Wednesday, August 10, 2011

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 12th , 13th and 14th 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
.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

DEVIL'S LAKE FIELD TRIP

  Many of the members met at Devil's Lake last Thursday. We took a trip back in time to investigate the sites of vanished shore-side hotels and buildings. Our leaders were Kenneth Lange, retired Naturalist of Devil's Lake State Park and current Naturalist, Diane Pillsbury.






A few sites still show the remains from where the buildings once stood..





We also enjoyed the opportunity to get some photo's for painting subjects.


Wild Flowers



Flowering Trees


Nesting herons and chicks.



Spring foliage seems to paint itself in the calm lake waters.

Lucy Shireck will be displaying her art at Mt. Horeb on June 10th-12th. All are invited to come view her work.

June 11 - White School House Art Show in Sauk. Artist displaying  their paintings will be Yvonne Jeske, Lynda Barganz, Char Olson, Eileen Mathis and Sue Johnson.

June 18th and 19th _ Civil War Re-enactment in Sauk. Members will be showing paintings that pertain to the war period  at the White School House. There will also be some artist's  plen air painting.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

APRIL MEETING

Our April meeting was another great time with the trading cards. 
  

  Trading Cards were displayed.  Members were challenged to identify the artist.  Cards were then turned upside down, members drew three cards, and had the artist sign their cards.


 Even the Easter Bunny  had a hard time figuring out who some of the artists were.

Each meeting one member gives a presentation of an artist they admire. Sharon Rork presented information on a favorite artist of hers.  Giambattista Tirpolo, Master of the Oil Sketch.   

The rest of the day was spent working on our paintings.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

WELCOME

Welcome to our new blog. Here you will be able to keep up on all the Southern Wisconsin Watercolor Society events and happenings.

Back in December each member brought 3  ( 3 1/2  x  2 1/4 inch) paintings to trade.
Here is a photo of  the group trying to determine who the artist of the trading cards are by seeing if we can recognize their style.  This is what we will be doing at our next meeting in April. Don’t forget to keep then unsigned till they’ve been traded so we can enjoy  figuring out the artist again.

    
This is a photo of all our trading cards.

 
We would also like to welcome new member, Marjorie Cutting of Baraboo. She is a professional costume designer.