Our November 11th Meeting
November’s Meeting will be held at St. Mark’s Church on the Hwy’s 45/46 Bypass from 6 to 8 pm on November 11. Our November meeting will be our last one of the year so don’t miss the chance to come and dip into some warm autumn colors as Suzanne Thorin presents “Painting Botanical: Fall Squash.”
Here is how Suzanne Thorin describes the program she is going to present: “The colors and textures of fall squash invite us to paint them! Their colors include creamy whites, dark greens, browns, and oranges. Many squash have bumps and imperfections that are so rewarding to paint. I will show you examples that botanical artists have created. You can add to these by painting your squash at the November BWS meeting.”
“Bring a squash, tracing paper, pencil, eraser, hot press paper (preferably), paint and smallish brushes. Or, choose a squash from those I will have at the meeting. I will also have hot press paper and tracing paper if you need them.”
Thanks to Jane Matranga
Jane Matranga gave a presentation entitled Painting Pets in Watercolor at our October meeting. As the attached pictures show, her presentation was well received and well attended. In addition to painting on paper, Jane also paints on silk and then uses her paintings to make designer tops and other garments. See her website janematranga.com for more information.
A shot of our Oct. Meeting Jessica McKinney painting at the October Meeting. Valerie Long at work on her painting.
In Memory: Sandra L. Nitti
Sandra L. Nitti, an active member of BWS and Upland Plein Air, passed away on September 27, 2019. Her signature style involved a watercolor base overlaid with pastels. She will be dearly missed. Condolences can be shared online with her family at www.nealandsummers.com or sent to her stepdaughter, Marla Nitti at 8552 St. Louis, Skokie, IL 60076.
Sandra Nitti An example of Sandi’s beautiful painting style.
BWS News
2019 Membership Show. Thanks to everyone who is participating in our Membership Show at the Untitled Light Gallery at the Mill. Thirty two artists have 42 paintings on show. More than 115 people came to celebrate the opening. Special thanks to Jessica McKinney for taking on the job of Chair of our shows this year. The show closes on October 29. If you haven’t gone to see it, now is the time!
Christmas Card Painting at the Mall. Gabe Coleman has given his approval for BWS to paint Christmas cards as part of the Venue’s kiosk at the mall. Jessica McKinney and Jerry Harste have agreed to co-chair this event under the tutelage of Jeanne Dutton, last year’s chair. Jeanne emphasized that our official title is “Visiting Guest Artists of the Venue” and it is important that we act that way, running all requests and transactions through whomever is working the kiosk for the Venue. Needless to say, the chairs need your help, so please sign up to volunteer for a time slot. Two artists are needed for each day. Here are the weekends: November 16 & 17, November 23 & 24, November 30 & December 1, December 7 & 8, December 14 & 15, December 21 & 22. At our November meeting the chairs will pass a sheet around for people to schedule themselves as visiting artists. If you didn’t volunteer last year, you should volunteer this year. It is really fun. Jessica McKinney said it was talking to the artists at the mall last year that convinced her to join BWS. You will hear more about this opportunity by email at the November meeting.
The Art of Chocolate Cookbook. BWS and LIFEDesigns is collaborating on a project to create an Art of Chocolate Cookbook. The deadline is December 1. Recipes have been gathered from area chefs and restaurants. Photos have been submitted and BWS has been invited to illustrate the recipes!
If you want to participate let Jeanne Dutton know and she’ll send you a photo and a copy of a recipe. You can either paint from the photo or make the recipe and paint your final product.
For information and prospectus about the cookbook, go here.
Joanne Weddle deserves our congratulations for her winning design for LIFEDesigns‘ 2020 Month of Chocolate! Jo’s entry for the annual tee shirt contest earned her a prize of $100. Tee shirt sales support programs for people with disabilities, including employment and housing. Watch for the shirts next February, along with the Art of Chocolate cookbooks.
Upland Plein Air Paint Outs. Upland has been busy trying to capture Bloomington’s charming neighborhoods in full color this fall. Hopefully, Brown County State Park will be in peak color October 29 as Upland has a paint out scheduled for Tuesday afternoon from 1 pm to 6 pm. Participants should check in at Ogle Lake and then head out to the spot they wish to paint.
Upland Plein Air wants to remind members that they are more than welcome to participate. Kitty Garlock hosted a West Side Paint Out for Upland on October 15. Claude Cookman hosted a Dunn Street Paint Out for Upland on October 22. Jerry Harste is hosting the Brown County State Part Paint Out. If you don’t have a park pass, catch a ride with someone who does. This paint out was initially scheduled for October 15 but rescheduled to catch the colors at their peak. Don’t miss this opportunity to paint Indiana in full color!
Kitty Garlock at Westside Neighborhood Paint Out Claude Cookman hosted the South Dunn Street Paint Out
Finished painting by Penny Luilch Value Study by Penny Luilich
Hinkle-Garton Farmstead is providing BWS members an opportunity to paint this fall. BWS members can paint topics of their choice between now and November 7. Call the BRI administrative phone 812-890-8550 and let them know when you will be on the grounds and what time you expect to leave. Finished works can be displayed at the Farmstead for the Hinkle-Garton Open Day and Holiday Sale in November. BRI Event Coordinator and volunteer, LeAnn Luce, can be contacted at Lucebella50@gmail.com or 812-890-8550 about drop off for the November 7th Holiday Show.
The Venue’s Ekphrasis Features Three BWS Artists. Three Bloomington Watercolor Society artists were a featured part of The Venue’s fourth Ekphrasis event, held Sunday, October 20 at the gallery on Grant Street.
A Greek word. ekphrasis, refers to a literary description of a visual art. In current practice, poets write poems inspired by a painting, drawing, sculpture or other work of art.
Among the eight artists celebrated were Robin Edmundson, Deborah Rush and Joanne Shank.
Nathan Schmidt compared Robin’s landscape to Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie-style homes. The Bloomington poet, who goes by the name PDVNCH, used double and triple entendres to evoke Deborah’s painting of a teenager in goth. Joanne’s husband Ray Zdonek wrote about her painting.
Joanne Shank Deborah Rush Robin Edmundson
Henry Leck is having an art show entitled La Vie en Rose. The opening reception will be on Friday, November 1, from 4 to 5 pm at 402 W. 6th St., Bloomington. As a painter Henry says, “most of my professional growth has come from my association with fellow Bloomington artists. I am an active member of the Upland Plein Air and the Bloomington Watercolor Society. I also have taken advantage of regular portrait group paintings and live model sessions at Indiana University. What began as a hobby of artistic expression has become a passion. I love to paint realistically, but am growing as an impressionistic landscape artist.”
Candace Bailey had a piece accepted into the 121st Annual Exhibition at the Richmond Art Museum. Candace’s painting entitled “Kirkwood Hall #2” will be on display at the museum from November 7 through January 4. Congratulations Candace!!
Beyond BWS
The Indianapolis Children’s Museum. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has implemented a Visiting Artist Program and is recruiting exceptional visual artists with ties to Indiana who have demonstrated interest and experience in exhibiting, presenting and teaching about their art with children and families. Successful applicants will receive an honorarium and reimbursement for reasonable expenses. Deadline for applications is December 1 (see the museum’s website for further details).
Endwright Center has published their schedule for November Art Classes. Registration is through the Area 10 Agency on Aging in Ellettsville: 812-876-3383, extension 515, or on their website at www.area10agency.org. Their Eastside location is in College Mall, close to Macy’s. This trial programming on the Eastside is currently only available for 2019, to be reevaluated next year based on interest level and resources. The location has a receptionist to assist those interested in joining. Program Director is Na’Kia Jones.
Michael’s Art Store is is now carrying Daniel Smith watercolor tubes. Interested members can also get a set of Daniel Smith watercolor tubes with Daniel Smith ground, and, if they have a coupon, it’s 20% off the original price.
Stephen Edwards Workshop. The Watercolor Society of Indiana will hold its 2020 Spring Retreat at Waycross Camp and Conference Center in Brown County on April 24-26. featuring Stephen Edwards. Stephen will be sharing what he has learned from British masters and his own experience regarding how to maintain vibrant colors while keeping composition, design, value, and mood in the forefront. WSI’s retreat is a time to learn, relax, and meet fellow Indiana artists. Enrollment information is available on the WSI website.
Dongfeng Li Workshop. The Morehead Art Guild of Kentucky is hosting a two-day workshop, entitled “Painting the Landscape in Watercolor” on November 1 & 2 (Laughlin Building, Room 202, 230 University Blvd., Morehead, KY). Dongfeng Li will show participants how to paint easy landscapes that capture the atmosphere of the scene. The class will cover four topics — skies, backgrounds, foregrounds, trees. The class teaches important brush and application techniques in addition how to mix colors effectively. For more information, contact Kathy McGrath (606-776-4415 or ckmcgrath67@gmail.com).
Missouri Watercolor Society. Executive Director David Anderson sent a note saying that the 2019 MOWS International Show is open for entries to members as well as those wishing to join the organization. The deadline is December 13. This year’s paintings will be hung in either the Barcelona Academy of Art or the European Museum of Contemporary Art. MOWS is hoping to give out $25,000 in awards with the Best of Show receiving $3500. Tom Schaller will select 150 paintings for the show, double the amount usually selected. The prospectus as to how to enter painting in this show can be found on the MOWS website.
**Photographs in the November issue of Brushstrokes courtesy of Candace Bailey, Babette Ballinger, Kathleen Barton, Claude Cookman, Jeanne Dutton, Charlotte Griffin, Henry Leck, Nancy Metz, and Susan Thorin.
IMO
The question for this month was “What Is Your Favorite Art Book?”
“My favorite artist is Ray Campbell Smith. While all of his books are good, my favorite is Watercolour Work-Out. I especially like his use of subtle earth tones in his landscape paintings.” — Candace Bailey
“If not a certified addict, I am certainly a frequent flyer in the 751.422 shelves of the Monroe County Public Library. Few are the watercolor books I have not checked out at least once. Currently, I’m reading Ron Ranson On Skies: Techniques in Watercolour and Other Media. Ranson is in the fast-and-loose school and a fierce proponent of the “don’t fiddle” dictum. In his books and videos, he advocates and demonstrates using the hake brush, whose width and soft bristles make fussy, detailed work impossible.” – Claude Cookman
“If you want to learn about painting on silk, I have two favorites: The Complete Book of Silk Painting (Diane Tuckman & Jan Janus) and Silk Painting: The Artisit’s Guide to Gutta and Wax Resist Techniques (Susan Louise Moyer).”— Jane Matranga
“My favorite books are really novels. The first is called Museum by Danny Danziger. It is a book about what goes on behind the scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It contains over 50 interviews with people who work there – from waiters to curators. My second recommendation is The Art Forger by Barbara Shapiro. After a huge art heist in Boston, a struggling young artist learns there is more to this crime than meets the eye. I would love it if everyone would put these two books on your reading list and share what you thought about them in the next Newsletter. I’m hoping we can start a BWS Book Club.”— Candace Bailey
Next Month’s IMO
Candace Bailey has a DVD copy o the movie Maudie. Set in Nova Scotia, staring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawks, the movie is based on a true story of a woman with severe arthritis who is hired as a housekeeper by a reclusive fishmonger and becomes a folk artist. If you haven’t seen it, put it on your Must See list. If you do not have access to Netflix or some other type of streaming device, Kathy is willing to lend you her DVD. After you watch it, send us your thoughts. Maudie will be the topic of our next IMO.
