FAIRBANKS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY - NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER- 2012
MONTHLY MEETING, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH. In the Bear Gallery in the construction zone. We will have chairs! 6:30 Social time, 7:00 Meeting starts.
REFRESHMENTS:
The refreshment list for September has Becky Anderson, Olga Hesketh, Ellen Brown, Kim Krinke and Cheryl Berrong. (Wonder how many of you remembered you had signed up…:) We’ll be in the Bear Gallery (even though it is closed) and there will be a table for our snacks. Contact Marj Moberly at 457-4661 if you have any questions. Thank you!
PRESIDENT'S PALETTE
I'm writing in anticipation of a great Labor Day weekend at Healy in the hope of good subjects for our next March show at Well Street Gallery. The theme will be Vintage Alaska. There are some good views in the mountains across the river and near the site of the old 'tipple' that seems to have been pulled down. Also, there are great views of Mount Healy, and there's really good cooking/eating at the Healy golf club.
I want to encourage everyone to enjoy next year's Arts in the Parks opportunities put on by the State Division of Parks and spearheaded by David Griffin. I so much enjoyed the one Sept.25/26 at the Red Squirrel campground off the Chena Hot Springs Road, but I think Vladimir and Nadia and I were the only artists from the Watercolor Society, though there were other artists from around Anchorage and Big Lake: Jim Leach and Dawn Aumann were there I know. It was a wonderful occasion with a continuous flow of marvelous food coming out of the many Dutch ovens and a display of vegetables from our Farmers' Market (provided by the Department of Agriculture) that was available for eating and even taking home. The slight rain was a minimal nuisance as it only rained me out while I painted on the way to the Red Squirrel campground, but I still got a useful watercolor sketch. And Jim Leach and I painted next to one another at Red Squirrel with a youngster watching and comparing our methods of using oil and watercolor. (My little white dog Muffin stood by and watched all the while I painted and I only realized she was there right at the end when a few drops of rain fell.)
There was a huge white tent under which were many round tables, used first by the children and their art projects - they had painted large plywood animal cut-outs one of which directed us to the campground. Then the tables were laden with the amazing camp cookery headed by Bruce Campbell, Dutch oven cookbook author. David Griffin and his wife Stacey spent much time preparing vegetables and smothering potatoes in truffle oil prior to roasting. The Director of State Parks, Ben Ellis and his wife Susie and Brooks Ludwig, the Superintendent of Northern Region State Parks, plus Luann and Eddie Fogels all joined in the preparation of bratwurst, calzone, fabulous pot roast, corn-bread covered vegetable medley, salmon in phyllo dough crust and on and on, finished by a wild fruit cobbler - the emphasis was on Alaskan foods. Next year I believe they will be meeting on the Kenai Peninsula so we will have to travel South.
We had a small but successful group painting out at Creamer's Field for our August 'meeting' and two people gathered at the Georgeson Garden (it was quite rainy) for the July paint-out during Festival. For the September meeting slated for the Blue Room on the 19th we will be inside the Bear Gallery even though it is being worked on. They will have chairs for us.
In planning for your winter projects write yourself a note (I'm speaking to myself here particularly!) to focus on a particular facet of watercolor painting so you can improve your skill at home. Learn more about color mixing, pigment properties, brush technique, work on a series, paint wet in wet, drybrush, a larger format, miniatures… there are so many facets to it.
Happy Painting!
Helen Howard, President
FROM BECKY’S CORNER
Becky's Corner
Greetings and salutations, oh mighty artists!
With a busy, busy summer for all of us coming to a close, I'm excited to get into the slower (yeah, right) routine of Fall, and---dare I say it---Winter! As Summers seem to mandate, we all scattered to the winds a bit, working on the various painting projects, workshops, and paint outs, and it's time to regroup and come together to enjoy each other's company once again. YAY! I missed you! With this in mind, our September program will be "Show and Tell!" Bring your summer paintings to the meeting so we can ooooooh and aaaaaah at our newest creations and share what we've been up to. And come early (6:30) to EAT COOKIES! VISIT! And get your POST-SUMMER HUGS! It's going to be great to see each other again, so come out and play!
Part of what's been happening this Summer is the "Paint the Pipes" project downtown, and I'm thrilled to see that Fairbanks Watercolor Society members Dan Kennedy, Nikki Kinne and Kate Wood are among those chosen to paint wonderful images they designed on the downtown pipes. Congratulations!
And with that, dear Friends, I say........
From my corner of the studio to yours......That's the scoop!
Becky
NELDA’S NOTE
We were very sorry to miss the ‘Red Squirrel’ trip. I was really disappointed, as I was all packed and ready to go, but our sleeping quarters, “Harvey the RV”, had some leakage problems. We got those cleared up so were able to travel to Healy for the Labor Day Paint Out. We parked near one of the cabins; it was really slick. We had the Northridge Cabin and the Chalet on one side of the street and the Willow Cabin across the way with all the marvelous scenery right out their window. We watched the colors change right before our eyes. I was glad I painted some of it before 30% of the leaves fell. I’m afraid they didn’t have much choice as first the rain came pretty good Saturday afternoon and then the wind decided to blow on the second night, Sunday. it did well! We were able to paint outside until mid afternoon both days. I was very happy to have my fingerless gloves! Especially in the wind. Yes, I am a wimp!
We had two group dinners and lots of food and one group breakfast of pancakes. Those who came were Helen Howard, Gael Murakami, Anne Aleshire, Heather Sullivan, Ellen Brown, Tom and Nelda Nixon, Susan Englebrecht and husband, Greg, Lynn Kulp and granddaughter, 10 yr old Anneliese (who Tom instantly nicknamed Fred-because he couldn’t remember her name – with her permission, of course!) And, she is quite an artist. She did some marvelous leaves, picked from outdoors. We played a game of Chickenfoot the last night after Lucy Tyrrell, of Healy, joined us for dinner. She saw Tom on the road, while she was looking for us, and he pointed her in the right direction. It was great to see a Healy member!
It has been a great summer for us, and now that it is ending, we’re ready!
We need to start thinking about next year’s Labor Day Weekend. Where it might be. Who would like to head up the committee. Do you think you’d go. Are we too busy with families to plan for it? Should individuals just do ‘their own thing’ ? Do you have any thoughts. Maybe our organization is getting too big.
FAIRBANKS ART LEAGUE
WEDNESDAY – September 12- Fairbanks Art League. This is your monthly notice for the upcoming meeting, September 12, 6:30PM at the Civic Center, Blue Room. September 12 = Submitting an application for the Portfolio Review by the Staff from the Fairbanks Arts Association. At Pioneer Park, Civic Center, on the top floor (by the Bear Gallery) in the Blue Room. 6:30- 8:30PM. Call 479-2695 for more information.
UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
THIRD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2012
Third Friday Art Show at S Salon:
"Go Park Yourself" a collection of paintings traveling across the planet to Fairbanks' doorstep, by Steve Holford, accompanied by Becky Anderson's fused glass wall sculptures art show, "Nature Calls!" ----Approximately one year since Steve's first public appearance on the art scene comes an exhibition that must be seen to be believed! Made from vodka to wine to coffee; witness some of the most rare and unusual paintings on the planet! Also featuring the insanely popular glass creations of Alaskan artist, Becky Anderson. Opening night 5-8pm, September 21st. One week only!!! At S Salon and Studio, 9th Avenue and Cushman Street.
North Pole Grange Gallery Third Friday Art Show
Come see the beautiful creations and wonderful photography of Hilda and Herb Melchoir! The Artist Reception is Friday, 5:00-9:00, with the show continuing on Saturday, 12:00-4:00.
OCTOBER SHOWS:
S Salon Show October 2012
First Friday Oct 5, 2012 5:30p-8:00p
“A Palettes Perspective”
With artists Matt Moberly, Cheryl Berrong, Neville Abbott Jacobs, Sherry Fisler, Phyllis Tate, and Tok Huang
The show will be displayed till the end of October.
ART OPPORTUNITIES:
Join the Alaska Bird Observatory for our upcoming First Friday "Raven" art show Oct 5th! 5-8pm.
Artwork must feature Raven/Raven Habitat in some way to be accepted. Artwork will be accepted until noon, Wed. Oct 3rd. At this event last year approx. 375 attended. Artists get 70% of the sale , while 30% goes to support programs at The Alaska Bird Observatory. Space is limited, please call or email prior to bringing work by. Include an inventory list when dropping off work. We are a small nonprofit, many volunteers, wish to make this a smooth process. Artwork will be up for the month. Unsold pieces can be picked up by October 29th. Future shows @ The Alaska Bird Observatory ( 2013 include : February- "Winter Birds", April -"Migration" )... please contact Barb Andersen at bandersen@alaskabird.org or call 451-7159 with questions.
Bear Gallery Portfolio Review: October is the magic month of the Portfolio Review, so if you are interesting in vying for a much-coveted art show at the Bear Gallery, contact the Fairbanks Arts Association for details.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!!
Hosted by the Co-Op Arts Learning Center – Upstairs in the Co-Op Building. 452-ARTS (2787)
The old New Horizon yearly “Miniature Show” is being resurrected, even following the 60/40 split. Artwork, frame included, can’t exceed 11” by 14” in dimensions. Artwork can be handed in on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, November 24th, or by prior arrangements – should someone be traveling at that time.
The Closet Artist show will continue, with work being accepted December 29 through Wednesday January 2nd (during business hours). If someone is a professional artist maybe they would like to submit something in a medium that isn’t their main one. There is a submission fee for this show, but the work doesn’t have to be for sale. There are awards accompanying this show, with ‘Peoples’ Choice’ being the main one.
CALL FOR ARTISTS AND WRITERS:
Denali National Park has called for applications from visual artists and writers for the 2013 Artist-in-Residence program. Established artists and writers use a historic roadside cabin as a base to explore the park and seek inspiration from it. Many works from previous artists-in-residence are displayed in the Denali and Eielson visitor centers. Artists reside in the East Fork cabin, Mile 43 on the park road, for a 10-day period between now and mid-September. In return, each artist donates a piece of artwork or written piece to the park's collection. They also offer a public presentation for visitors at the end of their residency. Applications are available online at http://www.nps.gov/dena/parknews/2013-artist-in-res-announcement.htm
Alaska Watercolor Society Juried Show
I have just looked at the Alaska Watercolor Society Juried Show, and you can too by going to http://akws.org/
There are all the paintings that made the show and the winners. Frank Francese was the Juror. Three of our members were accepted, Cheryl Berrong, Lura Elverson White, and Tammy Phillips. Nice work everyone! There are some superb Alaskan Artists and one from Colorado. Have a look. Very informative.
TRAINING & CERTIFICATION: I will also attach the notice (it was too long to include) from the Fairbanks Arts Association for the Fairbanks Teaching Artists Training & Certification Academy. If you want to teach kids in the schools you will need this.
SUE COLE Is teaching one-on-one, children or adults, at her studio or she will come to you by appointment. Call 456-3635 or 799-1120 or email scoleak@gmail.com
TOM NIXON: Will begin the fall 2012 schedule Sept. 19th. Contact him for more information if you are interested. He has a variety of times and days set up. Call Tom or Nelda at 456-3329 or email tnnixon@alaska.net for more details and the different schedules.
JOIN FbxWCS@yahoogroups.com now.
To be up on the latest ‘in-between notices’ from a member to all group members, please join our Yahoo Group. Messages can come into your Yahoo account or any email account you choose,. You need to sign up to be able to receive it. It is a useful tool. Go to: http://Groups.Yahoo.com/group/FbxWCS/ and follow directions to become a member. It is free. What is great about this tool is you can post a note to everyone listed from the watercolor society with one posting. It will go to everyone signed up in the group to receive a message. I think there are 55 listed now. Problems? Call Nelda Nixon
AS YOU KNOW Pam Hansen is our new FWS Historian. Thank you Pam!! So, my request to you, the membership, is this: if you notice anything historical or of interest about any of our members, please cut it out with the name, date and time it aired, etc. and pass it on to Pam. It will be okay to get duplicates. So don’t worry that she already has it. Her email is travelingtweety@yahoo.com, her phone number is at the end of this newsletter.
NEWSLETTER ITEMS should be sent via email by the first weekend of each month.
FIRST FRIDAY and THIRD FRIDAY TICKLER INFO should be sent the Monday of the week of the specific Friday (submissions preferably in 10pt Arial font) to Nelda Nixon at tnnixon@alaska.net or Call 456-3329 to remind me.
HAPPY PAINTING !!
President Helen Howard, 374-2914;
Vice President Becky Anderson, 474-4014;
Secretary/ Newsletter/ Membership Nelda L. Benson-Nixon, 456-3329;
Treasurer Olga Hesketh, 452-1210;
Historian Pamela Hansen, 388-8268
