July 27, 2012

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

July 27, 2012 -- "May apple fruits ripen and fall to the ground. Wild black cherries ripen. Squirrels bear summer litters. Blazing star blooms on prairies and roadsides. Warblers begin to gain weight for energy during migration. Wild plums ripen. South Delta Aquarid meteor shower peaks."

Missouri Department of Conservation provides this week's quote from its Natural Events Calendar. 

1:45 a.m. CST - Mizzou's football practice begins August 2. 

Birthstone: Ruby

Flower: Larkspur

"I used to be amused by the old rule that some of the sky color should be repeated in the foreground, but I have discovered there is a reason for the rule: too many skies are a raw blue that separates itself from all other areas of the painting. There must be some color echo that will bring them together. Skies don't always have to be pure blue, anyway."

-- Edward Betts, N.A., A.W.S. from his book,  Creative Landscape Painting.

1. Congratulations to MOWS Signature member, Norma Herring. Norma will be having a one-woman (person) show which will open August 3 in the restored Baudette Train Depot in Baudette, MN.  

2. Congratulations to MOWS Signature member, Marilynne Bradley. Her one-woman (person) exhibition of watercolors will open July 29 to August 25,  at the Componere Gallery, 6509 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63130. A reception will be held August 5 from 2pm to 4pm.

 3. The deadline is here!! You're down to the last days in July.  Sunday is the 29th day of July. This means you have 2 days left to get your entry into the office for the National Members' Invitational. Postmark must read July 31. Remember: This is a "state fair" type of show. YOU select the painting you wish to show. Marlin Rotach will be doing the JUDGING for cash and merchandise awards. You must be a MOWS member to be in the exhibition.

Jenifer Flink sent this information: The Office of Cultural Affairs is a sponsor this year and will enable advertising for the show. Better promotion of this event will encourage sales. In addition, we will have several events that will take place in the Boone County Museum and Galleries while the MOWS exhibit is on the walls:

 - Hall of Fame ~ 2-300 movers and shakers attending the Hall of Fame

 - Heriitage Festival ~ 15-20,000 people attending to enjoy history and re-enactment in the park

 - Book Talk Events ~  Two Saturday morning events with attendees of at least 50 people

 4. A Great Read! The National Churchill Museum puts out a quarterly magazine titled, The Churchillian.  The current summer issue is devoted to "The Art of Winston Churchill." Churchill preferred oil painting over watercolor, because it suited his personality. However, I'm very sure, when we have our exhibition in the spring, Mr. Churchill would look down at all the fine watercolors and say, "Well done!"

If you are interested in getting a copy of  The Churchillian, contact Asst. Director Sara Winingear, 501 Westminster Ave., Fulton, MO 65251. Phone: 573-592-5369.

5. Did you know this? According to the AARP Bulletin--here I go again!-- certain colored cars will bring about $300 more than other colors: silver, white and black are the top colors. Cars of the same model that are red, blue, green, or yellow bring less at trade-in time. Oh yes, one other thing: car thieves also prefer to steal silver, white and black cars.

6. Here is one from Laura King: Papa, this is a discussion I received in an email about whether artists should include pricing on their websites. Thought you might be interested, maybe it’s even worth sharing the link in the news.

http://www.reddotblog.com/wordpress/index.php/debate-should-artists-include-pricing-on-their-websites/

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on His palette.

Papa

July 20, 2012

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

July 20, 2012 -- "Black rat snake eggs laid until end of month. Cicada-killer wasps prey on dog-day cicadas. Great blue herons begin fledging. Rattlesnakes hunt mostly at night. Long-tailed weasels breed through august. Katydids sing."

Missouri Department of Conservation provides this week's quote from their Natural Events Calendar. 

2:30 a.m. CST - Ramadan (begins evening before; lasts 30 days) 

Birthstone: Ruby

Flower: Larkspur

"Can a successful painting be executed with few colors? The answer is definitely yes! Indeed, I think most artists are better off working with fewer colors. All professional painters I've known shun the use of a lot of colors on their palettes at any one time. Though they may vary the palette from painting to painting, they usually paint with a fairly limited number of colors, and this is a good way for beginning painters to really learn about colors and how to get the most out of them."

-- Tom Hill, from his book,  The Watercolorist's Complete Guide to Color.

1. Congratulations to MOWS member, Linda S, Wilmes. Linda has a one-woman show at the Gateway Gallery, 21 North Bemiston, Clayton, Missouri. The opening reception is this evening, July 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.

2.FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE--WAKE UP! We need your entry! Sunday is the 22th day of July. This means you have 9 days left to get your entry into the office for the National Members' Invitational. The days are counting down! September 9, is the BIG opening of the NMI show at the Boone County Historical Society. Remember: This is a "state fair" type of show. YOU select the painting you wish to show. Marlin Rotach will be doing the JUDGING for cash and merchandise awards. You must be a MOWS member to be in the exhibition.

I WROTE THIS LAST WEEK: THIS WILL BE A BUSY WEEKEND IN COLUMBIA. On  September 8th, the Georgia Bulldogs come to Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. It's Missouri's first SEC opponent, so a LOT will be going on in The District (Downtown Columbia) especially Friday night and Saturday. 

If you come in early, drop by the Columbia Art League and say "Hi!" to Diana Moxon. She'll have something interesting in the gallery.

3. ATTENTION NEW MEMBERS: The Missouri Watercolor Society has two main exhibitions: Missouri Watercolor International ( official name: Missouri Watercolor Society Annual International Open Exhibition) and the National Members' Invitational. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME SHOW! The International is shown at the National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Mo. The National Members' Invitational is a state-fair type show and is held at the Boone County Historical Society Montminy Gallery in Columbia, Mo. MOWS also offers the members the opportunity to show in four quarterly online exhibitions on the MOWS website.

4. In 2007,  the Board of Directors expanded what media is accepted in the National Members' Invitational exhibition. 

ACCEPTED:

Watermedia on paper or a paper product

Watercolor canvas

Acrylic on canvas (Gallery wrap is OK)

Watermedia on hard board (Clayboard)

Collage, as long as 80 percent is done with watercolor media on the material

Drawings done in a watermedia; we'll stretch the point and accept ink (markers)

Any work shown in any previous Watercolor Missouri National show

Any work show in any previous Members' Online Exhibition on the MoWS Web site

NOT ACCEPTED:

Oils

Photos or computer art

Crafts

Work shown in any previous Members' Invitational show

4.  Here is a hypothetical: If MoWS awarded the Members' Invitational today, it would be possible for MOWS to award $3500 in cash and merchandise. It would look like this:

First Place - $500; Second Place - $400; Third Place - $300; HM - $200; five Missouri Awards of $100 each; and Merchandise Awards totaling $1200.  We will also have many great door prizes, including a classic "French styled"  field easel. (And we haven't received anything yet from 12 of our sponsors.) The reception date is September 9, at Boone County Historical Society.

5. In the current issue of the AARP Magazine is an article by a bunch of writers about the handsome men today in movies, TV and the stage.  The article is titled, "Men on Fire." So I might as well answer the questions now: Yes! I'm that old that I get the AARP Magazine. … Which means, I wasn't included in the article because I don't even produce a little smoke.

 Here is another successful actor  who paints, writes poetry, a published photographer, and a fine guitarist. His name: Viggo Mortensen. A few years back, his paintings were shown in the Robert Mann Gallery in Manhattan. At the opening, the gallery was packed with--get this!--women! --more interested in him than his paintings. Gallery owner, Robert Mann said," His art is genuine, sensitive, and personal. It's a passionate extension of who he is." To be surprised and see his work, do a Google search. Just type in:

Viggo Mortensen paintings.

6. Here's a story from national western sculptor, Bob Robertson. Enjoy!

Little known interesting fact:   The Goldberg Brothers - The Inventors of the Automobile Air Conditioner.  

Here's a little factoid for automotive buffs or just to dazzle your friends.. 

The four Goldberg brothers, Lowell, Norman, Hiram, and Maxwell, invented and developed the first automobile air-conditioner.. On July 17, 1946, the temperature in Detroit was 97 degrees. 

The four brothers walked into old man Henry Ford's office and sweet-talked his secretary into telling him that four gentlemen were there with the most exciting innovation in the auto industry since the electric starter. Henry was curious and invited them into his office. They refused and instead asked that he come out to the parking lot to their car. They persuaded him to get into the car, which was about 130 degrees, turned on the air conditioner, and cooled the car off immediately. 

The old man got very excited and invited them back to the office, where he offered them $3 million for the patent. The brothers refused, saying they would settle for $2 million, but they wanted the recognition by having a label, 'The Goldberg Air-Conditioner,' on the dashboard of each car in which it was installed. 

Now old man Ford was more than just a little anti - Semitic, and there was no way he was going to put the Goldberg's name on two million Fords. They haggled back and forth for about two hours and finally agreed on $4 million and that just their first names would be shown. 

And so to this day, all Ford air conditioners show -- Lo, Norm, Hi, and Max -- on the controls. 

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on His palette.

Papa

July 13, 2012

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

July 13, 2012 -- "Bird song has subsided. Young raccoons leave dens. During hot days, woodchucks go in dens to avoid the heat. Dragonflies lay eggs on ponds and streams. Fall webworms begin web building. goldfinches begin nesting as thistles go to seed."

Missouri Department of Conservation provides this week's quote from their Natural Events Calendar. 

2:37 a.m. CST 

Birthstone: Ruby

Flower: Larkspur

"Ideally, landscapes should be painted outdoors. The confrontation with the environment's colors, forms, textures, smells, and noises gives the artist sensory input that is an exciting stimulus. Using paint to translate what you see ( reality) onto the surface of the paper is a challenge. In watercolor painting, it is often regarded as the ultimate accomplishment."

-- Inessa Derkatsch, from her book,  Transparent Watercolor Painting Methods and Materials.

1. Congratulations to all the MOWS members -- past and present -- who won awards in the 35th Annual Exhibition  of the Southern Watercolor Society: Bill Bailey, Judi Betts, Bill James, Chris Krupinski, Laurin McCracken, Dean Mitchell, and Soon Warren. And too many MOWS members in the exhibition to mention here. 

2. Last week I finished our tax statement for the IRS. I was notified they had accepted my addition and subtraction. MOWS is now in good standing for another year with the IRS and the state of Missouri. MOWS is a not-for-profit organization.

3. CAUTION! Once again a group is using the old scam. I received an email and so did board member, Jean Kalin. This time the email says that they are building a new house and are looking for art work. The email states that they visited the artist's website. This is true because the writer wants to buy certain paintings they name by title. If the artist replies, then the scam is set into place. It can go in a number of direction.  Generally, the scammer tries to come off as an American, but there are just too many mistakes in attempted "English."

There is an old saying in business: Let the buyer beware. In this case, Let the seller beware.

4. WAKE UP! We need your entry! Sunday is the 15th day of July. This means you have 16 days left to get your entry for the National Members' Invitational in to the office. September 9, is the opening of the NMI show at the Boone County Historical Society. Remember: This is a "state fair" type of show. YOU select the painting you wish to show. Judging is for cash and merchandise awards. THIS WILL BE A BUSY WEEKEND IN COLUMBIA. On  September 8th, the Georgia Bulldogs come to Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. It's Missouri's first SEC opponent, so a LOT will be going on in The District (Downtown Columbia) especially Friday night and Saturday.

5. In last week's News, MOWS Signature member, Theodora Tilton wrote a reply to the question I posted:  What is the difference between Fine Art (paintings) vs Illustration (paintings)? OR, are they the same?

 Here are the thoughts from MOWS Signature Member, Mark Schuler.

I have taught both disciplines at different colleges. I told my students the main difference is that as an illustrator you get paid to do art, and in fine art you do art and hope you get paid. Also I believe illustrators are by far the better painters. I also disagree that illustration has no self expression. Quite the contrary, to be successful and stand alone you need to be very self expressive today as you have always needed to be. I don't want to even get into the high art and low art comment. I have seen a ton of "fine art" that was low art at best. The debate will never end. … Also, to be quite fair and avoid looking naive, I should add that there is high and low art on both sides. I have seen some very low illustration as well. Ineffective, uninspiring, and just plain poor. Okay, I'm through now. It's all fun. It's art! 

6. Here is a bit of fun from Jan Ross, from that famous place, Kennesaw, GA. titled: 

WHY OUR HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE SO HIGH!!!

Doesn't it seem more and more that physicians are running their practices like an assembly line? Here is what happen to Kevin:

Kevin walked into the doctor's office and the receptionist asked what he had. Kevin said, "Shingles." So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.

Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Kevin what he had …

Kevin said, "Shingles," So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Kevin to wait in the examining room.

A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Kevin what he had. Kevin said, "Shingles." So the nurse gave Kevin a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, and told Kevin to take all his clothes off and wait for the doctor. 

An hour later the doctor came in and found Kevin sitting patiently in the nude and asked Kevin what he had.

Kevin said, "Shingles." The doctor asked, "Where?"

Kevin said, "Outside on the truck. Where do you want me to unload 'em??"

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on His palette.

Papa

July 6, 2012

MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ONLINE NEWS

http://www.mowsart.com

July 6, 2012 -- "Blackberries are ripening. Chigger bites itch from blackberry picking. Earth is farthest from the sun (Aphelion). Black-eyed Susans bloom. Texas horned lizards bask in open areas on sunny, hot mornings in the southwestern corner of Missouri. Birds and mammals feast on wild fruits."

Missouri Department of Conservation provides this week's quote from their Natural Events Calendar. 

2:48 a.m. CST 

Birthstone: Ruby

Flower: Larkspur

"Most of life ultimately places us in right or wrong, win or lose situations, but play allows us to learn even though we don't succeed…. 'after all, it's just a game!' Life usually imposes a penalty for mistakes. Play imposes no penalty except the time it takes to play...allowing us to learn from our mistakes. ... 

"I'd rather find other employment than paint with sales in mind. Satisfying creative necessities far outweighs producing paintings that may be acceptable to a buyer with money in hand."

-- Miles G. Batt, from his book,  The Complete Guide to Creative Watercolor.

1. Congratulations to MOWS Honor member, John Salminen. John won the Skyledge Award in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America 36th Annual Exhibition held in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

John holds Master Status with this organization.

2. Congratulations to MOWS Honor member, Cheng-Khee Chee. His painting won the Dorothy Driehaus Mellin Foundation Award. Chee also holds Master Status with TWSA.

3. Congratulations to MOWS Signature Member, Fealing Lin. Fealing's painting won the Lehmann Memorial Award.

4. Congratulations to MOWS Honor member, Dean Mitchell. His painting won a Donors Award.

Dean is also holds Master Status with TWSA.

5. Congratulations to all the MOWS members in the 36th Annual Transparent Watercolor Society Exhibition. There were so many that we cannot list the name of each member in this exhibition. Sorry.

6. I received this from a Gold Star mom whose son was killed in Iraq. Some of you might be interested in doing this request: 

I am a Gold Star Mother and I have a question. Do you know if anyone in the art society does any type of sketches or paintings of fallen soldiers from Missouri. I have other Gold Star Mothers who are friends in other states and they mentioned that their state art society or art councils did portraits of their fallen son or daughter. My son, and only child, was KIA on 06/08/11 in Iraq. I understand if you do not do this but it never hurts to ask.

Thank you,

Pamela Hengen -- pamelahengen@gmail.com

7.Believe it or not: Sunday is the 8th day of July. This means you have 22 days left to get your entry for the National Members' Invitational in to the office. September 9, is the opening of the NMI show at the Boone County Historical Society. Remember: This is a "state fair" type of show. YOU select the painting you wish to show. Judging is for cash and merchandise awards.

8. Here is a GREAT reply to my question in last week Online News. It come from MOWS Signature member, Theodora Tilton, who teaches both in Alexandria, Virginia. Here is the question I asked:

 What is the difference between Fine Art (paintings) vs Illustration (paintings)? OR, are they the same?

As a painting and illustration professor: This is the difference between the two that I teach.

It is a matter of intent.

Illustration is not self-expression. It has a very specific purpose, to communicate visually to a target audience. Illustration is mass-produced. It is designed and painted with the idea that the original is not what the majority of people will look at. Illustration is used usually with text. It is used to elucidate text, to visualize text or in place of text.

There are many “fine artists” who illustrated, Winslow Homer, Rockwell Kent, etc.

I think that it’s important to point out that illustration existed before the idea of fine art ever did—that the earliest cave paintings were indeed illustrations. They were painted to communicate a specific idea, not for self-expression or personal commentary. Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Da Vinci all illustrated the Bible. They all had clients who paid for their specific style and talent. They all used models and props for their work. Their work was very much done like the way Rockwell put his illustrations together. Rembrandt actually used his Jewish neighbors for his paintings of the Apostles just like Rockwell used his neighbors in Vermont.

Differences of high and low art are not valid in my opinion. Illustration can cross over into high art and fine art can be narrative. Great painting though goes beyond the time and place of which they were created. There is an immeasurable quality to the painting. They go into your soul.

9. I realize the News is a little long, but here are some more grins from Jan Ross, Kennesaw, Ga.

These are actual comments made by South Carolina Troopers that were taken off their car videos:  1. "You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through."  2. "Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while."  3. "If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document." (My Favorite)  4. "If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."  5. "Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you." (LOVE IT)  6. "You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?"  7. "Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?"  8. "Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."  9. "The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"  10. "Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop."  11. "Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven."  12. "In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC." ( National Crime Information Center )  13. "Just how big were those 'two beers' you say you had?"  14. "No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can."  15. "I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail."  AND THE WINNER IS....  16. "You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't. Sign here."

Have a great week!

May God always keep you on His palette.

Papa