailey; Second: Patty Uffman

Treasurer’s Report – Patty Uffman
September 10 report approval: Motion: Cathy Barton; Second: Carla Hedges
Patty reported that, as a result of our art supply sale at the September meeting and some generous cash contributions, we have nearly $300 for our MCCSC Scholarship. Including the 3 new members who attended tonight’s meeting, BWS now has 84 members.

Technology – Charlotte Griffin passed around the roster and asked everyone to check or update their information.

Shows – Anne-Karine

• At our Vault at Gallery Mortgage show, Joanne Shank and Rose Brenner each sold a painting
• The TC Steele membership show begins the end of October and is up for the month of November. They are offering 3 awards and cash prizes.

Programs – Jo Weddle handed out the BWS Watercolor Society Activities 2018-2019 programs, paint outs and shows cards for those who did not receive one at the September meeting. At next month’s meeting Nancy Davis-Metz and Carol Rhodes will present Paint a Flower like Georgia O’Keeffe.
Jo also had a handout for December’s Holiday Gala and Art Exchange Activity, Wednesday, December 5 at Meadowood. The menu and cost will be announced at the November meeting and reservations can be made then. Each member who wishes may bring an original painting no larger than 8×10 which is “in the style of” a master artist. Members who bring a painting will be included in a drawing and may take home one of the paintings.
She also reported that Bess Lee, who could not attend tonight’s meeting, is going to Cuba just before Thanksgiving to lead seniors and children in art activities. Since Bess will take art supplies, Jo proposed giving her the supplies from last month’s meeting that do not sell and said she is collecting cash donations so Bess can purchase additional supplies.
.
Activities- 

• Kitty Garlock reminded us that the October 13 paint out at the May Creek Farm is the last one for the year. Information is in the September and October editions of Brushstrokes.
•   Meri Reinhold reported that all the slots for the Peden Farm activities were filled. Joyce Peden sent her a letter thanking BWS for having a station and hands-on activities at the festival.
•   Kristen Stamper announced upcoming paint outs for October and November. These are listed in Brushstrokes. November 13 is a planning meeting for 2019, and it is open to all who are interested in joining Upland.
• Portrait Group – Claude Cookman reported that the group’s first exhibition with over 50 works in a range of media is on display at the Monroe County Library ground floor until October 31. He thanked those who worked to put the show together and encouraged everyone to go to see it.
• Opportunity – Jeanne Dutton handed out the prospectus for “We Paint …the Blues!”, the BWS February 1-March 29, 2019 show at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage to benefit LIFE Designs. If you wish to submit images for publicity and the program cover, send them to Jeanne by November 1. All show information is available at Bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

For the Good of the Order

• Nancy Davis-Metz reported that BWS signature members will have a display from mid-March to mid-July, 2019 at the Indianapolis Airport. Members whose work will be in the show are: Bob Burris, Nancy Davis-Metz, Jackie Frey, Jerry Harste, Cathy Korinek, Sara Steffey McQueen, Tricia Wente, and Donna Whitsitt.
• Jane Matranga will travel to Paris April 27-May 8 to paint and visit museums. She invited BWS members who are interested to contact her.

Motion to adjourn: Ann-Karine Bley; Second: Jane Matranga. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40. Refreshments were available until 7:00 when our program, Botanical Painting Techniques was presented by Suzanne Thorin.

Oct. 8

Meeting program to feature

botanical watercolor techniques

by Suzanne E. Thorin
Scroll down to Painting Composite Flowers to learn more about botanical watercolors.

Suzanne Thorin will present a one-hour program providing a brief background of botanical art, examples of outstanding botanical artists, information about the major professional association, and some tips for painting botanicals. During the second half of the hour, members will draw a leaf on tracing paper, transfer it to watercolor paper, create a tonal shading, plan colors, and apply the first color washes.

Suzanne’s program will follow a brief business meeting that starts promptly at 6 p.m. at the First Christian Church, on the corner of Washington Street and Kirkwood Avenue. Please remember the group is working with a new schedule of business meeting at 6 p.m., refreshments at 6:45, and program at 7 p.m.

• Supply list for Suzanne’s program
• iPad or iPhone (to photograph leaf)
• watercolor paper (Arches block, 11 X 14, 140# or your favorite hot-press paper. I will have Arches hot-press paper for anyone who needs it.)
• tracing paper (9 X 12, Canson Vidalon Translucent vellum is best, but bring what you have in your arsenal)
• pencil (Staedler Mars Lumograph 100. HB is fine.)
• pencil sharpener
• erasers (kneaded rubber and, if you have one, a Tombo Mono Zero or other small eraser)
• paint brushes (Winsor & Newton, Series 7, sable, #1, #3, #4 — or any of these numbers and the brand you have. Also if you have an eradicator brush, bring it.)
• watercolors (Bring a variety, including some greens — sap, leaf, Hooker’s, etc. — plus ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, burnt umber, permanent magenta, lemon yellow, etc. Bring whatever you have in your palette that you love.)
• 2 small jars for water
• magnifying glass
• white board (if you use one)
• divider (a measuring tool, similar to a compass but with 2 points; if you don’t have one, Suzanne will have one to share.)
• Suzanne will provide leaves, but you may bring your own as well.

Amira
by Deborah Rush

Brian
by Sande Nitti

Portrait Group to show work

The Bloomington Watercolor Society’s Portrait Group will stage an exhibition at the Monroe County Public Library gallery from Oct. 5 – 31. More than 50 works in a variety of mediums will display the faces and figures of a diverse range of models. Opening reception is Oct. 5 from 4:30 – 5:50 p.m. in conjunction with First Friday Gallery Walk.

Oct. 13

May Creek Farm site of final 2018 Saturday paint-out

Enjoy a Saturday paint-out and potluck lunch with your BWS paint pals at May Creek Farm Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to your painting supplies, bring a covered dish to share and your own plate and utensils. The shelter has electrical outlets that can accommodate a few crockpots.

The address is 8755 S Rockport Road, Bloomington IN 47403. Sara Steffey McQueen, a May Creek resident, says GPS sometimes sends people past their place so be alert. Here are suggested directions:

From Bloomington, take either Second Street or Third Street west to S.R. 37 South. Stay right to avoid getting on I-69. Turn right (west) at the first stoplight, which will be at Victor Pike. Follow Victor Pike and stay right as it splits at a “bottom.” Go up a large hill with a quarry. At Rockport Road ( a T intersection), turn left. May Creek is about a mile.

“Our community has a pinetree-lined drive to the left with a tall sign that has about 10 addresses and our name at the top,” Sara says. “Take the gravel drive and you will pass our dumpster, mailboxes, and come to the parking lot. Usually you will see a large white ‘Farm truck’ parked there. Park in the lot, and as you get out, walk to where the gravel leads — to the grassy field. We are painting wherever you are drawn. As you walk to the end of the gravel, look toward the Maypole and volleyball net. Walk across the field, between the Maypole and volleyball net, through the orchard, and you will see the shelter house with a blue metal roof. This is where we have an outhouse, running water, picnic tables, electricity, and a sweet little pond. We will have lunch there.”

Outreach

BWS member teaches color mixing

at Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship

by Cassidy Young

Nancy Metz worked with the art club at Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship.

Nancy Metz presented a watercolor mixing tutorial to the high school art club at the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship last month. Around a dozen students explored mixing and glazing watercolor paint. The presentation was an excerpt from Nancy’s beginning watercolor class she has taught through Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning.

Thanks to donations made to The Teachers Warehouse and the materials for the arts (local free supply facilities for teachers), each student left with not just new painting experience and some color theory but also their own uniquely created personal travel palette made from Altoid tins, sponges, and watercolor cake containers.

Editor’s note: This was a highlight of September for me. If you are interested in sharing any of your artistic skills to a polite and fairly avid group of high school students, talk to Cassidy. In October the art club will be working in ink, and in November fiber arts. –N.M.

Jerry Harste and Carla Hedges working at a Tuesday paint-out last month at the home of Karen Pacific and Dave Shipley.

A September Tuesday attracted several Upland painters to the home of Karen Pacific and Dave Shipley.

Upland fall schedule features

great destinations, next planning meeting

Come paint with Upland this fall at some super destinations on private property in October. November brings us inside with a paint-in at the Brown County Gallery and an organizational meeting. Then we will break until mid-January. Winter 2019 will feature indoor destinations to keep us inspired.

Upland will meet Nov. 13 to start planning for 2019. The earlier date will help avoid the winter weather issues that have plagued January planning meetings . Come learn about all things Upland and enjoy the lunch pitch-in social. Be thinking of where you would like to paint and when you can host. Please email agenda items to Kristen.

Oct. 9 Eric’s Horse Farm, hosted by Eric Brock (long distance)

Oct. 16 Gnaw Bone Camp, hosted by Jane Matranga

Oct. 23 Nashville, hosted by Lory Winford

Oct. 30 Laura Lynne’s Place, hosted by Babette Ballinger

Nov. 6 Brown County Paint-in, hosted by Jacki Frey

Nov. 13 Planning Meeting at Sherwood Green Clubhouse, hosted by Kristen Stamper and Betty Wagoner

Art of Chocolate news

BWS to exhibit “We Paint … the Blues!“

BWS will again participate in the Week of Chocolate with an exhibit at the Vault. LIFEDesigns will continue the ever popular theme of Mardi Gras. Our theme for the exhibit?

We Paint … the Blues!

Why? The blues grew up in the Mississippi Delta just upriver from New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz.

As a heads up, LIFEDesigns will be looking for work that can be used on marketing materials. If you get an early start and wish to submit your image for possible use on the invitations, the programs, other promotional materials, please do so preferably within the next three to four weeks. LIFEDesigns will make the final choice. Please let Jeanne Dutton know if you are interested and inspired — blues@bloomingtonwatercolor.org

The prospectus for We Paint … the Blues! will be posted by the October meeting and formally announced then.

Painting composite flowers

by Suzanne E. Thorin

Catherine Watters demonstrating her botanical watercolor techniques.

The Friends of Wellesley College (Wellesley MA) offers a certificate program in botanical art and uses the resources of its large botanical garden and an excellent teaching staff and visiting instructors.

Having been in the certificate program before I moved back to Bloomington, I was able to enroll in a three-day course this summer, “Painting Composite Flowers,” taught by Catherine M. Watters, who is a well-known botanical artist and also a fabulous teacher and mentor.

Composite flowers include asters, cosmos, dahlias, daisies, sunflowers, zinnias, and many others. Each flower is made of many little flowers (florets) that sit on a platform (receptacle) and the center or disk is made up of little tubular florets. The centers of composite flowers are notoriously hard to paint! One can see circular patterns, which are actually Fibonacci numbers. Fibonacci patterns occur in nature in petals, seed heads, artichokes, and leaf arrangements. The patterns fill space efficiently and expose the plant to proper amounts of sun and water.

Catherine had provided us with a complete list of supplies, including paints, paper, tools (even lamps and magnifying lamps) and brushes, so we arrived ready to paint. I remembered to check my suitcase to Boston so that the tubes of paint would not be confiscated ($25 extra, of course).

The flower Suzanne painted

Day One: We selected our flower from a huge bouquet supplied by Wellesley, planned our composition, photographed the flower for shape and shadow, drew a detailed pencil drawing on tracing paper, and added tonal shading. Throughout the day, Catherine walked around to each of us and made suggestions. She also gave 5- to 10-minute demonstrations. At the end of class we put our live flowers in the refrigerator and hoped they would live another day.

Day Two: My flower was in total distress the next morning, and I had to revive it by bathing it in cool water for 15 minutes (Catherine’s suggestion). It perked up and lasted two more days. We carefully studied our flower and leaves and used tester strips to make sure we were on target with colors. Some of us were painting daisies, and it was so interesting to compare the W&N and Daniel Smith New Gamboge. The pigment numbers on the tubes tell the story. My flower was a definite Daniel Smith New Gamboge. Catherine calls the first coat of paint a Tea Wash because it is so watery and the color faint. By the end of Day 2, most of us had applied a number of layers of paint.

A nearly finished painting

Day Three: Gone was my thought that we wouldn’t have enough to do. We added an hour to the final day and painted throughout except for our 20-minute lunch, which we brought with us. By the end of the day, when we posted our work for Catherine’s comments, I was surprised that I had gotten as far as I had. Others were behind me, but a few talented souls had almost completed their paintings. I had one nasty leaf that didn’t look right to Catherine. She corrected the turn of the leaf and showed me how to remove green paint from my hot-pressed paper. She uses a Mr. Clean sponge and cuts a small piece, wets it, and uses a tool that grabs the little wad and aids her in excising the unwanted color.

I learned so much in this class and renewed old friendships with some of my colleagues. The course cost nearly $350 plus my airfare. I was lucky to have been invited to stay with a fellow painter in Brookline so I didn’t have hotel expenses. It was worth the price, and I am ready to return for another class with Catherine next August.

Member News

Betty Wagoner, Jacki Frey, Anne-Karine Bley, and Katya Alexeeva attended the Indiana Plein Air Paintout Weekend at Michigan City September 21 – 23.

Franklin Street
by Jacki Frey

Botanical Garden Lighthouse
by Betty Wagoner

Beyond BWS

The Friends of T.C. Steele Member Art Show is Nov. 1 – 29. It is open to all Friends members. The show will be in the new T.C. Steele Visitor Center. If you are not a member, you may join when you register. The entry form, guidelines and information are at http://www.tcsteele.org/. Show entry forms are due Oct. 21; artwork is to be dropped off Oct. 30-31. The Reception and Friends Annual Meeting and Studio Wagon Celebration is Sunday, Nov. 4, from 2 – 4 p.m. You can call 812-988-0566 with questions.

IMO

Social media users recognize IMO as an abbreviation for “In My Opinion,” and each month we close by giving you the chance to share your opinion on a specific question.

This month the question is:

What makes a person an artist? How do you know when you have earned the right to claim the august title?

Kitty Garlock

When I was a student in elementary education this same question was asked of writers … when is a person a writer? I came to the conclusion then and I guess I still hold to it, that once you have started doing whatever it is, writing, painting, sculpting, reading, skiing, etc., you can claim to be a person of that skill. An artist is anyone who has begun to create no matter where in that journey they are!

Claude Cookman

In the early 1990s, a world-renowned photographer, referring to his renewed interest in drawing, told me that nobody in the Paris art world would take you seriously unless you sold your work. At first that seemed an overly simplistic stricture which unfairly privileged professional artists over amateurs, and I still don’t like excluding amateurs. On reflection, however, I understand it is the professionals who go into their studios every day and work eight to 12 hours who actually achieve high levels of art through the 10,000 hours of practice that Malcolm Gladwell articulated in “Outliers: The Story of Success.”

Meri Reinhold

My answer: courage. You don’t have to be a master or “talented.” You don’t have to have desire, the drive to create, to let your soul grow.

I love a quote by Kurt Vonnegut: “If you want to really hurt your parents, and you don’t have the nerve to be gay, the least you can do is go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.

Question for November:

How do you know when a painting is finished? 

Send your 1- to 3-sentence response to Nancy Davis-Metz by Oct. 21, and look for your opinion in the November issue. Please use IMO as your email’s subject line.

September 10, 2018
First Christian Church; Upstairs in Great Hall
5:00 Art Supply Sale and picture set up
6:00 meeting called to order by Kitty Garlock, President

Welcome

Guests: Kristina Rittichier, Peggy York-Garcia, Arlene Goetz, Joann Mercer, and Clara Smith, the BWS scholarship winner and her father, Ron Smith.

Hospitality – Carla Hedges

Thanks to Meri Reinhold, Cassidy Young, Glenda Thompson, Linda, Katya Alexeeva, Jo Weddle, Bess Lee, Kitty Garlock, and Sara Steffey-McQueen who, along with herself, provided refreshments.

A Piece of History – Candi Bailey

Candi dipped into our history records and related that in 2010 BWS held a show during the Columbus, IN architectural tour, and we exhibited 71 paintings.

Secretary’s report – Jill Olshavsky

Minutes were approved based on a motion by Meri Reinhold, seconded by Jo Weddle. Jill reported that the BWS by-laws will be reviewed/revised this year. Proposed changes are due 9/10/2018 via e-mail to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Treasurer’s report – Patty Uffman

The Treasurer’s report was approved based on a motion by Meri Reinhold, seconded by Kathy Barton.

Patty reported that we currently have 82 members, and former member Joann Baum plans rejoin in the Spring.
The Scholarship fund has a balance of $1541. Patty and Jo Weddle met with the MCCSC scholarship fund coordinator and learned that we do not need to maintain a particular balance in that fund. Jo chairs the scholarship committee and will meet with Deb Strother and Sara Steffy McQueen to determine guidelines and amount for the scholarship.

Jo recognized our scholarship winner, Clara Smith who received a round of applause. Kitty suggested that Clara’s letter be published in Brushstrokes.

Old Business

Membership Roster

Charlotte Griffin passed out a member roster and requested that any needed changes be noted.

Show Report

Anne-Karine Bley reported our show is in its final week at the Vault, and it includes 39 paintings. One painting has sold. She thanked all participants and acknowledged Kathy Barton for helping when she was out of town and for arranging the HT article and photos about the show. These photos were shared. The first Friday September show had 55 visitors, and Kathy thanked members for reaching out to the public. One visitor has joined BWS and another may join at a later date. Anne-Karine thanked those who contributed to the reception. Friday, September 28 from 10-12 is the takedown date.

New business — Committee Reports
Programs:

Jo Weddle reported that all programs for our monthly meetings and all paint outs and shows have been scheduled for the year. Charlotte Griffin distributed a card she made which lists all of these programs and activities. Suzanne Thorin will present Botanical Painting Techniques at the Oct. 8 meeting; information will be in Brushstrokes.

Activities:

• Katya Alexeeva noted that the Anthiohian Orthodox Church, site of the Oct 2019 paint out, will have a festival this year on October 6 from 11-5, and she gave us a postcard with information.
• Meri Reinhold asked for additional volunteers to work at the Peden Farm Children’s Festival Sept 27 for elementary students and Sept 28 for pre-schoolers. BWS has a table in the barn for art activities with the children, and Anne-Karine developed a dot card activity for the festival. BWS members are invited to paint at the Festival, but they must register in advance by notifying Meri or Cassidy Young.
• Sara Steffy McQueen is hosting this year’s Oct. paint out on Oct. 13 at the May Creek Farm which is 12 miles SW of Bloomington. There will be a potluck lunch, and Sara Steffy will send directions in early October.

Upland Painters:

Kristen Stamper announced that Upland Painters meets once a week, usually Tuesdays at locations that are listed in Brushstrokes. If you need information, send an e-mail to upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. All members are required to host an outing once a year.

Portrait Group:

Claude Cookman announced that the Portrait Group meets every other Thursday. Their first show will open for the October 5 Gallery Walk in the downstairs gallery of the Monroe County Library from 4:30-6:00. Refreshments will be provided. See Claude for information.

Announcements:

• Jeanne Dutton announced that for this year’s Week of Chocolate, the BWS show in February will have the theme of “We Paint the Blues”. The show’s prospectus will be distributed in October.
• Kitty Garlock thanked everyone and asked for comments.
• Patty Uffman announced that this evening’s art supply sale raised $206 for the scholarship fund.

The meeting adjourned at 6:45.
Program:  Members shared the art that they created over the summer

The Fireflies
by Rose Brenner

Mission Vibrations
by Barbara Coffman

BWS Preview

Members Show

Mums
by Suzanne Thorin

In Defiance
by Glenda Thompson

We Paint … Past, Present, and for the Future

opens Aug. 3 at The Vault

The show’s title, We Paint … Past, Present, and for the Future, is a nod to the Bloomington Bicentennial without limiting each artist’s choice of subject matter.

Since the exhibit runs Aug. 3 through Sept. 27, it will be a part of Bloomington’s First Friday Gallery Walks on both Aug. 3 and Sept. 7. Hours for viewing at The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St., are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and First Fridays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Paintings must be delivered Wednesday, Aug. 1, between 10 a.m. and noon to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St. Paintings should be created with aqua media on a two-dimensional substrate. Watercolor paintings may include other water-based mediums (collage, pastel, pen and ink, etc.) as long as their use does not exceed 50 percent of the work. For additional guidelines and show labels, see the show prospectus at www.bloomingtonwatercolor.org and follow the link Show Rules in the menu at the right.

To show work, individuals must have paid BWS dues for 2018. (See article below for dues details.)

It is strongly recommended that art be for sale; however, this is not a requirement. Any sale is subject to a 25 percent donation to a local charity of The Vault at Gallery Mortgage’s choosing. Currently, they are supporting Stepping Stones.

BWS Hospitality Chair Carla Hedges is coordinating refreshments for the Aug. 3 Gallery Walk reception. Contact Carla Hedges to tell her what you can bring.

Last call:

Dues are past due

If you haven’t yet paid 2018 BWS dues, now is the time. Single membership is $35, family membership is $50 (for two from same household), student membership is $15, and associate membership (nonresident) is $15. Mail your check to BWS, P.O. Box 5236, Bloomington, IN 47407-5236; or go to BWS website www.bloomingtonwatercolor.org, click on Join BWS and use PayPal. You can use a credit card if you do not have a PayPal account.

Family factory manufactures

Sumi-e ink sticks, slates

by Meri Reinhold

During her trip to China earlier this summer, BWS member Meri Reinhold toured a family factory where they make Sumi-e ink sticks (since the Tang Dynasty) and the slates for grinding them.

First, the blacking comes from soot: either pine tar or tuna oil. They collect the soot from either the top of the burner or the sides, with the top being the finest. The soot is then mixed with “animal glue”; I think this translated as gelatin from boiling hides and bones.

Next it is pounded over and over, folded and pounded some more with a little canola oil. Then it is kneaded by hand, divided buy weight and rolled into a sausage shape. It is put into a wooden mold, which is then placed into a press.

When it comes out, it has a pattern pressed into it on three sides. One side has a design indicating the quality of the ink stick. On the back are characters telling about the ingredients and qualities of that stick’s particular mix. The side imprint is the family’s name.

When moved from the press, the sticks cure for six months under humidity and temperature controls. Finally, the sticks are polished and the design is painted on. The highest quality sticks have gold-leafed designs.

We also watched the slate department where one fellow was creating a design and another was carving one. A finished slate is included with the photos.

Author’s note: I was corrected on my pronunciation of Sumi-e. It is not “sumee-ee.” It is “sumee-a” with a long “a” at the end.

2018-19 BWS Officers

Secretary Jill Olshavsky, Treasurer Patty Uffman, 2nd Vice President Charlotte Griffin, 1st Vice President Jane Matranga, and President Kitty Garlock

Check out these great summer

destinations with Upland and BWS plein air

*July 23 Harvest Moon Farm, hosted by Kristen Stamper

July 31 Mary Hartke property at Walnut Pike and Allendale Drive, hosted by Betty Wagoner

Aug. 7 Way Cross, hosted by Jacki Frey

Aug. 14 Lampkin’s Ridge, hosted by Jacki Frey

Kathy Barton’s painting from last year’s West Baden Paintout

*Aug. 17-18 West Baden Springs Paintout, register by calling the Brown County Art Gallery at 812-988-4609 or email indianaheritagearts@gmail.com before Aug. 16

Aug. 21 Bean Blossom Bridge, hosted by Lory Winford

Aug. 28 TBA, hosted by Katya Alexeeva

Sept. 4 Champs Barn, hosted by Sande Nitti

*Sept. 8 T.C. Steele Great Outdoor Paintout

Sept. 11 Karen & Justice St. Rain’s, hosted by Kitty Garlock

* Indicates Paintout is NOT on the typically scheduled Tuesday

Celebration of Life

James Yang

James Yang

A celebration of the life of James Yang will be held 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Indiana University’s Mathers Museum, 416 N. Indiana Ave.

James, who died May 30 in Taiwan at age 81, was a former Bloomington Watercolor Society member. He imbibed deeply in both eastern and western cultures.

After earning a doctorate in American Literature from IU, he taught English in Taiwan for many years. He was a master of the Chinese arts of brush painting, calligraphy, paper folding, and the erhu, a traditional bowed instrument. In retirement, he and his wife, Jenny, returned to live in Bloomington, where he was an ambassador for Chinese culture, giving numerous presentations to a wide range of groups, including one on calligraphy to BWS. A tribute can be found at http://www.traditionalartsindiana.org/in-memorial-james-min-ching-yang/.

BWS painters at Garden Walk

Nancy Martin, whose garden was featured in the Garden Walk, holds a card painted by Penny Lulich.

Claude Cookman has an appreciative audience as he paints at the Monroe County History Center. The children’s parents are IU graduate students.

Member news

Bean Harvest by Robin Edmundson

Robin Edmundson‘s painting, “Bean Harvest,” took first place in the Landscape Division of the Lawrence County Art Association’s Midsummer Art Competition.

Alex’s Choice
by Claude Cookman

Claude Cookman has a painting accepted into the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s annual juried show. The exhibition runs Aug. 5 through Sept. 29 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Titled “Alex’s Choice,” the abstraction was inspired by Jeanne Dutton’s watercolor classes at the Waldron and Nita Engle’s books and videos. Claude created the base layer by mixing four batches of watercolor, pouring them on the paper and then tilting it to let them run together. “The process allows very little control,” Claude said. “Primarily the medium takes over and sometimes yields delightful surprises.” Some of the textures resulted from techniques that Jeanne taught. The title refers to the fact that Joyce and Claude’s younger son Alex chose this painting as a holiday gift a couple of years ago.

Bloomington Brews
by Candi Bailey

Kathy Barton, Anne-Karine Bley, and Kristen Stamper have a group exhibition at the Shawnee’s Summer Theater in Bloomfield, Ind. Their “Three Sisters Paint” show features watercolor, acrylic, and oil paintings from both plein air adventures and studio work. The show hangs in the theater lobby through July 24 and is open for viewing during box office hours noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday as well as during performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and the Sunday matinee.

Lynne Gilliatt‘s art group will hang a studio show at Meadowwood in August. The reception is Aug. 10, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Candi Bailey, Rose Brenner, Linda Meyer-Wright, and Susan Savastuk had work juried in to The Venue’s Art & Soul of Bloomington show that will hang until July 31.

Rose Brenner will have a show of her paintings at the Waldron Arts Center July 28 through Aug. 25. An opening reception will be Friday, Aug. 3, 5-8 p.m.

IMO

Social media users recognize IMO as an abbreviation for “In My Opinion,” and each month we close by giving you the chance to share your opinion on a specific question.

This month the question is from BWS leadership. They want to know what BWS means to you. What role (creative, social, educational) does it fulfill for you? How has BWS enriched your life? Why are you proud to be a BWS member?

Claude Cookman

I would like a redo on the last issue’s question about what inspires us, because members if BWS are my greatest inspiration. I’m a solitary person, and BWS is the first organization I’ve joined since leaving the Boy Scouts at age 14, but when I look over the shoulders of my artist friends at a BWS paintout, Upland plain air gathering or Portrait Group session, I know I’ve found my home. I am energized, instructed and inspired as I watch these artists put meaning in our motto: “We paint!”

Kathy Barton

BWS has enriched my life in many ways. I have met and made friends, attended workshops, received tips and comments on paintings in progress, been given opportunities to exhibit and show my work in the community. I would recommend the group to anyone who wants to expand their horizons.

Kitty Garlock

What started as and remains my biggest source for ideas and inspiration are the two groups sponsored by BWS: Upland Painters and the Portrait Group. They have introduced me not only to great sites and places I never knew were in Indiana, but they have also provided me with experiences and classes I never would have had. They have made me want to explore media materials on how to paint, be a better painter, to try new things, and to explore more deeply the world of art.

September question for IMO:

If you could offer only one piece of advice to a beginning watercolor artist, what would you say?

Send your 1- to 3-sentence response to Nancy Davis-Metz by Aug. 31, and look for your opinion to be published in the September issue. Please use IMO as your email’s subject line.