AKWS September 2011 Newsletter

Brush Strokes 1

Brush StrokesCo-Vice Presidents’ Column by Bob & Sandy Winfree

Welcome back to the Alaska Water-color Society. Our first meeting of the new season will be on Wednesday, September 14, at the Sourdough Mining Company restaurant at 5200 Juneau Street in Anchorage. The social

(dinner) hour will start at 6:00 pm, followed by a short business meeting at 7:00 pm and a slide review of national watercolor shows. We have enjoyed viewing the outstanding jury-selected best of current watercolor art in the past. At this meeting, we'll be viewing the 2010 exhibition of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and the 2011 exhibit of the American Watercolor Society. We can go as fast or slow as the group wants, and could save one CD for viewing again later. Perhaps we can view them at a slower pace to allow discussion of what makes them (or at least a few of them) work so well, or why the jury picked a particular one. Please join us again to see current friends and make new ones. We hope you enjoyed your summer and had time to get some painting in. Remember to bring one of your paintings for the Artists’ Choice Award competition.

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 page 3 for the list of award winners.

A Monthly Newsletter Sept - MaySeptember 2011

Just a reminder, AKWS dues were due in May. If you pay your dues by September 14th you will

remain a current member of our roster.

AKWS President ResignsConnie Aschenbrenner resigned her position as president of AKWS on August 25th. She shared many exciting ideas with members at the June meeting. The Executive Board wishes Connie the best in her future endeavors. Members interested in this position are asked to contact either Co-Vice President.

A L A S K A W A T E R C O L O R S O C I E T Y

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

2011September 14. Slide show review of the Watercolor West and the American Watercolor Society shows.October 12. Special AKWS tour of Margret Hugi-Lewis’ studio. The October meeting will not be held at Sourdoughs. November 9. To be determined. December. Christmas Party.

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

AKWS Help WantedAn active Society needs lots of support. We will maintain all of the following activities for which volunteers come forward. If something is important to you, now is the time to step up and take a turn to help out. Printed instructions are available for all shows.Hospitality - All you need is a smile! This volunteer greets members and guests as they arrive at our monthly meeting,

and assists with any questions they may have.Workshop Chairperson, or Co-Chairs for the Frank Francese Workshop to be held the first week of August 2012. A manual written by previous workshop chairs provides the needed information. The workshop chairperson may take the workshop free, Co-Chairs would each receive a 50% discount on the cost of the workshop. The main reason AKWS was formed by artists in 1974 was to increase their opportunities for watercolor shows. AKWS exhibits can continue to happen only if we have a volunteer each of the following:

Exhibit Chair - All Member Exhibition usually held in December. This volunteer contacts the venue (previously Borders Books, but as of now, undeter-mined), passes a sign up sheet around to members at the October and November meetings, reminds artists as the installation date approaches and is at the venue to oversee the hanging of the art, writes a brief article for the November and January newsletters.Exhibit Chair - Signature Member Exhibition usually held in August at Artic Rose Gallery. This volunteer contacts the gallery owner and passes a sign up sheet around to members at the May and June meetings, reminds artists as the installation date approaches, writes a brief article

for the newsletter for the June and September newsletters.Exhibit Chair at Atwood Lounge at Stevens International Airport - Four times per year, roughly every 90 days, this volunteer announces to members the opportunity to change out art in the Military Lounge at the airport. This volunteer is the AKWS contact with the YMCA which manages the lounge. This volunteer meets artists on the appointed date and time and assists as needed with installation of new art and removal of the previous pieces. Chairperson or Co-Chairs for the AKWS 38th Annual Juried Art Exhibition to be held in autumn of 2012. A manual written by previous exhibition chairs provides the needed information. The exhibition chairperson may take the workshop free, co-chairs would each receive a 50% discount on the cost of the workshop.

I have no interest in " dark

and gloomy. To me, " delight

of watercolor # in captu$ng "

light wi%in " white paper by

surr&n'ng it wi% successive

wa(es of tran)arent color.

Jean Gra*orf


Brush Strokes 3

Sensuous Color by Francine Dufour JonesFirst Friday Art Opening and Demonstration. Enjoy an evening of brilliant colors dancing with luxurious silk! Francine Dufour Jones will be demonstrating the ancient art of silk painting as it dances into the 21st century. Why not try your hand at it? Francine will have silk and dyes available for you play also. Terra Bella will provide gourmet hors d'oeuvres and delicious gourmet coffees and teas for this sumptuous evening.The fun begins at 5:30 to 8:00 PM, September, 2, 2011 at Terra Bella Bakery and Cafe #6 at 601 E. Dimond (next to Bed Bath and

Beyond.) Bring a friend, relax and enjoy and play! http://artspiritsilks.comSince silk painting can be very addictive Francine is again offering her Silk Painting Playshop on Sept. 10th from 10 AM to 4 PM atBlaines Art Supply. Call Blaines to register. 561-5344

The Valley Fine Arts Association is holding it's Second Annual Juried Art Show. Download the pdf file from the Home Page at www.valleyfineartsassociation.com Just click on the link! Deadline for entries is September 15th, 2011. Contact Karen Mattson @ 244-7774 if you have questions."

Karen Mattson has an ongoing show at Rusty's Restaurant on Dahlia Street (behind the library) in Palmer. It is featuring primarily floral watercolors. She is sharing the space with an oil painting artist; the show will continue through October 1, 2011. Please stop by when you are at the fair for a fabulous meal or just walk around to enjoy the art! Rusty's is open from 11 - 9 Tuesday thru Saturday."

"From the Poppy Patch"

Member News

http://artspiritsilks.com

http://artspiritsilks.com

http://www.valleyfineartsassociation.com/

http://www.valleyfineartsassociation.com/


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AKWS 37th Annual Juried Exhibition Winners

Oregon juror and workshop instructor Judy Morris selected the following pieces for awards in the AKWS Exhibition:

Best of Show: "Joe" by Dongfeng LiFirst Place: "Blossom" by E. J. PavsekSecond Place: "Here's Looking at You" by Jan RossThird Place: "Harbor Lights" by Betty AtkinsonFirst Honorable Mention: "Daisy in Pink Vase" by Renate MartinSecond honorable Mention: "Toes in the Water" by Mark McDermottThird Honorable Mention: "Almost Spring" by Donna Schwanke-Cooper

For images of this year’s winners as well as winners in past shows, see our website at:http://www.akws.org/

Watercolor # a swim

in " metaphysics of lif,..

a mirror of one's o- character.

Let it be unpre'ctable and

colorful.

Anonym&s

Anchorage Member admitted to Air Force Art Program

AKWS member, James Morris has been creating artwork depicting military themes since 2001. Based on the body of his work, he was recommended for acceptance this past July into the Pentagon’s Air Force Arts Program. His acceptance entitled him to a trip to the Laughlin Air Force Base, a pilot training facility in Del Rio, TX. He spent a week as an honorary commander, touring the facility. The Pentagon covered the cost of Jim’s travel. As a result of his acceptance into this program, Jim’s artwork will be placed on the Pentagon’s website for base commanders worldwide to view when selecting artwork for purchase for their bases. Jim and his wife Jenny Morris sell his prints at local arts events (holiday shows, the State Fair, Saturday Market, etc.) or on their website www.sunjamstudios.com.

AKWS Officers & Committee Chairs

Co-Vice Presidents: Bob Winfree

[email protected] Sandy Winfree

[email protected]

Recording Secretary: Marcia Nathanson

[email protected] 346-1092

Corresponding Secretary: Karen Mattson


Treasurer and Newsletter Editor:

Jean Watson [email protected]

(h) 333-5799 (msg.) 333-4678

Membership: Dorothy Jowers


Social Media ChairFrancine Dufour Jones


Scholarship: Renate Martin


Scholarship Calendar: Peggie Hunnicutt


Media Librarian: LaRae Groves


Publicity: Lura White


Meeting Reminder: Marcia [email protected] 337-3695

WebmasterMark McDermott


http://www.akws.org/

http://www.akws.org/

http://www.sunjamstudios.com

http://www.sunjamstudios.com

mailto:[email protected]



























Brush Strokes 5

SUPPLIES:

Watercolors: Ultramarine Blue and MauveBrushes: numbers 12, 6, 4, and 2/0 round, and a one inch flat brushA half-inch roll of artist’s tape or masking tapeTwo watercolor containers (one to clean brush, one for clear water areas)Liquitex value finderRoll of toilet paperA one-inch square (handmade)view finderT squareEraser stick #7099B, and razor or exacto knife.A 5-inch by 7-inch medium weight cold-press, spiral watercolor padAn 11-inch by 15-inch or a quarter sheet of cold-press watercolor paper.A number two pencilHair dryerA palette for mixing colorsAdditional supplies one might use:Maskoid, toothbrush, table salt,!spray bottle, kneaded eraser,sponge, markers, T square, masking tape, scissors, ruler, tracing paper

Fig. A.13. Work in Miniature First.

1. Follow these steps on a 5-inch by 7-inch watercolor sheet first (Fig. A.13).

2. When thumbnail is finished, enlarge drawing, and transfer it

to the size of watercolor sheet you have selected.

3. Use T square, measure, and tape(1/2”masking tape) across all four sides of watercolor paper.

4. Separately mix: Cobalt Blue and Mauve (or mix red and blue to make violet).

5. Wet background with clear water on the right side, from top of ladle to bottom, avoiding shadow below.

6. Charge or lay in Mauve on right side.

7. With clear water, wet the left background, top to bottom.

8. Charge in Mauve and C. Blue.9. Dry paper with hair dryer.10. With clear water, wet the inside

of pitcher, avoiding rim and highlight.

11. Charge in Mauve.12. Charge in C. Blue on right side.

Gradually introduce, or mix this to the left of this area. Right side should be darkest.

13. Wet the shadow under gravy pitcher, by dipping brush into colored water you used for cleaning your brush.

14. Lightly lay in Mauve and C. Blue.

15. Dip brush into colored water and wet shadow under saucer. Charge in Cobalt Blue. Add a little Mauve.

16. Dry paper.17. Dip into colored water and wet

front of pitcher, avoiding highlights.

18. Charge in Mauve and C. Blue.19. Dip into water and wet shadow

under pitcher.20. Charge in Mauve and C. Blue.21. Wet Shadow under saucer.

!! Continued on page 7

T H E V A L U E O F W H I T E

B Y P E G G I E H U N N I C U T T

Here is a short value study lesson, moving from doing an entire study in monochromatic cool colors. At your work table, try setting up a still life from white objects found in YOUR kitchen or around YOUR home. The following lesson, I set up with items from home. Its a two fold lesson plan, moving from monochromatic (all one color) blue tones and adding a warm mauve (red/blue) AND the value of using the white of the paper as a tone of its own.

This is one of several watercolor lesson plans available in my Wet n’ Wet Watercolor Workbook. It starts with the basics and builds to more complex. Remember water will only go where you tell it to go. Tip: I barely wet the paper before I go into the area to be painted. AND, sometimes I go directly into paint BEFORE mixing it with water. So, dried watercolor on my palette is NOT a problem. I use it all. Hope you enjoy this exercise.


6 Brush Strokes

The Value of WhiteContinued from page 6

22. Paint it w/ C. Blue.23. Wet highlights on front of " pitcher, and charge in " Mauve.24. Wet and charge paint into " shadows behind pitcher.25. Continue wetting and painting " areas, while waiting for the " last area to dry.26. With 2/0 and number 4 round " brushes, add sharp edges to " finish off painting.27. Tone down light areas using " water " first and lightly " applying either Mauve or C. " Blue.28. Scratch off unwanted areas " with razor blade, or use " 7099B eraser or a scrub " brush.

Belle Dawson April 17, 1922 - June 28, 2011

Long time AKWS member Belle Dawson

passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Born Belle Arizeff in Manhattan, New York City, April 17, 1922, she was the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants who came to the U.S. via China.

Belle studied at the Art Students League, University of California, San Jose. She married and had

one son, Will Dawson, born in 1960.

One of Belle’s first jobs was as a hand model for a cosmetics firm. She also worked as an illustrator for Disney Studios and was an art instructor at a U. S. Military base in Korea.

In 1972 Belle and her son moved to Anchorage where she worked as head cataloguer for the Loussac Library which was then located on 4th Avenue.

Belle was active in AKWS, especially during the 1980‘s and early 1990’s when she assisted with committee work. She was also a long time member of the Alaska Artist’s Guild. She specialized in painting North American wildlife and marine mammals, working in pen and ink, oil, acrylic and pencil. Her work has been displayed at the Anchorage Museum and is in many private collections.

Belle enjoyed dancing. She was a member of the Dancing Bears and the Dudes & Dames Square and Round Dance Club. She was an ardent environmentalist, active in Greenpeace Alaska, a member of the World Wildlife Fund and the Audubon Society. In 2004 she was honored as a Super Volunteer for the Sierra Club.

Artist Choice AwardThe winners of the Artist Choice Award at our May meeting were:

#1 Mark McDermott for " Turnagain Arm

#2 K.N. Goodrich for

" Tsunami Evacuation Route

#3 Linda Parrigan for

" German Magic

Thank you to all who brought pieces for display. Participation in this activity lets members see how your work evolves over time.

Thank you from the Past President

I would like to thank all of the members who donated to the gift certificate that I received at the June meeting when I stepped down from the role of president. Your warm comments and generous gift were truly moving.

I have enjoyed visiting with all of you at our meetings, shows and workshops. While I will be less active in the Society I look forward to another year of fun with my AKWS friends.

Jean Watson

A L S K A W A T E R C O L O R S O C I E T Y

Brush Strokes 7

P A U L A D I C K E YJanuary 8, 1937 - August 12, 2011

Long time AKWS member Paula Schildhauer Dickey passed away in Homer, AK on August 12th after an eleven year struggle with cancer. Paula met many Alaskans through her work as an art educator and Alaska State Arts Council artist in residence in both urban and bush communities. She headed the Alaska Pacific University Art Department for 8 years and taught for the Homer branch of the University for 8 years, as well as giving art workshops in Alaska and Wisconsin. Paula had numerous solo shows of her work which were also featured in invitational and juried shows in Alaska and the Lower 48. In the 1980’s Paula and her husband completed over 20 major works of public art in health centers, correctional institutes, schools, churches, on state ferries and in the Anchorage Performing Arts Center through the 1% for the Arts Program.

Paula helped promoted the arts in Homer is more ways than space here allows here, but the members of the Kachemak Bay Watercolor Society loved her, so here is the important part. According to KBWS members: We wanted to do something to let Paula know how much we all cared and appreciated her. She was not up to having visitors so people thought it would be nice to do a show in her honor. We didn't want to do it with out her permission so we asked her and this idea was given a thumbs up by Paula. The show title is: The Absence of Limitations. Paula Dickey so often said: “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations . . . no limitations gives you so much liberty, you don’t push against something to solve it and be creative; ie., chaos. ..” That’s Paula, always a teacher, setting up

a problem so we will be creative to solve it.”Did Paula Dickey influence you as an artist? If so, bring a piece of your art that you feel was inspired by Paula as a teacher, friend or mentor to Homer Art & Frame Co., 4001 Lake St., #3, by September 13, 2011, for a collaborative show of these art pieces. This show is open to all, not just KBWS members. Let’s celebrate our artistic success achieved through Paula’s teaching and inspiration.

Then bring a friend and join us for an opening reception on September 16 from 5:30 -7:30 pm at Homer Art & Frame Co. The show will hang until September 30, 2011. Opening reception refreshments will be a “potluck” – we’ll appreciate your contribution. If you wish to reply please use the following address. Donna Martin [email protected]

There will be two other celebrations of art with the opening of Paula’s newest series of paintings completed in July 2011. The ConocoPhillips Gallery at Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage will host her solo show opening October 7th from 5 to 7 p.m. and Picture Alaska Art Gallery in Homer will host her solo show November 4th from 5 to 7:30 p.m.




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Judy Morris WorkshopAugust 1 - 5, 2011by Mark McDermott

Judy Morris has a BS and MS in Art Education and it was obvious in her workshop from Day 1. In addition to being a very talented and internationally recognized artist, she is a great teacher. The class consisted of 23 watercolorists with everything from 35+ years of experience to a beginner painting her first watercolor: all took something valuable away from the experience. Judy focused on teaching her work process: frominspiration and design, through choosing a 'color chord', her preferred choices of techniques producing lots of texture, to finishing. Many of uswith years of experience learned to use salt effectively and in new ways.

There were lots of practical tips and advice hard won from years of practice and experience. And beyond all that, she freely shared her thoughts, ideas, and feelings, creating an easy and relaxing learning environment.

Below: Workshop Co-Chairs Mark McDermott and Beth Taylor with Judy

A few tips from Judy Morris:You can stop (painting) when you have:*corrected technical errors and fixed all abrasive or awkward areas of the painting.*looked for hard, soft and lost edges.*verified the eye path to the center of interest and decided the trip is worth it.*looked for an effective value pattern of unequal amounts of light and dark.*checked for finished edges and corners, as well as the center.*cropped fearlessly, remembering not to sacrifice a good design for a full sheet.*established warm and cool relationships.*ensured harmony and a pleasant color ambiance*Values create shapes that create design.


Brush Strokes 9

Each year the Seward Mural Society plans and implements the completion of their annual mural. These pictures show the painting and installation of their 2010 Mural. Barbara Lavallee (pictured right) was the Master Artist who designed the image and oversaw the painting process.

The painting of this year’s mural will take place during the Seward Music Festival, the weekend of September 23rd. The scheduled Master Artist is Susan Swiderski. Volunteers are encouraged to join in with the painting. Beginners to

advanced painters, as well as public art lovers are welcome to help.

The Seward Mural Society is an arm of the Seward Arts Council. It produces one mural per year, usually in September. The mural pictured here was mounted on

the south side of the Senior Citizen’s Building. The pictures include the painting process as well as the the dedication ceremony with dignitaries, speeches and the christening of the mural with champagne.

For more information or to sign up to help contact: [email protected] 224-3131

(L.) Barbara Lavallee (R.) Dot Bardarson

Seward Mural Society’s Annual

Mural Painting and Installation



http://www.bardarsonstudio.com/

http://www.bardarsonstudio.com/

AKWS September 2011 Newsletter

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Transcript of AKWS September 2011 Newsletter