Nov. 12

BWS meeting program focuses on Georgia O’Keeffe florals

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

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

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

Sharing to be a regular feature of monthly meetings

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

By-laws revision and future meeting location

to be voted on at November business meeting

Bylaws revision

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

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

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

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

Venue change

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

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

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

The following is a comparison of the two venues.

Parking

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

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

Cost

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

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

Secure location

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

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

Convenience of the location

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

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

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

FCC: Yes, with annual renewal fee

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

Technology and acoustics

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

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

Adequate area, light, and durable tables

FCC: A bit congested, well lit, durable tables

SMUM: Plenty of space, well lit, durable tables

Break down/Set up

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

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

Water

FCC: Not a problem

SMUM: Not a problem

Handicapped accessible

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

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

Availability for workshops

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

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

Kitchen facility

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

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

Area for supplies

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

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

Coffee

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

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

Distribution map

Photos and visits

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

Upland painted in Nashville, Ind., last month.

Upland to plan 2019 activities

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

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

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

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

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

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

Celebrate at the BWS Holiday Party Dec. 5

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

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

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

We Paint … the Blues! 

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

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

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

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

May Creek Farm

2018’s final Saturday Paintout

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

Jacki Frey

BWS Scholarship

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

Portrait Group exhibits 50+ works at MCPL

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

Member news

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

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

Sovereign
by Sara Steffey McQueen

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

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

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

Beyond BWS

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

Workshops on the horizon

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

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

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

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

IMO

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

This month the question is:

How do you know when a painting is finished? 

Kitty Garlock

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

Claude Cookman

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

Francie Agostino

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

Meri Reinhold

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

Question for January:

What is your watercolor resolution for 2019?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shows – Anne-Karine

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

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

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

For the Good of the Order

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

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

Oct. 8

Meeting program to feature

botanical watercolor techniques

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

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

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

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

Amira
by Deborah Rush

Brian
by Sande Nitti

Portrait Group to show work

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

Oct. 13

May Creek Farm site of final 2018 Saturday paint-out

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

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

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

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

Outreach

BWS member teaches color mixing

at Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship

by Cassidy Young

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upland fall schedule features

great destinations, next planning meeting

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

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

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

Oct. 16 Gnaw Bone Camp, hosted by Jane Matranga

Oct. 23 Nashville, hosted by Lory Winford

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

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

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

Art of Chocolate news

BWS to exhibit “We Paint … the Blues!“

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

We Paint … the Blues!

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

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

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

Painting composite flowers

by Suzanne E. Thorin

Catherine Watters demonstrating her botanical watercolor techniques.

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

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

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

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

The flower Suzanne painted

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

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

A nearly finished painting

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

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

Member News

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

Franklin Street
by Jacki Frey

Botanical Garden Lighthouse
by Betty Wagoner

Beyond BWS

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

IMO

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

This month the question is:

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

Kitty Garlock

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

Claude Cookman

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

Meri Reinhold

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

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

Question for November:

How do you know when a painting is finished? 

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

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

Welcome

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

Hospitality – Carla Hedges

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

A Piece of History – Candi Bailey

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

Secretary’s report – Jill Olshavsky

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

Treasurer’s report – Patty Uffman

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

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

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

Old Business

Membership Roster

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

Show Report

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

New business — Committee Reports
Programs:

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

Activities:

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

Upland Painters:

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

Portrait Group:

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

Announcements:

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

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

The Fireflies
by Rose Brenner

Mission Vibrations
by Barbara Coffman

BWS Preview

Members Show

Mums
by Suzanne Thorin

In Defiance
by Glenda Thompson

We Paint … Past, Present, and for the Future

opens Aug. 3 at The Vault

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last call:

Dues are past due

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

Family factory manufactures

Sumi-e ink sticks, slates

by Meri Reinhold

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2018-19 BWS Officers

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

Check out these great summer

destinations with Upland and BWS plein air

*July 23 Harvest Moon Farm, hosted by Kristen Stamper

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

Aug. 7 Way Cross, hosted by Jacki Frey

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

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

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

Aug. 21 Bean Blossom Bridge, hosted by Lory Winford

Aug. 28 TBA, hosted by Katya Alexeeva

Sept. 4 Champs Barn, hosted by Sande Nitti

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

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

* Indicates Paintout is NOT on the typically scheduled Tuesday

Celebration of Life

James Yang

James Yang

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

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

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

BWS painters at Garden Walk

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

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

Member news

Bean Harvest by Robin Edmundson

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

Alex’s Choice
by Claude Cookman

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

Bloomington Brews
by Candi Bailey

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

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

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

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

IMO

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

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

Claude Cookman

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

Kathy Barton

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

Kitty Garlock

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

September question for IMO:

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

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

June 11, 6:15pm, First Christian Church

Hospitality thanks (Mary Walker)

Thank you to Mary, Betty, Claude, and Jane!

Minutes approval:

Minutes were available on the Web and no changes were proposed. Motion Cathy Korinek   Second Kitty Garlock

Treasurer’s report (Patty Uffman)

Thank you to everyone who renewed their memberships!  Please send your membership payment by the end of June!

Old Business

Installation of 2018-19 Officers

There is no formal ceremony for incoming officers. We will take a headshot photo of each new officer to publish on the BWS website.

The new executive board: President- Kitty Garlock, VP- Jane Matranga, 2^nd VP- Charlotte Griffin, Treasurer- Patty Uffman, and Secretary-Jill Olshavsky.

A special thank you to Jane Matranga for your efforts as President. A small gift of portable watercolor paintbrushes was given to Jane.

Charlotte – Garden Walk 

Thank you everyone for signing up to paint on the Garden Walk. It is a two to four hour commitment to paint. This event is sponsored by the Bloomington Gardening Club. Please pick a good spot so you aren’t in everyone’s way! Lots of people walk through the gardens and sometimes the paths are small and narrow. Please introduce yourselves to the owner of the garden and ask them for a good place to set up camp!

Charlotte has printed BWS business cards to hand out to visitors who would like more information.

The addresses will be posted online 24 hours before the Garden Tour. We are encouraged to start the tour at the museum.

If you sign up to paint in the gardens then you do not need a ticket.

New business 

Committee Reports

Activities Jeanne Dutton

• Table Sale (When you Spring Clean create a box for the Sale)

The Table Sale will be held September 10^th, the first meeting this Fall. If you are cleaning out your studio, please bring things to donate to the Table Sale! Any usable art supplies in any medium will be accepted. You can price them or drop them off a head of time at Jeanne’s house and she will price them. All proceeds will be used to support the BWS Scholarship fund.

Suggestion: We should use grocery store round-up on all items for sale (to the nearest dollar) to avoid change of nickels and dimes.  Motion for rounding to the nearest dollar at the Table Sale: Robin Edmundson Second: Nancy Davis Metz

• Day Trip

There is a day trip for Ivy Tech Center for Life-Long Learning. You can enroll online. The trip on July 19^th will an extended tour of Twinrocker Paper Company in Indiana. Transportation (bus) is included and you get to make your own piece of paper. The early bird special is $69. Limited to 20 people. Lunch (not included) will be at German bakery next door.

Upland Painters Activities Kristen Stamper

The 2018 calendar has already filled up! If you need contact info please see Kristen.

• Tuesday we will meet at the IU Campus behind the Lily Library with access to the President’s house garden.
• June- Yellowwood State Forest & Kinder Farm.
• July – Moody Farm, WhippoorWill Farm, & Harvest Moon Flower Farm.
• August- Lake Cross, Lampkins Ridge, Bean Blossom, and the near west side neighborhood of Bloomington.

We have been invited to paint at the Botanical Gardens in a few weeks. This will be a separate event from the Upland’s usual paint-outs.

Please keep in mind that all painting locations have shade and are accessible for everyone!

Claude Cookman (6-10 Min) Portrait Group Video Show

The Portrait Group tries to schedule models as diverse as possible in age, ethnicity, gender & gender identity. We meet every other Thursday from 1-3pm. August through may will meet at the Banneker Center 930 W 7^th Street. The rest of the meetings will be held at the Monroe County Public Library (room 2A, past the racks of DVDs).

Everyone is welcome! All mediums welcome! Participants encourage and support each other. $3-5 fee to pay the models. Please email Claude if you would like to model or join!                                                                     

Programs Charlotte Griffin

Pass around suggestion sheet for Programs for next year return to Charlotte

Activities Nancy Metz

July Paint out and Participation in Brushstrokes

July 14^th will be at People’s Park on Kirkwood/Dunn at 7:30am-11:30am. Historically July paint-outs are cancelled due to weather. This time we’re meeting extra early to beat the heat! People’s Park is right across the street from Bloomington Bagels.

Nancy has passed out a small sheet of aluminum foil. You will know what it’s for once you read Brushstrokes!

Please send news for Brushstrokes in advance before it’s posted! Member participation is much appreciated.

Shows Jane Matranga

2018 Membership Show plans

1. Get paintings ready to for the Membership Show, drop off is Wednesday, Aug 1st, 10-noon.  Please be on time and respect the drop off window; get a friend to help drop off if need be.  No sawtooth hangers or screw eyes; flat hangers and taunt wire please.  Please read the prospectus.  Most importantly, please participate and submit a painting.
2.  Folks who would like to submit their painting for publicity purposes need to email them to Kathy Barton by July 7th.  This is optional and is not a requirement to participate in the show.
3.  Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered to help with show preparations and food donations.
4.  Other info: Show location:  The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E Sixth St
5. Reception Aug 3rd, 5-8 September Gallery Walk, Sept 7th, 5-8 Volunteers needed
6. Pickup Sept 28, 10-noon

Publicity: Char Dapena

A Save the Date Card will be emailed to you! Please forward to others. Show title: We Paint (past, present & future). The show information will be posted on Instagram, in galleries, and in Bloom magazine. We are in contact with the Herold Times. You have 6 weeks to get your painting done and framed!

Announcements

• BWS received a card from Deanie, Bob Ferguson’s wife. Unfortunately, Bob passed away on May 25^th. Deanie has made a donation to BWS.  There will be a service for Bob on Labor Day. The venue TBD. If you would like to send a card please email Nancy for the address.  Suggestion: It would be nice to do something nice with the donation from Deanie instead of spending it on napkins/snacks.
• James Min-Ching Yang (former BWS member) has passed away May 30^th in Taiwan at the age of 81. We will get the address to send a card to the family. The family has always been extremely supportive of the arts.
• Betty Walker, Joanne Shank and Kathy Barton have a studio downtown on the Square. If anyone would like to do a demo on gallery walk nights, please let them know. You can bring a box of matted art to sell. Please contact if you are interested!
• Kristen Stamper: Rose Brunner is currently at the Waldron! The Brown County Gallery juried show has accepted a piece by Kristen. Congratulations Kristen!
• Nancy Davis Metz and Carol Rhodes will be offering a class June 30^th 9am-5pm. Title: Through the Windows. Watercolor and Gouache. Please enroll!
• Thank you to Claude Cookman for an extra contribution to BWS along with your membership.

Program: Sara Steffy-McQueeen “Mixed Media Abstracts” Let’s play with some of those failed paintings

June 11 meeting

Program to explore mixed media abstracts

Sara Steffey McQueen will guide BWS members in an exploration of abstraction and mixed media with watercolor. Members will take a short look at the history of nonobjective art and talk about their own experiences with abstraction.

“We will then jump into playing in abstract expressions,” Sara said. Members should bring a small painting to donate for “deconstruction.” These “rejected” images will be cut and torn and shared. “This will be a playful and intuitive approach to abstraction, using our knowledge of composition to create a small mixed media painting with collage and other water media,” Sara said.

Bring any watercolor crayons you have, glue, and masking tape. Sara will have materials to share also.

The program follows a brief business meeting that starts at 6 p.m. The monthly meeting is at the First Christian Church at the corner of Kirkwood Avenue and Washington Street. Please use the Washington Street entrance.

How I did it

Myrtle Beach Summer, Version 2

By Jerry Harste

Myrtle Beach Summer, Version 1

Myrtle Beach Summer, Version 2

To explain how I did “Myrtle Beach Summer, Version 2,” I have included an image of an earlier version of the same subject as it clarifies at least part of the process I used in creating Version 2.

I worked from the same photograph to create both paintings. Both versions are on a full sheet of 300-pound watercolor paper. Version 1 was made using watercolors; Version 2 was painted using Golden Fluid acrylics.

In Version 1 I worked wet on to dry using every color in the rainbow by laying down short rectangular brushstrokes of first one color, then another, using three different flat watercolor brushes (1/4-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1-inch). Color governed my decision making both in terms of composition and unity. I varied the brushstroke size as well as making sure dominant colors in one area also showed up in other areas.

In Version 2 (the acrylic painting), I began wet on wet by first wetting down the entire sheet of watercolor paper and then, while still really wet, crumpling up a sheet of white tissue paper and laying it on the watercolor paper lightly so that some areas touched the surface while others did not. While everything was still wet, I spritzed the tissue paper with a watered down solution of Quinacridone Crimson, making sure some areas would stay white. In this process, remember that acrylics dry darker whereas watercolor dries lighter.

Once this was completely dry, I took pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil, painted a thin coat of black gesso on the back, and then while still wet (but not too wet — I count to 10) I turned it over and placed it lightly on the sheet of watercolor paper. Working rapidly and using a blunt stylus, I drew an outline of the house you see in the painting. Once the house was dry, I used the same process to put in the boat. (Caution: Once you turn over the gessoed foil do not touch it with your fingers or hands. Use only the stylus, or you will end up with a big glob of black on your paper that you will either have to work around or incorporate into the painting itself.)

Once this gesso was perfectly dry, I worked wet on dry limiting myself to only three colors: Quinacridone Crimson (my red), Turquoise Phthalo (my blue), and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold (my yellow). By combining and varying the intensity of these colors, I began laying down the paints using the same brushstroke technique I had used in Version 1.

Jeanne Dutton stopped by my house just as I had completed Version 1, and I asked her what she thought. After a moment of silence, she said, “Well, it is colorful!”

“I know,” I said. “I’m thinking of doing another version only with a much more limited palette.”

“Great idea,” she said.

Since then, I have found some people like Version 1 better than Version 2. Some even see a bird sitting on one of the pier’s posts in Version 1. Although using gesso on aluminum foil is tricky, I like the effect as it produces a varied line that opens up new possibilities for both the artist as well as the viewer.

Reminder:

Your dues are due

It’s time to renew your BWS membership. Single membership is $35, family membership is $50 (for two from same household), student membership is$15, and associate membership (nonresident) is $15. You can bring payment to the June 11 meeting; mail a check to BWS, P.O. Box 5236, Bloomington, IN 47407-5236; or go to BWS website www.wepaintbloomington.org, click on Join BWS and use PayPal. You can use a credit card if you do not have a PayPal account.

BWS Scholarship awarded

Clara Smith of Bloomington High School South received the 2018 BWS Scholarship, which will provide her $300 to purchase art supplies for her college art classes.

Jo Weddle attended the BHSS Honors Program to present the BWS Scholarship in addition to the Eberly Scholarship, which is awarded every other year to a senior who will be studying fine arts at Indiana University. Clara received both scholarships.

Playing with portraits

Cassidy Young (left) had members studying their own faces by doing continuous line contour drawings at the May meeting. She then led members through exercises to help them understand facial proportions before venturing in to looser portrait work. Center: Bess Lee measures Ann Umphress’s facial features. Bottom: Barbara Hoffman and Cathy Korinek “trace” their faces with one hand and draw with the other.

July 14

Saturday morning in the Park

BWS is trying something different. Its Saturday paint-out in July will be in People’s Park at the corner of Kirkwood and Dunn from 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. July 14. Note that this is an early morning paint-out in an effort to “beat the heat.” Bagels and coffee will be provided.

Get ready for We Paint!

2018 Member Show

Aug. 3 — Sept. 27

This year’s BWS Member Show, “We Paint … the Past, the Present, and for the Future,” is a bit earlier than previous years, so it is time to finish your painting and framing.

Paintings should be created with aqua media on a two-dimensional substrate. Paintings may include other water-based mediums (collage, pastel, pen and ink, etc.) as long as their use does not exceed 50 percent of the work. Encaustic and oil are excluded from the member show. To enter the show, artists must have paid BWS dues for 2018.

Each member may submit one framed watercolor. Work should be matted, and flat hangers should be used. Sawtooth hangers and screw eyes are not permitted. Maximum size is 24 inches edge to edge, not including the frame. Neutral matting and framing are encouraged.

Important Member Show dates

July 7: Submit images for publicity

Aug. 1: Deliver painting between 10 a.m. and noon to The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, 121 E. Sixth St.

Aug. 3: Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m.

Sept. 7: September First Gallery Walk, 5 to 8 p.m.

Sept. 28: Pick up painting at The Vault

For more information and labels to be used when submitting artwork, go to http://www.wepaintbloomington.org/,and follow the link Show Rules in the menu at the right.

Upland Painters worked at the Cedar Creek Winery May 29.

Upland announces its summer schedule

June 19: Yellowwood Shelter hosted by Betty Wagoner

June 26: Kinder Farm hosted by Kitty Garlock

July 10: Moody Farm hosted by Sande Nitti

*July 23: Harvest Moon Farm hosted by Kristen Stamper

July 31: Mary Hartle property at Walnut Pike and Allendale Drive hosted by Betty Wagoner

August 7: Waycross hosted by Jacki Frey

August 14: Lampkin’s Ridge hosted by Jacki Frey

August 21: Bean Blossom Bridge hosted by Lory Winford

August 28: TBA hosted by Katya Alexeeva

* Designates that this is NOT a Tuesday. July 23 is a Monday.

For more information on Upland, email upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

Donna Whitsitt’s start

Sande Nitti at work

Francie Agostino’s work

Obituary

Bob Ferguson

Bob Ferguson works on a painting of Carla Hedges in a 2009 class.

Bob Ferguson, longtime member of BWS and a frequent watercolor classmate of many BWS members, died May 25. He and his wife, Deanie, moved to Bloomington 12 years ago after Bob retired as a corporate executive in retail industry. He was active in the Northside Exchange Club and the YMCA as well as BWS. Bob brightened every room he entered with his humor and interest in people. Many of us will miss him.

Anyone wanting to write a condolence note to Deanie can email  Nancy Davis-Metz for Deanie’s address.

Member news

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First Christian Church 6:15 pm

Charlotte Griffin ran the meeting for Jane Matranga who was taking students to Paris.

New members introduction: Francie Agostino, Dawn Cartwright, and Suzanne Thorin

Hospitality:  Refreshments Chair, Mary Walker, gave thanks to Nancy  Davis-Metz, Jacqueline Fernette, Patty Uffman, Charlotte Griffin and Penny Lulich who provided bounteous  refreshments.  Mary passed around a sign-up for refreshments for future meetings.

Minutes:  Charlotte Griffin referred to the minutes of the April meeting as published on line.  No corrections were voiced.

Minutes were approved:  Motion: Carla Hedges, Second: Kathy Barton

Treasurer’s Report:  Char Dapena gave the treasurer’s report for Patty Uffman who was ill and specifics are available by contacting Patty.   Char reminded the members that membership dues are to be paid in June.  Dues are $35 for individuals and $50 for families and should be mailed to our PO Box or you can use pay pal.  BWS cards with envelopes are for sale for $12/packet.

The report was approved:  Motion: Betty Wagoner, Second: Kitty Garlock

Old Business

Charlotte Griffin distributed the slate of officers for 2018-2019. The handout included the list of Committee Chairs who represent the extended board and Officers who represent the Executive Board. These individuals will take office following the June meeting. The members of BWS vote on the Officers/Executive board.  The chairpersons are appointed by the president; the only open position is for Activities chairman, and anyone who would like to volunteer should contact Kitty Garlock.   The members in attendance approved the election of the slate of officers proposed as follows:

• Kitty Garlock, President
• Jane Matranga, 1^st VP
• Charlotte Griffin, 2^nd VP
• Patty Uffman, Treasurer
• Jill Olshavsky, Secretary

Charlotte Griffin reported on the BWS sponsored workshop by Dale Popovich.  Dale, who was a graduate and an instructor at the American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL, presented a successful workshop on April 28 in which all who participated learned a lot. Dale did 3 demos. Those who attended painted along with him on the third demo.  Charlotte Griffin brought 2 of Dale’s demo paintings, and she and 4 others brought their paintings from the workshop.

New Business

None

Chair Reports

Activities:

• We will have an art supply table sale in September or October to raise money for our scholarship fund.  During your spring cleaning, please create a box for the sale.
• Charlotte Griffin passed around a sign-up sheet for the 2018 Garden Walk paint out. Those who sign up receive a ticket to the garden walk.
• Nancy Davis-Metz passed out a list of up-coming weekend paint-outs which she and Babette Ballinger put together, and she passed around sign-up sheets:

Upcoming Paint outs:

May 19, Brown County State Park,

June 16-17, Bloomington Garden Club Garden Walk, Artist in the Garden

July 14. People’s Park,

August 17. West Baden Springs,

September 8 T.C. Steele Historic Site,

and October TBD May Creek Farm.

For more detail see Brushstrokes closer to the specific date.

Upland Plein Air Painters:

• Kristen Stamper reported that Upland Plein Air Painters would meet
  • May 15 at Morgan Monroe State Forest,
  • May 22 Tuesday at Payne Town,
  • May 29 at Cedar Creek, hosted by Jackie Frey,
  • and June 5 at Babette Balliger’s home for an organizational meeting and pitch-in lunch.

Kristin passed around a sign-up sheet for hosts for future Upland meetings. Kristin also reported that the Hidden Treasures of Indiana exhibit at the Wiley House barn which ended on Thursday, involved 18 artists who exhibited 44 works (up to 3 per artist). Over 65 attended, and one painting was sold.  The entrance fee was used for a People’s Choice Award which was given to  Kristen Stamper and Jackie Frey in a tie vote.

Scholarship:

Jo Weddle reported that she presented the BWS scholarship to Clara Smith at the BHHSS awards ceremony, and she read Clara’s letter which was quite impressive.  Clara will be invited to attend one of our meetings in the Fall.

Programs:

Jo Weddle reminded the members that Sara Steffey-McQueen’s program for the June 11 meeting is ‘Mixed media and abstract’.  Members are each asked to bring a failed painting or two as well as watercolor crayons.

At the June meeting we will be asked to contribute ideas for next year’s programs.

Kathy Barton said that we could publish a BWS book for about $20 with the proceeds to be used for our scholarship program. Kathy volunteered to work on it, and Babette Ballinger and Candi Bailey also volunteered.

Shows:

Anne-Karine Bley reported that she is chairing the 2018 BWS show on August 3 at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage. She passed around sign-up sheets for people to bring food for the reception on August 3, to take in and hang the show, and to greet people at the reception on September 1.  Images should be submitted by July 7 (note this is a correction in date) to Anne-Karine for publicity.  August 1 from 10-12 is when paintings are to be dropped off, August 3 from 5-8 is the reception, September 7 from 5-8 is a second gallery walk when a representative from BWS would be helpful.  There is no specific theme for the show, but the committee will decide on a title.

Announcements

• Charlotte Griffin reported that Jerry Harste’s show at the Waldron ends May 19 and encouraged everyone to see it.
• Jo Weddle described the tree painting in the lobby of First Christian Church which features her and several other BWS members’ tree paintings.
• Bob Buress told us about Paint Columbus, the first annual event for plein air painting in which he participated.  Artists are invited to submit 2 paintings, and 1/3 of the paintings sold.  Columbus will repeat the event in the Fall as part of ‘Exhibit Columbus’.
• Cassidy Young reported that on Friday the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship would have an emerging artists show from 5-7:30.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm

Program:  Cassidy Young:  Collaborative Art Exercises/Silly Portrait

May 14 meeting

Portrait Play to follow monthly business meeting

Bring your miscellaneous watercolor supplies, pencils, and sketchbook and be ready to explore playful portraits. Don’t worry. Other mark-making supplies and paper will be around to use as well. Cassidy Young will present the basics of facial proportions and lighting techniques through creative, collaborative, and very playful activities. “We are going to let go of the frustrating perfection that often hangs on making portraits,” Cassidy said. “With any luck, while we’re having fun, you might pick up a trick or two to improve your portrait work.”

Cassidy’s presentation will follow a brief but important business meeting where the 2018-19 slate of officers will be announced and voted on and members can sign up for Garden Walk paint-out sites. Members who attended the Dale Popovich workshop in April will also bring their paintings. The meeting starts at 6 p.m., Monday, May 14, at the First Christian Church at the corner of Washington Street and Kirkwood Avenue.

May 19

Saturday plein air opportunity

Enjoy a day of plein air painting at Brown County State Park Saturday, May 19. Painters will meet at the Abe Martin Lodge at 9:30 a.m. and then choose where they want to work. The group has 12:30 p.m. lunch reservations at the Little Gem Restaurant in Abe Martin Lodge. Individuals can resume painting after lunch if they so choose.

BWS Spring Workshop:

Dale Popovich teaches landscape painting

Dale Popovich, an exhibitor at the Brown County Art Gallery, taught students how to paint a fluid landscape like the one to the left. For more pictures and a description of the workshop see the BWS website page about the workshop. http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/member-shows-workshops/dale-popovich-workshop/.

Candi Bailey, Carol Rhodes and Robin Edmundson were among the attendees who arrived early to set up.

Dale did two demos and then broke the painting process into manageable pieces for attendees to work.

Dale’s informal style put everyone at ease.

Hidden Treasures of Indiana

Frey and Stamper tie for People’s Choice Award

Jacki Frey, “Autumn Light”

Kristin Stamper, “Indiana Idyll”

People who attended the April 14 reception for the Hidden Treasures show of plein air paintings voted for People’s Choice Award, and it was a tie! Jacki Frey’s “Autumn Light” and Kristen Stamper’s “Indiana Idyll” received the honor.

You have until May 9 to see the Upland Painters’ exhibit of plein air paintings. Seventeen artists are exhibiting 43 works at the Wylie House Museum’s Bradley Education Center, 317 E. Second St., Bloomington. The hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

If you are interested in learning more, visit www.bloomingtonwatercolor.org or contact Kristen Stamper at upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

BWS, LCAA set up Bedford Paint-out 

Kitty Garlock, Mary Jo Cannedy, Jacki Frey, Kathy Barton, Kristen Stamper, Lynne Gilliatt and Jane Matranga at the Wiley Art Center in Bedford April 28. BWS and Lawrence County Art Association arranged a joint paint-out in Bedford.

Annual Table Sale to support BWS Scholarship

Finally, it’s spring! And that means we are all in the mood to spring clean our studios. Right? Don’t toss those supplies.

Clean, usable supplies for all mediums will be accepted for September’s Annual Table Sale; art books are always welcome. You may drop off items at Jeanne’s house, or keep them until the second Monday in September, which is the date of the sale. Bring them early enough to be tagged with prices, or price them yourself. If you have questions, contact Jeanne at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.

The BWS Scholarship receives 100 percent of the proceeds.

Upland Painters’ May schedule

May 8: Lake House, hosted by Henry Lech

May 15 Marion’s Cottage, hosted by Babette Ballinger

May 22: TBA, hosted by Candi Bailey

May 29: Cedar Creek, hosted by Jacki Frey

Urban sketchers at Inkwell

Contact upland@bloomingtonwatercolor.org for details.

Claude Cookman at McCormick’s Creek

Sande Nitti at McCormick’s Creek

Member news

Robin Edmundson, “Linton Barn”

Robin Edmundson is having an Open Studio Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come see her new work. BWS members are invited to “stroll around the gardens, walk along the creeks or up the paths through the woods,” Robin said. “It’s guaranteed to refresh your spirit and inspire your own creative work.”

Jacki Frey painted this oil for the Field to Finish competition with the Indiana Plein Air Association. It currently hangs at the Hoosier Salon Gallery in New Harmony.

Jerry Harste has a show at the Waldron Art Gallery titled “Visual Literacy: My Journey” running April 27 – May 19. A reception is scheduled for Friday, May 4, 5 – 8 p.m. He hopes to see you there.

Beyond BWS

The deadline for digital entries for the 2018 Watercolor Society of Indiana‘s Juried Exhibit is May 11. Go to www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/juried-exhibit/ for more information.Pieces juried into the exhibit will hang at the Indianapolis Museum of Art Aug. 3 – Sept. 29.

The Kentucky Watercolor Society‘s annual juried show, Aqueous USA, will hang at Actors’ Theatre of Louisville Sept. 6 – Nov. 4. Mail entries and payments must be postmarked by July 1. Images may be submitted via email or USPS. The prospectus is at www.kentuckywatercolorsociety.org/files/Aqueous_2018_Prospectus.pdf.

Hoosier Art Salon has published its prospectus for the 94th Annual Hoosier Salon, which will hang at the Indiana State Museum Aug. 3 – Oct. 14. Applications are being accepted now through June 15. The prospectus and application is available through Juried Art Services http://www.juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=1434.

Indiana State Fair competition entries are open, For watercolor information, turn to page 15 in the Open Entry Book that can be found at https://www.indianastatefair.com/state-fair/competitionscontests/indiana-arts-building/.

Indiana Wildlife Artists is looking for two judges, one a fine arts judge and the other a naturalist judge for its annual exhibit in Indianapolis. Judging will take place Aug. 25starting at 10 a.m. and lasting for several hours. For more information, contact Diana Hunter at hunter_diana@sbcglobal.net or 317-331-9676 as soon as possible. Please include your home address and personal phone number along with a paragraph about your experience or credentials.

Lawrence County Art Association offers a class on color usage June 6, 13, and 20 taught by Deb Weld. The class will run from 10 a,m, to noon. Deb invites students to use any medium they prefer but it is BYOM — Bring Your Own Medium. The total charge for the class is $30, payable at the first class. To add your name to the class list, call Phyllis Westfall at 812-279-4734 or 812-583-7130.

IMO

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

If you had unlimited funds to purchase any watercolor painting in the world, what painting would it be and why would you choose it?

Tricia Wente

I viewed John Singer Sargent’s watercolors in a special show many years ago in Toledo, Ohio, and fell in love with his freshness in the way he approached his plein air painting. My first choice is “Bedouins,” a very interesting double portrait with great linear use of paint … [leaving] the white of the paper to create the incredible shapes of sunshine. Another of his works, “Mountain Fire,” is painted with gorgeous color in a very spontaneous manner.

Kitty Garlock

I have no desire to own big name pieces that would require high security to keep safe nor such famous ones that even unlimited funds could not purchase. I tend to value works by people I know and love. One such piece took my breath away when I saw Kristen Stamper’s “Indiana Idyll” at the Hidden Treasures plein air art show — that, if I had unlimited funds, would be the picture I would buy!

Lynne Gilliatt

I would buy “Peonies” by Charles Rennie Mackintosh … because it’s soft yet hard edged, like I like to paint and has oraqnges, pinks, whites and bold black lines too! He combines the petals of the peonies against the designed wavy lines of the background. He inspires me.

Claude Cookman

I have the perfect spot on our living room wall for Andrew Wyeth’s 1962 watercolor, “Frostbitten,” a graduate seminar in texture and value. Four weathered apples, in varying shades of red, rest on a sunlit window sill against a rough plaster wall and a rotting window frame, while outside dessicated autumn grasses press against the panes. Wyeth violates a hallowed rule of composition by putting the edge of the frame almost on the vertical center, but the intersection of five vertical and five modestly diagonal force lines, plus the octaves-wide range of values from the sky-white exterior to the rich brown-black wall along the right edge, lift his composition above such limiting strictures. (www.flickr.com/photos/miafeigelson/14218520754)

Editor’s note: I encourage you to search the Internet for images of these beloved paintings. Go to Google, type in the name of the painting, the artist’s last name, and the word “image,” and several images should pop up. — NDM

June question for IMO:

Where are you currently finding new ideas and inspiration? Identify a book, website, video, or other resource that you rely on to keep your creativity clicking. In three sentences or less, tell how you use it or why you like it.

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