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Brush StrokesPresident’s Messageby Bob Winfree

Hello AKWS members and welcome to another season of programs, events, and painting. We kicked off the new season with our traditional September review of paintings from Watercolor West, and the members had a lively discussion of what they liked (or not) about the entries.

September was my first meeting as President, having assumed this new role when the position became vacant in August, and after discussion with the other officers and Board members.I’m happy to say the Society is entering another new season in very good shape, following a very successful summer workshop, with an exciting juried  show coming in October, and a new program of Art Activity night at Blaines, organized by Connie Aschenbrenner.We also have several exciting leadership positions available for members to serve as chairs or co-chairs of the 2012 Juried Art Show, the 2012 Frank Frachise Workshop, and the All Member and Signature Member shows. We are looking for volunteers to serve as either newsletter Editor or Treasurer, Publicity Chair, and as Atwood Lounge Coordinator.We’ve recently refilled several other positions as Karen Willing Mattson, Sue Zajac and Francine Dufour Jones stepped up to help with needed functions.We want the society to be all that our members want it to be, and we welcome your ideas on how we can best provide these services to members and the community.In the coming months, I’ll be working with the AKWS Board to review and re-affirm which functions and services are most critical for the society to continue to meet members’ expectations, and “promote the knowledge and understanding of professional watercolor painting in Alaska.”I look forward to seeing everyone at our October  7, Juried Show opening, and for our October 12 potluck meeting at the Hugi-Lewis Studio, on W. Northern Lights behind the former Blaines store, in the mall with Once Upon a Child.

AKWS Annual Juried Show

The AKWS Annual Juried Show will open at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center on October 7th with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission to the museum is free after 6 p.m. on First Fridays. The artists’ prospective printed earlier in the year carried a different time so please note the change. Plan to bring your family. Refreshments will be served. See AKWS.org for the list of award winners.

A Monthly Newsletter Sept - MayOctober 2011

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AKWS 2011-2012 Program Line Up by Bob & Sandy Winfree

October 12.   Special AKWS tour of Margret Hugi-Lewis’ studio.  The October meeting will not be held at Sourdoughs.  November 9.  Jana Latham of Artic Rose Gallery “Marketing Your Art”  December.  Christmas Party.   

2012 January 11.  Steven Gordon presentation. February 8.  Katie Sevigny presentation. March.  TBA April 11.  Teresa Ascone presentation. May 9.  Karen Matson presentation. June 13.  AKWS Show Review and 2012 Scholarship Winner

October MeetingMargaret Hugi Lewis is an award winning mixed media artist.  She is an international artist whose work is collected by museums.  Margret was born in Switzerland. She attend the School of Art in Basel, studying under Marting Christ. Invited by Dadaist Marcel Yanko, she moved to Ein Hod Artist's Village in Israel. She lived in Israel for twenty years and raised a family while showing her paintings in Switzerland and Israel.

 Margret came to Alaska in 1984, where she has since resided, except for a sojourn in Hawaii from 1992-1997. Her work has been influenced by all these places.  

" " " “Delft”

Margret paints bigger than life and has done many large art installations. She walks in both the world of the visual arts and the performing arts, having designed over fifteen theater sets. Don't miss the opportunity to meet this most fascinating and extremely creative women.

AKWS Officers & Committee Chairs

President: Bob Winfree

Bobwinfree@winfree-studio.com

Vice President:Sandy Winfree

sandywinfree@yahoo.com344-0503

Recording Secretary: Marcia Nathanson

mln@ak.net 346-1092

Corresponding Secretary: Karen Mattson

kamakws@hotmail.com 495-6633

Treasurer and Newsletter Editor: Jean Watson

skeinofgeese@alaska.net(h) 333-5799 (msg.) 333-4678

Membership: Dorothy Jowers

dali_too@yahoo.com 522-0187

Social Media ChairFrancine Dufour Jones

francine@artbyfrancine.com 868-2658

Scholarship: Renate Martin

k.r.martin@alaska.net 279-1077

Scholarship Calendar: Peggie Hunnicutt

phnyct@gmail.com 349-4168

Media Librarian: LaRae Groves

LGROVES@gci.net 563-6245

Publicity: Lura White

lura.white@att.net 277-3854

Meeting Reminder: Marcia Prattmpratt@alaska.net 337-3695

WebmasterMark McDermott

markmcde@gci.net 345-6997

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State Fair AwardAKWS member Pat Bliss won First Place in the Watercolor Division of the Alaska State Fair Art Show for her lovely landscape. She was awarded the $50 prize which is donated by AKWS annually.

The winners at the September meeting were:

1st PlaceLaRae Groves for “Foliage”a tie for 2nd PlacePat Bliss for “Eagle River Valley” and Lura White for “Manley Roadhouse” 3rd Place Dot Bardarson for “Quonset”

A reminder that artists are welcome to bring recent works to the monthly meetings for the Artists’ Choice Table. Token prizes are given to encourage participation. Pieces need not be framed but matting enhances the presentation. Remember, October’s meeting is at Margret Hugi-Lewis’ studio so no Artists’ Choice this month.

The Plein Air Painters of Alaska an evening of fine art to benefit Lutheran Social Services of Alaska on Friday, September 30th from 5-8 p.m.at the Anchorage Lutheran Church at the corner of 15th and N Street across from Inlet View School. Original paintings, watercolors and reproductions will be displalyed for sale. Several AKWS artists are participating including Don Kolstad, Betty Atkinson, Bob Hansen and Dawn Willing Gillette.

Several AKWS members are a part of the Girdwood Center for Visual Arts Co-op. The following is a great idea for a night out.

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Welcome Matte by Dorothy Jowers, Membership Chair

The Alaska Watercolor Society would like to welcome the following new Associate Members:" " " Susan Farrell, Monica Estill Anchorage and Susan Williams, ! ! ! ! ! all of Anchorage! ! ! Rosienid Pere, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico We look forward to your participation in the Alaska Watercolor Society!

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA Requirements for each of the memberships offered by the Alaska Watercolor Society are as follows:Associate Membership-unlimited and open to anyone interested in Watermedia. This position may not vote or may not participate in Signature Member Exhibitions. Annual dues $20; payable May 1st. Juried Membership -open to any artist who has had a painting exhibited in at least one AKWS juried show. This position may not vote or participate in Signature Member Exhibitions. Juried membership is revoked if dues are not current and the application process must be repeated." Annual dues $20; payable May 1st.Signature Membership-open to any artist who has had a painting exhibited in two AKWS juried shows and one other juried watermedia exhibition. This position may vote, participate in Signature member exhibitions, and use the initials AKWS when signing their artwork. Signature membership is revoked if dues are not current and the application process must be repeated."Annual dues $25; payable May 1st.Student Membership -the same status as Associate members. Student is defined as attending college full time, i.e. course load of a minimum of 12 hours. Annual dues $5; payable May 1st.NOTE: With respect to Signature and Juried memberships, written verification shall be required as proof of acceptance into juried shows and must be submitted to the Membership Chair. Juried shows from January 2000 to present shall be accepted.

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A Selection from the AKWS Media Library

Carla O’Connor’s painting

process promotes unique personal expression and rapid artistic growth. In this DVD workshop, she uses the human form as a springboard for powerful, expressive design. Each logical step in her process addresses a specific design issue. Her initial quick drawing, or “set up,” relates the figure to the background and divides space into intriguing shapes. Working on gesso-coated paper, she modifies visual paths in her composition to keep the viewer inside the painting. Carla uses interlocking shapes to create direction and movement and establishes a strong value pattern. Using gouache, she layers darks and lights, creates textures and patterns, and paints juicy transitions. She discusses the importance of each step and its impact on the overall painting. Some of the many issues Carla addresses include: creative division of space, unity, balance, transitions, visual path, texture vs. pattern, rhythm, push-pull, contrasting colors, multiple points of interest, interlocking shapes, sequence of painting, and the development of a personal creative process. Link to preview DVD.http://vimeo.com/19794710

AKWS Media Library Updateby LaRae Groves

A volunteer is needed to take over the library in February and March, which will be my snowbird vacation months.

A special thanks from AKWS goes to Peggie Hunnicutt for her generous donation of 13 outstanding VCR’s. This brings the Video Library inventory to 104 videos and DVD’s.

OUR VIDEO TOPICS INCLUDE:*FLORAL PAINTING*FIGURES AND PORTRAITS*ABSTRACT AND REPRESENTATIONAL APPROACHES*OLDER AND NEWER ARTISTS*ORIENTAL APPROACHES*LEADING WORKSHOP PRESENTERS*LOCAL ARTISTS AND THEIR TECHNIQUES Donated material in the past include art genres (like oil paintings) of famous artand artists, a resource treasury of composition, color, history, etc.Seeing that Peggie donated the video The Louvre, I donated my video El Prado to add to this type of art resource.

The Video Library is always open to donations, input, and desired video types. We welcome freshideas and direction. Especially recommended for viewing are recently purchased videos and DVDS’ from those artists that AKWS brought up for workshops like Don Andrews, Carla O’Connor, Steven Quiller, Alvaro Castagnet and Carrie Burns Brown.

The updated video list can be seen at our meetings or on the AKWS website http://www.akws.org/resources.htm

Eventually we hope to have descriptions of each video on the list, such as the one provided by Francine Dufour Jones, at the far left of this page.  

VIDEO RENTAL PRICES CHANGED RECENTLY:Each video rents for $3.00 a month. Rent two for $5.00!

At any meeting a member who gives a brief ‘commercial’ telling how the viewer might benefit from watching that video may check one out for free.

A $25.00 deposit is still necessary to check out a video to cover prompt return (some members forget or don’t attend every meeting) possible loss, or damage.

THIS DEPOSIT IS EITHER RETURNED (AS DESIRED) UPON THE VIDEO’S RETURN OR KEPT IF A MEMBER WANTS TO RENT ANOTHER ONE. ALL DEPOSITS ARE RETURNEDBY THE END OF THE YEAR.

Funds made from video rentals go toward the purchase of quality DVD’s. Over the years the library has generated over $500.00. MEMBERS MAKE THE LIBRARY!

Since the October meeting will not be held at the Sourdough Mining Company Restaurant, the AKWS Video Library will next be available for check out at our November meeting.

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October 2011

Virtu Gallery

Upon hearing the news that Virtu Gallery is closing at the end of September, AKWS would like to say thank you to owners Lori Boltz, Leah Boltz and Cari Boltz Zawodny for its past support. Virtu hosted the AKWS 35th Annual Exhibition. Be sure to stop by and say goodbye. Located at 400 West 4th Ave., Anchorage, Alaska 99501 www.virtugallery.biz

We learn from hea!ng ab"t it, seeing it done, #en doing it "rselves.

(Nina Allen Freeman)

Blaines Artists Trade FairBlaines has scheduled its annual Artists’ Trade Fair for Oct. 7-8-9. Call (907) 561-5344 to register for free classes, samples and activities.Some of the artists demonstrating are:Don Kolstad, Kurt Jacobson, KN Goodrich, Andy Sonneborn, and Francine Dufour Jones.

“Brush Strokes” is published monthly, September - May and is distributed to members of AKWS by mail or on line. The newsletter deadline is on the 20th of the month before publication. Let us know about your First Friday openings, classes or art events. Include images, we love photos!Contact Brush Strokes Editor Jean Watson at Skeinofgeese@alaska.netTo find out why you have not been receiving your newsletter contact Dorothy Jowers, Membership Chair, at dali_too@yahoo.com or call 522-0187To join our online, members only community contact Francine Dufour Jones, our Social Media Chair, at francine@artbyfrancine.com for an invitation. Check us out on Facebook.

Website: http://www.akws.org/