Welcome! This is Brushstrokes, the periodic newsletter of Bloomington Watercolor Society. Enjoy our story. 

You can find us on Facebook via 

https://www.facebook.com/bloomingtonwatercolorsociety

To communicate with the BWS, send email to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.  A number of board members monitor emails sent to this address.

Brushstrokes, June 2026

COME JOIN THE CELEBRATION – 20 YEARS OF BWS! 

Don’t miss our next meeting on June 8th — we will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of BWS!  From the inception of Bloomington Watercolor Society in 2005 through each successive year, our organization has grown and thrived!  We invite all members to join us at our next meeting to celebrate our success and longevity and to enjoy an assortment of food and drink from Chipotle, courtesy of BWS.  No pitch-in — just yourselves with perhaps a memory to share of an experience from your time with Bloomington Watercolor Society.  Hope you will be at Pillar Arts in the Mall for our final meeting of the year until we reconvene in September!

Patty Uffman

Celebration Chair 

President's Message

Let’s make it personal!

When we gather for the BWS anniversary celebration June 8, let’s fill the evening with our personal memories from our BWS meetings, workshops, shows, paint-outs, field trips, and friendships. Come prepared to share a story and to bring photos or other memorabilia. The theme of the evening is to celebrate BWS’s 20 years by telling how this organization has played its roles in our individual lives.

To get you thinking, here are some questions:

What is your earliest memory of BWS?

What is your best memory of BWS?

What is the best thing you have learned through BWS?

What is your favorite workshop that BWS has put on?

Think of the BWS shows. What painting stands out in your mind? Who was the artist? What made it so memorable – the subject matter, the colors, the composition?

What has been the highlight of your time in BWS?

What is the favorite painting of yours that you have exhibited in a BWS show?

Don’t limit your reminiscing to these questions. These are offered just as starters.

So check your personal memory bank, print out a few photos, and join us at Pillar June 8 at 6:00!

Nancy Metz

BWS President 

Important News for Members – Renewal Time!

It’s that time of year when BWS collects dues for the upcoming year.

Your membership includes many wonderful benefits such as, but not limited to, educational and informative sessions at every monthly meeting, the opportunity to showcase your work in 1 or 2 membership shows each year, the chance to expand your skills through paint-outs, workshops, etc., and access to Brushstrokes, the BWS monthly newsletter.

Membership dues remain at $35.00 for the year. Dues may be paid via PayPal or by check through the mail. The link for direct payment via PayPal can be found on the BWS website under the tab, “Join us”. Checks may be made out to BWS and mailed to:

Treasurer, BWS; 55 N Street; Bedford, IN 47421.

Please submit no later than June 30, 2026 for the upcoming year: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. Your prompt renewal is much appreciated!

Also from Julie Boyd, Membership Chair:

Signature Member Opportunity

What is a Signature Member?

Have you noticed that sometimes you see “BWS” after a person’s name? That is a special designation for those member artists who have demonstrated professionalism through juried competition, art education, art experience, publications, awards, and completed artwork.

This year, members may make application to become a Signature Member of the Bloomington Watercolor Society. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2026.

Because there are specific criteria to meet, if you are interested please contact Julie Boyd, Signature Membership Chairman, as soon as possible so you can begin the application process. 

GARDEN WALK THIS WEEKEND!

A note from Charlotte Griffin, BWS liaison with The Bloomington Garden Club:

“Garden Walk is THIS weekend, June 6 and 7.  This spring has been good for flowers of all kinds and the gardens will be in full bloom. So, it is a perfect reason for a paint out. (See Charlotte’s photos below.)

The walk is from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Saturday and noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday. 

Want to be part of this weekend? Contact Charlotte. 

(Hint! There may be a show in the works to feature past and present Garden Walk paintings! Stay tuned!) 

Member Activities

Amber Connor provided us with techniques and inspiration for animal paintings at the May 8 meeting. Many thanks to her for a very enjoyable program!

Photo credits to Nancy Metz. 

Tim Lewis

Two paintings from Tim, both painted with QoR paints on 300# Arches cold-pressed watercolor paper.

“Rockfish Boathouse” is a 15″ x 11″ watercolor of the Rockfish Boathouse as seen from behind Bowens Island Restaurant on Bowens Island near Charleston, SC. A little waterfront scene inspired by South Carolina seafood. 

Burning Through the Mist” is a 15” x 11” watercolor of a stormy morning in Michigan as the sun begins to burn through the fog and mist. Almost a spiritual time. Inspired by a photo by Tim Skinner and used with his permission.

Tim also reports, “I will have three of my watercolors (“Crusher”, “Entropy”, “Eventually”) in the Hamilton County Artists Association Emeritus Member Show at the Birdie Gallery in Noblesville, IN. This show runs from June 6th through June 27th with public receptions on both the 6th and the 27th. I will also be doing a live demonstration of watercolor painting at the reception on the 6th.”Watercolor Society of Indiana: 

Watercolor Society of Indiana

The 44th Annual WSI Juried Exhibit at Newfields/Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46208. August 28 to October 25, 2026.This year’s juror is Kathleen Giles, AWS, NWS-M, TWSA. New this year – all entries must be entered through Show Submit. DEADLINE TO ENTER IS JUNE 19, 2026.

The annual Membership Luncheon and Special Event is Saturday, June 27, 2026. 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm at the Second Presbyterian Community Room, 7700 N. Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46260. Enter the church through the North doors at 11:45 am. DEADLINE FOR TICKETS IS MONDAY, JUNE 22!

WSI workshop, “Creating Depth and Drama in Watercolor”, with Artist Kathleen Giles, AWS, NWS-M, TWSA at the Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46260. The workshop is July 14 to July 17, 2026 frp, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day with a break for lunch. The price is $415 for WSI Members. $475 for Non-Members. Skill Level: Intermediate.

Information on WSI events can be found at https://www.watercolorsocietyofindiana.org/Calendar