June 1, 2012

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

June 1, 2012 -- "Coyote pups begin emerging from dens. Young woodchucks leave dens. Young bald eagles begin to fledge in southern Missouri. Bird nesting peaks. Turtles begin laying eggs. Lady's-slipper orchids bloom. Look for tarantulas crossing roads in southwestern Missouri. "

Missouri Department of Conservation supplies this bit for the News.

3:02 a.m. CST -- 

Birthstone: Pearl

Flower: Rose

"I work 95 percent of my watercolors under artificial light. I use a combination of cool white and daylight fluorescent tubes. This gives off a light very close to the natural light outside. … I've worked this way for years and can see little difference when viewing my work out side or occasionally painting one in daylight outside. Also the majority of works in galleries and museums are viewed under artificial light."

-- Arthur J. Barbour, AWS, from his book, Painting the Seasons in Watercolor.

1. Aw! Shucks! We need your painting in this show! Here is your chance to show in the Summer Online MOWS Members' Exhibition. The deadline is June 9, and the show will be posted on the MOWS 

website June 11.  You can send .jpgs (.jpegs), slides or photos of your paintings to Laura. If you're emailing .jpg files, please send them to Laura at laura@laurakingstudio.com  She will send you a confirmation email within 48 hours of receiving your entry. (If you don't receive confirmation, please call her at 573-356-1236.) Mail slides, photos and checks ($7 per .jpg or $10 per slide/photo) to Laura King, 1513 Thoroughbred Circle, Columbia, MO, 65202

Sidebar: Back in 2009, we published a list of viewers across the big ponds who were becoming interested in our online members' art shows. The number have since boomed and we have a very large following. Many of the viewers have asked it they can join MOWS. So if you'd like for folks across the big ponds to see your paintings, have Laura post a couple. 

Here are the beginning numbers from back in 2009:

Country - City - Pages

Switzerland - Morges - 71

France - Henridoff - 18

Portugal - Lisbon - 2

Japan - N/A - 37

China - Beijing - 17 

Syrian Arab Rep. - Damascus - 26

Russian Fed. - Moscow - 8

2. The National Members' Invitational 2012. The prospectus for this National is in the mail. Laura King has also posted it on the MOWS website. The NMI is a state fair type show; meaning, you pick your own painting to show. YES Trudy, just like the state fair when you showed your big red bull!  

The only judging is for awards: cash, merchandise, and ribbons. Once again MOWS will be showing at the Boone County Historical Society's large Montminy Gallery. Jenifer Flink and her crew are ready for another MOWS art event. Jenifer has a new committee working hard on ways to create more art excitement for the general public at the BCHS. ... 

3. Attention: Again! A member call to complain, "I'm not receiving the Online News. How come?" I replied that her email address was being kicked backed. "Oh, my," she answered, "I forgot to send you my new email."

Folks, if you change anything, the parakeets cage or the old man, please remember to inform MOWS. We can't keep YOU informed unless we know how, where and when to reach you.

4. Workshops: A member asks, " Why won't you put workshops in your MOWS weekly news?"

We follow the policy of the National Watercolor Society. We do not publish workshops, UNLESS there is a direct special benefit for our members. Those are very few. We certainly understand your reason for wanting workshop recognition, but if we did one, we would be inundated.  At last count, 167 of our members do some type of art teaching; mostly workshops. There are two ways we try to help get your information out:

*          We provide a free listing of workshop givers on the MOWS website. The information is general. We will not post dates. The workshop artist emails Laura King at laura@laurakingstudio.com

*          The workshop artist may take an ad out in Watercolor Studio. Laura King again.

5. Here is a good grin from Jan Ross in Kennesaw, GA. Some of you young artists probably don't know Burns, Durante, and Hope, but the old members remember them. We went to the movies and listened to the radio on Saturday night.

*          The secret to a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending: and to have the two as close together as possible. -- George Burns

*          My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe. -- Jimmy Durante

*          Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP. -- Joe Namath.

*          I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap. -- Bob Hope

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on His palette.

Papa

May 25, 2012

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

May 25, 2012 -- "Partial annular solar eclipse occurs. Chigger season begins and continues through September. Serviceberry fruits ripen, Eastern bluebirds begin second nesting this week. Green sunfish and bluegill begin nesting. antlers begin to grow on white-tailed deer bucks. Young beavers emerge from lodges. Listen for the chorus of gray treefrogs. Coneflowers and tickseed coreopsis bloom on prairies and roadsides. The large yellow flowers of the Missouri primrose bloom on Ozark glades. "

Missouri Department of Conservation supplies this bit for the News.

3:02 a.m. CST -- 

Birthstone: Emerald

Flower: Lily of the Valley

"... When you think of principles of good design, try to avoid thinking about hard-and-fast rules, on one hand, and falling back repeatedly on yesterday's successful experiments, on the other. Be a seeker of strong, well-thought-out design, and be inventive and remain flexible in your thinking. …Use your intuition to discover where you are succeeding and where you need to make corrections. The creative thought process essential to the most inventive of design is identical to that needed for a successful traditional painting."

-- Barbara Nechis, from her book, Watercolor From the Heart.

1. Congratulations to MOWS Signature member, Chrstopher Wynn. Christopher Wynn (BWS, MWS, VWS, WSA) was recently awarded the Award of Excellence in the current 2012, 33rd Virginia Watercolor Society juried exhibition. In addition, a step-by-step-demo will be shown in the upcoming summer issue of  American Artist:Watercolor. Also, Christopher had a painting accepted into the Southern Watercolor’s 35th Annual Exhibition. He will also have a series of watercolors in the  Kennedy Publication titled The Best of the Best which is due out this month. On April 15, his one-man exhibition opened at the Art Depot in Abingdon, Virginia and will come down June 2.

2 Watercolor Missouri National 2012 is posted on the MOWS website:

 http://www.mowsart.com  The Missouri Watercolor Society receives many positive comments having the National at the world-class National Churchill Museum. Many people do not realize Sir Winston Churchill was a fine artist. This year viewers came from far and wide to see the exhibition. Yesterday, the Vintage Car Club of Missouri -- I think that's their name? -- held their car show outside the Museum up and down Westminster Avenue. These folks have spent hours working on their show cars. All the car show members took time out to visit the National Churchill Museum and Watercolor Missouri National 2012.

Sidebar: One of the museum staff told a couple of the vintage car owners that I was an artist. They asked me what I thought of their cars. I replied that I was a terrible person to ask because I've always felt that the only thing a car or truck can do is get your sweet bottom from one point to a second point faster than you could walk. Both fellows turned a pale yellow-green and had to sit down.

3.  This past week was spent packing Watercolor Missouri National 2012. We try very hard to get them out before the Memorial Day holiday period hits and slows FedEx and UPS down. The guys and gals who pick up the boxes/crates from the National Churchill Museum are great and really try to get our boxes on the road, but they also look forward to that holiday. This year, a couple of students helped the staff box it all up. If you have never unpacked nor packed a national exhibition, then friend, you need the experience. It is certainly the best teacher for using using a Strongbox or equivalent.

4. Have New Painting; Want To Show IT?: Here is your chance to show in the Summer Online MOWS Members' Exhibition. (This is the online exhibition viewers outside the USA wait for. I get the emails asking when will it be up, so if you'd like to have folks across the big pond know your name and your work, well,  it's a compelling argument for showing your paintings on the MOWS site.) The deadline is June 9, and the show will be posted on the MOWS Web site June 11.  You can send .jpgs (.jpegs), slides or photos of your paintings to Laura. If you're emailing .jpg files, please send them to Laura at laura@laurakingstudio.com  She will send you a confirmation email within 48 hours of receiving your entry. (If you don't receive confirmation, please call her at 573-356-1236.) Mail slides, photos and checks ($7 per .jpg or $10 per slide/photo) to Laura King, 1513 Thoroughbred Circle, Columbia, MO

5. This time of year we get this question. Generally from new members who get in their first National. Here is the question:  "What is the MOWS Honor Roll and how does one become a member? Who are the members?"  To this point, all the members have served as jurors of selection or jurors of awards for Watercolor Missouri National exhibitions. They all hold signature status in the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, or both. The following artists hold Honorary Membership in MOWS and are listed on the prestigious Missouri Watercolor Society Honor Roll. They use the letters MOWS-HR:   Phillip Hampton, Jonathan Knight, Paul Jackson, Hugh Greer, Kent Addison, Dean Mitchell, H. C. Dodd, Jerry Ellis, Bill James, Edwin Johnson, John Salminen, Marlin Rotach. Chris Krupinski, Mary Lou Corn, Cheng-Khee Chee, Robert Lee Major, next year jurors, Laurin McCracken, Sandra Schaffer.

6.Well, of course! Actors Anthony Hopkins and Tony Curtis cashed in on their fame. Both men were painters, Hopkins is still working. Curtis' work sold for around $20,000 each, while Hopkins’ went for the amazing high of $150,000. He had shows in far off places like London and Hawaii. Who says being famous in one profession doesn't help the other.

7. Fun from Jan Ross, Kennesaw, GA.  Jan is becoming a feature of the Online News.

*          Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have 

remained a virgin.'  -- Lillian Carter (mother of President Jimmy Carter).

*          I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read 

the description in the catalogue: - 'No good in bed, but fine against a wall.' -- Eleanor Roosevelt

*          Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you. -- Winston Churchill

Have a great week.

May God always keep you on His palette. 

Papa

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

May 18, 2012 -- "Carpenter bees lay their eggs in wood. Cuckoos begin nesting. Fawns are born through late June. Watch for lightning bug on warm evenings. Wild strawberries ripen in grasslands. Most purple finches have left Missouri. Opossum young begin emerging from the female's pouch. Stinging nettle is tall enough to sting; jewelweed is big enough to relieve the burn. Listen for Blanchard's cricket frogs. their calls sound like small pebbles being struck rapidly together."

Missouri Department of Conservation supplies this bit for the News.

3:16 a.m. CST -- 

Birthstone: Emerald

Flower: Lily of the Valley

"... To begin with, concentrate on developing the habit of standing back from your work at regular intervals or whenever you add a new color or complete a value step. If you forget, write yourself a note on top of your board saying 'Stand back! Look!' "

-- Christopher Schink, from his book, Mastering Color and Design in Watercolor.

1. I bet you did not know this! The fellow who has presented the awards to the winners for the last 12 Watercolor Missouri Nationals  is pretty famous on both sides of the big pond. MOWS members attending the opening hear me introduce him as the executive director of the National Churchill Museum. Here are just a few of his honors.  He is a Fellow to the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and the Royal Historical Society (RHS) in England. Before coming to Westminster, he was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. He is known on both sides for the big pond as Dr. Rob Havers. A great friend of the Missouri Watercolor Society.

Next time you make the trip to a MOWS opening at the National Churchill Museum, walk up to Rob and tell him "Thank you for your support of MOWS."

2. ATTENTION: This is a repeat: First, the deadline to be included in the spring issue of Watercolor Studio online is May 15, 2012.  If you have accomplishments you still have time to email them in. Send it to Laura King at laura@laurakingstudio.com

Second, The National closes on the 18th. This will allow Laura to post the entire National exhibition on May 18, 2012. I'll check and put in the Online News the number of overseas visitors our website receives after Laura posts the National.

3. If you're in a hurry! Every member will receive a prospectus in the slow mail in about a week. However, Laura King will also be posting the prospectus and directions for the National Members' Invitational at the Boone County Historical Society this September and October.  Go to the MOWS website: www.moswart.com

It will be located near the logo on the right side. Do not hit the logo. It does nothing.

This is a state fair type show. You pick the painting you wish to show. The only judging is for awards.

4. Yes, Cleopatra, you can help! A number of Friday's ago, I wrote in the News how you can help our organization. It was simple. Just ask a friend to join the Missouri Watercolor Society. Once again Paul Jackson leads with five new members this month. Most of the new artists attended a workshop given by Paul. To all the new members: Welcome!

5. This event is sanctioned by the Missouri Watercolor Society. Many MOWS members are involved with this fun event. It's  a great art event run by the Columbia Art League.

Art in the Park is June 2^nd and 3^rd. Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The day includes: lots of artwork, a magician, a Nashville rocker, Wilson's flowers, an emerging artist tent, a kid's art spot, a young collectors tent, ice cream and lemonade.

6. Heads-up! The museum staff will be packing the paintings that made up the National all next week. The paintings will be packed as they appear on the arrival sheet. The staff will not pack an artist's painting early for any reason. DO NOT ASK!

7. Sidebar: This has nothing to do with art. It's been around awhile, but worth the effort.  Just more fun from MOWS member, Jan Ross , Kennesaw, GA.

An Italian man was leaving a convenience store with his espresso when he noticed a most unusual Italian funeral procession approaching the nearby cemetery. A black hearse was followed by a second black hearse about 50 feet behind the first one. Behind the second hearse was a solitary Italian man walking a dog on a leash. Behind him, a short distance back, were about 200 men walking single file.

The man couldn't stand the curiosity. He respectfully approached the Italian man walking the dog and said, "I am so sorry for your loss, and this may be a bad time to disturb you, but I've never seen an Italian funeral like this. Whose funeral is it?"

"My wife's," came the answer.

"What happened to her?"

"She yelled at me and my dog attacked and killed her."

The man inquired further, "But who is in the second hearse?"

The Italian man answered, "My mother-in-law. she was trying to help my wife and the dog turned on her."

A touching moment of silence passed between the two Italian men. Then …

"Can I borrow the dog?"

The Italian man with the dog replied, "Get in line."

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on his palette.

Papa

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

May 11, 2012 -- "Wood ducks hatch. Male catfish begin making nests around logs. Goldfinches eat dandelion seeds. Brown bats are in nursery colonies. Watch for common nighthawks over cities at night. Dewberries bloom. Honeybees swarm. Bobolinks migrate from Argentina, and some nest in northern Missouri. Blackberry winter; a cold spell may occur, freezing blackberry blooms. Black locust trees bloom. Bluegill begin spawning."

Missouri Department of Conservation supplies this bit for the News.

3:01 a.m. CST -- Mother's Day is Sunday. President Truman's Birthday was Wednesday. 

Birthstone: Emerald

Flower: Lily of the Valley

"Here is my palette set-up. Down the left side, I have my cool colors. Starting at the lower left is Ultramarine; above that is Thalo Blue; then Thalo Green. Across they top are Alizarin Crimson; a very incidental accent color, Cadmium Red Light; plus two mounds of the same yellow, Cadmium or New Gamboge ( one of which I always think I will keep clean, and never do). Then, coming down the right--on the warm side--I have my Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber. And there are all the colors I use in transparent watercolor."

-- John Pike, N.A., AWS, from his book,  Watercolor.

 1. One week left to see Watercolor Missouri National 2012. Here is a very fine comment from MOWS member, Jane Anne Gideon.

"I had the singular pleasure today of escorting a group to the Watercolor Missouri National. I want you to know they had a blast. As a recent instructor in their painting class, it was most gratifying to see them respond to the resplendent work which hangs in the Anson Cutts Gallery. My entire time with this group in recent months has been helping them understand some fundamentals of composition -- a subject you have taught for many years. So many wonderful examples of good composition greeted them. And the various watercolor techniques displayed were the likes of which this society has never exhibited before. We saw beauty, poignancy, delicacy, boldness, and even humor. It ran the gamut. All the genres were represented, plus a full range of water-based media. I know it takes many outstanding entries to make a great national exhibit. I believe this year's exhibit is engaging, inspirational, and one of the best Missouri Nationals. The exhibit is beautifully hung, and I will likely visit it again. Mr. Chee performed a yeoman's job as the Juror of Selection. I know Mr. Chee from my participation in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He is conscientious in his duties, whenever and whatever they may be. The man knows watercolor."

2. Congratulations to MOWS Signature member, Ken Call. Ken's painting won Best in Show at the Illinois Watercolor Society's 28th Illinois National.

3. Congratulations to ME! Tony Armendariz, executive director of the Illinois Watercolor Society, took the time to inform me that I had achieved Signature status in IWS. (Every time I receive an email from Tony, my face turns red. I owe him a lunch. Wonder if Illinois boys like peanut butter? …)

4. ATTENTION: First, the deadline to be included in the spring issue of Watercolor Studio online is May 15, 2012. Fealing Lin is busy working on her cover and article, but Laura could use another article or two. If you have one send it to Laura King at laura@laurakingstudio.com

 Second, Laura will post the entire National exhibition on May 18, 2012. Watch for it. I'll check and put in the Online News the number of oversea visitors our website receives after Laura posts the National.

5. Many thanks to the artists who sent in their suggestions for the title of next year's International.

Here are a few of their thoughts:

Betty Concannon: "… I have reservations about the combination of 13th annual and international being used together, since this is technically not accurate."

Barbara O'Neal Davis: "… Don't like Watercolor Missouri, … not the society's name."

Jane Anne Gideon: "Only one word changes; it is simple, and directs all to the fact that it is now international."

Lee Hinderliter:  "Missouri Watercolor Society Annual International Open Exhibition"

This may change, but here is the title preferred by the most members: 

Missouri Watercolor Society's Annual International Exhibition

6. Maybe of Interest: Zion National Park is currently accepting applications for its Artist-in-Residence program. This program offers selected artists the opportunity to live in a historic house located on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive for a four-week period and pursue their particular art form. As part of the residency, artists will present two public programs and are required to donate, at the park’s choosing, an original piece of work representative of their experience. Artists must be self-sufficient, able to work independently in an isolated environment, and comply with all park regulations and policies.

Applications for the program can be downloaded from the website www.nps.gov/zion and will be accepted through July 20, 2012. More information about the Artist-in-Residence Program can be found at www.nps.gov/zion, and interested artists can contact the Artist in Residence Coordinator by email at Zion_Artist_in_Residence@nps.gov or by phone at 435-772-0184. 

7. Sidebar: As many of you know, I'm a Winston Churchill fan. The things the man did and said are amazing. Here is one of my favorites from The Quotable Winston Churchill, (The Wit and Wisdom of Winston Churchill).

While overseeing the pouring of coffee at a dinner party at Lady Astor's mansion, she caught Churchill's eye and declared, "Winston, if I were your wife, I'd put poison in your coffee."

"Nancy," Churchill replied, "if I were your husband, I'd drink it."

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on His palette.

Papa

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

May 4, 2012 -- "Indigo buntings and dickcissels are arriving. May apples begin blooming. Ring-necked pheasant crowing is at its peak. Jack-in-the-pulpits bloom in woods. Meadowlarks begin nesting. Skunks bear young through early June. Shorebirds are plentiful at wetlands mudflats. Ohio buckeyes begin blooming. Plant corn when the white oak leaves are the size of a squirrel's ear. Hawthorns are blooming in open areas. Raccoons bear young. Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks: moon interferes."

Missouri Department of Conservation supplies this bit for the News.

3:05 a.m. CST -- Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow! 

Birthstone: Emerald

Flower: Lily of the Valley

"Rendering transparency and reflection is not a matter of technical skill with a brush but, rather, relies heavily on your ability to see and draw the various elements of contrast, shape, color, and texture that work together to create the overall effect. What you know about an object should take a backseat to careful observation, especially when painting glass. … Glass is an eloquent symbol; it is the medium through which the idea of sun is expressed."

-- Paul Jackson, AWS, NWS, MOWS-HR from his book,  Light Effects in Watercolor.

 1. Congratulations to MOWS member, Norma Herring. Norma has several paintings selected for Artistic Touch 5. She sent he following as information for the MOWS members.

"My husband and I toured the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR a few weeks ago…..absolutely an incredible experience.  It is a treasure for all to see and it is "free" thanks to Alice Walton.  It is 400 + paintings, all "originals" hung in gorgeous galleries on 120 acres of land planted with miles of beautiful plants and native trees.  Someone told me just one of the paintings cost $64 million so you know what a spectacular place it is.  I can't wait to go back again because I was in such awe that I couldn't take it all in.  They let you get up close to the works and take pictures as long as you don't use a flash….just amazing."

2. If you haven't seen Watercolor Missouri National 2012, get a group together and drive to Fulton to see this excellent exhibition.  There has been above average attendance at this year's National. Watercolor Missouri National will come down on May 18. We pack the shipping boxes according to the order we received them. All paintings will be out before May 30, the date on the prospectus. Please do not ask for special shipping dates because you entered another show which has overlapping dates. The prospectus is a contract. You signed the prospectus agreeing to these dates.

3. PLAN AHEAD: Every MOWS member should want to be a part of history at the National Churchill Museum. In 2013, Watercolor Missouri National will take on a new importance in the world of watercolor. The exhibition will change. The exhibition's title could look like this:

13th ANNUAL MISSOURI WATERCOLOR INTERNATIONAL OPEN EXHIBITION

OR,

13TH ANNUAL WATERCOLOR MISSOURI INTERNATIONAL OPEN EXHIBITION

OR,

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY'S 13TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OPEN EXHIBITION

Here is that chance for you to be a part of history. Send two titles for this exhibition based on the information above. We will use the total of 13 years even though this is the first year for being "international." If you like the any of the above, say so. If your title is selected, we'll put you in the Online News.

Deadline for your title ideas is May 10, 2012.

Email your ideas to Papa Tutt at: georgetutt@socket.net

Please, no essay!

4. POINT OF Clarification!  Folks, we know you're very excited about being selected for a national exhibition like "Watercolor U.S.A.," maybe for the first time. And we're very proud of you. Unfortunately, an artist being selected for a show is not what I write about in the Online News. MOWS has close to 400 professional artists and most have work selected for international and national exhibitions every day of every week, not one or two, but many. So, what artist's accomplishments ARE selected for the Online News?  

* Win a major award in a state, national, or international exhibition.

* Have your work included in a manuscript (book).

* Have an article published in a noted magazine, e.g. Watercolor Artist.

* If you have experienced something in the art world that the membership can find value in. (See #1 from Norma.)

As the editor/writer of the Online News, I do reserve a certain amount of license in deciding what will go in the News. MOWS does have the "Art Y'all/Members Making News" section of the MOWS online magazine, Watercolor Studio. There is a correct format for that which was published in the April 27 News, and appears in every “Art Y’all” section of every Watercolor Studio. Back issues can be found on our website. www.mowsart.com

5. Speaking of “Art Y’all” … there are just two more weeks to get your accomplishments into the spring issue of Watercolor Studio. The cutoff is May 15. Check that format, and send your news to Laura at laura@laurakingstudio.com We are also still looking for another article or two – if you have a ‘how-to’ article you’ve written in the past, we’d love to take a look at it. It’s ok if it has been published somewhere else before. If we use it, we will pay the princely sum of $25.

6. Sidebar: This has nothing to do with art. Here is another fun one from MOWS member, 

Jan Ross, Kennesaw, GA. 

Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven. When they get there St. Peter says,

"We only have one rule here in heaven: Don't step on the ducks!"

So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It's almost impossible not

to step on a duck. And although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one.

Along come St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw. St. Peter chains them together and says, 

"Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man."

The next day, the second woman accidentally steps on a duck and along comes St. Peter. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman.

The third woman has observed all of this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps. She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks. But …

One day St. Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on. Very tall, long eyelashes, muscular. St. Peter chains them together and leaves. The happy woman says, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all eternity?"

The handsome guy says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck."

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on His palette.

Papa

April 27, 2012

April 27, 2012
MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS
http://www.mowsart.com
"Oaks and hickories bloom. Turtles crossing roads; watch out! Chimney swifts return. Warbler migration peaks. Coyotes bear young through May. Mink kits are born through early May. Crappie are spawning. Ozark darters spawn in the rocky riffles. Egrets begin nesting in heronries. June bugs begin appearing." Missouri Department of Conservation supplies this bit for the News.
3:15 a.m. CST -- Today is National Arbor Day. (Help the world and plant a tree!)
Birthstone: Diamond Flower: Sweet Pea

"As I see it, there are three kinds of artists: the reporter, the commentator, and the author. All three produce forms of art. The reporter tells or paints a scene as he sees it. The commentator tells or paints it, expressing his own opinions. And the author just imagines the whole thing and contributes his philosophy, color, and point of view; he is the creator. This last is my approach." -- Mario Cooper, N.A., A.W.S., from his book, Watercolor By Design.

1. Congratulations to MOWS Signature member, Susan Stuller. Susan has several paintings selected for Artistic Touch 5 and one painting in Splash 14:Color and Light. She also has won an Award of Excellence in the Virginia Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition.

2. Congratulations to MOWS member, Sue St.John. Sue will have two paintings in the book, Journeys To Abstraction. It will be available at the local bookstore in May.

3. Congratulations to MOWS member, Christine Alfery. Christine won First Place in the Georgia Watercolor Society's National Exhibition 2012.

4. Laura King will be accepting MOWS' artist's accomplishments, tips, or articles until the May 15 deadline. Unfortunately, as in the past, a few artists send play-by-play descriptions of each event they are in. This is then emailed to a few hundred newsletters. Sorry, neither Laura nor this old fellow have the time to decipher lengthy PR pieces. If you are interested in being in the "Art Y'all/Members Making News" section, you must follow our guidelines which are published in each issue of the online magazine. Back issues are posted on our website under the yellow “Watercolor Studio” brushstroke; you can check the format in the Art Y’all section of any one of them. Then send your items to: laura@laurakingstudio.com

Point of interest: For the English teachers: I do not use punctuation marks at the end of an email address I'm using in the Online News. Reason: a number of our readers are not up on the "INs and OUTs" nor the "UPs and DOWNs" of computers, so they try to use the email address WITH the punctuation mark.

5. The Prospectus for the National Members' Invitational 2012 will be mailed the first or second week of May. This exhibition has no selection judging. This is called a state fair show. Why: The artist selects one painting they wish to show, just like showing at a state fair.

Marlin Rotach, NWS, WHS, MOWS-HR, will serve as juror of awards. Marlin has won many awards and holds signature status in many art organizations including the Missouri Watercolor Society. He is a member of the Watercolor U.S.A. Honor Society. In 2004, International Artist Magazine named him a 'Master Painter of the World.' His work has been featured in the North Light book, Great Painting Ideas, and also in International Magazine and Artist's Magazine. His paintings hang in many corporate collections.

6. Laura King will post the complete exhibition of Watercolor Missouri National 2012 on the MOWS website AFTER the exhibition closes on May 18. Next year we will move from a national exhibition to an international exhibition.

7. Here are a couple of fun things from MOWS member, Jan Ross of Kennesaw, GA.

"My Mom said she learned how to swim when someone took her out on the lake and threw her off the boat. I said, 'Mom, they weren't trying to teach you to swim.'" -- Paula Poundstone.

"Remember in elementary school, you were told that in case of fire you have to line up quietly in a single file line from the smallest to tallest. What is the logic in that? Do tall people burn slower?" -- Warren Hutcherson.

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain.

That last one: Thoughts of another Missouri boy!
Have a great week!
May God always keep you on His palette.
Papa

April 20, 2012

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS
http://www.mowsart.com
April 20, 2012 -- "Baltimore orioles begin arriving, Juncos depart for Canadian breeding grounds. Listen for wild turkeys gobbling. Whip-poor-wills begin calling. Ruby-throated hummingbirds begin arriving. Giant Canada Goose goslings begin hatching. Largemouth bass begin spawning, Beaver bear young through late June. Look for flowing dogwoods. Columbine blooms."
Missouri Department of Conservation supplies this bit for the News.
3:15 a.m. CST   
Birthstone: Diamond
Flower: Sweet Pea
 
"Shadows, in nearly every case I can imagine, are affected by the light and the color that is reflected into to them. It may be subtle -- not even noticed consciously -- but it's there! ... If you're relying on photos to paint your color from, take it from me, you're not seeing what's really happening! Better to observe the real thing as it happens, if you possibly can."
-- Tom Hill, AWS, from his book, The Watercolorist's Complete Guide to Color.
 
 
1. Congratulations to Signature member, Fealing Lin.  Fealing has an article called "Fresh Faces " in the current issue of Watercolor Artist Magazine (June, 2012) plus a page in the back.  She has eight paintings in the article and a four-stage demo. A painting by Fealing will also be on the cover of our online magazine, Watercolor Studio. 
 
2.Congratulations to MOWS member, Norma Herring. Norma's work will be in the new book, The Artistic Touch 5. She will have two to five paintings in the book. It will be available at the local bookstore soon.
 
3. Congratulations to MOWS board member, Jean Kalin. Her paintings will also be shown in the new book, The Artistic Touch 5.
 
Point of clarification: Because of MOWS’ not-for-profit status, I can't not promote the sale of commercial items at a specific location. e.g., where the above books may be purchased and when. Magazines which have articles by our members I can do.
 
4. Attention: The deadline to get your accomplishments, articles and tips to Laura King for the Watercolor Studio Online is May 15. 2012. With the spring exhibition season going on, you should have some accomplishments to share in the "Art Y'all/ Members Making News" section of the magazine. Next, go to your parakeet's cage and retrieve that article you wrote … you remember; the one which is now lining your pet's cage. Dust it off, … hmmm, well, on second thought, maybe you'd better use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and send that great article to Laura King: laura@laurakingstudio.com
 
5. The judge for the National Members' Invitational 2012 will be MOWS Honor Roll member, Marlin Rotach. Marlin has served as the Juror of Awards at the National. The NMI show will be at the Boone County Historical Society in September. Each MOWS member may send or bring one painting of their choosing. Marlin will select the award winners.
 
6. I Goofed! In my recommendation last week of the National Watercolor Society, -- for some unknown reason -- I invented a new deadline date for entries into the exhibition. The correct deadline is May 24, 2012.
 
National Watercolor Society 92nd Annual Open Exhibition. Location: NWS Gallery, 915 South Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA. Date: September 29 to December 2, 2012.Entry deadline: May 24, 2012. Selection: Jury. Juror of Awards: Barbara Nechis. Awards: Cash/merchandise. Prospectus: www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org
 
7. Here is a fun one. Mom and I saw this bumper sticker yesterday:
"Don't steal! The government doesn't like the competition."
 
Have a great week!
May God always keep you on His palette.
Papa