Thank You Members

Moving to a new place means starting over; finding your way around and fitting in. This also goes for art. I joined a couple of art organizations: the Villages Art  League and the Visual Arts Association. They both offer artists friendships, encouragement, inspiration and opportunities. I have received them all. I have met friendly artists that have inspired me. I received encouragement as the members of the VAA voted my alcohol ink art piece " Sweater Weather" - First Place in the October/November challenge. I continue to receive opportunities to exhibit and sell my work.

Thank you, Members!

Miami Watercolor Society - 45th Annual Fall Exhibition

Fall may be the end of summer, but it is a time when nature exhibits its most beautiful colors and artists begin the many exhibits of the art season. 

The Miami Watercolor Society has had this Fall exhibit for the past 45 years and I can personally say that each year the bar gets raised higher and higher. I usually am just glad to be selected to exhibit. That, in itself, is an award for me; to be among these great artists is reward enough.

The exhibit will be held this year at the beautiful Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery. Below you will find the information. My piece "Wash Day", inspired by a recent trip to Portugal will be on exhibit. 

"Wash Day" - watercolor

Coconut Grove Arts Festival Gallery
3390 Mary Street, Suite 128
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
(Entrance on Grand Avenue)

Opening Reception:
Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 7 - 10 p.m.
Awards at 8 p.m.
Please invite friends and family, and especially your Facebook friends.

Exhibition:
Saturday, November 4, though Sunday, November 26, 2017

Watercolor Workshop with Vladislav Yeliseyev

Many of you know that I have been drawing and painting my entire life. In 1977, I took an oil painting class and fell in love with this medium. It wasn't until I retired that I decided to take up watercolor. I am mainly self-taught in all mediums, with a class here and there. The Miami Watercolor Society offers workshops with some great artists from all over the USA, but I had never taken advantage of them. The new year inspired me to sign up for the workshop in January with Vladislav Yeliseyev.  

Watching Vlad demonstrate the first wash.

What made me decide to take this particular one after all these years? This artist's style is loose. It is very difficult to paint loosely after starting with oil. His style is fantastic. I was so intimidated that I even thought about losing the fee I paid and not attending. I forced myself to go the first day. There was so much to learn, but I was not handling my drawing well, perspectives were giving me the hardest time. I decided to try the second day and before I knew it, I wanted more and more. Speaking to the others in the class, I found out they were just as intimidated and as anxious as I was. Vladislav does not live far from Miami and I may just take another class at his art school in Sarasota. 

Thanks Vlad for the inspiration!.

First wash and wondering if anything would come of it.

The final product.

Same technique with color. I call this one "Sailing with Vlad"

Buy From Living Artists....

Ever heard the quote, "Buy from living artists because the dead ones don't need it".

Well, I certainly follow that as I travel to different places. I don't just do it to help the artist. It has to be something I find unique or special. Instead of looking at a photo, I love to look at the piece that takes me back to the moment and the feeling of enjoyment once again.

Below are a few pieces I bought here and there. The enamel earrings in the first photo were bought from an artist on the St, Charles River Bridge in Prague. Whenever I put them on I remember looking through her collection of jewelry. My conversation with her about her enamel art, and knowing that she made them makes them special each time and takes me back to the walk on that bridge.

www.dumumeni.com

The watercolor painting I bought many years ago in Florence. At the time, I was still painting in oil, but had a desire to  paint in  watercolors some day. Each time I see this painting leaning on my dresser, I remember the plaza where I bought it and how it was more than just a souvenir; it was a dream and a plan that has now come true.

The wine cup, I bought from Amy Strickland, a potter in Dahlonega, Georgia. Beside being a great cup for drinking wine with a history of its own, It reminds me of the Hummingbird Gallery in Dahlonega and my first visit there about nine years a go. Amy and Todd owned the gallery and were kind enough to buy a few of my small watercolors to sell there. A friendship has developed and what a great way to celebrate it than with a wine cup made by Amy.

http://loveladycreations.com/the-legend-of-the-unglazed-wine-cup

The painted saw I bought for my Mom in Colorado 39 years ago. This is a reminder of our time spent in Colorado when we were young and looking at a long life ahead with a baby on the way. I love the mountains, the trees and the beauty of the land showing in this small painting. My Mom no longer has her house so this is also a reminder of where it sat at her house for many years and the time we spent at her house.

As you can see, buying art fills so many of your senses and emotions. It brings back memories of a time, place and the people that shared it with you.