Photo taken at May Creek Farms Paint-Out by Deborah Rush

Meeting–June 10

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, June 10, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.

Remember: BWS is taking a summer break from business meetings! We’ll resume in September. Meanwhile, watch your email for announcements of summer activities.

Following the Business Meeting, Carol Rhodes and Nancy Metz will lead the evening’s program.

“Discovering your Artistic Voice”

“Every artist from beginner to professional possesses a unique voice: rich and powerful, shaped by their experiences and stories. This voice is encouraged to grow with practice and thought–not fabricated, but discovered. Your inner artistic voice is intrinsic and can be found in everyday experiences and choices in your life, reflected in things like personal handwriting, home decor, music, and favorite conversations. Your internal voice is always evolving; it is driven by continuous growth and inspiration, and your art will correspondingly change over time.

In our upcoming meeting on June 10, Nancy Metz and Carol Rhodes, along with four panelists (Jerry Harste, Jacki Frey, Zain Mackey, and Tim Lewis) will explore “Discovering Your Artistic Voice” and guide you in identifying and nurturing your own distinct style.

For the workshop, bring 3-5 photos of your artwork that you particularly LIKE (cell phone or tablet is fine)  plus a pencil and paper to jot down some thoughts.  You will use these for some exercises.”

REMINDER: Those who made folded journals in the May meeting are encouraged to bring their partial or completed work to share at the June meeting!

Inside BWS

Be an “Artist in the Garden” at the Garden Walk

Saturday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday June 23, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Whether it’s the potting shed, the statuary, the vegetables, a magnolia tree in bloom, annual flowers or perennial flowering shrubs, you can find something to paint at one of the Bloomington Garden Club’s Garden Walk!

Want to go with a paint pal?  Four of the six gardens have room for two artists.  The attached descriptions explain which gardens can host more than one, so please read the attached to find one you might like.

(This year, there is a bit of confusion on the map about the numbering scheme for the gardens so let’s refer to the gardens by the street address and the owners’ names.)

Participating artist earn a free ticket for the day they aren’t painting.  Just tell Kathy when you sign up.

Remember – this is a rain or shine event (within reason since a deluge of rain and paint don’t play well together).  

Kathy Truelove Barton will be maintaining a signup sheet for each day.  She will be sending reminders a few days ahead. If you need to cancel, please let Kathy know ASAP.

Descriptions of the Gardens

The first 2 of the gardens are compact and have space for only 1 artist each.

Jeff Soper & Erica Burrin — 900 w 2^nd Street

There’s something for everyone here.  A huge magnolia shades a splashing pond and a cool and calm dining retreat. Birds and their feeders abound.  A small garden produces veggies. A charming playhouse is tucked in surrounded by a bounty of native and colorful plantings.

 Joe & Merridee La Mantia – 82- W Howe Street

This small sunny garden uses space wisely. Tree peonies and annuals grown by seed fill the space between sidewalk and the street.  In the back yard a “start” from a relative produced a jaw-dropping arbor covered with plump grapes.   Willow trees offer privacy and their branches have been used in art projects. 

The rest of the gardens below can each host 2 artists.

Beth Applegate & Trish Kerle – 911 W 3^rd Street

Once you walk through the gate, you will be WOWED by this large, imaginative, and intricately designed garden.  The path which is bordered by flowers and sculptures leads you to an infinity loop which spirals into a tour of more trees, plants, flowers, sculptures, and art. 

Richard Balaban & Julie Bloom – 1916 E Ruby Lane

Welcome to the Zen Garden. This owner had problems to solve.  Large trees and the lack of sun dictated the garden design and plant selection.  Run off from a steep slope was diverted to create an attractive rock-filled dry stream bed.  A small fountain and wisteria arbor combined to create a cool, calm retreat.

Vidan & Trace Jovanovic – 1209 S Pickwick Place

The front gardens give a clue to what is to come.   Annuals planted among perennials provide summer long color. Zinnias of all types and colors grown from seed are favored by the owner.  Beds of vegetables; heirloom tomatoes among them, create a continual feast for the tummy as well as the eyes.

Bob & Nancy Miller – 2369 E Linden Hill Drive

The owners designed, labored, and immersed their lives into creating this magnificent large hydrangea heaven.  A walkway much like a tour takes you by a whimsical potting shed and off to see a tremendous variety of hydrangeas, Conifers, alliums, and imaginative vignettes.

Membership Renewal Time

Andy Roberts, BWS Membership Chair, wrote to say, “Just a reminder that membership renewal time is here and that our dues are still only $35.00 per year. Please go to our website: https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/ and click “Join Us” at top of the page. The alternative ways to remit and instructions are easy to follow. We look forward to another exciting year and extend an invitation to join us in all our many creative art activities along with our monthly meetings.

In closing, I would first like to thank all the members of BWS and especially the Executive Board that has allowed me the privilege of serving with them and BWS membership the past three years. I have enjoyed all that being an officer entails and would encourage those that have never served in this capacity to step out of your comfort zone and give it a try. It is personally rewarding as well as a great service to the Bloomington Arts Community.

Announcing the 2024 BWS Scholarship Winner!

The Scholarship Committee, led by Sarah Ward, is pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 BWS Scholarship.  Graduating from BHSS with an exceptional GPA and headed for Washington University, Miss Seongwon Park explains her education goal:

“My interest in communication design was sparked by the use of symbols in Mexico’s metro stations, aiding navigation during times of high illiteracy. This intersection of art and communication deeply resonated with me, inspiring my ambition to create impactful designs. In college, I plan to pursue interdisciplinary studies alongside a focus on visual communication design, aiming to convey messages through thoughtful visual elements. 

In the long term, I aspire to become a graphic or UX designer, or even a product designer, dedicated to creating designs that enhance the lives of minority groups such as immigrants, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. I aim to find creative solutions for effective communication and propose innovative ideas that improve daily life. As an immigrant myself, I relate to the challenges they face and hope to address them through my unique designs.”

Seongwon is shown here receiving the First Place Award for her entry in Bloomington’s 2024 Eco-Heroes contest.  (Photo credit: Kriste Lindberg via City of Bloomington’s Environmental Commission).

Seong’s artwork is outstanding in many mediums, including this mixed media creation titled “Rotating Through Memories and Dreams.”

May Creek Farm Paint-Out

Kathy Truelove Barton sent in a picture of BWS’ Paint-Out at May Creek Farms. She reported, “Many thanks to Sara Steffy McQueen, Sharon Parsons, and Betty Wagoner who were the hostess for the paint out at May Creek Farm during May. The day was sunny and pleasant. We had access to flower gardens, painting tables in the shelter house which opens to a pond.  Some folks painted on easels on the dam looking toward the pond and beyond. We had about 11 artists painting that day, including Jeanne Dutton, Sarah Ward, Linda Brandstetter Ann Woods, Bruce Kell, Krista August, and Charlotte Griffin and her sister Carolyn Frey.

Artists are invited to bring their paintings  to the June meeting to share.

SHARE YOUR ART – HAVE AN EXHIBIT and
SUPPORT  CSC ART PROGRAMS

Two years ago, the Cancer Support Community and BWS partnered to create the Bloomington Watercolor Society Gallery and it’s been a fine success.  Participating artists have seen combined sales of over $6500, averaging $650 per show!

The BWS Gallery is located at 1719 W Third (that’s at the intersection of West Third and Landmark Avenue) in the CSC facility. Great benefits for Exhibiting Artists include:

• CSC hosts an Opening Reception on the 2nd Friday of the first month of the exhibit.
• CSC provides professional marketing materials to support each exhibit.
• CSC provides publicity through their mailing lists, social media, etc.
• Staff assists the artist in hanging the show

Thirty Feet of wall space is available to display your 2-D artwork using a STAS rail system. 

Racks for greeting cards and prints and unframed originals are available.

Artists retain 70% of sales, while the remaining 30% supports the CSC art programs.
Share the Fun – Grab a Fellow Artist and have a DUO SHOW! APPLY NOW!  

All of 2025 is open!

Contact Emily at CSC to apply: emily@cancersupportscin.org (812) 233-3286 

CSC holds programs 3-4 times per week, and the Gallery is open to the public Tuesday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The gallery will generally be available during normal office hours.

Currently exhibiting “Fields, Flowers, and Felines” are Barbara Coffman, Linda Branstetter, and Jeanne Dutton, now through the end of August. A reception is scheduled for Friday, July 12, from 4:00-7:00.

BWS to Participate in IU’s Mini University

BWS has been invited to participate in the Eskenazi Art Museum part of IU Mini-University.  Five artists from BWS can show how they do their art to participants attending Mini-University.  One hour is required on June 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Eskenazi.  A table and a chair can be requested along with a parking pass.  Laura Brown, Claude Cookman, Jamela Jafari, Jane Matranga, and Arkady Roytman have signed up for this opportunity. 

In July BWS & Upland Will Share a Paint Out

BWS and Upland are joining forces again this July for a paint out extraordinaire! We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to paint at the home of Karen Pacific and David Shipley who, through their love of flowers and art, have created stunning sculptures and gardens that we get to enjoy and paint!  Besides many garden areas and vistas to choose from they have chickens, horses, a donkey, pastures, little out buildings, a big barn, and a uniquely charming home.  This is a paint out you do not want to miss.

Date: Saturday July 20th
Time:  9:00-1:00|
Place:  Home of Karen Pacific and David Shipley, 1600 W. Dittemore Rd., Gosport
Carpooling is encouraged as parked cars tend to distract from the view.
A map will follow when the invitation is sent closer to the time of the paint out.

Photograph compliments of Kitty Garlock

Dali Alive!

BWS is sponsoring a road trip in late July to Newfields to see the LUME exhibit, “Dali Alive!”

The exhibit includes four original and amazing watercolors Dali created as opera set designs.  The LUME videos are mesmerizing!

Transportation provided by Rural Transit.  Be sure to watch your email around July 1 for all the details on time and cost for reservations.

A Little Bit of History

Linda Branstetter, BWS Historian, sent in this note: “Wylie House exhibited paintings from Bloomington Watercolor Society March 1st to April 30th, 2014 from a previous paint out in July of the  gardens, museum, and docents in period attire.”

Outside BWS

T. C. Steele Member Art Show

The show is open to all members of Friends of T.C. Steele or to
non-members who apply for membership while completing the show’s entry
form. BWS artists are invited to enter their artwork in the show.

Information and entry form are found at:
https://tcsteele.org/2024-member-art-show-registration/

Show dates: August 3 -24, 2024 at Brown County Art Gallery, Nashville, IN.
Registration deadline: July 22, 2024
Delivery of Artwork: July 27- 28, 2024
Reception and Awards Ceremony: Aug. 3, 2024, 2-4 pm
Pick-up Artwork:  Aug. 25-26, 2024

Judge: Caleb Weintraub, Assoc. Professor, Area Head of Painting, and Director of Undergraduate at the Eskenazi School of Arts, Architecture, and Design at Indiana University.

All levels of art experience accepted.  Award categories: Professional, Amateur/Emerging Artists, and Youth. Parents, grandparents, art tutors and teachers, please encourage young artists to enter the show.

Professional 2023 First Place; Photo Compliments of Betty Wagoner

Watercolor Society of Indiana

Tim Lewis, WSI President sent in this list of upcoming WSI events:

• The Watercolor Society of Indiana Annual Member’s Show opens June 14th at Gallery Forty-Two, 42 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, with a public reception at 6:00 pm. The show runs through July 26th.
• The Watercolor Society of Indiana Annual Juried Show opens August 2nd at the Waller Gallery in the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields in Indianapolis. There is a a public reception and awards ceremony on August 4th at 2:00 pm and the show runs through September 28th.
• There are several demonstrations and workshops by well known artists available through the Watercolor Society of Indiana over the next several months. Check out the WSI website for details: https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/

Membership News

Jerome Harste. While I don’t know whom to credit, I found this delightful poem on Facebook and decided it just had to be shared:

Tim Lewis. I have two new watercolors:

• “Eventually” is a 15” x 22” watercolor of a local tavern near the OSU campus in Columbus, OH.

• “Day’s End” is a 15” x 11” watercolor of three sandhill cranes returning to the Platt river in Nebraska to nest for the night.

Susan Savastuck. Susan shared her painting “Spring Iris After Dark.” Then added, “One more thing: Final Gallery Walk Reception at Bloomingfoods  West : “Portraits in Pointillism.”

“Spring Iris After Dark” by Susan Savastuck

“Portraits in Pointillism” by Susan Savastruck

Andy Roberts. I have two recent paintings to share. Both paintings have been in some stage of completion for several months but I recently took time to complete them.

First: Owensburg District School- circa 1955 – was my school from 1st thru 8th grades. I have a lot of fond memories and some exaggerated stories from my days at Owensburg School. I am proud to finally put the image on paper. Pen and Ink- Watercolor 

Second: Gnaw Bone Camp- Gnaw Bone, Indiana – a summer camp for girls that has been in operation for 50+ years and is a great place to paint en Plein Air. Pen and Ink- Watercolor. 

Kitty Garlock. This painting was done at Terra Flora north of Bloomington and I always wanted to put something silhouetted in the very bright large space at the center right…an animal , person, a little thing of interest…any idea or suggestions as to do or not do?

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 10 – BWS Meeting – “Finding Your Artist Voice.”
June 12 – Eskenazi Museum of Art, BWS artist providing “live art.” Registration required.
June 22-23 – Garden Walk.
July TBD – Dali Alive! Road Trip to Newfields.
July 20 – Paint Out, Kitty Garlock, hosting, location TBA.
August 10 – Paint Out at Owen Valley Winery, April Bledsoe and Zoe Dean, hosting.
September 9 – BWS meetings resume. Show and share summer work.

“May is the most beautiful month of the year, a month alive with warm color. The flowers and trees are in full bloom, and even the sun joins this rhapsody be emitting warmer rays.”
— Lillian Berliner, And The Month Was May: A Memoir
— Painting, JCHarste

MEETING

Jeanne Dutton to Demonstrate Journal Making, May 13

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, May 13, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the upper room as work is being completed in the room we usually meet in. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.

Following the meeting, Jeanne Dutton will demonstrate how to create artist journals via different ways of folding watercolor paper. 

Making a sketchbook out of a single piece of paper is a handy trick to have up your sleeve! These versatile sketchbooks can be made in a variety of sizes and used for drawing exercises, specific projects, special gifts, or even to accompany you on a plein air outing!  

Easy to pack, take one on your summer vacation.  Make them with the grandkids and create special memories.  Remember, these journals aren’t fine art, they’re FUN art!

 Jeanne says, “I love to pick a theme, gather quotations related to the theme, then get creative with my illustrations!  The folds create pockets which can be filled with bookmarks, tiny paintings, or other ephemera.”

Jeanne will also bring several samples to, hopefully, inspire you!

Supplies to bring:
A full or half sheet of 140# watercolor paper, plus a few smaller sizes.
Scissors
A bone folder for pressing creases
Ideas for your theme
Quotations related to that theme  
Bring whatever medium you want to start your journal with – pencil, pens, watercolor pens, etc.

Photo by Jeanne Dutton

INSIDE BWS

Presidential Notes of Thanks

Thank you to MarySue Schwaab, BWS Signature member, who presented the April program, “Using Color and White Space Effectively,” and discussed layering, using transparent watercolors.

Here’s a sample from the audience.

And kudos to Daniel Goebbert for sharing his Eclipse inspired painting at the meeting.

A Note of Urgency

Laura Brown, BWS Vice President, wrote to say:

“As I mentioned at one of the meetings, BWS activities are made possible by artists like YOU!  There are a couple spots where we are in need of volunteers to make things possible this year.   The hats to wear are very different from one another, so please read the entire email so you don’t miss what might be a perfect fit for you!  

First off, every year for awhile now we have been taking a bus up to the Newfields Museum of Art in Indianapolis to see the LUME exhibit, a 360 walkthrough immersive art experience which has focused on great artists of the past.   From the Impressionists to Van Gogh, this year’s exhibit is Salvador Dali! However, we still don’t have a trip coordinator to help make arrangements with the museum, verify our transportation, send reminder emails, and overall ensure a fun experience for our members.   Without a coordinator, we will not be able to arrange this trip this year, something we all surely wouldn’t want to miss out on. Note, Dali Alive! closes on June 20.

Secondly, if you’re someone that would prefer to work behind the scenes, we have the perfect spot for you! We are in need of someone to edit Brushstrokes, our monthly online newsletter. It is the homebase for all our organization’s news, recaps, and upcoming events.    Right from home, you could be the one that helps build a solid record of BWS events and a go-to spot for members and the public alike.

If you are willing to step up to the plate, please for either of these please contact info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org

Paint Out at May Creek Farm

Announcing the first BWS paint-out of the season!

Please join BWS and Upland artists at the May Creek Farm for a morning of plein air painting on May 18 from 10 am to 1 pm.  The beautiful rural farm offers a large grassy area surrounded by forest and a large pond with a babbling brook and outbuildings.  In short, plenty of scenes to paint! 

Directions:  Head south on Rockport Road from S Rogers Street for about 8 miles. Look for a tall address sign on the left and the BWS sign.  Park on the gravel parking lot and please be sure not to block someone’s driveway.

A shelter house and a large porch offer protection from the sun or the rain!   A coffee pot and refrigerator are also available.  

Transportation from the parking area is available for those with mobility challenges.

Hosts Betty Wagoner and Sara Steffey McQueen will be there to welcome you.Questions?  Email info@BloomingtonWatercolor.org or call 812 420-0695.

Cancer Support Community Center

Jeanne Dutton, Barbara Coffman, & Linda Branstetter will be the featured artists at the South Center Indiana Community Cancer Support Center through May and June. The Exhibit is entitled, “Flowers, Fields, and Felines.” The opening reception will be May 10 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Historical Tidbit

Linda Branstetter, BWS Historian, sent in this little bit of history from June 2, 2014.  Troy Kilgore, Tricia Wente, and Jerome Harste were three Bloomington artists among 15 Indiana artists chosen for the Hoosier Salon Annual Exhibition that was on display through August of 2014 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Historical Center in Indianapolis.  This was Harste’s first time being a part of the exhibit.  

Hoosier Salon has exhibited art from many of Indiana’s most notable painters, sculptors, cartoonists, and mixed media artists including Hoosier group artists, members of Brown County Art Colony, and other artists with ties to Indiana.

OUTSIDE BWS

Artists for Climate Awareness: Workshop, May 11

MarySue Schwab wrote to say, “Sign up for my watercolor workshop on May 11th at Ivy Tech Community College, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Painting Pollinators, Birds, Butterflies and Bees. I’ll share some thing I’ve learned about bird anatomy, choosing the best reference photo, and various watercolor techniques.”

This workshop on pollinators is sponsored by Artists for Climate Awareness.

“We’ll delve into the world of pollinators through watercolor. This special event aligns with World Migratory Bird Day, spotlighting the vital role of birds and insects as pollinators. Our artistic journey will revolve around the intricate beauty of pollinators. From butterflies to bees, dragonflies to hummingbirds, we invite participants to capture the essence of these vital creatures through the graceful strokes of watercolor. You can bring your own photo references or subjects will be provided.

Autumn Brunelle, full-time naturalist for Monroe County Parks and Recreation (and annual Bugfest coordinator), will provide education about pollinators as well as information about the Indiana Master Naturalist Program and the Monroe County Parks and Recreation’s environmental programs.”

To learn more and register, go to https://artistsforclimateawareness.org/event/celebrating-pollinators-in-watercolor/.

Watercolor Society of Indiana: Two Announcements!!

Membership Show: The Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Annual Members’ Show will be at Gallery Forty-Two at 42 East Washington St., Indianapolis, from June 14th through July 26th. There is a public reception on June 14th from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.

Call to Artists for Entries: The Watercolor Society of Indiana Annual Juried Exhibition is accepting entries from members until 5:00 p.m. on May 24th. This Exhibition will be at the Indianapolis Museum of Art from August 2nd through September 28th. More information and a prospectus is available on the WSI website at https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/ where you can also see information about upcoming classes, demonstrations and regional exhibitions.

Hoosier Art Salon: Call to Artists for Entries

Celebrating 100 Years, the Hoosier Art Salon’s Annual Exhibition will take place at the Indiana State Museum from August 26 until October 22. Apply online from May 6 to June 16 at juriedartservices.com. For complete rules visit hoosierartsalon.org.

$100,000 in Artist’s Awards and Commissions are hoping to be distributed!!

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Gene Harrawood. His is something I’m working on:

Here are some I finished.

Tim Lewis. I was accepted to be represented by a new gallery. Gallery 02 is located at 1115 Broadway in Fort Wayne and will hold a grand opening celebration from 5 until 8 p.m. on May 4th. I will have six watercolors available and on display at the opening including “Snowed In” and “Ghosts Of Fenns.”

“Snowed In” – 22” x 15” watercolor, Tim Lewis, Artist

“Ghosts Of Fenns” – 16” x 12” watercolor, Tim Lewis, Artist

Carolyn Roger Richard. For the month of May, I will be a Featured Artist at the Hoosier Artist Gallery, a cooperative gallery in Nashville, Indiana.  Also featured is Anabel Hopkins of Nashville.  There will be an Art Walk on Friday, May 4th from 4 to 7 p.m. All are invited to attend. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day at 45 S. Jefferson St., Nashville, IN, directly behind the Brown County Art Guild.

One of the paintings being shown by Carolyn Roger Richards at the Hoosier Art Gallery

Zain Mackey. I’ve been having fun working with shapes and color mixing with abstracts. This painting “Ova Over Texas,” along with some older work is headed to the Boomerang Gallery, a pop-up art gallery at Boomerang Hall on Madison Street in Bloomington.

“Ova Over Texas,” Zain Mackey, Artist.

Patrica Uffman. This could be considered an homage to Linda Meyer-Wright. In one of her classes she told us that we could incorporate discarded items into our work; in fact, we could scape paint off our pallet to create something. That is what I did — scrape bits of hardened acrylic paint from my pallet to make this scene that I call “Paint Blob Panic.” It is 8” x 10” on canvas board.

“Paint Blob Panic,” Patricia Uffman, Artist.

Andy Roberts. I painted this En Plein Air as I love the house and many others in the Prospect Hill neighborhood. My Aunt Jennie actually lived in this house when I was a small child so hence the attraction also. Now that the weather is getting nice I hope to be more productive.

Andy Roberts, Artist.

Jerome Harste. One of the lessons the lions taught me during my last safari in South Africa is the secret to a long life. I’m calling this playful personification, “The Secret to Longevity: Marrying Well.”

Jerry also writes, “As many of you know I am a strong advocate of expanding society’s notions of literacy beyond reading and writing. To that end, when I teach courses (even those that deal with teaching reading and writing more effectively), I often ask students to recreate an artistic response to what they have learned rather than just asking them to write or talk about how they have grown. Below is a response from Elizabeth Pace, one of my students, that I thought was particularly powerful:”

Elizabeth Pace, Artist

“For this week’s art response, I felt that a butterfly would be a perfect representation of how my views on literacy have transformed over this course. Throughout this course, I have had to rethink what fundamental literacy means to me. Prior to starting this degree, I was very much a believer of a more phonics-based approach, especially in supporting students that had difficulties reading and writing. This has become what I now consider a “black and white” approach to literacy. Since then, my view of literacy has drastically changed to become one where fundamental literacy is the building blocks of who people identify themselves as and how they contribute to society, which has also become much more “bright and colourful”, as represented on the right side of the butterfly. Viewing literacy from a social perspective has improved my own practice, by stepping outside of the black and white, embracing more color, and finding new ways to engage, teach, and learn with students.” 

Kathleen Barton. Here is one of the paintings I entered into my group show at Viridian Moon last spring.  It is already framed and still available for purchase. More of my paintings can be viewed at:
Https://www. Kathysartllc.Square.site

Additional security has been added to this site. Enjoy viewing.

Kathleen goes on to say, “I have been told by some people I have been influenced by Matisse. Below is a gesture painting I created following a drawing session by Claude Cookman in March. II try to maintain some naïveté;  and I find some similarities to Matisse’s presentation on the paper or canvas of spatial placement .

Kathleen Barton, Artist

MarySue Schwab. There is still time to sign up for my workshop on May 11th on “Polinators” (Artistists for Climate Awareness entry above). I also wanted to let you know that my paintings of seascapes has been accepted for the Light, Space, & Time Art Competition entitled “Seascapes.” Light, Space & Time hosts an online art competition featuring artist from around the world.

“Before the Storm,” Aritist MarySue Schwab

“The Great Pacific,” Artist, MarySue Schwab

CALENDAR

May 1 to May 24 — Submit Entries to WSI’s Annual Exhibition, Indianapolis

May 6 to June 16 — Submit Entries to Hoosier Art Salon Annual Exhibition

May 10 — Open Reception for Dutton-Coffman-Branstetter Exhibit at Cancer Support Center

May 11 — Artists for Climate Awareness Workshop, 9-4, Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington

May 13 — BWS May Meeting & Program, First Christian Church, Bloomington

May 18 — Paint-Out, May Creek Farm, Bloomington

“The Great Pacific” by MarySue Veerkamp Schwab

BWS to meet April 15

MarySue Schwab to present mini-workshop on color

The regular monthly meeting has been eclipsed. It was moved from April 8 to April 15 so members could avoid traffic congestion and participate in Solar eclipse activities. BWS will meet at First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave., at 6 p.m.

MarySue Schwab will present a mini-workshop following a brief business meeting. She says students always ask her, “How do you use color effectively?” This workshop is her response to that question. Nuggets of her advice include: “Limit your palette!” “Know your colors!” “Remember complements create contrast!” “Know the color temperature of everything in the scene you are painting!”

The supply list is based on MarySue’s own painting approach, and are SUGGESTIONS, not requirements. Students are welcome to incorporate their own material preferences. Members should bring watercolor paper, watercolor paints, brushes, hard pencil, kneaded eraser, sharpener, small ruler, paper towels, mixing palettes, mixing pans (can be from recycled yogurt containers) and two small water holders.

PAPER (The most important element: MarySue recommends Arches cold-press 140-pound paper, in block or sheet formats.

PAINTS: MarySue suggests a limited palette, 10 Winsor & Newton professional grade paints: 6 warm colors: Winsor Red, Winsor Yellow, Burnt Sienna, and Raw Sienna, Permanent Rose and Winsor Violet. 4 cool colors: Winsor Blue Green Shade, Winsor Blue Red Shade, Hooker’s Green, and Payne’s Gray.

OTHER ITEMS: Paper Towels, 12-inch Ruler, 2 small water holders or cups.

BRUSHES: Sizes: 1″  and 1/2″ flat; #4 or #6 round; Detail #2 round.

“Neon Dream” by Laura Brown

“We Paint … Peter, Paul, and Mary!”

By Jeanne Dutton

The 2024 Winter Benefit Exhibit, which ended March 29, was an artful fundraising success. Thanks to the generosity of our BWS artists who donated greeting cards and to the patrons who purchased paintings, we raised $435 for Teachers Warehouse.

Due to the purchasing power of Teachers Warehouse, which is calculated as $10 for every $1, that makes the total value $4,350.

Congratulations to Gail Fairfield for winning Best of Show and Char Dapena as runner up, and to the artists whose paintings sold – Don Madvig and Julie Boyd.

Many thanks to Gabe Colman for coordinating with Teachers Warehouse; John La Bella and Becky Lagle at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage for the space and Best of Show award; Bloomington North Rotary Club for sponsoring the video; the three judges who donated their time; and everyone who participated, helped with hanging the show, and came to enjoy the receptions.

The exhibit can be seen on SmugMug at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDer8bHUEhU.

Completed still life drawing by Deb Rush

March meeting program featured

charcoal instruction by Cookman

Our March 11 program saw a shift from painting to drawing and from watercolor to charcoal. Claude Cookman, BWS member since 2014, took us through his four-step process for drawing a still life with vine and compressed charcoal. Claude based his presentation on two premises: First, vine charcoal is endlessly malleable, letting us wipe out and redraw until we are satisfied with our drawing, and, second, charcoal lets us use values to define the edges of forms instead of drawing lines and filling them in. He promoted the still life genre as a convenient way to work from three-dimensional motifs instead of copying two-dimensional photographs. He shared his personal goal for drawing: concentrated, purposeful seeing.

Claude’s four-step process was intended to combine spontaneity with control. With apologies to Betty Edwards, to draw on both sides of our brain. We started with gesture to connect with the motif and achieve spontaneity. Then we refined the drawing, using a barbecue skewer as a tool for calculating proportion, angle and alignment. Next came reinforcing values and finally, details.

At the end of the session, Claude asked us two questions: In response to “What was the most important thing you learned,” one participant wrote: “The most important thing I learned is not to be too precise right at the start. Begin loose, then refine it.” Others wrote: “I learned about using the skewer for proportion. Never tried it before. It helps. I can use it all the time.” And, “The flexibility of the charcoal.”

In response to “What can you use from this session in your own art,” comments ranged from “Get the drawing right first.” To, “I can use this by structuring my painting by working through the stages.” And, “I will use this technique to get prelim drawing + values.”

Left: Nancy Davis Metz, Daniel Goebbert, and Babette Ballinger. Right: Charlotte Griffin, Betty Wagoner, and Sara Steffey McQueen.

Memorial Service

Linda Meyer-Wright

You are warmly invited to celebrate and honor the life of Linda Meyer on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m., in the sanctuary of Congregation Beth Shalom, 3750 E. Third St., Bloomington, Ind. Linda was a cherished and beloved member of both the Beth Shalom and the Bloomington artist communities.

We will gather for a heartwarming and uplifting service of “The Life, Legend and Legacy of Linda Meyer.” After the service, the grand opening of a comprehensive exhibit of Linda’s beautiful artwork throughout the years will be sponsored by the Beth Shalom Arts and Culture Committee, and a reception with light refreshments will follow.

Linda’s art, which many of you already have proudly and prominently displayed in your homes, was an expression of her heart and her love. The art exhibit was Linda’s final wish, so please consider attending to pay your respects, to offer your support and love to her husband Larry and sister Joanie, and to share special memories and stories with each other.

This will also be a final opportunity to own a piece of Linda’s artwork and/or acquire additional pieces. All proceeds from the sales will be donated to Beth Shalom.

Member News

Tim Lewis has three new watercolors: Above, left: “Bass Harbor Head,” Above, right: “Slush,” and Below: “Ice And Snow.” Tim has announced he is one of several artists selected to exhibit at a Gallery 02 in Fort Wayne, Ind., opening soon.

Below: Stephen Edward sent a photo of his just finished painting, “Duet in C Minor” Watercolor, 22×30, Arches 300# Linen Paper

Beyond BWS

An exhibition of environmentally themed art, “Depictions: Earth, Life, and Our Shared Responsibility,” will show until April 28 at the Arts Alliance Center in College Mall. The artists, who are members of Artists for Climate Awareness or Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, are from various states across the U.S. This diversity in both medium and origin promises a rich and varied artistic experience of both 2-D and 3-D pieces.

Join us April 12 at 6 p.m. for a unique opening reception. This event will feature an environmentally themed interactive musical performance, “Ceremony for Earth: A Meditative Installation for Re-connection and Healing,” by Grace McKenzie, Daixuan Ai, and Micah Simmons from IU Jacobs School of Music. Chairs are provided for all, but for a more interactive experience, you may bring a sitting pillow for the floor! The evening will also include the presentation of art awards, followed by a reception with refreshments.

Associated events include an April 13 pastel workshop by nature artist Avon Waters and a climate-themed poetry and dance performance titled “Stormwash: Climate Awareness” by Bloomington Writers Guild and Windfall Dancers, Inc.

Visit https://artistsforclimateawareness.org/event/ for more information.

Artists for Climate Awareness is also offering a Watercolor Workshop on Pollinators!

Join us May 11 for an art workshop at Ivy Tech Community College where we’ll delve into the world of pollinators through watercolor. This special event aligns with World Migratory Bird Day, spotlighting the vital role of birds and insects as pollinators.

Our artistic journey will revolve around the intricate beauty of pollinators. From butterflies to bees, dragonflies to hummingbirds, we invite participants to capture the essence of these vital creatures through the graceful strokes of watercolor. You can bring your own photo references or subjects will be provided.

Autumn Brunelle, full-time naturalist for Monroe County Parks and Recreation (and annual Bugfest coordinator), will provide education about pollinators as well as information about the Indiana Master Naturalist Program and the Monroe County Parks and Recreation’s environmental programs.

To learn more and register, go to https://artistsforclimateawareness.org/event/celebrating-pollinators-in-watercolor/.

Calendar

April 12 6 p.m. ACA reception at Arts Alliance Center in College Mall for “Depictions: Earth, Life, and Our Shared Responsibility

April 13 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ACA’s Wet Pastel Workshop by Avon Waters

April 14 2 p.m. Memorial Service for Linda Meyer-Wright, Congregation Beth Shalom, 3750 E. Third St., Bloomington

April 15 6 p.m. BWS Monthly Meeting, First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave.

May 11 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ACA Watercolor Workshop on Pollinators, Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, Ind.

May 13 6 p.m. BWS Monthly Meeting, First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave.

How do we get from the gesture sketch, at left, to the finished drawing, at right, in four steps? 

March 11

Claude Cookman to present a charcoal lesson

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, March 11, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.

Three, two, one – DRAW!

BWS member Claude Cookman will present the March 11 program, featuring a four-step drawing process using vine charcoal. He sends this prospectus: 

Drawing is fundamental to the human condition. All children draw to represent their world and express themselves. Adults have been drawing to communicate for many, many millennia. The ability to draw realistically is not talent that a lucky few receive at birth. It’s a skill anybody can learn. All it takes is practice and the will to persist when your early efforts fall short of your expectations.

I have been trying to learn to draw since 1994. I’m still trying. I am a firm adherent of Frederick Franck’s statement: “I have learned that what I have not drawn, I have never really seen. …” For me, drawing is about concentrated, purposeful seeing. But that deep seeing is not about details but rather shapes, forms, light and values.

I will introduce you to a four-step process, give you an indispensable drawing tool and share some ideas about drawing. Most important, I will get you drawing. Even if drawing is not your primary mode of artistic expression, the ability to see more deeply should improve your paintings.

We will draw with charcoal for several reasons: It’s cheap. It yields a wide range of values. It produces rich blacks, much darker than graphite. It’s extremely malleable, letting us easily and continually correct our drawings. It lets us establish a base of tone on the page so we can draw negatively with erasers. The finished drawing can be exquisitely beautiful with delicate tonal modulations and seamless transitions. It’s fun to get our fingers dirty.

Most amateurs and even some artists equate drawing with creating an outline then filling it with tones or color. It’s difficult to escape the tyranny of those coloring books from our childhood. Instead, working from a simple still life, we will approach drawing as a four-step process:

1. Gesture. We’ll start with a gesture drawing, trying to capture essential shapes and relationships with spontaneity. Then we’ll rub it out with a tissue. Using the charcoal residue as a guide, we will do a second, more accurate, gesture drawing. Then rub it out again.

2. Refinement. With this pentimento as a guide, we’ll transform the objects in our still life into structural forms: spheres, cubes, cylinders and cones. We’ll use a bamboo skewer as a tool to refine proportions, angles and alignments. We’ll perfect the contours but try to turn most lines into edges.

3. Lighting. We’ll identify the light source and how it creates highlights, middle tones and shadows. Then represent them with correct tonal values to establish the forms in space.

4, Detail. As the final step, we’ll add detail with charcoal pencils.

Please watch these videos:

Emily at The Pencil Room Online on gesture drawing.

Proko on gesture drawing: Using C, S and I to capture gesture. This video is about figure drawing, but you can extrapolate it to objects for our still life. Caution: This video contains photographs of semi-nude models. If nudity offends you, please do not view it.

Proko on structure: Seeing spheres, cubes, cylinders, and cones.

The Virtual Instructor on shading.

Materials

Please bring:

• Vine charcoal sticks
• Kneadable erasers
• Kleenex or other tissue
• One object you would like to draw

Optional, only if you have them:

• Compressed charcoal and charcoal pencils
• An apron; things might get messy
• Handwipes and/or Purell
• A table lamp

BWS will provide charcoal paper, at least one charcoal pencil per table and other items.

Please watch for Laura Brown’s email announcement of the meeting. It will include a PDF handout on drawing. I hope you will read it; that will let us spend more time drawing and less time listening to me talk.

Right: Gail Fairfield with her painting, “Insight,” which was awarded Best of Show. Gail received a $100 award from The Vault. Left: “Flower Power 2” by Char Dapena was awarded Silver Second, an award that comes with $75 from BWS.

2nd reception

WE PAINT … Peter, Paul, and Mary!

BWS hosted the second reception for “WE PAINT…Peter, Paul, and Mary!” at March 1. There was a very nice turnout at for Gallery Walk in spite of the cold weather. 

The show, inspired by the varied styles and eras of Peter Max, Paul Klee and Mary Cassatt features psychedelic color, cubism, and domestic scenes. We are pleased to announce that two paintings have sold. Congratulations to Don Madvig and Julie Boyd.

The exhibit is on display through March 29 at The Vault Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. 6th St. in downtown Bloomington. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, but please call ahead 812-334-9700.

Also note that all sales benefit Teachers Warehouse, a worthy organization that provides free classroom supplies and furniture to educators in nine counties.

Many thanks to the BWS members who welcomed the many visitors at the reception!

Penny Lulich shows an early version of her painting from the Tom Lynch live workshop that BWS artists gathered on Feb. 24 to view. The live workshop presented by Tom Lynch, nationally known artist, was compliments of Cheap Joe’s https://www.cheapjoes.com/ .  Many thanks to Barbara Coffman and Carol Rhodes for organizing the event.

If you were unable to attend the Tom Lynch online demo/paint along, or are just curious, the video is now posted on YouTube. If you would like to paint along with him, look up “Cortona Path of Light Tom Lynch” for the photo and sketch. 

Member News

Joe and Bess Lee present a reboot of Professor Animalia’s Menagerie of Endangered Animals.

Bess Lee will be the featured artist at the Cancer Support Center in March and April.

 “SHELL MANDALA,” a watercolor by Sara Steffey McQueen, was accepted into Aquaventure Exhibit 2024 hosted by the Kentucky Watercolor Society. The show’s juror was Mary Seymour Neely. The Exhibit is from March 4 to April 26 on the fourth floor of Artists’ Attic, 401 W. Main St., Lexington, Ky. A reception is scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m. March 15 with a “Gallery Hop” going until 8 p.m.

“Fixing the Outrigger” by Tim Lewis

Lewis has a watercolor, “Fixing The Outrigger” accepted into the 2024 Midwest Juried Art Exhibit. The show will be at the HCCA Gallery, 195 S. 5th St., in Noblesville from March 1 through March 30 with an opening reception on March 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. The painting is of three workmen repairing the outrigger on a shrimp boat in McClellanville, S.C.

Left: “Sweet Owen Courthouse” by Tim Lewis. Right: “The Dance,” by Tim Lewis.

Tim’s watercolor, “The Dance,” was awarded third place out of the 87 entries in the Brown County Art Guild “2024 Can You Paint Challenge.” These are two sandhill cranes “dancing” in a snowy field in Nebraska. Tim donated “Sweet Owen Courthouse” to the Indiana Bar Association for its project to collect paintings of all 92 Indiana county courthouses for permanent display in its yet-to-be built headquarters in Indianapolis. This is the Owen County courthouse in Tim’s hometown of Spencer.

MarySue Schwab has a painting in the Indiana Watercolor Society at Brown County Art Gallery, which is hanging now through March 28. MarySue is a signature member of WSI and of BWS and a member of OWS, NAW, and NAWS.

“Cutting Corners,” a watercolor pastel collage by Lynne Gilliatt

Beyond BWS

Calendar

March 5 Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, Arts Alliance Center in College Mall, 6 to 7 p.m.

March 9 Reception for Professor Animalia’s Menagerie of Struggling Species, Art by Joe and Bess Lee, Arts Alliance Center, 4 p.m.

March 9 Reception for 2024 Midwest Juried Art Exchibit, HCCA gallery, 195 S. 5th St., Noblesville, 6 to 8 p.m.

March 11 BWS Monthly Meeting, First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. 6 p.m.

March 15 Reception for KWS Aquaventure, Artists’ Attic, 401 W. Main St., Lexington, Ky., 4 to 5:30 p.m.

April 5 Reception for “HeArt is Where the Home Is…” by Bess Lee, Cancer Support Center, 1719 W. Third St., Bloomington, 4 to 7 p.m.

April 13 Pastel Workshop by Avon Waters, Arts Alliance Center in College Mall, Bloomington, Sponsored by Artists for Climate Awareness

April 20 Watercolor Workshop by Rena Brouwer at Delphi Opera House Gallery pf Contemporary Arts, Sponsored by Artists for Climate Awareness

April 27 Art Journaling Workshop by Pauline Kochanski at Ivy Tech Bloomington, Sponsored by Artists for Climate Awareness

Painting by Penny Lulich

Our February 12th Meeting

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, February 12th, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.

February’s Feature Program

Painting Winter Scenes. This month’s program leader, Penny Lulich says, “I love painting snow scenes, so come and paint with me as we explore snow with mountains and pine trees, and maybe a skier or two.  We’ll explore color, shadows, and even flick some paint! I find I enjoy myself more if I have my favorite things.”

So bring your usual watercolor supplies, plus a few small sheets of paper for practicing drawing trees and tree lines, a wax resist crayon, and some salt. Penny will show how to splatter snowflakes using white gouache, so you may want to bring an apron, too.

For Your Information here is Penny’s palette. (Stars ** represent most often used.)
Permanent yellow light
** Yellow ochre
** Sap green
Green gold
Cobalt green
** Cobalt turquoise light
Pyrrol scarlet
Transparent pyrrol orange
Alizarin Crimsom
** Opera, pink
Ultramarine deep
** Indigo
** Cobalt blue
Shadow violet
** Transparent brown oxide
Quin deep gold
** Quin purple
** Burnt sienna
New Gamboge

Penny recommends a number 10 round brush, and a three-quarter inch angle shader. It’s helpful to have a sword liner or an equivalent for the tiniest tree branches.

Penny will have a drawing for a couple of art giveaways.

Inside BWS

“WE PAINT…Peter, Paul and Mary”

February 2 – March 29, 2024

A BWS Exhibition Benefitting Teachers Warehouse!

Inspired by the varied styles and eras of Peter Max, Paul Klee, and Mary Cassat, the artist members of the Bloomington Watercolor Society have created a wonderfully varied exhibit full of psychedelic color, cubism, and domestic scenes.  

Showing at The Vault at Gallery Portage (121 E 6th Street). Normal Gallery Hours:  9am – 5pm Monday – Friday, except for days of receptions for which Gallery Hours are. 9am – 8pm.

And Breaking News from President Jeanne Dutton:

The show is up, the opening reception over, and now to announce the winners!

Three judges each choose their top three using certain criteria, including adherence to the theme, materials used, composition, and presentation, etc.  Comparing notes, they then team up to choose the top two.

Silver Second is “FLOWER POWER 2” by Char Dapena.

Her painting was from a drawing she did back in her college days when Peter Max posters were everywhere.  Char receives a certificate and $75 from BWS.

Best of Show is “INSIGHT,” alcohol ink on Yupo, from first-ever-exhibitor, Gail Fairfield.  Gail receives a certificate and am award of $100 from The Vault.

Winners of the door prizes are Babette Ballinger taking away a #10 Round Aqua Elite watercolor brush; Lynne Gilliatt winning a Peter Max inspired tote from MoMA; and Sharon Parsons taking home a beautiful handmade, leatherbound journal.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The video tour of the exhibit can be seen on YouTube, and thanks to Bloomington North Rotary for sponsoring it once again.

GALLERY 2024

GALLERY 2024

The gallery can also be found on SmugMug at 
https://bloomingtonwatercolor.smugmug.com/We-PaintPeter-Paul-and-Mary-2024

A second reception is planned for March 1, 2024 during Gallery Walk.

Enjoy!

Applications are Now Open for Signature Membership

Andy Roberts, 2nd Vice President, announced that applications for Signature membership would be processed during the 2024 year.  The process will begin by those who are interested contacting Andy to express their intent to apply by the end of March. Physical applications need to be submitted by April 30.  Judging will take place in September. 

Outside BWS

Upland Plein Air

The Upland Plein Air Member Show opens at the Arts Alliance Center in the College Mall on Saturday, February 3rd, with a reception from 1:00-3:00 pm. Upland members will exhibit works in a variety of subject matter, styles, and mediums. Cards, as well as artwork, will be for sale. The show runs through Saturday, March 2nd. Arts Alliance Center hours are  Thursday – Saturday, 11:00 am-8:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00–6:00 p.m.

Cancer Support Center

Artists for Climate Awareness

Artists for Climate Awareness will host an in-person workshop February 13 from 5:30-8 p.m., entitled “Embracing Emotions through Abstract Watercolors”. The workshop invites artists to express their emotions as they delve into the intersection of art and environmental consciousness by reflecting on climate change through the powerful medium of abstract watercolors. For more information contact Carol Rhodes.

Artist for Climate Awareness will also host a Juried Exhibition for its members at the Art Alliance Center in Bloomington from April 1-18. The theme of that exhibition is, “Depictions: Earth, Life, and Our Shared Responsibility.”

The Hoosier Art Salon

The Hoosier Art Salon has several upcoming shows:

Young at Art: February 17 – March 31. Reception March 9th, 2-4 pm. Featuring the artwork of local students, Kindergarten-8th grade.

Field to Finish: April 13-16. Reception Wednesday, April 17th, 5-7 p.m. Showcasing the lovely “field” photographs and “finished” pieces of art that were produced during the First Blush of Spring Paint-Out by Indiana artists. Canvases must be stamped. Entry fee of $30 is required for non-Hoosier Art Salon members and $25 entry fee for members. All work must be for sale. Art must be received by April 8th.

Simplify through Color and Shape with Lon Brauer Workshop. April 15 & 16, 9-4pm. Painting is a language – a visual language – and our goal as artists is to find a way to translate what we see into a form that will represent that vision on canvas. Photographic reference will be discussed as a tool to help us better understand what two-dimensional imagery is all about. This workshop will benefit any painter regardless of the chosen subject matter.

The Watercolor Society of Indiana

The Watercolor Society of Indiana is hosting a Regional Exhibit of Indiana Artists at the Brown County Art Gallery, 1 Artist Drive, Nashville, from February 10th to March 28th. Any artist over 18 and a resident of Indiana can apply to show their work in this show.

The Annual WSI Exhibition will take place in June and July.

More information about either of these shows can be found on the WSI website.

Membership News

Timothy Lewis. I want to announce two upcoming opportunities:

• WSI’s Annual Member Show prospectus will be sent to members in mid-February. This show allows any WSI member to exhibit one painting in the unjuried show. The show this year will be at th Gallery 42 in downtown Indianapolis.
• WSI’s Annual Juried Show prospectus will also be sent to members in February. This juried show will be at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.
• To join WSI go to their website at https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/

I will be serving as President of the Watercolor Society of Indiana for 2024 and 2025.

I was featured in an article in the Greenfield Daily Reporter on Saturday, Jan. 20th for being a part of the “God’s Gift of Winter” show at the 43 East Gallery in Greenfield. I have two winter scene watercolors in this show which will run through the end of February.

New work: “Obscured” is a 16” x 12” watercolor of a solar eclipse in tribute to the April eclipse that will be visible across Indiana this year. Painted using QoR Watercolors on 300# Arches cold-pressed watercolor paper.

Jacki Frey. I put a painting of my ginger cat into the Upland show at Art Alliance. Consider this a personal invitation to come see the show!

Jerome Harste. I’ve been playing with pattern. I’ve entitled this, Landscape: My Ode to Kee. (Acrylic on 12×18″ cradle board).

And to experiment with color and explore the affect and effect of geometric patterns clashing with organic patterns, I created Eclipse. (3-D Collage Acrylic on 8×8″ canvas).

Bess Lee. Here is one of my paintings for the Cancer Support Center Art Show which features my work. The show will run March 3 to April 28.

Erika Wente. Here are three recently painted watercolors for the February Brushstrokes:  (1) “ Three Horse Portraits” 14” x 11” ; 2)  “Aspen”  7” x 8”; (3)  “Mountain Snow”  11″ x 14.”

Deborah Rush. The only thing I managed to get finish is this painting of “Bridge at Stourhead Gardens.”

MarySue & Bill Schwab. Both of these paintings have a new home in Napa, California! Both are commissioned California scenes, I painted the field of poppies and Bill painted the old tree.

Meri Reinhold. I am in Antarctica on a Viking expedition ship Octantis. The majesty of the environment here is beyond words. However, one artist inspired me to try her very limited palette style. These two paintings are after Mona Eckhoff. Not really original works.

Andy Roberts. I have a painting that I created in anticipation of selling some of my works in Florida this next two months. I will be painting with the Sanibel-Captiva Art League and maybe enter a show of theirs while there. This painting is from a photo that I took last spring of a Sandpiper along waters edge. Watercolor on watercolor canvas.

Stephen Edwards. Attached is image for “Waiting For One Last Turn”. I was invited by the Hoosier Salon to participate in the Clowes Collaborative with 17 other artists. The work will have a reception on March 1^st at the Hilbert Circle Theatre and be on display till June 9^th. A fun little self portrait called “Just The Right Angle” I also attached. It is me taking a photo of an old lawnmower but looking at the scene in a reflected truck mirror propped up on the edge of the lawnmower. In the small circular mirror, you can see my wife holding a cell phone out to get the photo I worked from for the painting.

Calendar

February 1 to March 1 — Susan Savastuk’s Show at the Cancer Support Center.

February 1 to March 31 — Applications for Signature Status in BWS are open.

February 3 — Upland Plein Air’s Member Show at Arts Alliance.

February 10 to March 18 — WSI’s Regional Exhibit at Brown County Art Gallery.

February 12 — BWS Meeting, First Christian Church, Bloomington.

February 13 — Artist for Climate Awareness Workshop, Ivy Tech, Bloomington.

February 17 to March 31 — Young at Art Show at Hoosier Salon, New Harmony.

March 3 to April 25 — Bess Lee’s Show at Cancer Support Center.

Aril 1 to 18 — Artist for Climate Awareness Membership Show at Art Alliance.

April 13 to 16 — Field to Finish Show, Hoosier Salon, New Harmony.

April 15 & 16 — Lon Brauer Workshop, Hoosier Salon, New Harmony.

“Under the Same Moon” by Linda Meyer-Wright

Our January Meeting

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, January 8th, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.

Program: Transparent Watercolors: How to Use Color

MarySue Schwab says that people always ask her, “How do you use color effectively?” In response to that question, MarySue will conduct a mini-workshop around the use of color. Nuggets of her advice include: “Limit your palette! Know your colors! Remember complements create contrast! Know the temperature of your painting?  Value trumps all else! And, save and use the white of your paper.

Supplies: Bring watercolor supplies (paper, brushes, paints, etc.) and a reference photo if you are starting a new project. If you are already working on something, bring that.

Close Up Images of MarySue Schwab’s artwork

Inside BWS

BWS’ Christmas Party

As the pictures below show, BWS’ 2023 Christmas Party (a Christmas Card Exchange) at Meadowwood was a huge success with over 40 people in attendance.

Up-Coming Benefit Show: We Paint….Peter, Paul and Mary!

This year’s show will benefit the Teachers’ Warehouse. The theme of the show is “We Paint….Peter, Paul, and Mary!” The show will be held from February 2 through March 29 at the Vault Gallery (121 E. 6th Street). The Opening Reception will be held on February 2 (Gallery Walk Friday) from 5 to 8 p.m.

In the prospectus, you will find all the details along with links to sites about Peter, Paul, and Mary, their lives and their art.

Any medium is welcome for this show, so BE INSPIRED, BE CREATIVE, and HAVE FUN!

https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/prospectus/

“Landscape with Bluebirds”, Paul Klee

BWS Art Scholarship

Jeanne Dutton provided the following up-date for the Newsletter:

“Many thanks to Linda Branstetter, Denise Lessow, Marcy LaMaster, Meri Reinhold, and Lynne Gilliatt!  

The Foundation for Monroe County Community Schools manages the BWS Art Scholarship.  Due to the generosity of the artist members who contributed auction items, to those who made direct donations to the scholarship, and to those who bid on our items, the scholarship fund increased by over $300 in December.

MCCSC seniors may begin applying in February.  Information will be available through their schools.

Signature Membership — Open Applications

Are you interested in applying for 2024 Signature Membership? 

It’s the honored status for BWS members who have developed skills, gained education, and been juried into exhibits sponsored by prestigious art organizations, such the Hoosier Salon, National Watercolor Society, the Watercolor Society of Indiana, et al.

The process, including judging by an artist outside BWS, and criteria are outlined in the By-Laws which can be found at https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/about/home/by-laws/

Here are the dates to remember:

a. Indicate your interest in applying by MARCH 31.

b. Applications must be completed and submitted by  APRIL 30.

c. Final judging will be completed by SEPTEMBER 30.

d. Award to successful applicants will be announced at the October meeting.

Andy Roberts, as 2nd VP and Membership Chair, oversees the application process.  Please direct any questions to him at info@BloomingtonWatercolor.org.

Outside BWS

Bloomington Portrait Group Reorganizes
Along Upland Model

Arkady Roytman • Faces of Bloomington • Oil

Visual artists in the Bloomington area are fortunate to have several vibrant groups serving their interests. The groups share many members in common and have filial relationships. For example, the Upland Plein Air landscape group was a spin off from BWS. The Bloomington Portrait Group emerged from Upland. 

In January 2017, it was too cold to paint outside, and Upland members were looking for an indoor winter activity. Somebody suggested a portrait session. Eight members met at Jacki Fry’s home in Ellettsville, where the first model was an Indiana University BFA student.  Claude Cookman saw a vacuum and began scheduling bi-weekly sessions for artists to draw and paint portraits from live models. Since then, the group has met every other Thursday to paint and draw from live models. When the Covid-19 lock-down halted in-person sessions, Mary Sue Schwab suggested self-portraits. That expanded into monthly challenges — such as portraits of pets, statues, dolls, famous persons, and the artists’ younger selves   — that members completed in their studios and shared by email. 

BPG welcomes artists at every level from novices to professionals. The roster numbers about 50 regional artists, but typically 10 to 12 artists attend a session. They work in a range of mediums from oil and watercolor to charcoal, graphite, pastel, and collage. The group has met in several locations including the Banneker Community Center, the Monroe County Public Library, Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church, and The Vault at Gallery Mortgage. Recently it has alternated between Bloomington Parks and Recreation’s Switchyard Park Shelter House during the summer, and the Arts Alliance Center at the College Mall during the colder months.

Cookman recruited models who represent our community’s rich diversity in age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. During school vacations he scheduled children and teens. The youngest model was 8; the oldest, a nonagenarian. In addition to diversity, he also looked for people who help make Bloomington a safe and civil place to live: musicians, artists, athletes, ministers, WFIU radio personalities, journalists, fire fighters, and food security leaders. Models have included an IU women’s basketball star, performance poet, clown, belly dancer, cowboy, and roller derby skater. The one thing all models have in common is their interesting faces. “Interesting faces, interesting lives,” has become the BPG motto.

Because some artists like to include narrative in their portraits, models are asked to bring props that relate to their work or hobbies. Items have ranged from books and knitting to musical instruments and sports equipment. The most intriguing prop was Kundalini, a boa constrictor snake, which the model wore around his neck. The session got lively when the room warmed up and the snake started slithering across the floor. At that point, the moderator let the model break pose and retrieve his reptilian friend.

After six years as director, Cookman is stepping down at the end of December 2023. The group is reorganizing along the Upland model. Members will sign up for a month and be responsible for recruiting models and moderating sessions. Arkady Roytman has volunteered to be coordinator to keep things running smoothly and manage a website announcing the sessions.

If you are interested in participating in the Bloomington Portrait Group, go to this URL to join the mailing list and get information, invitations, and reminders about upcoming sessions!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0Admt7oFarCWGGqoIPQscxX46VSNogMiAgnHYPvl9Ty-pJQ/viewform

Upland Plein Air Group Membership Show

Upland’s Membership Show will be held at the Arts Alliance Center in the College Mall from February 3th to March 2nd, 2024. Delivery of entries is on February 1 with the opening reception scheduled for February 3rd from 1 to 3 p.m.

Artist for Climate Awareness

Workshop opportunity: Embracing Emotions Through Abstract Watercolors (February 13, 20, 27, 2024 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm  [Three Weekly Sessions]).

Join us for a unique art workshop that goes beyond the canvas to explore the emotional impact of impending climate change. This workshop delves into the intersection of art and environmental consciousness, allowing participants to express their emotions and reflections on climate change through the powerful medium of abstract watercolors. Theme: The Emotional Landscape of Climate Change. In this workshop, we will explore the emotional depths inspired by the challenges our planet faces — droughts, fires, storms, oceanic changes, heat impacts, biodiversity damage, and more. Through abstract art, participants will have the opportunity to convey their feelings, fears, and hopes for the future in a visually compelling and evocative manner. Offered by Artists for Climate Awareness in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Living. Stephen Hale, board member, will provide a short educational piece about the organization’s many projects, and how you can help your home and community to be environmentally friendly. See https://ivytechbloomington.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=1506&int_category_id=0&int_sub_category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0

Zain Mackey, “Orca Rising”

Call for art. Juried gallery show opportunity: Depictions: Earth, Life, and Our Shared Responsibility

Artists for Climate Awareness is calling for 2-D and 3-D artwork to be displayed in a gallery exhibition April 1 – 28 at the Arts Alliance Center in the College Mall in Bloomington, IN.

We are proud to be offering this juried exhibition during Earth Month, and we anticipate exceptional patronage during that time. Bloomington is the hot spot for viewing the 2024 total solar eclipse, and we expect a tremendous influx of tourists to be in town, especially around April 8th. (https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/indiana-2024-eclipse)

         We will be coordinating other climate awareness events related to this exhibition, including: a reception featuring environmentally themed new music performed by an IU Jacobs School of Music ensemble; a pastel workshop by nature artist Avon Waters; and a climate-themed poetry and dance performance entitled “Stormwash: Climate Awareness” by Bloomington Writers Guild and Windfall Dancers, Inc. For the prospectus, see https://artistsforclimateawareness.org/art-exhibition-prospectus/

In Memorial

Robert Anderson.

Susan Graham wrote to say “I learned the sad news last night that Bob Anderson passed away earlier this month. I don’t know if the HT ran an obit for him but here it is from Franklin, TN, where he and Frances have lived since 2020. I was lucky to work with Bob for years in the economic development community in addition to BWS. What a fun-loving and sweet gentleman he was. Also a talented painter!”

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/robert-anderson-obituary?id=53867429

Robert Anderson Obituary – Williamson Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services- – Franklin – 2023 View Robert Martin Anderson’s obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.www.legacy.com

Linda Meyer-Wright.


Dec 10, 2023 — Linda Meyer, affectionately known as “Linnie” or “Lin”, was born on January 24, 1946, and passed away on December 7, 2023.

After a social service career in Cincinnati, Ohio, Linda  moved to Indiana in 1988. In 2000, she took her first art class and found a  love for art and a joy in expression that has become her second career. Linda  taught watercolor, acrylic, collage and mixed media classes for Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning. Her style of teaching encouraged students to  expand their watercolor horizons with surprising results, including quirky  impressions and colors while exploring chaos and pattern.

The Herald-Timeshttps://www.heraldtimesonline.com › psbn0650198

Membership News

Jeanne Dutton. Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning offers a wide variety of visual arts classes.  For the very amateur watercolor artist, I will teach Beginning Watercolor I starting January 25.  Classes are 2:15-4:45 every Thursday through February 29 and will be held at the commons of the new Bloomington Fine Art Supply store.  It’s located next to Rainbow Bakery at the corner of Rogers and Fourth Streets.

Find details and registration link and information on other classes offered by BWS members at https://www.ivytech.edu/locations/bloomington/special-programs/center-for-lifelong-learning/

Mary Sue Schwab. Attached is a schedule of the classes I will be conducting at Ivy Tech in the coming months:

Fundamentals of Drawing	1/18/2024	3/7/2024	10am-12pm
Learn Calligraphy and More	1/18/2024	3/7/2024	12:30pm-1:30pm
Fundamentals of Drawing	4/4/2024	5/9/2024	10am-12pm
Learn Calligraphy and More	4/4/2024	5/9/2024	12:30pm-1:30pm

Note that I will be teaching Calligraphy and Drawing at Ivy Tech Bloomington, winter/spring session. Sign up now. Classes begin 1/18/2024 and space is limited, Use the link for easy registration!

Fundementals of Drawing Thursdays 10-12.: This class will help you to develop your drawing skills. Come just for the love of drawing, or to use the techniques to improve your other forms of art!

Calligraphy Thursdays 12:30-1:30.: Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing. Learn the basic strokes, size, and spacing of lettering so you can use these skills as a springboard for decorative lettering and flourishes.

Come join the fun!

Tim Lewis. Two of my watercolors, “Snowed In” and “Lonely Corner” are in the “God’s Gift Of Winter” invitational show at the Greenfield Christian Church in Greenfield, IN through March 3rd.

Jacki Frye. My granddaughter on the beach in Maui, entitled, “Surf’s Up!!”

Andy Roberts. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and productive paintings in 2024. I closed out this year with a painting I was commissioned to paint from a couple who traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii in June. It’s a watercolor on watercolor canvas. I like not having to put glass on these painting as you can coat with acrylic UV paint and frame. Thanks to all our BWS members for a wonderful year.

Susan Savastuk. The items in red under the flyer (below) are donations that can be brought to the Cancer Support Center. The donations will become part of the Cancer Comfort Kits which the Center offers to folks healing from cancer. Feel free to bring your donations whenever, or better yet, when you come to see my exhibition at the Center which opens January 8.

Patty Uffman. I have been juried into the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington.  My work focuses on watercolors, but also includes pastels, acrylics, and collage.  The Arts Alliance showcases nearly every media:  watercolor, woodworking, collage, fiber, oil, photography, jewelry, oils, stained glass, pen and ink, glass, candle-making, and writing.  I’m happy to join other members of BWS who also exhibit there, including Andy Roberts, Carol Rhodes, Don Geyra, Henry Leck, Rose Brenner, Sara Steffey McQueen, and Susan Savastuk. Please stop by the Arts Alliance at the mall Thursdays-Sundays to enjoy the wide variety of artists on display!

Zain Mackey. As we reach the end of 2023 I’ve been working with watercolor and playing with mixed media ideas. Here’s one of my paintings on that theme titled “Fleeting Thoughts.”

Jerome Harste. I had the chance to visit the Light, Space & Time Online Art Gallery. They are featuring an “All Women” Art Show. Below are some of my favorite paintings:

Calendar

Now through March 3 –“God’s Gift of Winter Show,” Greenfield Christian Church

January 8 — BWS Meeting, First Christian Church, Bloomington

January 8 to March 1 — Susan Savartuk’s Show at Cancer Support Ctr., Blmgtn.

January 18 — MarySue Schwab’s classes begin at Ivy Tech, Bloomington

January 25 — Jeanne Dutton’s classes begin at the Fine Arts Store

February 2 to March 28 — BWS Benefit Show at The Vault Gallery, Bloomington

February 3 to March 2 — Upland Plein Air Show at Art Alliance, Bloomington

February 13 — Artist for Climate Awareness Workshop begins, Art Alliance

April 1 to April 28 — Artist for Climate Awareness Exhibition, Art Alliance, Blmgtn.

Holiday Party

Dec. 11, Monday, 6 p.m., Meadowood

2455 Tamarack Trail

Bloomington

Put on your holiday best and come to the annual BWS dinner party! Meadowood always provides a beautiful setting and delicious food to enjoy with your paint pals. There will be a greeting card exchange, a bring-one-take-one event. Any greeting is perfect! It does not have to be a holiday card.

The menu includes:

• Elegant Chopped Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
• Chicken Marsala
• Rice Pilaf
• Lemon Broccoli
• Holiday parfait
• Rolls
• Coffee, Tea, Wine

Please note on the reservation if you prefer a vegetarian option.

$20 per member or guest.

Reservation deadline is Sunday, Dec. 3. Cancellation deadline is Sunday, Dec. 3.

You can reserve your spot online by clicking the link below to make your reservation:

https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/bws-holiday-party-2023/

Annual online auction is up and running

Up for bids to support the BWS Scholarship can be found under the categories of

Art – an original painting by Lynne Gilliatt

Services – gutter cleaning from Marci LeMaster

Watercolor Society:

• printed greeting cards from Meri Reinhold
• a pet portrait from Linda Branstetter
• a handcrafted and painted soprano ukulele from Denise Lessow
• hand-painted Holiday cards
• a watercolor class from Jeanne Dutton

The BWS Scholarship receives 50 percent of our items sold.

Place your bid at the link below before Dec. 5! And be sure to check out all the other terrific items offered that support the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools. 

https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?auctionId=341726210

Zain Mackey demonstrates abstract watercolor techniques

November’s meeting featured a fun demonstration of how to create abstract watercolor art using plastic pieces. Any kind of heavy plastic, e.g., credit or debit cards, cut up in different sizes, provide a variety of sides and points to spread the color. Thanks to Zain Mackey for sharing her techniques!

Charlotte Griffin (left) and Daniel Goebbert (right) share their abstract paintings from the November meeting.

Viridian Moon invites BWS to its current show

of works by Middle School students

The 7th and 8th-grade artists’ show is back for the third time! This is a potluck effort from five local Middle Schools: Jackson Creek, Batchelor, St. Charles, Edgewood, and Bedford. This a unique opportunity to see young artists experimenting with different media and styles from collages to drawings, painting to digital arts, with guidance from their most supportive art teachers. The level of art skills, creativity, and boldness of the students’ art pieces make us, grown-up artists, rethink many aspects of our own works. This show inspires great interest in the Bloomington art society as well as the general public, and fosters bonds between creative people of all ages. Come support our wonderful young artists, and get inspired by the fruits of their hard work!

Until Dec. 9, come vote for your favorite work! The top 8 People’s Choices will receive awards!

The Gallery’s address is 1600 W Bloomfield Road, Bloomington, IN 47403 (the entrance from the lower parking lot)

Follow Viridian Moon on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/www.viridianmoon.art for updates.

Member News

“Devonian Dawn” by Tim Lewis

Tim Lewis‘s newest watercolor, “Devonian Dawn,” is from a recent visit to the fossil beds at Falls of The Ohio State Park in Jeffersonville, Ind. Tim’s watercolor, “Darling Oyster Bar,” was awarded the John and Karry Hansberry Merit Award at the Richmond Art Museum Annual Exhibition by Indiana and Ohio Artists. This show runs through Jan. 6.

Susan Savastuk will be showing her work at the Cancer Support Community Gallery during January-February 2024. The Opening Reception is Friday, Jan. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Joanna Samorow-Merzer was commissioned to paint a small watercolor painting of two cats. The photo on the left depicts the playful cats and on the right you see the finished painting. She writes: “Since I had a limitation of the size of the painting, I had to maneuver the cats in order to get what matters most. So, here are watercolor cats 9 x 12 on Arches 140#, titled ‘Want to Join Us?'”

Andy Roberts sends “just a little holiday card” he created recently. He hopes everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Joe and Bess Lee will be showing their work together as Animalia.2 Save the Animals = Save Ourselves in January ay the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington. The show will hang at the Arts Alliance Center in Bloomington’s College Mall next to the Foot Locker. The hours are Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Beyond BWS

The Watercolor Society of Indiana is moving its Annual Membership Exhibit to Gallery Forty – Two in downtown Indianapolis. The show will run from June 14 to July 26 on the first and second floors of the Gallery at 42 E. Washington Street.

This exhibit allows for flexibility in medium and surface. For example, glass and plexiglass are not required (sealed surfaces only), canvas is allowed, wood surface is allowed, mixed-media and other types of water media are allowed. All paintings must be ready to hang with wire (D-rings are preferred).

All WSI members are accepted into the annual membership exhibit. Registration for this exhibit is $20. You may submit your painting NFS; however, a sales price is encouraged. This exhibit will reach a new audience with lots of exposure and opportunities to gain a new fan.

The Opening Reception is Friday, June 14, at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Prospectuses for this exhibit at Gallery Forty-Two and for the Juried Exhibit at Newfield’s IMA will be released early next year.

Calendar

Now – Dec. 5 Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools online auction

Now – Dec. 9 Viridian Moon Middle School Art Show

Dec. 3 Deadline to reserve or cancel for Holiday Party

Dec. 11 Holiday Party at Meadowood, 6 p.m.

January Animalia.2 by Joe and Bess Lee at Arts Alliance Center in College Mall

January – February Susan Savastuk art show at Cancer Support Community Center Gallery

“Wash of Muddy Water” From Zain’s Southwest Series

Nov. 13 program
Abstract Adventures for the Overly Cautious

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, Nov. 13, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.
Zain Mackey leads this month’s program with something new and different!
“Abstract Adventures for the Overly Cautious.”

“Let’s put our charge cards to good use by using them to paint an abstract landscape,” Zain said. “Come see what it’s like to let your laughing inner artist let go and run the show. I’ll be demonstrating a wet-on-wet abstract technique using a plastic credit card. You’re invited to come paint with me. Prepare to laugh and have fun.”

SUPPLIES

• An old plastic gift or credit card
• A couple sheets of cold press paper, preferable rough, which add wonderful dimension. But bring what you have. Tape it to a board or use a block.
• Two to four tubes of your favorite colors. Tubes make it easier to put a dab of color on the edge of the card. I like using tetrads and I am a lush color junkie.
• A small palette of other colors in the event you are inspired to do negative painting.
• Brushes: a hake or mop brush to wet your paper. Other brushes, just in case.
• A spray bottle and water container.
• Paper towels.
• Something to protect your clothes! It can get messy.

“I will demonstrate applying acrylic links, granulating fluid, and possible other mediums,” Zain said. “These help to further satisfy your emotions for texture or composition and can really add to the work. It can also lead to disaster, and sometimes disaster turns out to be amazing.”

Nov. 10

Special curator-led tour of “Landscape and Abstraction in Watercolor 1780-1980”

Jenny McComas, curator of European and American Art at IU’s Eskenazi Museum of Art, will lead a tour for BWS members of the current exhibition of “Landscape and Abstraction in Watercolor 1780-1980” Friday, Nov. 10, at 3 p.m. Meet Nancy Davis Metz in the museum’s atrium at 2:50 p.m. Park in the IMU lot on Seventh Street and bring the ticket to the museum’s front desk for a 40 percent discount.

Holiday Party Announcement
Dec. 11, Monday, 6 p.m., Meadowood
2455 Tamarack Trail
Bloomington

Put on your holiday best and come to the annual BWS dinner party! Meadowood always provides a beautiful setting and delicious food to enjoy with your paint pals.
There will be a greeting card exchange, a bring-one-take-one event. Any greeting is perfect! It does not have to be a holiday card. (Blank watercolor cards will be available at the Nov. 13 meeting for those who need one.)
The menu includes:

• Elegant Chopped Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
• Chicken Marsala
• Rice Pilaf
• Lemon Broccoli
• Holiday parfait
• Rolls
• Coffee, Tea, Wine

Please note on the reservation if you prefer a vegetarian option.
$20 per member or guest.
Reservation deadline is Sunday, Dec. 3.
Cancellation deadline is Sunday, Dec. 3.
You can reserve your spot beginning Nov. 13 at the meeting or online.
Watch for an email from Charlotte to find the link for reservations.
Hope to see you there!

Left: Allen Hunton Right: MarySue Veerkamp Schwab

Cancer Support Community and the BWS Gallery

New work from Allen Hunton and MarySue Veerkamp Schwab will hang through Dec. 15 at the Cancer Support Center of Bloomington. The gallery is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm., with the opening reception Nov. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Stephanie Shelton, development manager at CSCSCI, developed the gallery and art program in cooperation with BWS. What began in September of 2022 has been a success for everyone. Thanks to the artistic talents and generosity of BWS artists, BWS Gallery has raised over $1,100 for art programs at the Cancer Support Community of South Central Indiana (CSCSCI). Estimating about $75 for each roughly 1.5 hour art class, this would pay the artist instructor fees for about 14 classes. Thanks to the three artists who have shared their talent by offering a class to the CSCSCI clients: Meri Reinhold, Sara Steffey McQueen, and Zoe Dean.
Stephanie thanks all who participated and says, “CSC is incredibly grateful for the partnership with BWS, and we look forward to continuing the partnership to increase sustainability of art classes for cancer patients, survivors, and families.”

Request for historical files

Linda Branstetter, BWS historian, asks anyone with info such as flyers of their shows to send them to her. She would like to put them in the history binder.

PDVNCH by Claude Cookman

Watercolor, gouache highlights and glitter 14 x 20 inches

Correct values let you
use color expressively

by Claude Cookman

In the first decade of the 20th Century, a group of French and Western European painters coalesced around the idea that color need not be realistic, but could be expressive. Chief among these “Fauves,” or wild beasts, were Henri Matisse, Andre Derain, Klees von Dongen and Maurice de Vlaminck. Their movement was short lived, but their idea resurfaces periodically.
In 2018, I was fortunate to attend a workshop in New Braunsfel, Texas, led by David Lobenberg, a contemporary proponent of Fauvism, who has branded his version as “California Vibe.” Lobenberg, who teaches at Sacramento City College, preaches one simple concept: “It doesn’t matter what color you use as long as you get the values right.” To expressive color, he adds numerous techniques for achieving texture with watercolor. You can learn more about Lobenberg and his style at these URLs:
https://www.stylemg.com/2020/09/29/330095/spotlight-on-watercolor-artist-david-lobenberg
https://www.lobenbergart.com/collections/60305
Since the workshop, I had not done anything with this approach. When it came time to prepare work for the Bloomington Portrait Group exhibition (At The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth Street, now through Nov. 24) I decided to try it again. PDVNCH, a local performance poet, designer and one of our favorite BPG models, seemed the perfect subject. To Lobenberg’s method, I added texture techniques learned in a class with BWS’s own Jeanne Dutton. The glitter was my own idea.
It’s not perfect. I will do several things differently the next time. But it was great fun!

FMCCS online auction to benefit BWS Scholarship

It’s time for the 2023 FMCCS online auction!
BWS annually awards $500 to a graduating MCCSC senior pursuing a degree in a field of art. We have had three successful applicants in the past three years so now we need to refill the coffers.
The Foundation for Monroe County Community Schools (FMCCS) holds an online auction called “Reading, Writing, Bidding.” The 2023 auction will be “live” from Nov. 27 through Dec. 5.
EVERY ITEM SOLD BY BWS ARTISTS EARNS 50 PERCENT FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP!
Here are some ideas for items you can contribute:

• A set of original, unique hand-painted greeting cards. (BWS will supply the cards.)
• An original painting, matted and backed. (BWS has 16 x 20 plastic sleeves.)
• A personal or pet portrait.
• A one-on-one art class!
• A coupon for service from your company

If you would like to contribute an auction item, let Sarah Ward or Jeanne Dutton know.
Please submit your donation form by Nov. 15.
Include a jpg image of your item or a sample, a full description, and a note assigning the item to the BWS Scholarship fund.
Here is the link to donate:
https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/donate.action?auctionId=341726210
Here is the link to bid:
https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?vhost=fmccs
Direct questions to Sarah Ward, BWS Scholarship Chair, at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Irina Shishova, Viridian Moon gallerist and Laura Brown, BWS show chair, announce Char Dapena’s painting of her cat as the People’s Choice winner.

“We Paint…Things We Love!”

The BWS membership show of 2023 closed Oct. 28 with a nicely attended reception, good food, and the announcement of the People’s Choice award. Congratulations to Char Dapena for her win with the charming watercolor painting of her cat, “Deku.”
Many thanks to the numerous BWS members who entered the exhibit and contributed in some way, to Viridian Moon Gallery, and to Laura Brown, the new BWS show chair.
For those who were unable to visit the exhibition, please view it on our BWS SmugMug gallery here:
https://bloomingtonwatercolor.smugmug.com/We-PaintThings-We-Love/

Jean Thiery-Vietor

Jean died Oct. 26 at Cedarhurst in Bloomington after a long illness. Her daughter, Cathy Vietor-Braunlin said a celebration of life will be arranged at a later time.

Member News

Left: “Crusher” by Tim Lewis/Right: “Darling Oyster Bar”

Tim Lewis’s watercolor, “Darling Oyster Bar,” was juried into the 125th Annual Exhibition By Indiana And Ohio Artists at the Richmond Art Museum. This show opened Nov. 9 and runs through Jan. 6. Two of Tim’s watercolors are in the Watercolor Society of Indiana Members’ Exhibition at Fishers Arts Council at the Collaboration Hub in Fishers, Ind. This show’s reception will be Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., and the show runs through Dec. 2. His only new watercolor this month is “Crusher”, a 15 x 22 inch painting of a large rock crusher at a limestone quarry near St. Paul, Ind.

“House of Singing Winds” by Andy Roberts

“Monroe County Courthouse” By Andy Roberts

In September Andy Roberts participated in the Friends of T.C. Steele Show held at the Brown County Art Gallery. It was his first time to show at this beautiful gallery and one of his paintings was purchased. Andy submitted photos of his T.C. Steele painting, “House of Singing Winds,” as well as a new painting, “Monroe County Courthouse,” that he completed in October. Both paintings are Pen and Ink with Watercolor.

“On the Town,” a mixed media painting by Nancy Davis Metz was juried in to the SALI National Abstract Art Exhibition XIX. The show hung at the Garfield Park Arts Center in Indianapolis last month.

Beyond BWS

Viridian Moon is currently featuring art from students at five local Middle Schools: Jackson Creek, Batchelor, St. Charles, Edgewood, and Bedford. This a unique opportunity to see young artists experimenting with different media and styles from collages to drawings, painting to digital arts, with guidance from their most supportive art teachers. The level of art skills, creativity, and boldness of the students’ art pieces make us, grown-up artists, rethink many aspects of our own works. This show inspires great interest in the Bloomington art society as well as the general public, and fosters bonds between creative people of all ages. Come support our wonderful young artists, and get inspired by the fruits of their hard work!

Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 8, come vote for your favorite work! The top eight People’s Choices will receive awards.
The Gallery’s address is 1600 W. Bloomfield Road, Bloomington, IN 47403 (The entrance is from the lower parking lot)
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/www.viridianmoon.art for updates.

Calendar

Nov. 10 Curator-led tour of “Landscape and Abstraction in Watercolor 1780-1980.” IU’s Eskenazi Art Museum. Meet in Museum Atrium at 2:50 p.m.

Nov. 13 Monthly BWS meeting, 6 p.m., First Christian Church
Nov. 15 Deadline for submitting donation forms for FMCCS online auction.
Nov. 17 Reception for Cancer Support Community Exhibit of work by Allen Hunton and MarySue Veerkamp Schwab, 4 to 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 – Dec. 5 FMCCS online auction
Dec. 11 Holiday Party at Meadowood, 6 p.m.

Meeting — October 9, 6 p.m.

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, October 9th, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.

Program

The October 9 program is a Fall Paint In led by Charlotte Griffin. There will be three still life setups for you to choose from.  Two are flower arrangements and one is a scarecrow and some pumpkins.  Bring you paper, brushes, and your palette filled with fall colors.

Inside BWS

State of the Society — Past President’s Report

Bloomington Watercolor Society
State of the Society Report (July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023)

Dear Members of the Bloomington Watercolor Society,

As I step down from my role as President, I take immense pride in the growth and accomplishments we have achieved together as the Bloomington Watercolor Society. It has been an honor and privilege to serve this remarkable community, and I am immensely proud of our collective achievements. The dedication, talent, and passion displayed by each member continue to inspire me and reaffirm my belief in the transformative power of art.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the entire executive committee and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make BWS a resounding success. 

I am pleased to present to you the State of the Society report for our organization, summarizing the activities and events that took place from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. It was an eventful year, and we are grateful for the continued support and participation of our members.

Meetings:

Throughout the year, our society hosted a variety of meetings and workshops to engage our members in the world of watercolor art:

• July 2022 – We kicked off the year with an Etagami workshop by Ruth Bogan.
• August 8th, 2022 – A demonstration featuring Rachel Berenson Perry, author of Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Virgil Dudley. Morgenstern’s Books was there with copies of the book to sell.
• September 12th, 2022 – We had a Show and Share session and a Book Exchange.
• October 10th – Sara Steffey McQueen led a Mandala Art workshop.
• November 14th – Penny Lulich shared insights on “Finding Joy and Confidence with Watercolors,” along with her demonstration of painting the California coastline.
• January 9, 2023 – We visited McCalla Elementary School, which is now an art gallery showcasing artworks collected by Indiana University affiliates.
• February 2023 – Unfortunately, this meeting was canceled due to Covid.
• March 13th, 2023 – We had a still life setup to paint, featuring flowers, fruit, shamrocks, and other objects.
• April 10th – Carol Rhodes and Jeanne Dutton presented various watercolor mediums.
• May 8th – The FrameMakers demo was canceled due to the presenter’s Covid situation, and business was conducted among officers only.
• June 2023 – We had a Show and Share session, the installation of officers, and a farewell to Carol Rhodes as BWS President.

Paintouts:

Our paintout events provided opportunities for members to practice their skills in different locations:

• July 16 – A paintout at Indiana University’s Hilltop Garden.
• August 6th – Downtown Historic Places paintout in Downtown Bloomington.
• September 10th – Great Outdoor Paint Out at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site.
• October 8th – A Multi-Organization Paint Out at the citywide Paint “Bloomington!” event.
• October 15th – A paint-out and pitch-in event at Peden Farm.
• April 22nd – A paintout at T.C. Steele State Historic Site for Arts of the Earth Day.
• May 20 – A paintout at Hilltop Garden Nature Center.
• June 3rd – A paintout at Monroe County History Center on the Lawn.
• June 10th and 11th – “Artist in the Garden” paintout in collaboration with the Bloomington Garden Club Garden Walk.

Gallery Shows:

Our members showcased their talents in various gallery exhibitions:

• “We Paint…Historic Bloomington” October 7 through November 23, The Vault at Gallery Mortgage
• “We Paint…Monet and More!” – February 3 – March 21, 2023 at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage which benefited Teachers Warehouse. $286 was donated from the proceeds.
• Tue Apr 25th – Sat Jul 8th – “We Paint…Historic Bloomington” Encore at the Monroe County History Center.
• Thu Jun 22nd – Sat Aug 5th – “BWS We Paint…Outside the Box” at Waldron Arts Center, featuring non-traditional watercolor pieces and various mediums.

Cancer Support Community Shows:

Our members contributed to meaningful exhibitions at the newly formed Bloomington Watercolor Society Gallery, located in the Cancer Support Community.  So far, the artists have raised over $1000 for CSC programs.

• Fri 9/2/22-10/28/22 – “Places to Go, People to See” by Meri Reinhold
• Fri 11/4 – Fri 12/23 – “Right Where You Are” by Laura Brown
• Fri 1/9/23- Fri 2/24/23 – “Sunrise of Hope” by Rose Brenner
• Fri 3/3 – Fri 4/28 – “Intuitive Acrylics” by Sara Steffey McQueen
• Fri 5/5 – Fri 6/30 – “Spice of Life” by Christine Peterson

Special Events:

We enjoyed several special events throughout the year:

• July 12 – Lilly Library watercolor book tour, where we admired antique watercolor works in the collection.
• Sep 29th and 30th – BWS participated in the Peden Farm Children’s Festival, offering thumbprint activities for children.
• October 8th – BWS offered thumbprint animals for children at “Paint Bloomington.”
• Dec 7th – LUME field trip to the Monet and Impressionist Exhibition of lights at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.
• Dec 11th – BWS Holiday Party at Meadowwood, featuring dinner and activities.

Book Sale:

• At our spring 2023 meetings, we held an informal book sale, with proceeds benefiting the Sande Nitti fund, which supports BWS participants attending art workshops. The sale was administered by Kathy Barton.

Workshops:

Our members had the opportunity to enhance their skills through workshops:

• July 23, 2022 – An architectural drawing class instructed by Steve Dawson.
• June 9, 2023 – A 3-D watercolor paintings workshop led by Anne Farley Gaines.

Scholarship Award:

• We awarded a $500 scholarship to Danza Batson, a recent graduate from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship who will be majoring in Fine Arts at Indiana University. The scholarship committee will attempt to arrange for Danza to showcase some of his work at our meeting.

Treasury:

Our treasury remains healthy, with a year-to-year balance increase of approximately $90. These funds were used to make BWS activities more affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for our members by supporting or subsidizing expenses.

Membership:

Membership has grown from 90 to 94 members from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. We are thrilled to welcome new members and continue fostering our watercolor community.

Thank you for your continued support and participation in the Bloomington Watercolor Society. We look forward to another year of creativity and artistic growth.

Sincerely,

Carol Rhodes

President, Bloomington Watercolor Society (July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023)

Membership Show: “We Paint…Things We Love”

The Fall Membership Show is hanging in Viridian Moon Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd., from Sept. 20 through Oct. 28. Viridian Moon Gallery hosted an opening reception Sept. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Important Show dates
Oct. 28, 3 – 5 p.m. Closing Reception
Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pick up artwork

A $50 People’s Choice Award will be awarded at the closing reception, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m.
Questions: contact Laura or Jeanne at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org

Field Trip to “The Lume” on October 18

Bloomington Watercolor Society has arranged a trip Wednesday, Oct. 18 to Newfields – The LUME to see a new version of the Van Gogh exhibit that many of us enjoyed last year. Aside from the vast array of spectacular images that surrounded us before, there will also be eight Japanese woodblocks and a “Sunflower Room” with seemingly endless fields of sunny flowers. Many aspects will be as brilliant this time as last, but we have learned that there will also be different effects with this newer version of the exhibit. If you saw the Van Gogh exhibit before, you know how stunning the immersive art, the classical music, the orchestrated lighting, and the interactive exhibits were. This is another chance to experience that once again without worrying about navigating traffic in Indianapolis.

Particulars:

DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 18
COST: $25 per person (includes bus transportation, if desired)
OPEN TO BWS MEMBERS: One additional reservation may be made at the rate of $25 per guest
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF BUS SEATS: 26
TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER: Rural Transit (Bus is NOT wheelchair equipped.)
MEETING TIME: 9:30 a.m. at Lowe’s (Please don’t be late.)
DEPARTURE: 9:45 a.m.
ARRIVAL AT NEWFIELDS: 10:45 a.m. (est.)
ENTER NEWFIELDS: 11 a.m.
DEPARTURE BACK TO BLOOMINGTON: 1:30 p.m.
ARRIVAL IN BLOOMINGTON: 2:30 – 3: p.m. (EST)
RESERVATION DEADLINE: Sept. 30
CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Oct. 10 (No refunds thereafter)

If you are interested, please don’t wait to make reservations; there is a limited number of bus seats. If you have not been to Newfields, there is a a gift shop (naturally) and a cafe where you can take a break if you like. To reserve your spot and pay electronically, go to https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/lume-roadtrip-2023/.
To pay by check, contact the BWS Treasurer, Barbara Coffman through info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Second Annual “Paint Bloomington,” October 7

WHEN:  Saturday, October 7, 2023. RAIN OR SHINE Registration begins at 9:30!

WHERE:  Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park (Next to the swimming pool).

HOSTED BY: Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington. Bloomington Watercolor Society, Upland Plein Air, The Portrait Group and Artists for Climate Awareness along with Bloomington Parks and Rec are teaming up to bring this fun event to Bloomington!  

NO REGISTRATION FEE.   Free! No advance registration required!.
Artists check-in between 9.30 am and 11:00 a.m. at the Pavilion the day of the event.  All artists should have canvas or multi-media paper stamped before beginning their work. Supplies will be available for classes at the Pavilion and some supplies are available for painting on the Bryan Park grounds.  

HOW:  Artists will be able to paint anywhere in Bloomington. The event is open to professional and emerging artists of all ages and skill levels to create original artwork of any subject in any medium.  All stamped/tagged works must be completed that day by 3:00 p.m. to be eligible for judging. 

Completed works need to be brought to the Woodlawn Pavilion by 3:00 marked with the artist’s name and email address or telephone number in the back. Please do not sign artwork until after judging. Wet Oil paintings should be in a frame for safe handling or BYO easel/display.
 
AWARDS: ALL stamped works completed that day will be eligible for judging. 

Awards will be for artists in all media in the following categories: Professional artists, Emerging Artists, Teens (12-17), and Youth )7-11) and Collaborative Art!! 

CLASSES will be at the Pavilion beginning 10:00-2:00 for youth and teens and adults.

DEMONSTRATIONS: Various artists will be giving demonstrations throughout the day and there will be opportunities to paint with them. Plein Air Painting will be all over town and the park!! 

Music, Storytelling, Poetry readings will be at the Pavilion throughout the day. Bring a picnic!

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

May Creek Farm Paint-Out and Carry-In, October 14

BWS’s End of the Season Paint-Out and Carry-In will be held at May Creek Farm on Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arrive any time after 9:30 a.m. Please follow the signs to park in the parking area.

The shelter house is located across the field. Water, drinks, food, chairs, and electrical outlets are available at the shelter. If you or someone has difficulties walking, transportation across the field will be provided. 

Set up anywhere in and around the field.  Paint 10 to noon. At 12, lunch (white chili chicken and snacks) will be served. Please bring side dishes and desserts.

You are welcome to stay and paint after lunch. The event is over at 2:00 p.m.

Zain, Sharon, and Sara are excited to be your hosts. 

Address: 8745 Rockport Road.

The easiest way to get to May Creek Farm is to follow Rockport Rd from Rogers Street for approximately 14 miles.  You will go through the town of Kirksville. May Creek Farm is located about 1 mile past Kirksville on the left. Look for the signs.

NOTE:  In case the paint-out needs to be cancelled due to weather, an email will be sent by 8 a.m. the day of the paint-out.

Out of Darkness Walk, October 22

Thanks to several member artists, BWS was able to contribute four dozen painted rocks to the Out of the Darkness walk!  Scheduled for October 22 at Switchyard Park, walkers will receive a rock and “plant” it along the trail. This project is co-sponsored by Project STAY, Kiwanis, and BWS as part of a national program of suicide prevention.  

To learn more, and perhaps participate in the walk, go to Please support the Bloomington Indiana Walk this fall to help #stopsuicide

Outside BWS

Artists for Climate Awareness: Ben Brabson
to Speak, October 12

“Evoking a Response to Climate Change”

October 12 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
FREE – Online or in-person (Ivy Tech Bloomington)
Register now!

https://ivytechbloomington.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=1391&int_category_id=1&int_sub_category_id=1&int_catalog_id=0

Climate change is real. Come to a presentation of scientific and artistic visuals curated and presented by Ben Brabson, climate scientist and Emeritus Professor of Physics at Indiana University.

Using art for communication can raise awareness, provoke impactful dialogue, and inspire action about environmental issues. Brabson’s talk includes engaging and artful illustrations that simplify concepts of climate change for ordinary people, making the concepts more concrete, meaningful, and motivating.

Mary Sue Schwab to Conduct a Workshop on Painting Indiana’s Trees

Mary Sue Schwab at the WSI 2023 International Exhibition at Newfields

Sponsored by the Artists for Climate Awareness, Mary Sue Schwab will be conducting a one-day workshop at Ivy Tech on October. 27th, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  In that workshop she will demonstrate key techniques for watercolor success. Participants will paint native Indiana trees, landscapes and more. Participants will be instructed in multi-layered, wet-on-wet techniques employing watercolors to create highly effective tree formations using a mixture of warm and cool greens, juxtaposing shadow and form. Participants are encouraged to bring a reference, such as a photo for their own piece. This workshop is open to artists of all levels and each will receive individual attention. Limited space sign up soon! 

https://ivytechbloomington.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=1392&int_category_id=1&int_sub_category_id=1&int_catalog_id=0

Bloomington Portrait Group Exhibition

During October and November, the Bloomington Portrait Group will exhibit work at The Vault at Mortgage Gallery, 121 E. 6th Street. Opening reception is 5 to 8 pm, Friday, October 6. The exhibition runs until Friday, November 24.

Many BWS members also participate in the Bloomington Portrait Group. Several work in watercolor. Come and support your fellow artists.

Jane Matranga • Watercolor • Donna Carlton in her belly dancing costume

WSI Sponsors a 3-Day Workshop

The Watercolor Society of Indiana is proud to bring Michael Holter to Indianapolis to teach a 3-day workshop, October 4 to 6, 2023.  In this workshop Michael will help you build off of the principles of design to create emotional and expressive paintings, engage in exercises that will solidify the content that you are working on, spend time viewing other artists’ work, and discuss the methods that these artists achieve using their techniques. Michael welcomes novice and advanced students and tailors the experience to individual needs.

The Workshop takes place at Second Presbyterian Church in Indy. The room is equipped with Audio Visual Equipment, and each artist is given their own 8-foot table.

Fiber Arts on Display

The City of Bloomington, in collaboration with By Hand Gallery, presents “Threads of Meaning”, an exhibition of work by Bloomington-based textile artists on view at Fountain Square Mall Bloomington from July 1 – October 9, 2023. Closing reception is on October 6th, 6-8 pm. The exhibition features artists Beatrice Atencah, Ary Bird, David Joseff Sloma, Patricia Coleman, Alizah Sage, Nina Montenegro, Emily Chase, Ileana Haberman, and Alexis Zabor. Go check it out! The locations of the show are the following: Fountain Square Bloomington Gallery Wall in the main atrium and the Fountain Gallery Lower-Level Walls and Upper-Level Walls.

Trivia Night at Cardinal Spirits, October 1

The Cancer Support Community has been truly supportive of BWS artists through the establishment of the Bloomington Watercolor Society Gallery.  In return, here’s a fun way we can support their programs.

“From My Fair Lady to Lady Gaga, George Michael to Michael Scott, and Downton Abbey to Uptown Funk, join us at Cardinal Spirits for “That’s Entertainment,” a trivia game that’s all movies, music, TV, and pop culture through the decades!”

This event is to support the Cancer Support Community of South Central Indiana (CSCSCI) and will be hosted by Josh Johnson of Bloomington Pub Quiz. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the CSCSCI.  

Food, drinks, fun, trivia, prizes!!!

Swope Art Museum to Host Rachel Branson Perry

The Swope Art Museum in Terra Haute will host a reception for Rachel Berenson Perry on Friday, October 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Her latest book, “Painter of the Dunes: A Life of Frank Virgil Dudley,” is part of the Historical Society’s Youth Biography series. The author will give a lecture about Frank Dudley and his work. Her presentation will start at 6 p.m. sharp.

Rachel Berenson Perry is fine arts curator emerita of the Indiana State Museum. She has written numerous articles for “American Art Review” and “Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History” (Indiana Historical Society) and has completed seven books about historical and current Indiana artists.

Artist Talk with Max Ginsburg

The Hamilton County Artists Association is hosting a talk by Max Ginsburg  on October 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lacy Art Building (848 Logan Street) in Noblesville. His artist talk is open and free to the public. Bill and Mary Sue Schwab have taken workshops with Max. Mary Sue reports, “Both Bill and I have taken workshops in New York with Max. I highly recommend his workshops. His Alla prima way of painting portraits is amazing!”

Artist Talk with Max Ginsburg
October 3, 2023, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
The Lacy Arts Building, 848 Logan St, Noblesville, IN 46060, USA

Membership News

Congratulations to Babette Ballinger on winning the Gallery’s Choice Award at Upland’s Members’ Show 2023!

Patty Uffman is the featured artist at the Community Cancer Support Center for September and October. Her show is entitled, “Outside Influences.” Although it will continue until October 26, the hours are limited: Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (or by appointment by calling 812-233-3286.). The holidays are coming. Patty has a variety of prints available for purchase as well as small framed artwork.

***********

Zain Mackey. Above is “Dusty River,” a watercolor that’s part of my new southwestern series. I’ve been remembering the trip my husband and I took driving across country last year. 

**********

Jane Matranga. Everyone is invited to see my exhibition called,Wearing the Painting at the Bloomington Arts Alliance. Opening reception is this Friday, September 29th from 6-8pm. The show runs through October 22nd.

Mary Sue Schwab.  “It’s Fall!” I recently sold my Plein Air painting of Ogle Lake at Brown County State Park.

Mary Sue closed her note with this announcements: “Coming soon, November and December, Allen Hunton and  Mary Sue Schwab will have a BWS art show at The Cancer Support Center of Bloomington, watch for more information.” 

Joanne Shank. Bloomington Open Studios Tour is Saturday, October 14 from 10-5 and Sunday, October 15, from 12-4.  Fifteen artists will be participating this year.  Find a map to studios and listing of all the artists at https://bloomingtonopenstudiostour.com/

Joanne Shank will be one of the artists.  Her studio is now in her home and no longer downtown.  She would love to have any BWS members stop by.   

Stephen Edwards. Stephen writes “I’m finally painting again.” He’s also winning lots of awards!! “My ‘Tree of Life’ (Below: Painting 1) won Best of Show at the Artist Association of Madison County Open Annual Exhibition (now showing at the Anderson Museum of Art) and was also accepted in the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Open Exhibition. ‘Keeping the Seat Warm’ (Painting 2) was accepted in the Philadelphia Watercolor Society’s 123th International Exhibition of Works on Paper. ‘Cola Wars’ (Painting 3) was accepted into the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s 41st Annual Exhibition now showing at Newfields.”

Timothy Lewis. It has been a busy month.

• New work: watercolor, Old Faithful, Through The Mist. and Solitaire. 

• Nov. 3rd through Jan. 7th – My watercolor, Spring Fed, was juried into the 79th Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition which will feature artwork by artists from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. The show is at the Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, IN.

• October – I will have a solo show at the Midtown Gallery in Broad Ripple the entire month of October. All watercolors in the show will be for sale directly from the artist.
• On October 10 I participated in a curated tour of the Quest For The West show at the Eiteljorg Museum. Our guide was Gayle Weisfield, a well known western watercolor painter and regular participant in the show. From the 11th through the 13th I participated in a workshop by Gayle at a private residence in Zionsville. This workshop was arranged through the Watercolor Society of Indiana and included 16 participants.

Andy Roberts. These are a couple of my recent paintings: (1) Fountain Square Downtown Bloomington- August Paint Out Plein Air; (2) T.C. Steele’s Outdoor Studio Wagon, T.C. Steele Historical Site – July Plein Air.

Anticipating seeing a large turnout for “Paint Bloomington” Saturday October 7th,  and the dedicated BWS members who are participating or volunteering.

Patricia Coleman. I would like to share a link to my recent blog post on persimmon astringent at:

https://quilterscomfort.blogspot.com/2023/09/indiana-persimmon-astringent-dye.html

There are some references to persimmon astringent being used to strengthen some handmade
papers and in stencil making and its use as a paint.  Traditionally it has been used in ways similar to indigo.

Jacki Frey.  Here is painting I did this Tuesday after visiting Gnawbone camp.   I do not often paint horses, however, these guys posed for me!!

Betty Wagoner. I recently attended the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s 3-day workshop with Taos artist, Gayle Weisfield. A day before the workshop, we met at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis for a tour of the Quest for the West exhibit.  Gayle was one of the artists featured in that exhibit. While there, we met an African-American artist in the show who gave an inspirational speech about his paintings and his life.  The combination plein air and studio workshop itself was held on an estate in Zionsville. It featured wet-on-wet painting and storytelling.  It was both eye-opening and inspirational. Gayle is a wonderful teacher.  The hosts fed us a wonderful breakfast and lunch in their beautiful home.  If you have a chance to attend one of Gayle’s workshops, I highly recommend it. Attached is a photo of a not quite finished painting of one of the workshop participants sitting at a creek that ran through the property.

Don Madwig. The Opening Reception to Don Madwig’s show at the Fell Gallery, entitled “Nocturnes – Variations on a Theme,” will be on October 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. Don’s show runs through the month of November.

Calendar

Sept. 29 Opening Reception, Jane Matranga’s Wearing the Painting Exhibition, Art Alliance
Oct. 1 Trivia Night at Cardinal Spirits, Cancer Support Community
Oct. 3 Opening Reception, Don Madwig’s show at The Fell Gallery
Oct. 4-6 WSI Workshop with Michael Holter, Indianapolis
Oct. 6 Closing Reception, Fibers on Display, Fountain Square Mall
Oct. 6 Opening Reception, Bloomington Portrait Group Exhibition, The Vault
Oct. 7 2nd Annual Bloomington Paint-out, Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park
Oct. 9 BWS October Meeting, First Christian Church
Oct. 12 Ben Brabson at Ivy Tech, Artists for Climate Awareness
Oct. 14-15 Open Studio Tours, Bloomington
Oct. 18 BWS Field Trip to Newfield’s – The LUME
Oct. 22 Out of Darkness Walk
Oct. 27 Mary Sue Schwab Workshop at Ivy Tech
Oct. 28 3-5 p.m. Closing Reception for Member Show, Viridian Moon
Nov. 1 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Pick up Member Show paintings at Viridian Moon

The August/September issue of Bloom magazine features artwork by BWS member Joe Lee.

Sept. 11
BWS meeting to focus
on best framing practices

Bloomington Watercolor Society will meet Monday, Sept. 11, at the First Christian Church, 205 E. Kirkwood Ave. The business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Enter through the Washington Street door; the door code will be sent by email. The meeting will not be on Zoom.

Matthew Schnaars from Framemakers, who will present the program on best practices for preserving and presenting watercolor artworks in a frame. “The final step of any painting is not placing the last brush stroke, but framing the artwork for the audience to view,” Matthew said. “Picture framing can enhance any work of art, but it can also protect it against the damages of time, and a skilled picture framer knows how to balance both aspects.”

Matthew will discuss topics such as mounting and matting options, working with watercolor paper as a framer, concerns about long-term preservation, different framing styles, and ways to work within a budget when framing your artwork. Matthew will bring some visual examples of all of the above to view and handle, and would be pleased to answer any and all questions that his time and experience will allow.

Member Show
“WE PAINT…Things We Love!”

The Fall Membership Show will hang at Viridian Moon Gallery, 1600 W. Bloomfield Rd., from Sept. 20 through Oct. 28. Viridian Moon Gallery will host an opening reception Sept. 23 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Each member is invited to show one framed artwork no larger than 32 inches in either direction. For complete information, please consult the Show Prospectus on the BWS website: https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/member-shows-workshops/show-rules/prospectus/.

Important Show dates

Sept. 15, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Deliver painting to Viridian Moon. Consult Prospectus for labeling instructions.
Sept. 23, 3 – 5 p.m. Opening Reception
Oct. 28, 3 – 5 p.m. Closing Reception
Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pick up artwork

A $50 People’s Choice Award will be awarded at the closing reception, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m.
If you have questions, contact Laura or Jeanne at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

August BWS meeting program

Peden Farm Volunteers needed!

BWS members will share an easy art project for all youth, parents and teachers attending the school-sponsored event at Peden Farm on Sept. 28 and 29. More than 2,000 patrons are expected this year so lots of volunteers are needed. You can volunteer for morning or afternoon shifts by contacting Sarah Ward: info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Breakfast and a barbecue lunch will be provided by our hosts.

THE LUME

Bloomington Watercolor Society has arranged a trip Wednesday, Oct. 18 to Newfields – The LUME to see a new version of the Van Gogh exhibit that many of us enjoyed last year. Aside from the vast array of spectacular images that surrounded us before, there will also be eight Japanese woodblocks and a “Sunflower Room” with seemingly endless fields of sunny flowers. Many aspects will be as brilliant this time as last, but we have learned that there will also be different effects with this newer version of the exhibit. If you saw the Van Gogh exhibit before, you know how stunning the immersive art, the classical music, the orchestrated lighting, and the interactive exhibits were. This is another chance to experience that once again without worrying about navigating traffic in Indianapolis.
Here are the particulars:
DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 18
COST: $25 per person (includes bus transportation, if desired)
OPEN TO BWS MEMBERS: One additional reservation may be made at the rate of $25 per guest
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF BUS SEATS: 26
TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER: Rural Transit (Bus is NOT wheelchair equipped.)
MEETING TIME: 9:30 a.m. at Lowe’s (Please don’t be late.)
DEPARTURE: 9:45 a.m.
ARRIVAL AT NEWFIELDS: 10:45 a.m. (est.)
ENTER NEWFIELDS: 11 a.m.
DEPARTURE BACK TO BLOOMINGTON: 1:30 p.m.
ARRIVAL IN BLOOMINGTON: 2:30 – 3: p.m. (est.)
RESERVATION DEADLINE: Sept. 30
CANCELLATION DEADLINE: Oct. 10 (No refunds thereafter)

If you are interested, please don’t wait to make reservations; there is a limited number of bus seats. If you have not been to Newfields, there is a a gift shop (naturally) and a cafe where you can take a break if you like. To reserve your spot and pay electronically, go to https://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/home/activities/lume-roadtrip-2023/.
To pay by check, contact the BWS Treasurer, Barbara Coffman through info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Member News

Patty Uffman will be the featured artist for September and October at the Cancer Support Center. Her show, “Outside Influences,” includes acrylics as well as watercolors and can be seen at the Opening Reception Friday, Sept. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cancer Support Center, 1719 W. Third St. in Bloomington. The Gallery will also be open daily for public viewing by appointment only. Email Stephanie@cancersupportscin.org or call 812-233-3286 to arrange a visit.

Three of Christine Peterson‘s paintings have received recognition this summer. “Remember Fishing” (above right) was juried in to the SALI National Abstract Art Exhibition XIX, to be shown at the Garfield Park Arts Center in Indianapolis. Her painting “Waiting and Waiting” (above middle) was accepted into the NWS and Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour 2024 International Exchange Exhibition. And her “Morning Break” (above left) painting is currently hanging in the 41st Annual WSI juried exhibit at Newfields museum. She also won Grand Champion at the Monroe County Fair this summer with her painting “Old Man Winter.”

Tim Lewis‘s watercolor, “Sunshine Came Softly,” (above) received the Bob Bratton Memorial Award presented by Between Paper & Palette (5th place) in the Watercolor Society of Indiana’s Annual Juried Exhibition. The show is in the Waller Gallery at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields and runs through Sept. 30. You can also view all 45 paintings in the show at https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/WSI-Store .

Tim’s watercolor, “Fixing the Outrigger,” (above) will be a part of the Nickel Plate Arts Members Only Show at the Judge Stone House in Noblesville from Sept. 1 – 30.

Rose Brenner won 2nd place at the Good Ole Summertime Hoosier Art Salon competition in New Harmony. Her painting, “Early Morning Walk,” (above) is a 16″x20″ oil.

Andy Roberts (above — on the left) shared a $500 Best of Show award for his watercolor painting of the West Baden Hotel Valley View. He participated last month in the plein air event sponsored by the Indiana Heritage Arts of Nashville at the West Baden Springs property.

Beyond BWS

Viridian Moon announces the final reception and People’s Choice Winner announcement Saturday, Sept. 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. for the Upland Plein Air Member Show – 2023. Until that day Viridian Moon will be collecting votes for the Show’s pieces. Please come to support/vote for your favorite artist!

Upland Plein Air Member Show

Friends of T.C. Steele Member Art Show
Aug. 25 – Sept. 23
Closing reception: Sept. 23, 2 to 4 p.m.
Brown County Art Gallery
1 Artist Drive, Nashville, IN.
Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.
The show features work from several BWS members: Katya Alexeeva, Kathy Barton, Jacki Frey, Betty Wagoner, Joanne Shank, and Andy Roberts.

WHAT: Second Annual Bloomington Paint Out
WHEN: Saturday, October 7, 2023. RAIN OR SHINE
WHERE: Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park (Next to the swimming pool).
HOSTED BY: Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington. Bloomington Watercolor Society, Upland Plein Air, The Portrait Group, and Artists for Climate Awareness are teaming up with Bloomington Parks and Rec for our second annual Paint Bloomington!
NO REGISTRATION FEE: Free. No advance registration required.
Artists check in between 9.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Pavilion the day of the event to have their canvasses or multi-media paper stamped before beginning their work. Supplies available for classes at the Pavilion and for painting on the Bryan Park grounds. Artists will be able to paint anywhere in Bloomington.
HOW: Open to professional and emerging artists of all ages and skill levels to create original artwork of any subject in any medium. Stamped/tagged works must be completed by 3 p.m. for judging.
Completed works need to be brought to the Woodlawn Pavilion marked with the artist’s name and email address on the back. Please do not sign artwork until after judging. Wet Oil paintings should be in a frame for safe handling or BYO easel/display.AWARDS: ALL stamped works completed that day will be eligible for judging.
Awards will be for artists in the following categories in ALL media: Professional artists, Adult Artists, Teens (12-17), and Youth (7-11) and Collaborative art.
Please email paintbloomington@gmail.com for additional information.
CLASSES will be at the Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all ages.
DEMONSTRATIONS: Various artists will be giving demonstrations throughout the day and there will be opportunities to paint with them.
Music, Storytelling, and Poetry readings will be at the Pavilion throughout the day. Picnickers and friends and family members and all observers welcome! All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Please email paintbloomington@gmail.com for additional information.

Workshop!
Establishing the Painting with
Personal Choice & Perspective

Friday, September 8th marks the beginning
of Art Colony Weekend. Spend the day with
award-winning Guild artist and instructor,
David M. Seward.

??Are you struggling with decision making
in your painting process? Look no further!

With David’s guidance, you will learn how to make informed decisions about color, composition, and other important aspects of painting.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced painter, his techniques will help take your skills to the next level!

The cost is $150/$175. To register, go to https://browncountyartguild.org/.

Calendar

Aug. 25 – Sept. 23 Friends of T.C. Steele Member Art Show, Brown County Art Gallery
Sept. 8 David M. Seward Workshop – Establishing the Painting with Personal Choice & Perspective
Sept. 8 4-7 p.m. Opening Reception for Patty Uffman’s “Outside Influences” at Cancer Support Center
Sept. 11 6 p.m. BWS meeting, First Christian Church
Sept. 15 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Deliver paintings to Viridian Moon for Member Show
Sept. 16 3-5 p.m. Final Reception and People’s Choice Award announcement for Upland Plein Air Member Show
Sept. 22 Opening Reception for Fall Splendor show at Brown County Art Gallery
Sept. 23 3-5 p.m. Opening Reception for Member Show at Viridian Moon
Sept. 23 2-4 p.m. Closing Reception for Friends of T.C. Steele Member Art Show, Brown County Art Gallery
Sept. 28-29 BWS volunteers at Peden Farm
Sept. 30 Reservation deadliner for BWS Field Trip to Newfield’s – The LUME
Oct. 7 2nd Annual Bloomington Paint-out, Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park
Oct. 18 BWS Field Trip to Newfield’s – The LUME
Oct. 28 3-5 p.m. Closing Reception for Member Show, Viridian Moon
Nov. 1 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Pick up Member Show paintings at Viridian Moon