Category Archives: Art News

Administration, Art News, Local Events, Member news, Monthly Meetings, Resources for Members

Central Virginia Watercolor Guild — Wrapping Up the Year

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A reminder that Central Virginia Watercolor Guild is found online at www.CVWG.art.

The photo at the top of this post features the art by our featured artist, Linda Abbey. Read below about Linda leading our October program and some of the classes she offers.

Final Meeting and Program for 2023– December 4 Potluck Luncheon

In deference to the Thanksgiving holiday and member travel plans, CVWG’s final member meeting of the year is planned for Monday, December 4. As is our tradition, this final meeting will be a Potluck Luncheon. We’ll meet at 12:30 in our usual location (see our Meetings and Programs page). Keep an eye on your inbox for an email from our President, Karen Schwenzer, for details. Note that we will not be having a monthly Challenge! for this meeting.

Renew Your Membership (or Join!) for 2024

Our website has been updated to accept Membership for next year’s meetings and programs using a credit or debit card through PayPal. Alternately, you can join or renew through USPS mail. Look for the following top and left-side menu options on our website (www.CVWG.art).

Please note that our 2024 dues are $45 for an individual or $50 for a couple living at the same address. Please contact our Treasurer, Robin Kuzen, regarding membership or dues and our Webmaster, Mark Fitzpatrick, regarding our website or PayPal issues.

October’s Meeting Led By Linda Abbey

CVWG members met on Monday, October 23, for social time, our short business meeting, and a program by member-artist Linda Abbey. Says member-artist Patty Richmond, about the program:

Linda Abby, a long time member of CVWG and an instructor at the Senior Center gave us several demonstrations as she taught us about Contour Drawing. We were given charcoal, a sharp pencil, and several sheets of white paper. Linda began by demonstrating how to make a value chart and then challenged us to do the same.

Linda then tasked us to draw the profile of the face of a Barbie doll. She demonstrated how to do this by showing us how we had to cross our drawing hand over our body. This was followed by drawing the profile on the opposite side. The top and body were connected to make a vase.

In her last assignment tpo us, Linda showed how to do a contour drawing of our hand. We then had to turn our bodies around look at our hands and draw a hand without looking at the paper, only looking at our hand and drawing slowly: this took deep concentration. Finally, we were allowed to look at the hand we were drawing and glance at our paper.

Linda’s goal for us for this program was “to increase our powers of concentration.” I can vouch that her mission was accomplished!

Patty Richmond

The photos, below, are from Patty.

Volunteers Needed!

Volunteers keep our Guild humming and infuse the atmosphere with camaraderie and creativity. No experience is needed, just a bit of enthusiasm!

CVWG’s Webmaster for the past 4+ years, Mark Fitzpatrick, has announced that he will be “retiring” (again!) at the end of our 2024 program year. We are seeking a volunteer to mentor under Mark’s tutelage to then assume the full role. The current and future generations of web publishing tools make this easy; no programming is required.

CVWG still needs 2 or 3 volunteers in 2024 to help build the success of CVWG and become our new Program Directors. Please consider donating some time and talent to our Guild.

If interested, send an email to CVWG President, Karen Schwenzer.

Member News

Member artist Chee Ricketts sent us a postcard for Open Studio sessions at her studio in Stanardsville, VA. Check out her professional website (www.cheekludtricketts.com/) for workshops and other upcoming events she hosts.

Member-artist, Linda Abbey, is teaching classes and offering workshops. Surf over to Linda’s professional website (www.lindaabbey.com/) for those details or send her an email. Linda also announces that her current Paint Loose II class will have a show of their work on Monday Nov 27 from 10-1 at the Center in the atrium.

CVWG’s friend and Fredericksburg artist Catherine Hillis is offering workshops and classes. Check out her site at www.catherinehillis.com/ .

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Drop our CVWG Webmaster an email to let everyone know what you are doing and how your artistic journey is progressing.

Art News, Classes/Workshops, Local Events, Member news, Monthly Meetings, Resources for Members, Shows

Central Virginia Watercolor Guild — Days Are Getting Shorter!

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A reminder that Central Virginia Watercolor Guild is found online at www.CVWG.art.

The photo at the top of this post features the art by our featured artist, Amy Woods. Amy will be providing our members and guests with this month’s program at our member meeting. Read more, below.

Plein Air Painting at Grace Episcopal Church on August 26

Grace Episcopal Church in Cismont, VA– northeast of Charlottesville on VA highway 22– is continuing their hosting of plein air painting this summer from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 26. Registration forms are available at this link. Feel free to join the festivities, wander the grounds, admire the work of fellow artists, and enjoy the late summer day.

August 28 Member Meeting at Usual Time and Place

After our visit to a local art museum last month, we return to our traditional meeting format and venue at 12:30 PM on Monday, August 28th at the Church of Our Saviour on Rio Road in Charlottesville.

Artist Amy Woods will be demonstrating a pastoral scene in watercolors. As Amy says of her personal artistic journey,

I’ve painted in between all the cracks and changes of life including various jobs, moving (lots of that), marrying and now “mommying”.  My journey has been much like a watercolor itself – full of fuzzy and hard edges, puddles of swirling color and full of light.  I am inspired by my garden, nature and the everyday beauty of home and life.  I live in central Virginia in the beautiful hilly town of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Amy’s professional web site can be viewed at this link.

Our monthly Challenge! theme is Still Life. We invite you to create a new and unique piece of art tied to this month’s theme. Bring your art to the monthly meeting…no framing is needed. See our Meetings, Programs, and Challenge! page for more details.

Touring the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum in July

In lieu of a member meeting last month, about a dozen CVWG member artists met on Tuesday, July 25, to tour the Kluge-Aboriginal Art Museum in Charlottesville. The photos, below, are from member artist Patty Richmond.

Lynchburg’s Amazement Square to Hold Annual Chalk Art Festival Aug 19

Lynchburg’s Amazement Square has announced its annual Riverfront Chalk Art Festival for Saturday, August 19. from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. It is too late to register as an artist but we hope you might join the festivities.

Strathmore’s 3rd Online Workshop is Starting

Earlier this week on August 7, Strathmore Paper’s 3rd (and final for 2023, we believe) kicked off. It is not too late to join up.

The theme for this workshop is “Rendering the Human Face With Different Mediums”. You can read in depth about the class and register at this link. The workshop is entirely online and is free but please note that you are required to sign up with your personal email ID to access the course content.

Member News

Member artist Cecilia Pan demonstrates deep creative talents in two dimensions– watercolor journaling AND web videos– with the following video showing her recent art while cruising. Click on the image, below, to link to Cecilia’s travel video. Be sure to turn on your computer/phone/tablet audio for maximum enjoyment. This is likely the first video we have featured on our posts mostly because these can be a problem on slow connections; let us know your experience.

Be sure to take a fresh look at our Member Gallery as we have several recent additions.

Please Volunteer with CVWG

Volunteers keep our Guild humming and infuse the atmosphere with camaraderie and creativity. No experience is needed, just a bit of enthusiasm! We need 2 or 3 member volunteers in 2024 to help build the success of CVWG and become our new Program Directors. We just need two or even three people to step up and volunteer their time to the Guild.

Please contact Karen Schwenzer for information or to assist.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Drop our CVWG Webmaster an email to let everyone know what you are doing and how your artistic journey is progressing.

Administration, Art News, Call for Entries, Classes/Workshops, Local Events, Member news, Monthly Meetings, Shows

Central Virginia Watercolor Guild — Mid-Summer Swelter!

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A reminder that Central Virginia Watercolor Guild is found online at www.CVWG.art.

The photo at the top of this post is of artist Mary Shira. Mary headlined our June member meeting, shared her credentials, her approach to water media, and invited critiques and suggestions for improving her own art.

No CVWG’s Member Meeting in July…

A reminder to everyone that CVWG is not holding a member meeting this month. Instead…

…Join Us for a Tour of UVA’s Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection on Tuesday, July 25

In lieu of our regularly scheduled member-meeting, our July gathering is on Tuesday , July 25 when we will be visiting the Kluge Ruhe Museum of Aboriginal Art located in the Pantops area on east side of Charlottesville. The address is 400 Worrell Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

CVWG has arranged for two tours at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Currently, there are 12 artists signed up for the early tour but none, as yet, for the later.

You have the option of joining your fellow artists on both tours by meeting up for lunch at the Tip Top Diner. At present, there are 10 people interested in doing this. Please join us….Dutch treat.

There is still time to sign up for either tour or lunch. Please email Karen Schwenzer if you are interested in either tour, or even just to come together for lunch.

June’s Member Meeting Featured Many Challenge! Entries and Artist Mary Shira

CVWG’s member meeting on June 26 convened at our usual location in Fellowship Hall at the Church of Our Saviour on Rio Road in Charlottesville. We enjoyed the art of fellow Guild members in our usual Challenge! painting activity. The photos, above, are just four of the entries to this month’s theme of Favorite Flowers.

Our program was a Watermedia Demo headlined by artist Mary Shira.

As reviewed by member artist Patty Richmond,

Mary Shiva was full of energy. She never stopped moving while talking about herself and her accomplishments as an artist and illustrator. She moved around the demonstration table taking art work from her portfolio and sharing with the Guild.

Mary teaches art history at James Madison University. She is also an illustrator who has worked for Lexis Nexis and Rosetta Stone. She has an MFA from Saint John’s University in New York City and also an education degree. She has taught art to all ages.

Mary demonstrated how she painted the “ Great Blue Heron”, (middle photo below) spending time on the textured background.
She spent extra time after the demonstration giving us tips.

Taking time to look closely at her paintings and observing the details was a lesson in itself.

Bath County Arts Association‘s Art Show Thru Saturday, July 22

Apologies for the late notice but I hope you can still find time to visit the Bath County Arts Show at the Bath County High School near Warm Springs, VA.

August 28 CVWG Member Meeting

CVWG will be back at the Church of Our Saviour for our Monday, August 28th meeting. Amy Woods will be demonstrating a pastoral scene in watercolors. The monthly Challenge! theme is Still Life. We invite you to create a new and unique piece of art tied to this month’s theme. Bring your art to the monthly meeting…no framing is needed. See our Meetings, Programs, and Challenge! page for more details.

Please Volunteer with CVWG

Volunteers keep our Guild humming and infuse the atmosphere with camaraderie and creativity. No experience is needed, just a bit of enthusiasm! We need 2 or 3 member volunteers in 2024 to help build the success of CVWG and become our new Program Directors. You will be an integral part of CVWG and an integral part of the monthly program. If you are interested in getting involved on Program, now is the time to shadow the current Program Directors. We have lined up a number of talented artists for next year. We just need two or even three people to step up and volunteer their time to the Guild.

Please contact Karen Schwenzer for information or to assist.

Lynchburg’s Amazement Square to Hold Annual Chalk Art Festival

Lynchburg’s Amazement Square has announced its annual Riverfront Chalk Art Festival for Saturday, August 19. from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. You can read about the festival and register as an artist (by August 4) at this link.

Member News

Member artist Linda Abbey is quite busy. She emails,

I will have a show at the Greencroft Club through the end of September. I am calling the show “Flowers and Barns” because, mostly, that is what I have painted.

Flowers are watercolor and barns are mostly small oils. I painted one barn 11 times, different angles, different seasons.
I do like working in a series.

There will be a reception on Wednesday August 23rd from 4:30 to 6:30. Please come and look at the paintings then or anytime.

Linda is also teaching a Paint Loose II class at The Center at Belvedere in October and November on Tuesdays from 10 to 1pm. This class is for students who have basic skills in watercolor and drawing. Classes are 8 lessons with one final class for students to show their work.

You can register by contacting Linda or visiting her web site.

Member artist Don Whitson sends in his latest news:

I’m honored to announce that I’ve just been juried into the Virginia Watercolor Society 2023 Exhibition, the Georgia Watercolor Society 2023 Exhibition and the Southwestern Watercolor Society 2023 Exhibition. My thanks to all of the jurors, Carole Barnes, Lain Stewart, and Stan Miller for selecting my paintings.

You can catch up with Don at his website www.donwhitson-art.com.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Drop our CVWG Webmaster an email to let everyone know what you are doing and how your artistic journey is progressing.

Art News, Local Events, Member news, Monthly Meetings

Central Virginia Watercolor Guild — Heading into Summer

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A reminder that Central Virginia Watercolor Guild is found online at www.CVWG.art.

The painting at the top of this post is one of 3 by member artist Linda Suomi Bethke about using alcohol to bring out some sharp but uncontrollable edges. You can view this painting, better, along with Linda’s two other paintings on our website.

Mea Culpa! Giving Marcy Springett Proper Attribution

My apologies to member artist Marcy Springett! In my last post, I failed to attribute the painting, above, to Marcy as its rightful artist. Marcy was extremely gracious in correcting me. I do not know how I made the error but, regardless, my apologies.

CVWG’s Member Meeting in May at Our Exhibition at The Center

CVWG’s member meeting on May 22 convened at The Center at Belvedere in Charlottesville to enjoy our 2023 exhibition, “In The Garden“.

Member artists Carol Greene and Patty Richmond snapped and sent these photos and Carol sent the following review:

I thought the exhibit was done very professionally and all the paintings were beautiful. Donna and her team of helpers did an excellent job. Our members that provided their art for this exhibit are to be congratulated and it was well attended. As always, our hospitality ladies provided a wonderful and tasty variety of refreshments which were also aesthetically pleasing in their arrangement. The meeting was short and sweet. I particularly liked the added touch of the spring themed hats that many of our members wore for this event.

Carol Greene

You can still view CVWG’s exhibition at The Center at Belvedere through end of June. CVWG’s leader for this exhibition is Donna Koutrakos.

Linda Suomi Bethke “Painting” with Alcohol

Member Linda Suomi Bethke and I are collaborating on a different set of paintings for upcoming posts. In meantime, she sent these stunning wide-format paintings she has recently made using alcohol to help bring out sharp edges. Says Linda,

These paintings– going to my gallery soon– are on watercolor canvas. The fun part is that the rocks and rough foregrounds have been done with 90 proof alcohol. It’s a neat technique to make rocks and rugged landscapes. I’ve been in a Scottish Highlands frame of mind.

I can share with some of the members about how to do that one of these days at a meeting, if interested.

Let Linda or our programs directors know of your interests.

CVWG Board and Member Meeting on June 26

A note to all Board Members that President Karen Schwenzer has called a Board Meeting AND we have our next member meeting on June 26 returning to our “usual” venue and format. Our tentative agenda:

  • 11:00 AM Board of Director Meeting (all members welcome to attend!)
  • 12:30 PM Member Gathering & Social Time
  • 1:00 PM CVWG Business Meeting
  • 1:30 PM Program by artist Mary Shira. Read more about Mary here.
  • 3:00 PM Adjourn

A reminder that this month’s Challenge! theme is Favorite Flowers. Bring along a new painting for the theme and share it with our Guild.

We meet at our usual venue in Fellowship Hall at The Church of Our Saviour on Rio Road in Charlottesville. You can read about our meetings here.

Follow Up on April’s Program with Toni Bragg

Member artist Linda Abbey sent two updates from artist Toni Bragg from our program Toni led in April 2023. Toni promised our members a list of her paints and a color wheel. Both are posted below in a format you can view, download, and print if you desire.

Toni Bragg PaletteDownload

Toni Bragg Color WheelDownload

Member News

Member artist Janice Bunny Creasy sent us notice that the 2023 Juried Art Exhibition at the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in Harrisonburg is ongoing through June 27. On a quick scan I noticed several SVWG member artists have been accepted into this exhibition. Plan a day-trip to visit the exhibition and send us an email of your experience.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Drop our CVWG Webmaster an email to let everyone know what you are doing and how your artistic journey is progressing.

Art News, Call for Entries, Classes/Workshops, Local Events, Member news, Monthly Meetings, Resources for Members, Shows

Central Virginia Watercolor Guild — Eloise Giles’ Legacy Lives On

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A reminder that Central Virginia Watercolor Guild is found online at www.CVWG.art.

The painting at the top of this post is by artist Eloise Giles, a past member of our Guild who influenced art throughout central Virginia. The Art Guild of Greene is hosting a show of Eloise’s work with donations to benefit Greene County Schools. You can view this painting by Eloise, better, on our website.

Eloise Giles Paintings are Being Offered by Art Guild of Greene with Donations to Benefit Greene County Schools

Eloise Giles’ family has graciously donated several of her paintings to the Art Guild of Greene County. The Guild is planning a showing of Eloise’s art from May 4 to 14 at “The Barn” behind the Greene County Visitor Center, located at 9157 Seminole Trail in Ruckersville, VA 22968 (phone 434-985-6663). Eloise’s paintings will be offered for donations to benefit Greene County Schools.

April Program with Toni Bragg

More than 30 CVWG members and guests attended our April meeting and enjoyed the discussions and watercolor demonstration of Warrenton artist Toni Bragg. Toni repeated what seems to be her personal mantra, “Teaching is a great way to learn!”. Toni creates her art somewhat different from other artists:

  • Her preferred paper is a 300 lb hot press;
  • She loves texture and seeks out ways to get more of it in her paintings;
  • She often paints small areas at a time and calls her approach “fractured”;
  • Toni does not use a reference photo;
  • Toni praised the work of artist Steven Quiller on his approach to color theory;
  • Toni promises to share her color palette with our Guild and we’ll publish it then.

Another of Toni’s sayings, “Order out of chaos”. Thanks, again, to Toni for her program! Some photos of Toni’s art and our program are below.

CVWG Exhibition at The Center in May and June

CVWG’s only planned 2023 exhibition “In The Garden” will be hung at The Center at Belvedere throughout May and June. A reminder for all enrolled artists that drop off is on May 1st 9:30-11:00 AM. CVWG’s leader for this exhibition is Donna Koutrakos.

A Look Ahead at Member Meeting on May 22– A Reception for CVWG’s Exhibition at The Center

A reminder that our member meeting in May will be a reception for our CVWG Exhibition. We meet at our regular time at 12:30 PM on Monday, May 22 at the Center at Belvedere in Charlottesville. As usual, we will hold a brief business meeting followed by a walk around enjoying the art of our fellow Guild members.

Member News

Member artist Peg Sheridan sent us great news:

I have just received notice that I have been awarded signature status with the Baltimore Watercolor Society mid-Atlantic chapter. This means I have met their standards for excellency in watercolor, can participate in shows for only signature members, and can sign my paintings “Peg Sheridan, BWS” in addition to my VWS status.

Be certain to congratulate Peg when you see her next!

Member artist Chee Ricketts is being featured in a solo exhibition of her paintings at Westminster Canterbury in the Pantops area of Charlottesville from May 1 to 31. If you are over in the eastern side of town, stop by to view her works.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Drop our CVWG Webmaster an email to let everyone know what you are doing and how your artistic journey is progressing.

Art News, Call for Entries, Classes/Workshops, Local Events, Member news, Monthly Meetings, Resources for Members, Shows

Central Virginia Watercolor Guild — A Lovely Spring in Central VA

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A reminder that Central Virginia Watercolor Guild is found online at www.CVWG.art.

The painting at the top of this post is by artist Steve Mitchell related to Strathmore Papers’ upcoming online Workshop 2, titled “Spontaneous Watercolor Landscapes“, starting on May 1. Steve’s painting and information on Strathmore’s workshop can be viewed on our website.

Last Call for New Members’ Feature

We invite everyone who joined to date in 2023 to send us art for a special post in near future. You can simply take a photo of one of your pieces using your phone or tablet (however, please avoid doing this under fluorescent lights) to CVWG Webmaster, Mark Fitzpatrick. On behalf of our entire Guild, we look forward to seeing your beautiful work! Loook for a dedicated email in coming days.

Join Us on April 24 for Our Program Featuring Artist Toni Bragg

Plan to join us on April 24 for our meeting:

  • 12:30 PM – Social Time
  • 1:00 PM – Brief Business Meeting
  • 1:30 PM – Start of Program with Toni Bragg
  • 3:00 PM – Usual end of meeting
Endless Possibilities by Toni Bragg

Our meeting will feature Warrenton artist Toni Bragg. Says Toni, of her work,

From my very first experience of water and color running freely on paper, I was captivated and exhilarated! And so began the quest of coaxing the medium into expressing my vision and my mood. I can imagine nothing more challenging and fulfilling than continuing to explore the infinite possibilities watercolor offers me. I am most inspired by its brilliant rich pure color and it’s transparent quality that can be enhanced with glazing and layering techniques, building value and luminosity into my paintings.

Toni’s website is tonibragg.com/.

Meeting details, maps, times, etc. are listed on our Meetings & Programs page.

CVWG Board Meeting

CVWG President Karen Schwenzer is calling a Board of Directors Meeting ahead of the April 24 meeting. Directors, please send any agenda items to Karen ahead of the meeting and plan to arrive before the 11:00 AM start time.

We Enjoyed a Great Half-Day Workshop with Peg Sheridan at March’s Meeting

I have to start this article somewhat in reverse…Our member artist Peg Sheridan sent in the following message to CVWG members:

Thank you to CVWG for hosting my workshop “Designing Better Watercolors: Tips on Composition” on March 27. It was a joy to work with all of you. A special thanks to those of you who worked so hard to make this workshop possible. It was fun to see the wonderful work you all did.

Peg Sheridan

Peg’s excellent workshop was reviewed by member artist Patty Richmond:

Peg handed out a list of pointers to get us started. In Peg’s experience, it is of special importance to think about composition and Value. She gave us suggestions for nine possible compositions to try.

We went back to our tables and painted the examples of different compositions using light, medium, and dark values. Peg stressed experimenting; making up your own pallets of color. She likes sedimentary colors in her landscapes which she uses often.

In the afternoon Peg did a demonstration of a barn she sees often which is close to her home. She has painted it often each time from a different angles.

Peg’s calm, helpful manner kept us all mesmerized.

Peg’s presentation was well attended by >40 members and guests. Peg’s website is at www.pegsheridan.com.

CVWG Exhibition at The Center in May and June

CVWG’s only planned 2023 exhibition “In The Garden” will be hung at The Center at Belvedere throughout May and June. A reminder for all enrolled artists that drop off is on May 1st 9:30-11:00 AM. CVWG’s leader for this exhibition is Donna Koutrakos.

Donna, her team of volunteers, and the artists have worked very hard to contribute to this non-judged, non-juried show. All Guild members should show up to this meeting to support this part of our Guild.

If you are interested in working future shows, see Karen Schwenzer or Donna Koutrakos.

A Look Ahead at Member Meeting in May– A Reception for CVWG’s Exhibition at The Center

A reminder that our member meeting in May will be a reception for our CVWG Exhibition. We meet at our regular time at 12:30 PM on Monday, May 22 at the Center. As usual, we will hold a brief business meeting followed by a walk around enjoying the art of our fellow Guild members.

Strathmore’s Workshop #2 is Starting May 1

Strathmore’s second online workshop of 2023, “”Spontaneous Watercolor Landscapes” is getting organized to start in a couple of week on May 1. See the painting at the top of this post to get a better idea as to what will be covered. Details are at this Strathmore web page. Note that you might be required to sign up using an email address but, otherwise, the workshops are free.

1st Annual Juried Show at The Arts Center at Montross

Janice, at The Arts Center at Montross— in the “northern neck” area of the state in Montross, VA,– sent us notice of an arts show they are hosting. Details for this juried show, “Animal Love“, can be viewed at their link: theartscenterofmontross.com/animal-love. Their deadline for submissions is Saturday, May 6.

Member News

Member artist Don Whitson shares more great news!

I love getting up in the morning to surprising news. “Congratulations Don, your painting “Venice Canal”, has been juried into the Society of Watercolor Artists 2023 International Exhibition. April 16 – May 21 held in Fort Worth, Texas

Don’s website is www.donwhitson-art.com.

Remember to check out our Member Gallery as new paintings have been added from member artists Carolyn Ratcliffe and others!

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Drop our CVWG Webmaster an email to let everyone know what you are doing and how your artistic journey is progressing.