ART SHOW - WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF INDIANA

Once again, since I had not attended the show opening, I grabbed a couple friends and we drove up to Indianapolis to see the Watercolor Society of Indiana show.  Each year the show is held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

This is a small show but a lovely facility, easily accessed, free parking, restaurant - all the perks!

These two ladies are both in TWSA - and you can see why!  Cheryl Lowe's painting "The Last Blast" (left) won an award.  Anna Roberts' painting"Up, Up and Away" (right).

I just liked these next two - "Berry Buzzy" and "The Union Preserved" which won an award.

Then there was mine (again, no award!)

After viewing the show and stopping in the gift shop which is directly opposite this gallery, we headed to the restaurant for lunch.  They have really good food here, just so you know - in case you, too, would like to join friends for an "Art Day".

Here was our view while we ate:

Time to head home and, although I've made this trip multiple times with no problems, apparently I cannot talk and drive at the same time since I accidentally took the ramp to Dayton!  Oops!  However, once again, 2 GPS found our way back to I-74 with a lovely tour of Post Road!  (This is a detour I won't live down any time soon since I had proudly announced on our way up that I would not be needing the services of a map . . . . )

Oh well - more laughter, a beautiful day, good friends, good food and Art - what more can we ask for!

The show runs until December 3, 2016.

WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF INDIANA SHOW

My painting at the entrance to the show.

I had missed the opening of this show, and even though I had received the show catalog, I was anxious to see it in person.

After we left Carmel we drove to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and had lunch in their cafeteria.  If you are in the area I highly recommend the "Monet Salad"!  We sat in the area overlooking the outside fountain - it was a beautiful blue sky day.

Once we were "fed and watered" we strolled over to the show.  I had heard my painting was hung in a good spot, and I have to agree!

There were several people coming and going while we looked around at the paintings, which made me happy.

If you go to the Museum, the gallery is on the first floor opposite the gift shop so you cannot miss it!

HOOSIER SALON CARMEL GALLERY SHOW

Saturday night was the opening at the Hoosier Salon Carmel Gallery show.  It was a beautiful early fall evening, perfect temperature, great weather, beautiful sunset!

I was finally able to meet J. Anna Roberts and Bob Bratton - the two other watercolorists in the show - both delightful people.  We all got a chance to chat throughout the evening.

At times there were a lot of people through the gallery, at times not so many.  Several people took time to really view the paintings and I'm hopeful some of mine will be purchased during the run of the show.

My very best friend and her parents came to support me, and I'm sure more of my friends and acquaintances will see the show while it hangs.  It is running concurrently with the Watercolor Society of Indiana show (hanging at the Indianapolis Museum of Art) that opened today.  I didn't attend that - two trips to Indy in two days is one too many!  So . . .

I'm planning an "art day" to Indy with some friends that will include both shows and lunch at the IMA.

A heartfelt "Thank You" to Rich Anderson (Hoosier Salon Carmel Gallery Director) and Jim May (Hoosier Salon Executive Director) for bringing this evening together.  It's a beautiful show - if you like watercolors - and who doesn't!!!

Hop in your car one of these beautiful fall days and drive to Indy to see it - along with the WSI show at the IMA!

Here are a  few photos of the opening.

This gorgeous bouquet was sent to me by my art retreat ladies!  Rich referenced my lace paintings and
found this lace doily to put under it.  Looks like a future painting to me!

Another view of the bouquet with Anna Roberts on the right, Rich Anderson (Director of
the Hoosier Salon Carmel Gallery just to her right in the striped blazer)

(This and next 3 photos)
Standing by the street entrance, panning around the room . . .

You may recognize some of these paintings from my blog!

The long wall on the right of the doorway entrance - back portion . . . 

. . . and front portion - with my flowers again!

My friend took my photo by some of my paintings - wearing a beautiful blue beaded bracelet
made for me by one of my friends - it complimented my top perfectly!
(I've decided I'm living in the wrong age - I shoulda/coulda been a Rubens model!!!)

I had to add this photo of my hair - styled for me by my Darling Daughter.
I got several compliments throughout the night!

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.

WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF INDIANA OPENING

On Sunday we drove to Indy where I received my Signature from Watercolor Society of Indiana.

My painting "Industrial Revolution" is on the back wall just left of the floating wall..

The show was judged by Kathleen Conover so there were lots of abstracts, and most, if not all, of the paintings had an abstract quality to them.

Several abstracts in view.

The show is held at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.  This year we are on the first floor, in a new gallery just opposite the gift shop, so I hope it will draw many more visitors.

The gallery is on the left, the gift shop on the right.

Here are photos of a couple paintings that struck my eye.

This is called "Evil Eye".  If you ever owned a cat you would understand!!!

This one made me think of one by Laurin McCrackin.  It is beautifully rendered.

This is by J. Anna Roberts TWSA.  I'll be participating in a show with her in October, 2015.

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!

WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF INDIANA JURIED MEMBERS' SHOW

Flights of Fancy

The WSI annual juried show is hanging at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN – a gorgeous facility, light filled, magnificent paintings. Mike and I drove up Sunday and had lunch (a “Monet Salad” – even though Matisse is the featured exhibit!!!!) in the IMA café before taking a look at the show before the awards ceremony. I think it’s so much better to really view a show when no one is there!

Then it was to the lecture hall where the awards ceremony took place. New signature members were introduced first, then award winners. As our name was called we went up onto the stage while our painting was displayed on the theater screen – my painting looked great in HUGE mode!!! We were given our awards and read what Pat Dews had to say about our paintings, then we waited off to the side – after all awards were handed out we had our group photo taken – the worst part of any awards ceremony – I always get pushed to the front since I’m short – and I always take the worst photos. Oh well . . .

Then we headed upstairs to the exhibit. Since we’d already seen it I just wanted to go back up and take another look at the winners in person, and chatted with a few people. Then it was time to return home – and we didn’t get lost – (I always get lost in Indy) – except for going the wrong way in the parking lot!!! In all fairness, it wasn’t just me, there were other people backing up and turning around, too!!!

My painting “Flights of Fancy” will hang from October 13 until December 1 at the IMA – second floor – turn left and enter the tall glass doors, then turn right and walk to the end of the hall – past the Matisse exhibit (‘cause, gee, who’d want to look at HIS paintings when there are fabulous watercolors at the end of the hall –LOL) – look for the sign on the right hand side and there are all of the pictures lining the end hallway.

Mine is second from right.

I’m hanging in a MUSEUM! Next to Matisse and not far from paintings by Georgia O’Keefe and Norman Rockwell! I’m so impressed (LOL!).

Oh yes – here is what Pat Dews had to say about my painting: “This painting is impeccable in its skill and contains outstanding paint quality.  It is a very strong painting with excellent composition and movement."

Here are some of the other paintings which Mike and I liked - before we saw the winners!   And guess what - we picked several of them, too!  (These photos aren't great due to glare on them).


The Time Keeper, Teresa Altemeyer
Wilbur Meese Memorial Award - top winner. 
Obviously I liked it before I knew it was a winner since all photos were taken before the awards ceremony!



Girls - South Kenya Tribe, Jean A. Smith

La Cathedrale de Sainte Anne A Sens, Robert L. Bratton

Breaking Point, Robert A. Meyers
Founders Award

Historic Reflections, Cheryle Lowe
WSI Past Presidents Award
This one is amazing!

Polished Gems, J. Anna Roberts
Another amazing one - but, sadly, not an award winner.

Mykonos Moment, Paula Dearringer
Floyd Hopper Award

Maine Course, Jeanne McLeish

Spotted Turtle Composition, Brian Gordy
Hoosier Award of Excellence

Prairie Hunter - Cheetah, Dorothy Chase