MINUTES - March 5, 2014

Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society
March 5, 2014 Meeting/Program

Harrah!  After being cancelled in both January and February because of snow and bad weather, the GCWS was able to meet on Wednesday, March 5.  Outgoing president Deb Ward opened the meeting with a ring of the bell.  She encouraged us with one of her quotes – “Your mind is like a parachute;  it only works when open.”  We were encouraged along these same lines by our Program Guest – try new things; try new mediums; go places; see new things;  look at objects differently; stir up your creative juices!

First, some sad news – the deaths of Louise Allen’s husband, and also John Howe, and Homer Hacker.

Membership dues are “due”.  Please get them to Sally, our treasurer, as soon as possible so that your name can be included in the Membership Booklet.  Members will have access to many great programs and learning sessions, and fun;  and you can be a part of it.

One of these learning sessions will be a Pouring Workshop on April 26 & 27th, given by Deb Ward, in our regular meeting place, at $120.  You can pour watercolors, ink, or fluid acrylics.  Deb will provide the subject for Saturday.

Announcements of various shows, workshops, and displays:  Evendale Fine Arts Show;  workshop by Yuki Hall at the Womens’ Art Club June 6-8th ($190);  Barb Smucker’s series – 4 different teachers – started March 1, Centennial Barn.  Marilyn Bishop will teach W/C on rice paper on Mar 13.  Each class is $30.  There is an online class (Life Books 2013) with a different teacher each week.  Aureal Williams is taking this - $115)

We will be having just one Exhibit this year.  It will be held at the Womens’ Art Center (The Barn), in Mariemont in August (hang, 13th; take down 26th).     You may want to get those juices flowing, and start to prepare for the paintings you will enter.  More info and details next month.

Deb Ward thanked the outgoing Officers – Kathy Kuyper, Secretary, and Rhonda Carpenter, Program Director & Workshop Director.  We all truly appreciate all that they have done to make our group successful.

She also thanked those Officers who have agreed to stay on in their current capacity;  Sally Wester, Treasurer;  Jane Hittinger & Deb, Membership;  Joan Miley, Facilities & Hospitality; and Deb, Blog.

New Officers were introduced:  President – Marilyn Bishop;  Secretary – Joyce Grothaus;  Exhibit Chair – Carol McAfee; Workshop Director – Jean Vance.  You will notice that we do not have a Program Director.  Rhonda Carpenter has prepared ahead programs until July.  This is an important position, and we need someone to stand up.  You will be given much help, but we need a coordinator.  How about it?

Rhonda then thanked our outgoing president, Deb Ward, for all her hard work and leadership for the past two years.  She pointed out that Deb not only presided at the meetings, but, at various times, was on Membership, Program Chair for 3 years, and Exhibit Chair for several shows.  In addition to the contributions she has made to the GCWS, Deb has won many Awards, is a Signature member of many W/C Societies; her work has been published in Acrylic Works, and is now in Watercolor Artist magazine.  Deb, we do appreciate you!  She was presented with a gift certificate for Daniel Smith, and everyone celebrated with a beautiful cake from Graeter’s.

Rhonda then talked about our upcoming programs.  In April, we will have a program on Crystal and Glass in Watercolor;  in May, Watercolor and Pastel, and in June, we will have Carol Carter (cancelled in Feb) – Powerful, Evocative Paintings.

New president Marilyn Bishop asked members to stay after the Demo, to have a brain-storming session (details below) about possible activities for the GCWS for the coming year.  Many members stayed and presented quite a range of ideas and good suggestions.  The Officers then discussed all of the ideas at an after-meeting – to try to make some of these things happen in the coming year.  Thanks to those who contributed.

Guest Speaker/Demonstrator for March
Ken Landon Buck – From Dark to Light:  Mixed Media that Works

Ken is a Northern KY artist; an instructor with the Cincinnati Art Academy and also teaches at his Essex Studio; has won many awards, as well as being an entertaining speaker.

Ken believes that your drawing is “key”.  If your drawing is good, your painting will have a better chance to be good.  For this demonstration, he wanted some very, very dark areas, so he drew with permanent waterproof India Ink first.  He completed that part the night before because it takes so long to dry. 

For the demo, he first did a fast wash, then painted over the ink, and on the available white paper, with his watercolors, letting them mix on the paper.  He used purple, brown, and blue to get his darkest darks, (does not use black paint) which he likes to do first.  He then works with the medium values, and to the light. 

After drying the w/c with a hair dryer, he used colored pencils (good, expensive ones) to add more color, particularly the lighter ones.  He also uses the pencils to soften some of the hard edges.  The pencil work was done with the “side” of the lead, in a rolling motion.  He recommended using the same pencil color in a number of places in your painting.  His finished painting was a magnificent buffalo!

Ken gave us many thoughts, ideas, tips, and entertaining stories.  Some of them:
To get inspiration, wander around and look for new things, in new ways.  Attend art shows; go to museums; take photos; do new activities.  Collect a “chest” of images to paint, so you won’t ever have painter’s “block”.
Only use your own photos for reference, unless you have permission from the photographer.  Keep your photos you painted from to prove you didn’t copy someone else’s work.
Ken uses at least 140 lb Arches paper; uses it as is; loves 300 lb.
He normally paints at an angle, on an easel, so he can step back to look.  Lets his paints mix on the paper; uses a rag to soak up, rather than paper towel.
Paint what you love; paint for yourself.  If it moves just one person, it’s a good painting. 
It’s only a piece of paper; there’s always the other side.  If someone criticizes your painting, consider the source.  If you value the person’s opinion, maybe try their suggestion.  If not, ignore.
If you have a painting you don’t like, don’t throw it away until you have tried all kinds of creative things with it, ink, acrylic, different colors, etc.
If a painting is “irritating” you, go get a cup of coffee, look at it again.  See how to fix it?  If not, put it aside until tomorrow or the next day.

On entering Art Shows – you can only hand in your best work and “let it go”.  Yours may or may not be the best, but the judge picks the winner.

The criteria for today’s shows seems to be Good Composition, Rich Color, and Unusual Subject Matter.

Ken loves to draw and paint, particularly to music.  Music gives you inspiration, loosens your hands and your creativity.   Enjoy your painting!

Submitted by Joyce Grothaus, Secretary, GCWS,  March 2014
Photos Joyce Grothaus, Deb Ward