ART SHOW - OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY

The Riffe Gallery in Columbus, Ohio is sponsoring the Ohio Watercolor Society show.  The gallery is located downtown on High Street, directly opposite the State House.  The show will run until January 7, 2017.

Since I didn't attend the opening and banquet, a few friends drove up with me last week to see the show.  Between printed maps and 2 Smartphone GPS, we managed to find the gallery!  In these situations I am "just the driver".  They point me in the proper direction and I get them there, more or less intact!   After searching for a parking lot or garage (which didn't work out) it was time to locate a parking slot on the street, somewhat close to the gallery.  In order to accommodate 4 people, I drove my husband's car and - just to prove I CAN PARALLEL PARK (even in a car I rarely drive which is bigger than mine) -  I took this photo to show my husband and decided to let you all take a gander too!  LOL

Anyway . . . back to the show . . . .

First up is a photo of my friend, Tom's, outstanding painting "Where's Your Child?" for which he won an award.

Next is an amazing painting, but it's more than that.  This woman somehow paints and QUILTS her paintings!  They are amazing, and she seems to win an award each year, as her painting "Earth Song Quilt 7" did this year.

I took a photo of my painting hanging on the wall, but it doesn't show well since it's rather pale.  No award for me, though.  But at least it made it into the show and it will be in the traveling show.

After viewing the show it was back to the car to load it up with coins so we could find a restaurant for lunch.  Much talk and laughter ensured, and then it was back to the car for the long and boring ride back home.- and I didn't miss the very odd little ramp onto I-70/I-270 that they have hidden right next to a proper right turn onto the wrong street . . . . .

Time to plan our next Art Adventure!

For more information, here is the website:  http://www.oac.ohio.gov/Riffe-Gallery/Exhibitions.

OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OPENING

On September 26 I attended the OWS opening at Middletown Arts Center, Middletown, Ohio (about halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati - hence the name of the town???)  The show will run through October 24.  For more information click here:  MAC.

As always, it's a good show, lots of variety.  There is a lot of talent in Ohio and surrounding states - you can be a member as long as you live in a neighboring state and are a member of one of the Ohio watercolor societies.

Here are a few photos to give you the idea of some of the paintings.  Taken with my iPhone, didn't want to drag my camera around, so they are not the best, but you get the idea!

That's my contribution on the right - the large blue-ish one with the clock.

The opening itself was not as well attended as I anticipated, but the dinner made up for it!  Pleasant company, good table chatter, followed by the awards and signature presentations as well as a lifetime achievement award for one of the OWS founders - Paul Melia.  This is just a sample of his work.  (Hint:  look for the faces!)  Google him for more of his amazing images!

Below is my painting - "Central Time"

QUICK REVIEW OF 2014

At the end of each year I usually take a look back at what happened in the prior Art Year.

This past year my artwork was accepted into:

• 121^st Woman’s Art Club Juried Exhibit – The Anniversary Clock won the Winsor & Newton Award
• Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibit - Swirls
• Hoosier Salon – Japanese Tea won the Outstanding Watercolor Award and sold that evening!
• 46^th Annual ViewPoint National Juried Exhibit – Swirls and Daisies on Daisies
• The Artist’s Magazine 31^st Annual Art Competition: Still Life/Interior (Finalist) – “Oriental Roses” (Acrylic), “Yin Yang Mums” (Watercolor)
• Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 35^th Annual International Juried Exhibition (received Signature) – Flights of Fancy
• Watercolor Society of Indiana Annual Juried Show (received Signature) – Industrial Revolution
• Two of my paintings have been published in the book Artistic Touch 6 – Red Paisley Scarf and Flights of Fancy

In addition, I held two workshops.

My plan for this year is to take time to simply produce more work, so I may not be entering as many shows this year.  It will depend on what I have available, and I’m not going to put myself under that “deadline” pressure.  We shall see!

My best wishes to all of you in your artistic endeavors this year.

OWS SHOW AT MIDDLETOWN ARTS CENTER

Well, as promised, here is the link to the video wherein I was interviewed.

Fortunately he edited a lot and I didn't get a chance to look or sound too stupid!

At the beginning my painting is featured on the left in front (the red one) and at some point you see a woman in black from the back, with a bun in her hair, taking a photo of one of the paintings - that would be me.   I look pretty darn good from the back!!

Enjoy!

OWS TRAVELING SHOW AT MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

My painting on the left.   This row of people was humorous to me.
I thought I should tell them "Hey - you guys are facing the wrong way"!

My husband and I went to the opening of the Ohio Watercolor Society (OWS) Traveling Show at Middletown Arts Center (MAC) on Saturday afternoon.  This was a ticketed event, but as one of the artists I was able to get in for free and my husband at a discounted ticket rate.

As always, the show was hung beautifully and a very nice reception was held.  They always do a bang up job on their receptions, and the facility is great. 

In the foyer they had set up a table with a few of Homer Hacker’s paintings on it, with a photo printed on foam core which you could sign as a memorial to him.  Homer died in December, just before Christmas.  He was a wonderful artist who I last saw at the OWS banquet in September.  He was frail, but still full of life.  He was an amazing portrait artist – we had him come to GCWS when he was 90 and in about an hour and a half he had a completed portrait of his friend who had driven him to the meeting.  I know he will be missed in the art world.

 

My friend, Carolyn Hibbard's, painting - this looks beautiful in person - without the glare!

Since I had not seen the show in Oberlin, I enjoyed taking my time to walk around and inspect the paintings and speak to some of the artists.  The Vice President of OWS stood up and gave a short talk about OWS and introduced the artists who were present.

I was interviewed for our local TV station WCPO – don’t get too excited, this will only be on their website – along with the other artists present.  I’ll have to find out when this will be on the web and post that information on my sidebar in case you are interested.  My hope is that I don’t look too horrible, old and double chinned and that I don’t look or say anything too stupid!  I asked him if he could make me look like Raquel Welch but he said that’s too hard to do with video!  Drat!

 

Fred Graff's painting which won the top award.

Anyway, I just took a few photos of the crowd while my husband ate his way through the buffet!

 

Some of the crowd at the opening.  It was too hard to get photos of all of the paintings,
since every time I got set up to take a picture, someone walked in front of me.
(Oh, the travail of being short!)

It was too difficult to get more shots of the paintings (see above) but I used my new camera and was actually able to get the photos onto the blog – whew – maybe I’m learning something after all!

If you live anywhere within the Cin-Day Corridor (and if you do, you will know what I’m talking about) you should go see the show.  Dates and hours are on my sidebar.

ADIEU TO 2013

Another year has come and gone.  Last December we survived the Mayan apocalypse; this year we survived the ravages of snow, ice and the floods they left behind.  Wonder what’s in store for 2014?

2013 was a pretty good year for me.  My artwork was accepted into:

• Rising Sun 11^th Annual Juried Exhibit
• Woman’s Art Club 120^th Juried Exhibit
• Georgia Watercolor 34^th National Juried Art Show
• 45^th Annual ViewPoint National Juried Exhibit
• Ohio Watercolor Society 36^th Annual Juried Show (Signature status)
• Georgia Watercolor Society Annual Signature Member Show
• Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 34^th Annual International Juried Exhibition
• Georgia Watercolor Society Annual Juried Member’s Show – 3^RD Place Award
• Watercolor Society of Indiana Annual Juried Member’s Show - Award
• National Watercolor Society 92^nd Annual Exhibit traveling show

One of the bloggers recently mentioned how many paintings she had produced this year which prompted me to go back and count.  I came up with 8 completed, not counting any I did for classes.  Even though I knew the tally would be low, I’m disappointed in myself.  Perhaps I will do a quick recount, 8 seems terribly low volume! 
(Well, DUH, I just did a quick recount and came up with 13 - didn't check the "bin" paintings!)

Since my term as President of Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society will be over in March, and I don’t plan on taking on any more administrative responsibilities, perhaps this year I’ll be able to get at least** one painting a month completed – that seems like a reasonable thing to accomplish, even as slowly as I paint.  

** Note to self - "Deb, this means you can paint MORE THAN ONE PAINTING A MONTH"!

Here’s hoping that 2014 will be a productive, profitable, happy and healthy year for all of us!

H A P P Y  N E W  Y E A R!

OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ANNUAL BANQUET

This past Saturday my husband and I drove across the state of Ohio to Oberlin for the OWS annual banquet where I received my Signature membership in the group. We had a great meal, and I was able to meet several new artists and their spouses while chatting with those artists I already know but rarely get to see.

There were 11 artists who submitted for the Signature status, and 7 were chosen. Following dinner, there was a presentation ceremony for us. We had each submitted 4 digital images of our work, and those images were shown on screen while Todd Butt, the 2nd Vice President read our bios; we were then presented with a certificate and an “O W S” pin by the President, Barbara Rollins.

Sadly, there are no photos of any of the ceremony or show.

I miscalculated how long it would take for the drive up, which was further lengthened by the heavy traffic in Columbus – apparently due to an Ohio State football game – and road work on the north side of Columbus – so we didn’t arrive in time to get in to see the show hanging. Oh well, I’ll be going to see the travel show in Middletown in January (see my OWS page above for locations and dates if you are in the Ohio area).

I was hoping my hubby would be able to click a couple photos during the ceremony, but, my quirky and slightly ancient Kodak digital camera decided that, as usual, it did not want to take any low light photos.

So – close your eyes and imagine:  a darkened room filled with wonderful artists and their friends and spouses. When your name is called you come to the front of the room as images of your paintings are shown on screen while your bio is read. You are looking especially "Raquel Welch-esque" this evening.*  You are handed your certificate and pin and shake hands with the President and Vice President while applause rings out.

That’s it in a nutshell!

In all seriousness, I have to say that I am truly honored to be included in this group of talented artists.
* Remember - I said "imagine"!

OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 36TH ANNUAL JURIED SHOW

This year’s juror was Jean Grastorf, who not only juried my painting “Red Paisley Scarf” into the show, but also chose it to be in the traveling show for 2013-2014.

Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA)
39 S. Main Street
Oberlin, Ohio
September 14 – November 3, 2013
(440) 774-2166

If you live in the area of central, northern or northeast Ohio I hope you get a chance to visit the show.

When the travel show schedule is released I’ll put up links to that information.

OHO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 2013 TRAVELING SHOW

 

Oriental Roses, 22x30, fluid acrylic on Arches watercolor paper
COLLECTED

THE BAD NEWS . . . AND SOME GOOD NEWS . . .

Sorry I have been tardy with responses to your comments, and with posts.

Blame it on the Internet (not me personally).

Lately I either can't get onto the internet at all, or it's slower than pouring molasses in January.  I think sending smoke signals might be quicker.

I think it can mainly be blamed on Yahoo - which is apparently messing around with their programs, as far as I can tell.   

If I can ever get back into my emails - which I can see listed - and actually receive and respond to them - which I'm currently unable to do, even though Yahoo says that their new email will be "quicker" (laughing out loud while sobbing profusely) - I'll be back to sending and receiving and getting onto the blog more frequently.

If anyone has any suggestions as to how to resolve my problems (that don't include violence!!!!!) please let me know.

Until then - hang in there - there has got to be a solution to this.

In other news - - - I found out that my painting "Red Paisley Scarf" has been selected for the Ohio Watercolor Society show this year!  So - there is some good news in my life!!

OWS AND NWS TRAVELING SHOWS

If you are interested in seeing either of these traveling shows - click onto the appropriate page on the left to find out if any of the travel venues might be close to you. 

Unfortunately, the closest NWS will get to my area will be in Michigan - quite a long drive for me!

OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY SHOW

My painting "Oriental Roses" hanging on the left.  I thought it looked large when I painted it
(full sheet) but it was "medium sized" in this show.

This Friday I went to Columbus, Ohio with some friends to see the Ohio Watercolor Society show.

The show is really, really good! And it is presented so beautifully – I was impressed with myself that I was in it! We took our time and really checked out each painting.

The gentleman at the front desk apparently told the Executive Director that one of the artists was in the gallery, and she came down to meet me. We had spoken on the phone, but it is always nice to be able to put a face to a name, and she was delightful to talk to.

We had some problems getting out of town (even with the GPS), then lunch on the way home and lots of laughter – all in all, a great “art day”!

If you are in the Columbus, Ohio area, take some time to visit the exhibit – it will run until January 13.
Riffe Gallery
77 S. High Street
Columbus, Ohio
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday 10-4
Wed and Fri 10-5:30
Thursday 10-8
Sat and Sun noon-4
Closed Mondays and state holidays

Here I am next to my painting.

Here is a photo of my painting (and me) taken by Rhonda.

RANDOM THOUGHTS - ABOUT SHIPPING

I have a really good friend who will ship my paintings via UPS for me. I do the leg work and get the forms together, but I think she does the really hard part of getting it all organized, put together and sent on its way. Since the packages will then come back to her, she also has to find someplace safe to store them until we see each other – and to protect them from her husband and son who seem to want to destroy them for me! The first time my box was returned, the guys thought it was a piece of useless junk and tossed it outside.

JUNK???? I use the Airfloat boxes which are great – but, let’s face it, once something has gone through the UPS facility and on to a UPS truck (no offense to the UPS drivers who I know do the best job they can) and off that truck and delivered – well, some damage will be done. When I received my brand new box – shipped from the Airfloat company to me – there were oil spots and a “ding” in the side. I know they didn’t ship it from their factory that way – but that was just the normal “wear and tear” – and that was only its first trip! By the 2nd or 3rd trip the boxes look like they have seen battle in Afghanistan (and I’m not sure who won!).

RANDOM THOUGHTS - QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS . . .

As part of the acceptance process for both the OWS and the NWS show, I was asked to answer questions/statements for the show.

Whenever I’m asked for my “artist statement” or to answer artistic questions, I always feel a little like a Miss America contestant – my mind immediately begins to swirl and my inner blonde awakens! What kind of information do they REALLY want – should I try to sound “artsy” – do they want some high brow “art speak” – will my answer sound stupid – what the heck does this MEAN? – who really cares?

You get the drift.

So I wrote up my answers, reading and re-reading them until I finally gave up and sent in the form.

Hope they serve whatever purpose they were intended, and no one thinks (or knows) that I’m a real dope about those things.

SHOWS

See my sidebar for upcoming shows.

I was asked to juror the Bethesda North show this year and I'm a nervous wreck about it.  Since I've so often been on the receiving end of a judge's decision, I'm well aware of how an artist feels if their work is not accepted into a show.  This is a huge responsiblity and I take it very seriously - and I don't want to mess it up!  

If you are interested in entering the Bethesda North show, it is for artists within a 50-mile radius of Cincinnati, Ohio.  You can click on the link for more info or to request a prospectus.

Two of my paintings were accepted (one each!) into ViewPoint ("Flights of Fancy") and the Ohio Watercolor Society show ("Oriental Roses").

We have two Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society shows coming up.  The first is at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, located about 2 miles south of Kenwood Mall, and I hope you will be able to either attend the opening or drop in some day while the show hangs.  This is a great facility and I'm so looking forward to this new venue for our Society.  The fall show will be at Evergreen Retirement Center and we will have 3 cash prizes.

And, last but certainly not least, my painting "Ying Yang Mums" (April 25, 2012 post) was accepted into the National Watercolor Society 92nd Annual Juried Exhibit!  YIKES!  I had to pick myself up off the floor for that one and re-read the email twice to verify what it said!

GOOD NEWS - OWS

I'm happy to report that I received an email from the Ohio Watercolor Society on Saturday.

My painting Oriental Roses was accepted into this year's show! 

TRIP TO TROY AND TRIPLE ART TREAT!

Wednesday was a beautiful sapphire blue September day (perhaps why the September birthstone is sapphire???) and another artful day for me and a painting friend!

First, we dropped by the FCN Bank so she could check out my show. Then to the Middletown Arts Center for their Area Art Show (I had a “loser” to pick up, but one also made it into the show!) We saw several paintings from members of the GCWS. We also ran into one of the MAC instructors whom I know and she gave us a quick tour of the facilities.
Then it was off to Troy, OH for the Ohio Watercolor Society traveling show where I knew several of the artists who were fortunate to have their work selected for the exhibit. That venue is an old restored mansion now used as an arts and cultural center - quite a beautiful building.

Of course, there was also a stop at the art store and lunch – quite an artful day!