June/July Meetings

In June a group of us made a trip to Art Fair on the Square where we enjoyed viewing the artwork from artist across the country. We stopped by to visit Luci Shirek who had her paintings on display. It was an great and inspiring time.
The Art Fair on the Square is in Baraboo on August 12^th , 13^th and 14^th where some of our members will be showing at the Al Ringling Theater. Please come visit the show even if you are not displaying.

At our June meeting I shared thoughts about Ann Blockley, an artist who has influenced some of my painting techniques. Ann paints in watercolor with an emphasis on texturing backgrounds. She creates this texture in the backgrounds by using a variety of techniques such as sanding water color pencils, granulating mediums, scratching out when using a gesso base, masking fluid, feathers, lamb’s wool, etc.
I had the group prepare gesso based pieces for our July meeting so the could try some a few of the techniques. You can use almost any object to create texture.

To create grass here, I used the side of a drinking straw.

Color settles in the marks on  the gesso.

Spruce branches will create spruce trees.

These flowers are from pressing into the surface with a pen.

Working on this surfaces give you the freedom to try different ideas knowing you can wipe it off if you don’t like it and try something else.

At our July meeting Eileen Mathis brought in paintings done by an artist who has inspired her. She obtained them when family items were being sorted and given away. Although they are very old, they have found a treasured place in Eileen’s home.
When the family genealogy was being researched, she was to learn that these paintings were done by an aunt. Edith Louise Nufer (1891-1910). In her young years, her talent and mature painting ability was readily seen in her watercolor landscapes. Soft colors, perspective, and innate talent is evident, likely without formal training.