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VERMONT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
| October 2014 |
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HUBS
Hub news can be found in the new "HUB NEWS" section in the main body of the newsletter. If you have Hub related questions please contact Pamela Dexter,Director of Hubs:
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Facebook
If you are a Facebook user and a current VWS member, please consider joining the Vermont Watercolor Society Facebook group. This is a place for members to share their work, and information about shows and events. Click here to join.
We have also created a Vermont Watercolor Society page. This is a public place where VWS will share announcements and other information. Members are welcome to share their work and announcements on this page as well. Please share the page with your friends.
Newsletter Submissions
All member events , workshops and show announcements should be sent to :
Newsletter article deadline is the 20th of each month.
Please put "VWS NEWSLETTER " in your title. Thank you!
Submissions must be fully written and spell-checked with accurate punctuation in order to be included. This saves our volunteer editor much valuable time so that she can return to painting.
If you have images, please send them in JPG format as an email attachment. It is extremely helpful if images are labeled with a file name related to the content.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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Mark Nielsen
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VWS Board Acts
This year has seen a new dimension open up for the VWS with the board's vote last spring to establish a $5,000 VWS Education Fund from our reserves. The board then approved the expense of $3,000 from this fund to purchase watercolor supplies to assemble 60 "Student Kits". I am so pleased to say that over the last several months all 60 kits have been distributed to students and the early results are more than heartwarming!
This last week the board took action again and voted unanimously in favor of offering free membership to anyone 24 years of age or younger beginning January 1st 2015. In doing so we hope to be affordable and welcoming to new groups, youths and young adults in particular, who are currently not present among us.
You can act as well!
If you know art teachers help us get the word out that we will have a certain number of student kits available in 2015 on a first come first serve basis (the first 20 have been spoken for.)
If you know a young and committed artist please clue them in that it cost nothing to be a member and we will set them up with a gallery page of their work and we might even be able to use their know-how and energies as well.
You can also make a tax deductable donation to the VWS Educations Fund with a separate check made out to the Vermont Watercolor Society. Mail it to myself and I will send you an acknowledgment and make sure it gets deposited into the correct account. $50 will purchase one kit but no amount is to small.
That is probably enough news for now. I look forward to seeing you all at the annual meeting in Middlebury at the Middlebury Inn on October 19th.
Respectfully,
Mark Nielsen
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OPEN BOARD POSITIONS
DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERS
The Vermont Watercolor Society relies on and encourages volunteerism to carry out our mission and meet the needs of our organization. We are very fortunate to have an active volunteer membership for which we are greatly appreciative. The Director of Volunteers guides this volunteerism and helps chart the direction of the organization by serving on the Board of Directors. It is a position of direct contact with the membership, and as such is a wonderful opportunity to build personal and professional relationships among this group of fine artists.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
The Vermont Watercolor Society relies on timely and accurate information to carry out our mission and meet the needs of our organization. We do this work through a variety of mediums including a printed brochure, the VWS website, Facebook and a monthly newsletter, Snippets. The Director of Communications is responsible to make sure that outlets are current, interesting and professional. The Director of Communications will help chart the direction of the organization by serving on the Board of Directors. This is a position that requires technology skills including the ability to use Constant Contact or a desire to learn.
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VWS 2014 Annual Juried Awards Exhibit
It was a splendid fall day for our 2014 opening reception at the Phelps Barn at the Old Tavern in Grafton. Approximately 40 people attended and awards were handed out to the winners present. The Old Tavern provided appetizers and a nice time was had by everyone there. If you get a chance to make the trip to Grafton you will be in for a nice visual treat. The show looks great amongst the rustic barn board surroundings of the Phelps Barn. One painting has already sold and we are hoping for a few more sales. Visitors to the venue that day were duly impressed. Thank you to all of the many volunteers who helped in making this show possible. We couldn't have done it without you. A special thanks goes to those who contributed to the award fund and to Holbein USA who donated two merchandise awards. Also, thank you to all VWS members who attended and congratulations to all of the award winners!
The winners of the 2014 VWS Juried show are:
Best in Show - "Digital Energy" by Lisa Forster Beach
Juror's Award - "Madame Pinon" by Robert O'Brien
Award of Excellence - "Rocks and Surf" by Don Dalton
Dorothy Yoder Memorial Award - "Itch" by Martin LaLonde
Moosewalk Gallery Award - " Quiet Time" by James Gardner
Macuga Award - "Windows" by Gary Eckhart
Holbein Award of Merit - "Ascending" by Jane Harissis
Holbein Award of Merit - "Beaver Meadow Road, Sharon" by William Sharpe
Remember, pick up dates are Tuesday, October 14th through Saturday, October 18th from 10am to 5pm at the Hunter Gallery of Fine Art, 74 Main St. Grafton VT. Any shipped work will be also returned at that time.
- Robert O'Brien Co-Director of Exhibitions
Framing & Matting Guidelines for All Shows*
Mats: sole or top mats will be white or off white. If a bottom mat is used, it may be white, off white or colored. Filets may be used. Mats are not required for all paintings, but if you are not framing your painting, archival spacers must be used.
Frames: frames must be sturdy, in excellent condition, and must be professional quality. They must have picture wire attached to the back from which to hang the painting.
The following are not acceptable for VWS shows:
- Float frames
- Table top frames
- Damaged frames or frames that are disjointed at the corners
- Saw tooth hangers
- Duct tape, masking tape or other non-professional-looking materials used on backs of frames.
- Sloppy construction as seen from front or back
Persons accepting paintings at drop off are instructed to not accept paintings if they do not meet these guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
*Occasionally there are special shows where other guidelines apply, which will be described in that show's prospectus and/or other communications. Otherwise, the above guidelines will apply to all VWS shows including hub shows.
This information can also be found on the VWS website:
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VWS
WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS
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VWS FALL MEETING !!!
Meeting Agenda Includes
Approval of Budget
Election of New Board Members
Acknowledgements and New Policies
News about the VWS Education Fund
Hub News
Lunch
Raffle
Demo and Talk by Ann Pember
October 19 9:30 - 3:00
Middlebury Inn
Middlebury, VT
$35
PLEASE REGISTER BY 10/13
The registration form can be found on the website.
Questions?
FRANK EBER WORKSHOP 2015
October 3 - 9, 2015
The Landgrove Inn
Tuition: VWS Members $495, Non-members $575
Lodging: contact The Landgrove Inn 802-824-6673
The registration form and the flier can be found on the VWS website.
Questions?
VWS DVD LENDING LIBRARY
VWS has created a lending library. Videos may be previewed on Creative Catalyst http://ccpvideos.com. The current list includes:
Sue Archer "Commanding Color"
Chen-Kee Chee "Saturated Wet Technique"
Tony Couch "Painting Barns in Watercolor"
Carl Dalio "On Color Power The Path to Visualizing Energetic Color"
Jean Haines "Amazing Ways with Watecolour"
Polly Hammett "Design with the Figure"
Linda Kemp "Negative Painting Techniques"
Mark Mehaffey "Painting a Dramatic Landscape in Watercolor"
Birgit O'Connor "Waves, Water and Clouds"
Ann Pember "Painting in the Flow of Watercolor On High Plate Illustration Board'
Charles Reid "Watercolor with the Master" 10 Lesson Course
Shirley Trevena "My World of Watercolour"
Soon Y Warren "Vibrant Watercolor Techniques: Water"
Guan Weixing "Watercolor Demonstration: Portrait of a Young Farmer"
Frank Webb "Using Your Head, Heart & Hand"
Mary Whyte "Mastering Watercolor Portraiture"
Donna Zagotta "The You Factor: Powerful Personal Design in Opaque Watercolor"
If interested, email Claudia. She will send the video with a self-addressed envelope for return after 2 weeks. Please open the package carefully so that we may re-use it. Suggestions for additional videos to Claudia, claudiaec@yahoo.com. Donations for this program are welcome.
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The Lowdown on Hubs: Part III
Hub Events- What's the Hubbub about?
It has been my experience that when artists get together "art talk" begins immediately. Discussions arise around materials and where to order supplies. Paper is a major topic including: which weight is preferred, the surprise that comes from using an uncommon paper weight (due to a delivery error) resulting in a pleasing finished painting, how as a child one was fascinated by paper which came in a thick block and this fascination led to their becoming a watercolor artist, Yupo can be a real challenge and some have viewed the actual manufacture of watercolor paper. One can learn how to mix greens in all their values. Both experienced and beginning artists learn something new about how to frame a painting. Brands of paint and their property differences are debated. The use of gunpowder, seaweed, leaves and grasses are investigated as interesting techniques. The experience of submitting to and being accepted into an international show is shared along with what's involved with having a show in Iceland. Learning that working in "plein air" or with still life changes one's brain as it learns to transform 3D into 2D. Submersion into this rich supportive sharing and learning experience means you leave that event a different artist.
The event itself offers our members interesting, fun and learning experiences. Many artists have had the opportunity to show and sell their art work for the first time in a Hub show. Workshops and demonstrations of various painting techniques are typical events. " Plein air" painting sites range from luxury resorts on Lake Champlain to rustic farms on NH mountain tops. Instruction on digital images and electronic submission to VWS are Hub events. Unexpected situations can occur due to where the event was scheduled. I found myself totally awestruck standing amidst the stage backgrounds designed by Maxfield Parrish which just happened to be near our Hub meeting. Tours of the paper making process starting from t-shirts to viewing the work of famous watercolor artists pulled from their gallery storage amaze us. Salons and critiques improve our watercolor skills.
There is also a part of Hub events that attends to the artist. The person who makes the art is as important as the art. You can find answers to such questions as, "What happens to my art after I sell it?" You may re-connect with a special artist friend whom you haven't seen for years. Artists frequently work quietly and alone in their art work space. However, total isolation lacks stimulation or inspiration or new creative ideas and energy which are gained through interaction. Sometimes you feel you have entered a "cloud of sparkle" due to the energy created when artists come together.
This is what Hub events are all about.
- Pam Dexter, Director of Hubs
VWS Burlington/St. Albans Hub News
Lynn Cummings
Late Fall/Early Winter Hub Show
I am working on a venue for a hub show between now and the end of the year. As soon as I get confirmation I will email everyone in this hub. Just in case the place I am negotiating falls through, does anyone know of a gallery or commercial space with lots of traffic where we might have a hub show? Please email: Lynn.Cummings@uvm.edu if you do. As usual, it will require some volunteers to help with the show.
Hub "Point Person"
If you are interested in becoming the leader for the Burlington/St. Albans hub area, please let me or Pam Dexter know. After 2 ½ years it is time for someone else to "take the reigns" and bring some different ideas and events to the 60 or so members of the hub.
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VWS Remembers Laurence Coffin
Jean Cannon
Jean Cannon has a piece accepted into the New England Watercolor Society Biennial at the Plymouth Center for the Arts in Plymouth, MA., Oct. 15- Nov. 8th. Opening Reception is Saturday, Oct. 18th from 2-4pm.
Jean will be teaching a watercolor landscape class through the OLLI program at UVM in Burlington. It meets four Monday nights beginning Oct. 27th. Please call 802-656-2085 or email uvmolli@uvm.edu for more information.
Robert O'Brien
I will be teaching two workshops in France next year. In May, I will be returning to Haut Baran, a lovely restored farm in the Lot Valley region of Southwest France. This is actually a 10 day art vacation which combines plein air painting with sightseeing and gourmet dining. If you have never been to France before, this is a perfect opportunity to come and experience France in a unique and intimate setting. For more information, contact me at robertjobrienart@gmail.com. Haut Baran's website is www.hautbaran.com (attached image is of Haut Baran)
In June, I will be conducting a seven day workshop at Bastide Avellanne in Provence. This class will run from June 24 through July1. The lavender will be in full bloom and will make for some exquisite painting for sure. To find out more about Bastide Avellanne visit their website at www.bastideavellanne.com. Information and rates for both workshops can also be found on my website: www.robertjobrien.com
Barbara Pafume
On October 18th, I will be teaching a workshop at Artists' Mediums in Williston, Vt. "CAPTURE THE MAGIC! VERMONT FALL FOLIAGE!" Call Artists' Mediums to register 802-879-1236 or 800-255-1290
November 1st and 2nd, come to Fairfax, VT to my studio, for a workshop, which also includes lunch and snacks both days: PAINT THE QUIET SEASON! 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Call me, Barb at 802-849-6858 to register and for more information.
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It is very exciting to have Holbein, USA as a VWS Partner. Being a Vermont based art supplier and full time supporter of arts and the artists who make them, it is a perfect fit for both of us. Please get to know Holbein and support them not only because they are one of our partners, but because they are a world leader in colors and mediums for artists. The Landgrove Inn is the premier, all-in-one lodging, dining and fun space in which to create, exhibit and learn. Check out the 2010 workshop schedule at Landgrove Inn, or call 802 824-6673. Tom and Maureen Checchia, owners. |
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