This is the Archive of the Vermont Watercolor Society online newsletters from the old web site. It is for reference only.

Friday, December 05, 2008

VWS additional information for juried postcard SVAC, and some imaging info.

Hello again

I forgot to clarify a few things about the request for postcard images for Southern Vermont Art Center:

SVAC puts together a catalog for the year- hence the early jurying for the postcard. CDs are for ONE image per person. Please label with your name, title, size price of painting, and contact info- email, phone, address.

I've been asked about how to make a CD and getting images of your paintings a lot, so here's a brief overview:


People make CDs by various means- usually you go to a place where they can scan or photograph your work and put it on a CD.
Ask for several versions for your use. One at low resolution (72dpi) that can go on a web site, One at high resolution (300dpi), full size, if you want something that can be printed. And if you don't know how to re-size an image, ask for a 4" x5" 300dpi version. When you get your CD home, put it into your computer and drag the images off the CD . Put them in a folder on your desktop or somewhere that you can find them. (Dragging them off the CD doesn't remove them-it just duplicates them). Eject the CD and store it someplace safe. To send something for a postcard or juried show, put a blank CD in your computer, drag the 4"x5" 300dpi image onto the blank CD dialogue, burn the CD and be sure to label it with the title(s), your name, painting size and price. If more than one image is on the CD, be sure the title of the image is the same as the title indicated on the CD. If you send #5409678, for instance, the juror won't know which painting that is. Guesses have been wrong! Check the CD to be sure your image actually got transferred. Blank CDs don't give you much of a chance. Again, this is just a copy- the image is still on your computer.

There are probably quite a few places you can get this work done for you- I only know of 2 where I live: Slide Specialists in W.Lebanon, N.H. or North Light Digital in White River Jct. Vt. (Tip Top building). Places that make copies , like Gnomon copy might also do this kind of work.

You can also take your own photos of your work, but it is a pretty special skill. Doing a web search for "photographing artwork" will get you a bunch of tutorials. I've seen quite a few home-created photos that don't do justice to the paintings, and may lower the chances that the work will be accepted by the juror. Typical problems are:
1. photo taken at an angle so painting looks smaller at one end.
2.Photo is blurry
3. frame is included in photo
4.colors are off (hard to get them right so they look good on someone else's screen)
5. photo is simply a number (see above)- no title

Etc.Etc. Not to be discouraging but if you want your art to look it's best in a digital image, you need to know what you are doing, or someone else should do it for you.

By the way, VWS DOES NOT jury artwork. Jurors are the gallery owners or someone independent hired by VWS to jury a show or images.

The image you send to Rob for Southern Vermont Art Center now is only for the post card. If you are chosen, you'll need to save that painting for the show in October. There will be another CD jury in the fall for the actual show.

I will likely do a VWS workshop of some sort on digital imaging next year if it looks like something useful for members.

Cheers,

Cindy

posted by Cynthia Crawford VWS president 2006-2008

Monday, December 01, 2008

VWS Newsletter Dec.1 2008

Greetings once again, watercolorists. I hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This is just a brief note to give you a report on the Annual meeting and an important call for entries.

CALL FOR ENTRIES:

From Rob O'Brien, our show coordinator:

"Hi everyone,
I recently received the contract for our 2009 VWS exhibit at the Southern Vt. Arts Center. It's great that we are able to continue showing at this fine venue on an annual basis. That speaks highly of the quality of work that is represented in the show and of course, our society!
There are some minor changes for next years show. SVAC has raised its commission on works sold to 43% from the 40% it currently receives.
The dates of next years show will be October 31st through December 1st. The opening reception will be Saturday, Oct. 31 from 2 - 4pm. We will still be hung in Galleries 8 and 9.
Delivery date is Wednesday, October 28th. Delivery times will be shortened from 11am to 3pm. Of course, carpooling is encouraged. Pickup is Tuesday, Dec. 1 12 - 2pm.

We will again be jurying images for the catalogue. CDs or 4 x 5 color transparencies. No slides!
The CDs can be mailed to me (address below) and must be postmarked no later than December 15th. Any CD's to be returned to the artist must include SASE.
All materials are due at SVAC by December 27th."

Robert J. O'Brien
2811 Weathersfield Ctr Road
Perkinsville, VT 05151
802-263-9394
www.robertjobrien.com

REMINDER: Pick-up for this year's SVAC show is TOMORROW, Dec. 2 from 10AM to 2PM. Two paintings were sold!


ANNUAL MEETING:
Everyone attending had a good time, I think, enjoying out speaker, Woody, Jackson, round table discussions about fundraising, a GREAT book exchange (Thanks to Adrienne Fisk for the idea), and super goodie bags for those who stayed to the end. The vendors were also very engaging and of course the food was good as always. The Middlebury Inn has been a most gracious host for the past few meetings.
A special thanks to Annelein Beukenkamp for arranging most of these events.

BY-LAW revisions:
All revisions were passed. Please refer to your past mailed newsletters for details.

ELECTIONS:
NEW OFFICERS:
President: Jan Olmstead
Vice President: Karen Casper
Secretary: Gary Eckhart
Treasurer: Lois Macuga
Director of Volunteers: Lotetta Weitzel

RETURNING OFFICERS:

Director of Communications and PR: Diane Bell
Director of Education and Events: Annelein Beukenkamp
Director of Exhibits: Robert O'Brien

A big congratulations to all, and a special thanks to outgoing officers Everett Webber, Treasurer, and Adrienne Fisk, Secretary. As for myself, I am planning to stay involved, and will be, first of all, helping the new Board to make the transition. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 3 years as President and will be staying in touch, I hope, with many of you through various events. New officers officially begin their terms of office in January 1, 2009.

You will hear more about the meeting from our new officers after the first of the year.

ANNUAL DUES:

Meanwhile, please don't forget to pay your annual dues for 2009. If you are a current member, you will become, according to the new by-laws, "delinquent" for 2009 if you have not paid by December 31, 2008. You will still get newsletters and can redeem your status by paying anytime during the upcoming year. However, you cannot participate in shows or vote until you are paid up for the upcoming year (2009). If you did not pay dues at all for 2008, you still can- something you might want to do if you have signature status. After December 31, 2008, delinquent members for 2008 become "terminated" members for 2009, and lose their signature membership. You will also be deleted from the newsletter listing. Re-joining will re-establish membership, but signature membership will have to be earned all over again.
Send a check for $35.00 made out to Vermont Watercolor Society to our current Treasurer:
Everett Webber
5 Longwood Lane
W. Lebanon, N.H. 03784

You will receive notice as to where to send payment after Dec. 31st if you should happen to miss the deadline.

Happy Holidays, everyone, and here's to a prosperous and happy New Year.

Submitted by Cynthia Crawford
VWS President 2006-2008