Sept. 13
BWS goes in-person (as well as online)
Greetings! Our new administrative year of 2021-2022 will begin with our first in-person and simultaneous Zoom Show and Share meeting. For at least this month we will limit onsite participation to only 25. I emailed members in late August a link to sign up to attend in person. All the details concerning the Sept. 13 meeting are in that email. [You can also find the link and details about the meeting in a Sept. 3 email from Carol Rhodes.]
In September we will have a two-day workshop with Carol Carter and a trip to The Lume exhibit in Indianapolis. In October/November our annual membership show will take a place in the Viridian Moon Gallery.
Kathy Barton graciously stepped up to help with the publicity for our October show, and Andy Roberts (our 1st VP) offered to help as needed. And now I need other members to help with future publicity through individual small assignments. Please consider either helping with one assignment or becoming the Publicity Chair, and let me know. My contact info is available in the membership roster.
Joanna Samorow-Merzer
BWS President, 2021-2022
Sept. 13 meeting logistics
- If you are vaccinated and wearing a mask, you can attend in-person at the First Christian Church’s Great Hall, 205 E. Kirkwood, but you MUST sign up at this site: https://tinyurl.com/BWSsignup. To make this work, you need to use it on a personal computer or else download an app. If that is inconvenient, contact Carol Rhodes and she will add you to the signup sheet. This measure is being taken to avoid overcrowding.
- To attend the meeting via Zoom, look for the link in an email from Joanna Samorow-Merzer or from Carol Rhodes.
- Free parking is available in the IU Poplars Garage on Sixth Street, across from the Runcible Spoon. Pay parking is available on the streets and in the Fourth Street Garage, across from the former Waldron building.
- If attending the meeting in person, dress in layers as windows will be open to facilitate ventilation.
- The program will be a Show-and-Share session with in-person and Zoom attendees showing the works they have done this summer.
Oct. 1 – Nov. 13
Annual Membership Show
at Viridian Moon Art Gallery
“Celebrate Life” is the theme of this year’s Membership Show that will hang Oct. 1 – Nov. 13 at Viridian Moon Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd., Suite B. An Opening Reception is scheduled at the Viridian Moon Gallery on Oct. 9.
To enter, one’s membership dues must be paid for 2021. Paintings should be created with aqua media on a two-dimensional substrate. Please note, the term watercolor excludes encaustic or oil. Watercolor paintings may include other mediums (collage, pastel, pen and ink, etc.) as long as their use does not exceed 50 percent of the work. Each member may submit only one painting. The painting may be as small as a 10 x 12 framed. The maximum size is 24 inches including the frame. There will be an entry fee of $20, but there is no commission fee. All paintings submitted must be new to a BWS show, created without the help of an instructor, and suitable for public viewing. They must be created as original pieces; copying published imagery is not permitted. Artists shall consent to the photographing of artwork for the purposes of cataloging, publicizing and/ or archiving of the show.
Artwork should be matted and framed with flat hangers. No sawtooth hangers or screw eyes are permitted. Wires should be stretched tightly and attached 1/3 of the way down the vertical dimension. Neutral matting and framing is encouraged.
The show prospectus details labeling and delivery instructions. It is available at https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/prospectus/. If you are unable to deliver your painting yourself, please make arrangements for someone else to do so.
It is strongly encouraged that art be for sale; however, this is not a requirement. Purchases will be handled by Viridian Moon Gallery. There is no commission fee. Purchaser may take painting at time of the sale. Another framed painting of the same size and by the same artist can be hung to take the place of the sold art.
The BWS Artist Biography Binder will be available for patrons during the show. Please consider including your information. Bring a printed copy of the biography you want included on delivery day.
Email invitations will be sent out near the time of the show opening. Help promote the show and BWS by forwarding the invitations and posting them on social media. Please consider submitting, for publicity purposes, an image of the painting you will show. Images need to be submitted to Jacki Frey no later than Sept. 20. Questions not answered by a careful reading of the prospectus can be answered by Jacki Frey, Kathy Barton, Kitty Garlock, or Cathy Korineck as well as by Andy Roberts, BWS 1st VP. See the prospectus for Jacki Frey’s contact information: https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/prospectus/.
Important Show Dates
Sept. 20: Submit images for publicity to Jacki Frey
Sept. 29: Deliver art to Viridian Moon Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd., Suite B, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Oct. 9: Reception at Viridian Moon Gallery
BWS MEMBERS and GUESTS:
Announcing the BWS Road Trip to THE LUME: Van Gogh
Thursday, Sept. 30
TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED
Cost $16 per person
MASKS REQUIRED ON THE BUS and at NEWFIELDS
You are invited to join your watercolor friends on a road trip to Indianapolis to visit the wonderful all-sensory exhibit at THE LUME. https://discovernewfields.org/lume.
Please read and discover all the details and how to register at https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/special-activity-for-members.
BWS Welcomes New Members
In August BWS boosted its membership roster with the addition of five new members:
- George Beckerman
- Laura Brown
- Rita Davis
- Zain Mackey
- Shari Ross
Most have signed up for the Carol Carter workshop in September, but we hope we will also see our new members at upcoming meetings on the second Monday of the month — whether in person or on Zoom! Glad to have all of you joining our organization!
Oct. 9
Last paint-out of 2021
BWS has reserved the shelter at Switchyard Park for its final paint-out of the year. The park is full of interesting features to paint, including children playing, skateboarders, dogs in a dog park, walking trails, woods and grasslands.
Traditionally, the final paint-out is a combined luncheon picnic with shared food. COVID alters these plans. It is probable that each of us will be responsible for our own food. Masks and social distancing will most likely be required except when eating lunch.
Please watch for updated information closer to the date.
Story Inn paint-out
Many members show work
at Bloomington Portrait Group’s
exhibition at Viridian Moon
An exhibition by the Bloomington Portrait Group continues at Viridian Moon Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd., through Wednesday, Sept. 29. Gallery hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, go to https://www.viridianmoon.art/events.
You might think about the portrait group as the grandchild of BWS. It is an offshoot of Upland Plein Air, which grew out of BWS. The three groups share many members.
For this exhibition, 18 artists submitted 58 images. Gallery owner Irina Shishova was able to hang 46.
“It’s been three years since our first exhibition,” said BPG director Claude Cookman, “and we were not sure what to expect. We are delighted and impressed by the wide range of styles, the high level of technical skill, and the deep level of inner character the artists have captured.”
Many of the models are well-known Bloomington personalities. It is particularly interesting to compare how several artists visualize the same models. The exhibition also documents the Covid-19 era with several self-portraits featuring masks.
BPG has resumed in-person sessions outdoors at Bloomington’s Switchyard Park. They will move to an indoor venue in late October. There are no dues, but participants share the cost of the model. If you would like to paint or draw at these sessions, please contact Claude Cookman.
Above left: Meri Reinhold describes the process she used for creating her self portrait to Barbara Coffman and Kitty Garlock. Top right: Jane Matranga and Cassidy Young share a moment in front of Cassidy’s portrait of her son. Bottom right: BWS President Joanna Samorow-Merzer studies one of the portraits. All photos by Claude Cookman
Member News
Tim Lewis shares two small commission watercolors he completed in August. His latest watercolor, “Blowin’ in the Wind” graces the top of this month’s Brushstrokes. It is an 11 x 15 inch painting of the beautiful red and yellow leaves on a sapling spotted in West Park in Carmel, Ind. “They were quite striking against the cloudless, autumn sky – a great memory of a beautiful day,” Tim says.
Left: Five Siblings by Tim Lewis/Right: The First by Tim Lewis
Kriste Lindberg writes: “Why don’t you just get your art journal back out, again?” That was the comment from a friend as we wrapped up a stormwater art project on Kirkwood during Pridefest 2021. Our conversation of connecting people to education of a subject through art had evolved into one of how to connect to the heart (I had experienced that during a vacation 12 years ago with fellow BWS members Joanne Weddle and Jan Britton). Sometimes it just takes a little nudge. The next day, Sunday morning, I grabbed my art journal, a coffee mug, and headed back downtown… Thanks to our sponsors, Pridefest 2021 volunteers, and Bloomington Paint & Wallpaper.
Robin Edmundson will be part of a small group show at the Hoosier Salon Gallery in New Harmony, Ind. “Falling for Art” will hang at the gallery, 507 Church St. in New Harmony Sept. 25 to Nov. 7. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday. https://hoosiersalon.org/new-harmony-current-exhibition/.
Sandy Hall’s paintings: The Workman, The Guardian and A Monet Moment
“The Workman” by Sandy Hall was chosen for the Watercolor Society of Indiana exhibit in Indianapolis. The show is on view now thru Sept 25 at Newfields. Another of her paintings, “The Guardian,” received an honorable mention in July’s Blackford County juried show. Sandy also participated in Fort Wayne’s Artist Guild Kekionga Plein Air event in late July. She worked in watercolor this time around. “A Monet Moment,” a fluid acrylic piece will be at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 232 S. Downey Ave. in Indianapolis through Nov. 13.
Paintings By Stephen Edwards: Studio Windows, After a Spring Rain, and Looking for Patch
Stephen Edwards received Best Of Show for “Studio Windows” at the Indiana Artists’ Club Member Exhibit which is being displayed at the Richmond Art Museum in Richmond, Ind., now through Sept. 25. The juror was David Mueller. Stephen also received the First Place Award in Watercolor at the Hoosier Salon for “After a Spring Rain.” A second painting, “Slow Summer Stream” was also accepted. The Salon is being shown at the Indiana State Museum now through Oct. 24. The juror was Paula Swaydan Grebel. “Looking For Patch” was accepted into the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 42nd International Watercolor Exhibit. Awards have not been announced for this exhibit. The show will be only online starting Sept. 25 due to COVID-19 protocols. The juror was Lana Privitera.
The Good Earth #2 The Good Earth #1
Jerry Harste writes: “I am pleased to report that ‘The Good Earth #2’ was juried into the 2021 Northstar Watermedia Society’s Annual Show. A sister painting, ‘The Good Earth #1,’ was rejected. Given that these paintings feature the house and barn on my family’s farm, I thought it only appropriate that I submit them for showing in a Minnesota-based watercolor society. More good news! A nephew has written to say that he wished to purchase both paintings.”
Beyond BWS
The Richmond Art Museum’s 123rd Annual Exhibition by Indiana and Ohio Artists will be on display Nov. 4 through Jan. 8. The postmark deadline for entering this juried show is Oct. 1 with delivery of works Oct. 7-9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the Prospectus at https://richmondartmuseum.org/annual-exhibition/ for complete information.
As part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Brown County State Park, the Brown County Art Gallery Artists Association is working with state tourism folks and the DNR to hold a Paint Out in the Park Oct. 22-24.
Artists can paint anytime and anywhere in the park during regular hours on those days. All artists must register with the Gallery by calling 812-988-4609. There is no fee. When entering the park, tell the gatekeeper you are with the Brown County State Park Paint Out and you will not be charged admission.
Paintings may be dropped off at the Gallery, 1 Artist Dr., Nashville, anytime during regular business hours during the Paint Out. The Art Education Studio at the Brown County Art Gallery will be open for those who want to finish up work or prefer to paint in studio.
On Sunday Oct. 24 the Brown County Art Gallery will open its doors at noon and paintings will go on sale. Each artist will fill out a consignment sheet. The Gallery will transact all sales with a 10 percent commission to the Art Association. The Gallery will be open at 10 a.m. for early take in. No sales can be made in the park per DNR restrictions.
Painting may be picked up before closing Oct. 24 or left in the Gallery to be picked up starting Nov. 1. Paintings left behind cannot be picked up before that date due to Gallery events.
If artists choose to paint before Oct. 22, they will have to pay their own entry. They still must register with the Gallery.
Calendar
Now – Sept. 29 Bloomington Portrait Group at Viridian Moon Art Gallery
Sept. 13 BWS Monthly Meeting in-person and on Zoom. 6 p.m.
Sept. 20 Deadline for submitting images of paintings being shown in the Member Show (See Prospectus https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/prospectus/.
Sept. 29 Deliver Member Show paintings to Viridian Moon Art Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd. between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Sept. 30 BWS Road Trip to LUME at Newfields for the Van Gogh immersive experience
Oct. 1 – Nov. 13 BWS Member Show at Viridian Moon Art Gallery, 1600 W Bloomfield Rd.
Oct. 9 Membership Show Opening Reception
Oct. 9 Last Paint-out of 2021, Switchyard Park
Oct. 22-24 Brown County State Park Paint Out
