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

Here Comes Summer!!

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

With Spring 2022– seemingly a cooler and wetter spring than normal?– mostly behind us, we can now prepare for the coming summer heat!

May’s Workshop was a Success!

Our May 23 member meeting featured a half-day workshop by artist Robin Poteet entitled “Preserving Whites and Demystifying Shadow“. The program was organized by member-artist Karen Schwenzer, our Vice President and Director of Programs.

Two of our member-artists sent in their personal observations and photos:

Having “white” in our art is extremely important when painting with watercolor but it can be difficult to achieve. Robin gave three methods: use the white of the paper, use masking fluid or frisket, or use white gouache. Robin demonstrated all three methods and gave us pointers as she painted using the reference photos.

After the demonstration we had a short lunch break and them we all painted. We could us the pictures Karen sent or any other picture we brought. Robin came around to all the tables and gave pointers to each of us.

The last part of the class was a critique. We spread all the paintings on her table and she critiqued each one, giving us individual pointers as to what we did right or wrong.

Thanks to Karen for organizing this marvelous workshop filled with creativity and camaraderie.

Member-artist Patty Richmond

We had a great workshop in May! Robin Poteet made a good presentation/demonstration on “Saving the Whites” and “Making Dark Darks”. Then she came around to each table, encouraging us to try the different techniques. She ended by reviewing a piece of art from each attendee and asking the questions “What did you learn?” and “What would you do differently next time?”

Member-Artist Rosemary Connelly

Our Next Guild Meeting is June 27

A reminder that we are back to our monthly in-person meetings. Our next meeting is on June 27 with a program by member-artist Peg Sheridan entitled “Creating Water Features In Your Paintings” and our Challenge! theme is “A Faraway Place“. We meet at 12:30 PM for social time, start our business meeting by 1:00 PM, begin the program by 1:30 PM, and end around 3:00 PM. Members and guests are welcome!!

You can find details for our entire 2022 lineup along with location details and a map on our Meetings & Programs web page.

CVWG’s Courthouse Exhibit is Changing on June 20

A reminder that our Courthouse Exhibit team is changing out the paintings on June 20. Drop off/pick up 10 am to 11am on the East Jefferson side of the courthouse. Linda Abbey is one of our Directors for these exhibits; contact her for information. Further guidance is provided on our Ongoing Courthouse Exhibits page.

Louisa Arts Center Exhibition

Nicole Copeland, of the Louisa Arts Center (https://louisaarts.org/) sent us notice of their current exhibit, “In Space and Time“.

Calendar of Events

June 10, 6-8 PM: Opening Reception

July 15: Show Closes

Soon-to-be-Member News

All of you must be busy painting as we have not heard from any member-artists these past few weeks! Please keep feeding us your news.

We have a new artist in our area. Catherine Hillis writes:

Greetings! I’m a nationally awarded watercolorist and recently moved to Locust Grove, VA. I’ve been working in the national plein air circuit for several years and have earned 8 national signatures throughout the country for my studio work.

I’m going to be teaching classes in the Fredericksburg area beginning this summer. I’m offering both online and in person. My website is www.catherinehillis.com and workshop information is at https://www.catherinehillis.com/workshops.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

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

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

A New Art Venue and Meetings in April & May

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

A New Art Venue in Charlottesville

The proprietress of Atlas Coffee, Mimi Fitzpatrick (yes, there is a connection to CVWG’s webmaster!), tells us she has wall space for ~9 paintings for monthly shows featuring our member-artists. Mimi has many artists wanting to show in the shop but wanted to reach out to CVWG members.

Mimi is open to single or multi-artist shows. Mimi’s asks that you not have eyelet screws projecting from the rear of the frame that might mar the walls. But, otherwise, you are free to frame, glaze, and hang as you want. She will work with you along the way.

Atlas Coffee is located in Charlottesville’s southwestern Fontaine neighborhood near the intersection of Fontaine and Jefferson Park Avenues just south of the UVA football stadium; see the website for a map and driving directions. This area of Charlottesville is heavily travelled by UVA students and their families whom are frequent customers. Email Mimi if interested.

Guild Meetings

A reminder that we are back to our monthly in-person meetings. GVWG’s Vice President and Programs Director, Karen Schwenzer, says:

I am very excited about our upcoming CVWG programs at our monthly meeting at the Church of Our Savior. My enthusiasm is shared by the guest artists coming to CVWG.

You can find details for our entire 2022 lineup on our Meetings & Programs web page.

April 25 Meeting

We welcome back water media artist Karen K. Rosasco of Waynesboro, Virginia. Karen is a juried member of the American Watercolor Society, a generous art educator, and a successful, awarded, collected, and published artist. In her current series of work, Karen is using a variety of watermedia in layers to achieve a highly textural and dynamic presentation. But don’t let all of her accolades deter you from participating in April’s program. Please bring one unfinished watermedia painting for Karen to critique.

The Challenge! topic for April is “Memories”.

May 23 Half-Day Workshop (No Meeting!)

The May 23 Meeting is special in that there will NOT be a regular CVWG meeting. Instead, artist Robin Poteet, of Salem Virginia, will lead a half-day workshop. The workshop starts at 11:00 AM and requires pre-enrollment and a special fee to help cover the Guild’s costs. Robin will start with a demonstration then transition later to table-by-table guidance and discussions.

Space for this workshop is limited and there may not be any remaining openings. That said, if you are interested in attending just the demonstration, plan to arrive by 11:00 for Robin’s demonstration exploring darks, shadows, and whites in watercolor painting.

Note, again, that we will not hold the traditional CVWG meeting in May.

Strathmore Online Workshop 2 is Starting May 2

Strathmore continues to offer free online workshops for water media arts. Their next workshop in 2022 starts on May 2 and is entitled “Joyful Watercolor – Finding Your Style” by instructor Shayda Campbell. Disclaimer: Attending a Strathmore online workshop is free but requires you to register your name and email address and you may receive their email solicitations.

Member News

Member-artist Juliette Swenson let us know that she has paintings being shown at Jefferson/Madison Regional Library’s Northside Library. If you happen to find yourself on the north side of Charlottesville around the Rio Rd corridor, stop by and view her works.

Member-artist Don Whitson emails us:

I have recently been blessed in my artistic pursuits:

I have been juried into the Virginia Watercolor Society Exhibition to be held at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center in Waynesboro. Also, I’ve been juried into the Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibition. Plus, I received notification that I won an award at the Southern Watercolor Society Exhibition.

You can catch up with Don on his website at www.donwhitson-art.com. We continue to wish the best possible success for Don and for all our CVWG artists.


Member-artist Linda Suomi Bethke writes:

Artist Nance Stamper and I are having a three-month show at Cunningham Creek Winery. We hope you can come see the show and enjoy a wonderful Virginia spring day with good wine and art!

Note that the painting at the top of this blog is one of Linda’s original watercolors.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

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

Art News, Classes/Workshops, Member news, Monthly Meetings

A Lesson in Journaling

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

Rhonda Roebuck on Keeping a Journal

Guest artist Rhonda Roebuck

CVWG was very pleased to have hosted noted sketchbook artist and nature journalist Rhonda Roebuck at our March 28 meeting. Rhonda is a former photography and art teacher here in Albemarle County Schools. She has taught Nature Journaling workshops for Shenandoah National Park, Mary Baldwin University, and various local venues. Rhonda has kept journals/sketchbooks for over 25 years, and enjoys teaching and encourages others to do the same.

One of Rhonda’s main points is the importance of keeping simple notes about your day-to-day life. Says Rhonda,

Sometime in the future, you or someone you know may want to learn about your land, your home, your daily life, and you. Think of the stories you may have heard about “your place” and how you might record them. What grows at your place naturally, what have you planted, and what do you know about how the land was used in the past?

I ask workshops participants how they would feel if they found a journal with writing and illustrations recorded by their great grandmother or great grandfather. That is the reason for recording nature and our lives.

Rhonda led attendees in some simple exercises with guiding questions to help us get started in keeping a “place” journal. Rhonda graciously gave us permission to post her handouts:

rroebuck-journaling-handoutsDownload

If you have questions you may email Rhonda at rhondaroebuck@mac.com or find her on Instagram at @rhondafroebuck.

We’re Back to In-Person Meetings

Member-artist Bunny Creasy shares her Challenge! painting of Charlottesville’s historic downtown buildings.

A reminder that CVWG has resumed our in-person meetings. Our Challenge! topic for March was “Buildings” with 8 member-artists sharing their work.

Our Meetings page provides the latest news and insights to our monthly meetings.

Hope to See You at Our Next Meeting on April 25

Our next meeting will feature a critique of members’ paintings by renowned artist Karen Rosasco (www.karenrosasco.com). Each member and guest may bring one (1!) unfinished, unframed painting soliciting Karen’s recommendations.

Says Karen,

I have provided art instruction for adults in both evening courses and workshops for nearly thirty years. As a retired high school art teacher and self-described shape maker, I emphasize design and composition as the foundation for the symbols placed on paper or canvas. I’m also an avid traveler, searching for new and unusual subjects as themes for my paintings. You can view my paintings at: Abend Gallery, Denver CO, the Departure Gift Shop, Albany International Airport, SVAC, CoArt Gallery, Flying Fox Vineyards, Reid Street Gallery. and by appointment at my home in VA.

The April Challenge! topic is “Memories” so bring a 2nd painting inspired by that topic. Again, our Meetings Page explains the Challenge! program and future topics.

Updated Information on Our Web Pages

Our Member Directory and Video Library pages have been updated with new information for your use. A reminder that the Member Directory is password protected so send an email to our Webmaster if you want to access our listing of members.

Member News

Member-artist Juliette Swenson reminds us that her next watercolor class starts on April 19. Email Juliette for more information and to enroll. Juliette’s website is www.julietteswenson.com/.

Member-artist Janice (Bunny) Creasy reports,

I recently drove to Lynchburg, Va for two classes with Purnell Pettyjohn.  Each day was five hours of class in watercolor/pouring.  Her home is set up perfectly….I have heard of her for years and enjoyed the company of five others learning this art. I have since bought a DVD on the watercolor/pouring so to really understand the steps.

I recently took another class from Eleanor Cox whom CVWG featured at our October 2021 meeting. As of March 30, I will have completed four of her sessions with the last one scheduled for the first week of May. The workshops are being held at Bon Air Community Center in Bon Air, Va. I love her “light touch” and I am learning a lot.

Member-artist Peg Sheridan writes:

I am offering more classes soon: Rocks and Water in Watercolor on April 13-14, Beginning Watercolors on April 30, and Plein Air Painting in Watercolor on June 6-7. Also, registration is open for Plein Air Painting in Coastal Maine from September 8-14 in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. The class listing on my website (www.pegsheridan.com/upcoming-classes.html) is up to date or send me an email.

Lastly, I am also in a group show, “Rivers and Streams of Western Virginia” from May 6 through 27 at Smith House Galleries in Harrisonburg, VA.  The other artists in the show are: Debra Sheffer, Nan Mahone Wellborn, and Julie Farrell. There will be an opening on Friday May 6, from 5-7 pm., and all are invited. 

We’d Love to Hear From You!

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

Art News, Classes/Workshops, Member news, Monthly Meetings

The Guild Meets Again!!

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

In-Person Meeting This Monday, Feb 28

After reluctantly canceling last month’s meeting, your CVWG Board happily invites you to join your fellow guild members at our February 28 meeting. As communicated to guild members in a recent email:

Combining Camaraderie with Creativity. That is CVWG’s motto. Maybe we should add perseverance and resilience. The next CVWG meeting will be on Monday, February 28, 2022.

This is being planned as an in-person gathering at our usual time – 12:30 PM for social time followed by the business meeting at 1:00 PM and program at 1:30 PM.

Jane Skafte, originally scheduled for the January meeting, has graciously agreed to conduct an in-person demonstration of negative painting techniques. We will meet in the usual place, the Fellowship Hall behind Church of Our Savior on Rio Rd in Charlottesville.

Also, don’t forget there is still time to participate in the February’s Monthly Challenge, “Wind, Rain and Snow.” But let’s hope for good weather on February 28th.

Karen Schwenzer, CVWG’s Director of Programs

Our Meetings page provides the latest news and insights to our monthly meetings. Your Guild Board of Directors hopes to see you this Monday!

Member News

A full admission that I have a bad case of mid-winter doldrums. Evidently, I an not alone…

Member artist Chee Kludt Ricketts reports:

I have a serious case of “cabin fever” and am ready for warmer weather, but soon spring will be here and all of this messy snow will be forgotten.

I have just completed a Zoom watercolor class based on reflective objects with nine of my students, a number of whom are CVWG members. It has been fun to connect with them during this quiet period for CVWG. The painting at the top of this post, entitled “Jefferson Cup with Crystal Ball” is one of my demonstration paintings.

I will be teaching another class in May titled “The Language of Flowers”, which includes three 2-hour weekly sessions on Zoom and then a full day of painting here on my farm in Greene County at the end of May. If any members are interested, please contact me at cheekludtricketts@gmail.com.

Member artist John Hancock sent in great news telling us he is keeping bus

My 2021 was quite busy in the studio with a February solo show at the Arts Council of the Valley in Harrisonburg, then a good deal of energy getting a few works sent off to group exhibitions around the country including shows in California, New Jersey, and Louisiana. I was especially honored and happy to be invited into the 2021 Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition!

This past year, I created a fully online watercolor master course (the Art of Watercolor). The ten independent segments are each four weeks long. Here is a downloadable description for our members’ use.

I have also slowly and tentatively returned to in-person teach–with distancing, masks, and fully vaccinated participants–but with very limited sized classes & workshop sizes. For many of these classes, I have also increased their outdoor components so as to be out in the fresh air rather than inside.   

Contact John by email at hancockjohna.artist@gmail.com.

jhancock_aowc-series-big-handout-webDownload

Member artist Don Whitson reports in:

I’m happy to say that I just received notification that one of my paintings has been juried into the 45th Annual Juried Exhibition of the Southern Watercolor Society. Thanks to the juror Ken Call for selecting my painting. The Southern Watercolor Society is comprised of members across 19 states.

April 14 – May 13

Art Center Manatee
Bradenton, Florida
209th Street West

Member artist Susan Crave Rosen sent the following:

My friend Chris, with whom I am teaching this workshop, made the above promotional piece to share. We invite all CVWG members interested in mixed media to join us.

Email Susan if interested or visit the Beverly Street Studio online at www.bssschool.org/.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

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

Administration, Art News, Classes/Workshops, Member news, Monthly Meetings, Resources for Members

CVWG is Sorry to Cancel Jan 24 Member Meeting

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

Cancelled– CVWG Member Meeting on January 24

As previewed in our last posting, the COVID-19 virus and its variants continue to exhibit high infection rates. Our CVWG Board of Directors, out of an abundance of caution, have decided to cancel the January 24 CVWG member meeting. CVWG President, Donna Koutrakos, notified our members in an email earlier this week.

Next Member Meeting on February 28 at 12:30 PM

The nexct member meeting will be on February 28. This is still being planned for in-person at our usual time– 12:30 pm gathering and social time followed by the meeting at 1:00 pm– and place– the Fellowship Hall behind Church of Our Savior on Rio Rd in Charlottesville. See our Meetings page for more information.

The monthly Challenge! theme is “Wind, rain, snow…all are one”. We have been fortunate to be able to reschedule member-artist Jane Skaftke, Jane will be addressing a common problem area for so many of us, Negative Painting Techniques. You can view the full year of meetings, programs, and Challenge! topics on our Meetings page.

ArtTutor.com Site May Be Shutting Down

Member and Membership Chair, Rosemary Connelly, writes:

I just got an email saying the online UK art site, Art Tutor.com, has to shut down at the end of March. That’s too bad!

A quick visit to the site doesn’t give any insight or outlook. Having visited and been a student of the site many times, I agree with Rosemary, they will be missed!

Member News

We received wonderful news from a long time friend and member, Donna Brune:

I have rejoined CVWG. I have enjoyed the newsletters and decided I missed being a member. Living in Northern Va, I won’t be able to attend many meetings but I hope to come to a few when the days get longer.

If anyone cares to see what I have been doing in the past few years, here is a link to my page on the Rappahannock fall art tour. https://fallarttour.org/studios/donna-brune/. This tour is held each year on the first weekend in Nov., usually. Each artist submits a dozen images of their work to go on their page of the website. All of the paintings shown on my page were completed in 2021.

The tour in 2021 was very successful for most artists. Quite a lot of art was sold throughout the 2 days of the tour. People were so happy to get out in the country and we had a large attendance both days.

Given our recent heavy snows and cold weather, Donna’s painting on her website, entitled “Afternoon Delight“, shown at the top of this post, seemed like a good omen to share.

Apologies to member-artist Jane Matthews for getting the following news out later than we’d hoped:

Several of my paintings will be hanging in the Northside Library for the month of January.

We still have the final week of January to swing by that branch, located on Rio Rd just to the west of US Rt2 29 north of Charlottesville.

It has been awhile since we heard from member-artist Susan Crave Rosen but she seems to have kept busy and sends the following:

I am teaching a two day workshop at Beverley Street Studio School in March on the 26th and 27th. It will be an introduction to Gel Plate Printing, which I use to make collage papers for my mixed media work. I am team teaching with Chris Watts who is a painter and printmaker and uses the gel plate to work towards finished monoprints. Go to the website www.bssschool.org to see a full description of the workshop.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

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

Administration, Art News, Classes/Workshops, Monthly Meetings, Resources for Members

CVWG Ramping Up in 2022!

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

As we enter mid-January, the Omicron variant of COVID is spreading fast and furious. Your CVWG Board is continuing to monitor Department of Health advisories. At the moment, we intend to offer our monthly meetings and programs at in-person meetings. We will advise our members by email if we need to re-plan any event.

A Correction– Revised Dates for Workshops by Juliette Swenson

Back in a post in November, we cited an incorrect date for the next workshop by member-artist Juliette Swenson. That post should have read:

I am pleased to offer watercolor painting classes lasting a few weeks. These will specialize in animals and flowers. I have taught for some years now and have a large open room in which to teach in Staunton. My next series of classes starts on February 17 and run until March 10 on Thursday evenings from 5-7pm. Take just one class or all.

See Juliette’s website at www.julietteswenson.com for information about her classes. You can email her at artbyjuliette950@gmail.com.

Member Meeting on January 24 at 12:30 PM

Our first member meeting of the year will be on January 24. This is still being planned for in-person at our usual time– 12:30 pm gathering and social time followed by the meeting at 1:00 pm– and place– the Fellowship Hall behind Church of Our Savior on Rio Rd in Charlottesville. See our Meetings page for more information.

The monthly Challenge! theme is A Portrait and the program will feature member-artist Jane Skaftke addressing a common problem area for so many of us, Negative Painting Techniques. You can view the full year of meetings, programs, and Challenge! topics on our Meetings page.

“Let’s Get Back Painting!” with Peg Sheridan

Professional artist and CVWG member, Peg Sheridan, has let us know that it is time to break out of the deep winter blues and re-discover our muse.

Let’s start the new year by getting back into watercolor painting! I am offering new classes. Details are on my website for opportunities to learn more about watercolor painting.

Peg Sheridan

Our Web Pages Have Been Updated

Our webmaster has been busy updating our various pages. Please take a few minutes and “surf” our pages to see what you might find. Of special note:

Let us know if you don’t see something you want and our webmaster will see what he can do to bring it to the benefit of our Guild.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

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

Combining Camaraderie with Creativity