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

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Vermont Watercolor Society
October 15, 2009
_______________________________________________________________________

SVAC Exhibition Acceptance List

* The submissions totaled 110 paintings and 27 were chosen. See the list below. If you've been accepted, delivery is on Wednesday, October 28th from10am to 1pm.
* Opening reception will take place on Saturday, October 31st, 2 - 4 pm.
* Pick up displayed work on Tuesday, December 1st from 10am - 4pm.

Jan Avery, A Day in Hong Kong
Annelein Beukenkamp, Graceful Forms
Claudia Carl, Sunflower Blues
Annie Christopher, Living Room
Suzanne Clark, Flower Power
Laurence Coffin, Summer Front
Cynthia Crawford, Kitty Contemplation
Don Dalton, Ocean Rocks #1
Diana D. Dunn, Monarch Butterfly
Phyllis Greenway, Oberon
Doris Ingram, Upriver Peace
Bea Jillette, Nasturtium
Cheryl Johnson, Row Boats
Valerie Johnson, Seal Harbor-Mt. Desert Island
Patrick Kennedy, Cygnus II
Katra Kindar, Blessing (pears)
Marlene Kramer, Simply Being
Judy Laliberte, Pea Pods
Mary Fran Lloyd, Fluoracious
Beverly Montiel, Randolph Watching
Mark Nielsen, Mountain Range
Robert O'Brien, Fire Iris
Kate Reeves, Icy Bubbles
Doris E. Roberts, Summer Awakening
Cath Stockbridge, Playtime
Robert Sydorowich, Sumac
Everett Webber, Nude

Wednesday, October 07, 2009


October 2009

Fall Meeting Form
Dear VWS members,
Reserve your place at The Fall Meeting at the Middlebury Inn on October 24th from 10:30am to 3 pm. Print and fill out the form below. The meeting promises to be a great event with, a short business meeting, an always delicious luncheon, a panel presentation on alternative surfaces, the new website roll-out, updates on the member Christmas online auction, door prizes and more.
Mail your reservation form with $29 by Oct. 18th (postmarked)
The price is $34 after that date. Send your check to: Lois Macuga, PO Box 338, Quechee, VT 05059.

Name ________________________________________

Guest(s) ______________________________________

Address _______________________________________

Phone ____________________

Email _____________________

Amount enclosed $ ______________
_______________________________________________________________________

As promised, here are the VWS forms that must accompany works accepted into the Southern
Vermont Arts Center Exhibition.
  • EXHIBITION ENTRY FORM - FILL OUT AND DELIVER WITH WORK
  • ART LABELS - FILL OUT AND ATTACH PER THE DIRECTIONS TO YOUR WORK
REMINDER: KEY DATES for SVAC EXHIBITION
Deadline for submission of CD/slides is October 5th (postmark)
Delivery for accepted work is Wednesday, October 28th from 10am to 1pm
Opening reception will happen on Saturday, October 31st from 2 - 4pm
Pick up accepted work Tuesday, December 1st from 10am to 12pm


VWS logo
Vermont Watercolor Society

EXHIBITION ENTRY FORM
Today's Date: __________________________
Artist Name: _________________________________________________________________
Artist Address: _________________________________________________________________
Artist Phone: _______________________________
Artist Email: _______________________________
VWS Membership up to date? Yes ____ No_____
Exhibition Name: _____________________________________________________________
Month/Year of Exhibit: _____________________
Exhibition Fees (if required): $_________________ Check #_____________

Submission # 1:
Title:_________________________________________________________________________
Framed size: H__________ x W_____________
Glass or plexi-glass: ______________________
Year produced: __________________________ Price: ________________________________
Submission # 2:
Title:_________________________________________________________________________
Framed size: H__________ x W_____________
Glass/plexi-Glass/fixative___________________
Year produced: __________________________ Price: _______________________________

Membership must be up-to-date in order to participate in exhibitions. Send check or money order in the amount of $35 to Lois Macuga, Treasurer @ PO Box 338, Quechee, VT 05059. Check must be received prior to entry.

The Vermont Watercolor Society
is dedicated to promoting the awareness and appreciation of watercolor to its membership at all levels of ability and to the community by providing opportunities and venues for participation, education, fellowship and exhibitions.

____________________________________________________________________________

VWS logo
Vermont Watercolor Society

VERMONT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ARTWORK LABEL
Artist Name: __________________________________________________________________
Artist Phone: ________________________ Artist Email: ______________________________
Exhibit/Show: _____________________________ Exhibit: Month/Year: _________________
Title of Painting:_______________________________________________________________
Framed Size: H__________ x W____________ Glass/plexi-glass/fixative: ________________
Medium/Surface: _____________________________ Price:________

Wrap label around frame wire of art work to be exhibited

VERMONT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ARTWORK LABEL
Artist Name: __________________________________________________________________
Artist Phone: ________________________ Artist Email: ______________________________
Exhibit/Show: _____________________________ Exhibit: Month/Year: _________________
Title of Painting:_______________________________________________________________
Framed Size: H__________ x W____________ Glass/plexi-glass/fixative: ________________
Medium/Surface: _______________________ Price: ____________

Wrap label around frame wire of art work to be exhibited
Correction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Annelein Beukenkamp's email was printed incorrectly in the recent VWSplash newsletter. Her correct email address is:beukwin@yahoo.com.
Paul Leveille, portrait artist, coming to the Landgrove Inn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
leveille image Paul Leveille, is scheduled to teach a watercolor portrait workshop from October 27 through the 29th. Go to: http://www.paulleveillestudio.com/about.htm to see more of Paul's work.

Tuition discounts for VWS members as well as room discounts or those who wish to stay at the Inn are available.

Call The Landgrove Inn for details at 802-824-6673 or
800-669-8466, To reserve go to: http://www.landgroveinn.com or email to: vtinn@sover.net

leveille 2


Email Marketing by
vermont watercolor society | 11 maple hill road | WESTON | VT | 05161

Sunday, September 27, 2009



Quarterly Newsletter
Fall 2009


President's Message
THE PARADOX OF CHANGE

As an organization we are always changing. Our membership is growing and becoming more diverse. Our programming and exhibition venues are always being fined tuned; and our infrastructure is improving to accommodate all the above.

I believe change is a good thing, but only as long as we are able to remember whom we are and why we are here. It is this paradox of changing for the future while remembering the past that we must cultivate. What better way to remember than to celebrate our 15th anniversary this coming year.

Fifteen years ago, we received acceptance from the State of Vermont to operate as a legal non-profit entity under the name, Vermont Watercolor Society. We have enjoyed 15 years of exhibitions, growth opportunities and most importantly lasting friendships.

We have so many reasons to celebrate. There will be opportunities for all to participate in the fun of planning events, exhibition venues and the historical documentation of our society.

We are all creative beings and each of us has much to offer. Imagine what we can do if we all pitch in together. We are now accepting names of those interested in being part of our Anniversary Planning Committee. Give me a call at 802 297 9603, or email me.

See you at the Fall meeting.
Jan

Upcoming VWS Meeting Dates
thatcher brook
Fall meeting date:
Saturday, October 24, 2009 Middlebury Inn.

The agenda is as follows:
10:30 - 11:15 Check-in and vendor visit.
Our vendor for this meeting is Thatcher Brook Printing and Photographic in Waterbury, VT. They are a full service art reproduction studio that produces fine art prints featuring the best papers and archival pigmented inks.
11:15 - 12:00 Business meeting
Board Succession
Volunteer of the Year Award
12:00 - 1:15 Lunch
New website roll-out
Special announcements
Member's Christmas Auction
Workshops & Exhibits
Anniversary Celebration Committee
Member Q&A
1:15 - 1:30 Break and vendor visit
1:30 - 2:45 Panel Presentation "Alternative Surfaces"
2:45 - 3:00 Wrap up and Door Prizes

The meeting registration form will be sent to you on Oct.3.

Spring Meeting date: Sunday April 25th, Quechee Club.
Search for two board positions
There are two Board positions available that will be voted on at our Fall meeting.

Vice President Karen Casper has resigned her position on the Board of Directors. She has been a very dedicated and hard-working board member and we thank her for all her contributions.

The overall responsibilites of the vice president are to fill in for the president as needed, and assist in providing guidance to the Board. If you are interested, please contact Loretta Weitzel.

Secondly, the search is on for Membership Director.The person accepting this new Board position will be responsible for all direct communication with members including new member welcome letters and renewal reminders.

Think about joining a fun group of people while contributing to your organization. If interested, contact Loretta Weitzel.
VWS/Grafton Award Winners
harold Aksdal - grafton best of show
The VWS exhibition in Grafton at the Hunter Gallery of Fine Art and the Phelps Gallery in the Old Tavern was very successful. This was our first awards show and will become an annual VWS event. Fifty-eight artists submitted work and 40 paintings were chosen for the exhibit. There were four sales and three of these were award winners. See the complete list of awards below.

BEST IN SHOW, Vermont Watercolor Society - $500
HARALD AKSDAL
"Bridal Party"
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, The Hunter Gallery of Fine Arts - $200
LYN DUMOULIN
"Summer Heat"

CHEAP JOE'S, Merchandise Award - $100
JEAN CANNON
"Mangroves"
THE MACUGA AWARD, Henry & Lois Macuga - $50
MARK NIELSON
"Holyoke Canal"
THE FRAMERY AWARD, Merchandise - $50
ROBERT O'BRIEN
"G's Tractor"
VWS MERCHANDISE AWARD
DORIS INGRAM
"Eggemoggin Reach"
HONORABLE MENTION, Merchandise
ANNELEIN BEUKENKAMP
"Walking the Plank"
MARNI MCKITRICK
"Sailors Warning"
Awards Won in Other Exhibits
Marlene Kramer's painting
Marlene Kramer
- The 1st Award of Excellence for her work "Oh Boy! Coy!" at the third annual exhibition at Grafton until September 10.

Robert Sydorowich
- Honorable Mention for Watercolors at the Monadnock Area Artists Association "Art in the Park" in Keene.September 5 - 6.

Robert O'Brien
- the Philadelphia Watercolor Society Award for his painting "New York Central" at the 89th National Watercolor Society exhibit opening October 10, in Brea, California.
j bates business card 2009
Visit Black Horse Fine Art Supply
The Southern Vermont Art Center Show

You've all received the perspectus for the Southern Vermont Art Center Exhibit along with the entry form and labels. Below see some key dates.

- Deadline for submission of CD/slides is October 5th (postmark)
- Delivery for accepted work is Wednesday, October 28th from 10am to 1pm
- Opening reception will happen on Saturday, October 31st from 2 - 4pm
- Pick up accepted work Tuesday, December 1st from 10am to 12pm
VWS Sponsors Fall Workshop
VWS will sponsor a one day fall landscape painting workshop taught by Rob O'Brien at the North Chapel Universalist Society in Woodstock. The church is located on Rt 4 just west of the village green. The date is Saturday October 3rd from 9:30am - 3:30pm. Cost is $75. All levels welcome. Go to rjoartist@yahoo.com or beuken@yahoo.com to register. Send your check to Lois Macuga at PO Box 338, Quechee, VT 05059.
Artist's Profile - Nancy Stone
nancy stone
Williston artist and teacher Nancy Stone has lived a creative life and remembers "selling paintings of a black horse jumping over a fence in third grade for $1.00 each." Her supportive mother "always provided me with supplies and encouragement, so I was an artist long before I dared to call myself such an elevated title! Art projects or posters came first, then homework."
nancy stone 2

This supportive atmosphere combined with a naturally curious mind laid the groundwork for Nancy's dual careers of professional artist and teacher. In college, Nancy majored in ceramics but took classes in drawing, printmaking, wood tetonic design, and oil painting. This served her well in her first teaching job in Minnesota where she taught art in five schools to children in kindergarten through high school. She thrived on the challenge of teaching young children as well as more sophisticated teenagers, some of whom were on their way to art school. She credits her 25+ years of teaching as the "breeding ground for the diversity in my work today."

Nancy describes her foray into watercolor as an "epiphany" that came on a canoe trip with her husband. "I dipped my brush into the river water and painted the waterscape as it evolved over time, while riding upon the water. Wow!" Like so many other watercolor artists, she cites portability as an attraction, but then includes the challenge of the medium as well.

She said, "It provides diverse painting experiences, from multiple veiling of glazes on hot press paper to frolicking textures on Yupo paper."

Since taking up watercolor, Nancy has taken numerous classes with artists such as Frank Webb who taught her what she considers to "have been the biggest lesson I ever had" about the importance of value in painting. "Now, when I teach watercolor, I say, 'You need salt and pepper, you need the spiciness of lights and darks."

In addition to watercolor, Nancy studied acrylics and creative bookbinding and has made many fine art books using her acrylic paintings and collage as content on the pages, never watercolor because they cannot take the handling. One book that stands out documents the early years of the family golden retriever. She co-founded the Book Arts Guild of Vermont and continues as its co-chair and editor. Her books have been shown around Vermont in venues such as the T. W. Wood Gallery in Montpelier and Studio Place Arts in Barre. In 2006, one of her books won the juror's award at the Shelburne Arts Center Book Arts Guild show.

Nancy first learned of the Vermont Watercolor Society from a brochure she saw at Black Horse Art Supply. She was impressed by the venues for juried shows and the community offered by VWS. It wasn't long before she became a signature member.

Though she has retired from full time teaching, Nancy remains active in the field, teaching adults at the Community College of Vermont and mentoring children. "Teaching part-time offers income, but also allows me time to be an artist. The diverse ideas of young and adult students inform my own aesthetic." Her retirement has been anything but a slowing down. Among her regular activities, Nancy counts singing in a choir, ushering at the Flynn Center and St. Michael's Playhouse as well as her work in the Book Arts Guild. Her involvement in the Kids4Peace Project combines four of her passions: "children, art, peace and book arts."

Currently Nancy's watercolor on Yupo, "In a Time Before Names," is touring New England with a group show of Vermont artists as part of the state's 2009 celebration of Lake Champlain's quadricentennial. It began years ago as a drawing she did of an ancient whale skeleton housed at the University of Vermont, "a fossil uncovered during early railway construction that attests to the ancient history of Lake Champlain as an inland sea." The piece is a beautiful example of Nancy's process as an artist: "Manipulating the paint, pouring the color, losing control and then getting some back using lost and found edges, and of course, having fun. This is true no matter what medium I am working in. I like to push the medium to places I haven't yet been to throw myself off balance. I don't want to ever stop learning."

boutilliers
VWS Sponsor Offers Fall Workshops
sponsor logo InView Center for the Arts at The Landgrove Inn, Vermont's premier workshop destination, proudly presents
September in Watercolors featuring 2 nationally recognized watercolor instructors:
Frank Francese, NWS, September 21st thru 25th: 5-day workshop
There are tuition discounts for VWS members.
Paul Leveille, is scheduled to teach a watercolor portrait workshop from October 27 through the 29th.
Tuition discounts for VWS members.

Call The Landgrove Inn for details at 802-824-6673 or
800-669-8466, To reserve go to: www.landgroveinn.com vtinn@sover.net
VWS Upgrades to FileMakerPro
The VWS recently acquired the latest FM10 software with support from an anonymous donation.
Our new database gives us an essential functions and greater efficiencies.

We have Karen Casper to thank for making this database conversion possible. Her contribution has been invaluable.
Member Exhibits and Workshops
Kathleen Berry Bergeron will teach eight-week Adult Watercolor classes in Jericho and St.Albans beginning in September.
Call 802 899-4628 for more info. Space is limited.

Diane Bell
Director of Communications
Vermont Watercolor Society


In This Issue

Off the Easel - a VWS OFFICIAL Fundraiser


On Saturday, August 15th, seven members of the Vermont Watercolor Society met at the Burlington Waterfront for a day of painting beautiful Lake Champlain for the Quadricentennial.

The paintings created, and any inspired by the vistas, will be auctioned off as a fundraiser to equally benefit the society (1/3), Dragonheart Vermont, a breast cancer charity, (1/3) and the artists (1/3).


We painted for several hours in the morning and gathered around for lunch chatting about various art related topics. Visitors were plentiful and we handed out cards with the new blog address (vwshowsonline.blogspot.com) to interested individuals.

Participants were: Kathy Berry Bergeron, Annelein Beukenkamp, Caren D. Calafati, Karen Casper, Larry Coffin, Diana D. Dunn and Donna Koutrakos. The day was perfect, as was the weather and we had a wonderfully shady spot overlooking all the happenings by the Burlington Boathouse.

We would like to extend an invitation to all members to put a lake/pond/body of water inspired painting in the upcoming fundraiser auction. We will place the images on our new blog with a link to an auction site for interested patrons to place their bids. We are gearing this auction to take place around the holidays. Anyone interested should contact Annelein Beukenkamp.

Some of the work created on site at the Waterfront will be on display at the Fall meeting at the Middlebury Inn. Thank you to all who were there on the 15th and thanks to all who will put in a watercolor for our fundraiser!
Annelein Beukenkamp
beukwin@comcast.net

New VWS Members
Debbie Peate - Williston, VT
Don Dalton - Chester, VT
Beverly Montiel - Swanton, VT
Coralie Curran - S. Portland, ME
Ellie Ernst - Walpole, NH
Harald Aksdal - Fairfax, VT
Joan Harlowe - East Burke, VT
Dale Goldhaber - Burlington, VT

Welcome everyone!

artists medium logo

Artists Mediums: staffed by artists, for artists. We offer a wide selection of reasonably priced art supplies and custom picture framing, in addition to events and workshops. Stop by or check out our website at http//www.artistsmediums.com

Artists' Mediums
300 Cornerstone Drive
Williston, VT 05489
(802) 879-1236
(800) 255-1290


Our VWS Sponsor
sponsor logo
See all the 2009 workshops
Landgrove Inn and the InView Center for the Arts



Artist Tips
- Use incidence of color change on a shape for greater interest
- Temperature is important for the GREATEST contrast
- When you want to push something back, use soft colors and soft edges
- To fix foreground issues, remember the thirds and use oblique shapes and lines

Send any tips you may like to share to:
dgbell_adelphia1@comcast.net.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

VWSnippets 7/15/09

vws email logo

July 15, 2009
A WIN-WIN-WIN

THE VWS QUADRICENTENNIAL PAINT OUT & FUNDRAISER

Come join your fellow Vermont Watercolor Society members for a plein air paint-out event on the shores of Lake Champlain in Burlington on Saturday August 15 from 10 - 4.

The object is to have a fun day of painting, to socialize with your artistic peers, to share a brown bag lunch and to paint a lake inspired watercolor to be auctioned off online through our new blog site VWS Shows Online . The proceeds will benefit the VWS, Dragonheart Vermont (see explanation below) and YOU the artist, with each receiving a third of the total sale price (after Ebay fees). In case of inclement weather, we will still try to get together to paint, either under tents or under awnings of waterfront buildings. Uncomfortable painting in public? Still want to be a part of the fundraiser? You can certainly submit any other lake-inspired painting you've done. Deadline for submitting images and your intent to participate is August 15th.
Please sign up by emailing me Annelein Beukenkamp and your name will get posted on our fundraiser blog with a link to either your VWS enhanced page or your website. The day will start at 10 a.m. and we'll meet in front of Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center. A site map will be sent to all who have signed up. Due to the state of the economy...1/4 sheet paintings(or smaller) are encouraged in order to make the work accessible to all. You can certainly submit more than one piece.

Feel free to forward this information to anyone you think might be interested in joining us. I encourage you to email the blog link, VWS Shows online, to your collectors, friends and family and anyone who might want a chance to bid on a beautiful watercolor of Lake Champlain. You will receive some small business sized cards the morning of the event with the blog address to hand to interested patrons.

Hope to see hear from you soon!

Annelein


DragonheartDRAGONHEART VERMONT

We are Dragonheart Vermont and we are proud to introduce Vermonters to the paddling sport of dragon boating. Even prouder are we to be a team of breast cancer survivors. The diagnosis of breast cancer has brought us together. We have created a treasured sisterhoodto provide support and encouragement to others.

Dragonheart Vermont offers an active, health-giving, life-affirming option for breast cancer survivors. We are a support group where the focus is on living, rather than on the disease. We are paddling our way to recovery.

We are sisters at heart,
joined in the race to
end breast cancer
... at last

NEW SIGNATURE MEMBERS
Congratulations to our 2009 new Signature Members


Bea Jillette - Goshen, NH
Catharine Stockbridge, Brattleboro, VT
Cheryl Johnson, Campton, NH
Grace Ellis, Lebanon, NH
Louisa Pfaelzer, Morrisville, VT
Lyn DuMoulin, Brandon, VT
Nancy Ball, Weston, VT
Terry Hodgdon, Montpelier, VT
Valerie Johnson, Londonderry, VT


MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Watercolor Classes at Compton ART in Woodstock, Vermont
Take 'a class at a time' with Annette Compton, MFA, this summer. Weekly space is
available in either

GARDENS OF WOODSTOCK: Watercolor and Pen & Ink or COLOR
AND COMPOSTION. The Gardens class meets on Wednesdays from 2 PM to 5 PM in various gorgeous gardens in the Woodstock area and the Color and Composition class meets on Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 PM. Bring your own materials and pay $45 for any three hour session, though advance reservations are necessary.


Call ahead to reserve your spot (802) 457-2020 or email Annette. Go online for an update of what's going on each week in either class at www.comptonart.net under INSTRUCTION.

Oil painters are also welcome to join the OIL ON LOCATION on Thursdays from 10 AM to 1 PM. Classes will be running through August 21, 2009.


OUR SPONSOR
The Landgrove Inn and the InView Center for the Arts


Email: vtinn@sover.net or go to: www.landgroveinn.com
for more information about this all in one, all media, lodging, dining, work and fun space in which to create, to exhibit, and to learn.
Contact Information

Diane Bell
Director of Communications
dgbell_adelphia1@comcast.net


Vermont Watercolor Society | 11 maple hill road | WESTON | VT | 05161

Friday, June 19, 2009

vwsplash logo

Quarterly Newsletter
June 2009


President's Message
Connectedness
What does connectedness mean? According to Merriam-Webster, it means joined or linked together, or having a social, professional, or commercial relationship. To me, it is the feeling for being part of something larger than oneself, such as being a member of the Vermont Watercolor Society. Feeling connected is a vital nutrient to a healthy life and certainly a necessary ingredient for the soul.

I have been reminded lately how grand it is to be connected and how inadequate I am at times in making connections. I wonder if you feel that way, too. Do you take the time to reach out to others just to say hi or to create an environment where you can meet someone new or get to know someone better?

As you will read, one of our members, Claude Janeway, passed away recently. She had been a member for five years and I never knew her. It saddened me to think that I never took the opportunity to know this person. I wondered why I didn't. Was I too busy? Didn't I care? I honestly don't know, but her passing has made me more aware of the importance of taking the opportunity to connect when it comes my way.

On the other hand, I did take the opportunity to learn much more about one of our members, Kate More. I had the good fortune to interview Kate for the member profile that Sheryl Trainer then wrote for this edition of our newsletter. I had met Kate and seen her at most of our VWS meetings. I saw Kate as a somewhat reserved individual who was an active signature member of the VWS since 2006. But that is all I knew. As you will read, there is so much more to Kate. I am sure you will agree that she is a true inspiration.

And just this past week I participated in Judi Wagner's inspirational workshop at the Landgrove Inn with a bunch of wonderful women, all watercolorists living within a 30-mile radius of me, most of whom I had never met. I found myself asking, "How could this be, how could these women live so close to me with similar interests and I don't know them?"

I don't know about you, but I certainly feel I have gotten a wake-up call. I am going to reach out more, get to know our members better, and take the opportunities that come my way to engage with others and share common interests.

I have taken a few moments to list some ideas of how we can meet and connect with fellow artists we may not know who are also VWS members:
1. Attend our annual meetings, spring and fall, or just come to one of them. Sit at a table with strangers. Offer to check people in and match names to faces. Carpool with neighboring folks--it is the green thing to do in the Green Mountain State!
2. Submit work and participate in the exhibits. Attend the opening receptions even if your work is not being shown. Introduce yourself to people you don't know. Ask them to show their painting and begin a discussion around it. Work toward obtaining a signature member status and join the 46% of our membership who have done so.
3. Join a committee or the board of directors or volunteer for a one-time event. Working with others with a common interest and goal is a great way to connect with fellow members.

I am sure that you can think of lots of other ways to connect.

Connectedly yours,
Jan Olmstead
VWS Spring Meeting Recap
annelein, sheryl and others
On April 26th 53 members attended the VWS Spring Meeting held at the Quechee club in Quechee, Vemont. Over all, the meeting received very high marks (4.6 out of 5.0) based on the results of the meeting evaluation. It was a beautiful day, the facility was spacious and easy to get to and most walked away feeling proud to be part of a growing and active organization like ours.

The keynote speaker Susan Abbott talked about her journey as an artist and delighted the audience with her sense of humor and her slide show. The business meeting was held to 45 minutes and member Bob Sydorowich concluded the meeting with a wonderful demonstrationdemo. The vendor, The Drawing Board had lots of art supplies for sale and everyone walked away with a goodie bag filled with samples, coupons and more that Annelein put together from her other other life working with Boutilliers.

Artist's Profile - Kate More, Sharon, VT
profile photo
Kate More grew up in Milton, Massachusetts and has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She initially focused on cartooning, as her mother had done in her youth. Kate thought that she would perhaps become an illustrator or cartoonist and refers to an early correspondence course as "the best training I ever had," but she also took classes at the Art Students League in New York, the Museum School in Boston, and the Skowhegan School of Sculpture and Painting. As an undergraduate at Vassar College, she majored in art history but discovered that, "I didn't want to be an art historian! I wanted to be an artist!"

Kate's dream of being a fine artist was put on hold when she decided to move back to the Boston area shortly after graduation. She taught English at Milton Academy until she married and began raising a family. When the children were all in school, she enrolled at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis where she trained and saw patients becoming Assistant to the Director for two years. In 1991, Kate moved to the family vacation home in Vermont. It wasn't long before she was able to retire from psychoanalysis and dedicate her free time to the study of painting. Oil painting was Kate's first love, and after moving to Sharon, Vermont, she started taking classes at AVA Gallery and Art Center in Lebanon, NH. She says that she prefers oil painting because, "I can correct my mistakes and make changes. I'm more experienced in oil painting, and it seems to match my temperament best."

More recently, Kate began painting in watercolor taking classes with Woodstock artist and former VWS president Annette Compton. She cites watercolor's portability, "especially on trips abroad" as her primary reason for trying this challenging medium. After coming to appreciate watercolor, Kate joined the Vermont Watercolor Society to "get opportunities to exhibit, to meet other artists, and be part of the art scene" in Vermont. Through the VWS, she has exhibited her work in many of the juried shows and has earned her signature membership. She has also pursued further education in watercolor painting internationally, and has taken workshops in Tuscany, Holland, and studied in Greece this May. She also participated in five residencies at the Vermont Studio Center working in both watercolor and oil.

It has taken a lifetime to get there, but Kate is living the life she dreamed of as a teenager. She says, "Making art-painting-is my life! In childhood I loved making pictures and felt that art was my destiny, even though I didn't have good materials or training. Art is a powerful means of communicating. It stimulates ideas, enriches mind and spirit." As she set off on another painting trip this spring, it seems that Kate More's life is very rich indeed.
News about Gruppe
gruppe gallery of fine art
Sandra Ershow, Nancy Stone, Lisa Beach and Theresa Somerset worked very hard checking in the submissions for the Gruppe exhibit. Thank you all very much. We couldn't have done it without you.
teresa and sandra
Pictured are Theresa and Sandra
Thirty-one out of 48 entries were accepted. The jurors were Dianne Shullenberger, a layered fabric collage and color pencil artist from Jericho, Vermont and Marilyn James, a watersoluble oils artist from Essex Junction, Vermont.
The show in Jericho will run through June 28, 2009.
The Grafton Exhibition at the Hunter Gallery of Fine Arts, Grafton, July 1 - August 2
Our first awards exhibition is just around the corner with $750 in cash awards and three merchandise awards. Please join us for the Opening reception on July 4th from 6-8 pm when the winners will be announced.

Fall Exhibition at SVAC

Keep in mind our annual Southern Vermont Art Center JURIED exhibit from Oct. 31 to Dec.1, 2009. A perspectus will be mailed to the membership in August.
Member News
Lyn DuMoulin's, September Heat was chosen by juror Pat Walker to represent the VWS postcard for the Grafton Show.
Lois Macuga of Quechee was accepted into the Academic Artists Show in Springfield, MA which is a national show.
Diane Bell of Weston was chosen to paint at Basin Harbor and then participate in their exhibit of plein air paintings of the area in August.
In Memorium
Claude Janeway
VWS member Claude Janeway died after a sudden illness on Saturday, May 23, 2009. She was born in Solesmes, France and grew up in Liege, Belgium, and retained her lovely French accent, of which she was very proud, throughout her life. In the early 1950's, she moved with her family to New York City and enrolled in Barnard College where she earned a Bachelors of Arts degree. She later earned a PhD in biochemistry at Tufts University and over the course of her career conducted biochemistry research at universities throughout New England including Southern Massachusetts University, University of Rhode Island, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Boston College, and the University of Vermont.

Claude was an active and vibrant individual, and had been mountain biking with friends only a few days before her death. She had ascended all 46 Adirondack peaks over 4,000 feet and was an advisory board member of the Adirondack Trail Improvement Society. She was also a core member of the Ottaquechee Section of the Green Mountain Club. In her "retirement" Claude continued to teach French on a substitute basis, and participated in the Institute for Lifelong Education and Dartmouth (ILEAD). This spring she traveled to Egypt with ILEAD. She enjoyed painting in watercolor and studied painting with former VWS president Annette Compton and at the AVA Gallery and Art Center in Lebanon, NH. She had taken several watercolor workshops in the Adirondacks, Italy, France, and Nevis and had exhibited her work with VWS and at AVA. She is survived by her husband Ed of 45 years and their two daughters Annie and Margaret.

Five VWS Members Attend
Workshop at the Landgrove Inn
jwagner's yellow house This was Judi Wagner's second workshop at the Landgrove Inn in two years. Five VWS members attended and all agreed that Judi is one of the best watercolor teachers around. Judi loves doing workshops; she shares her experience and her vast body of work. She demos each day, reinforcing the eight points of a good painting: shape, balance, value, alternation, gradation, depth, dominance and focal point. And she encourages all the students to "stay in the process and out of the results; then you're learning color, placement, balance and all the rest."

Deb Lyneis said, "Her loosey goosey style is wonderful; She is very organized and has a definite lesson planned each day.

Sally added, Judi is "a really good teacher and covered whatever we wanted. She's good with all levels (of painter). Students made a list of their learning concerns and Judi tried to include everyone's requests."

Judi loves the variety that the Vermont landscape offers. The foliage, the mountain views, the ever-changing weather conditions just add to the mood. She said that the Landgrove Inn "is one of the best facilities I've ever taught in." InView has the space, perfect light, it's fully equipped, and the innkeepers Tom and Maureen are the sweetest and the most accommodating people she has ever dealt with. "Their all-in-one lodging, dining and fun space in which to create, exhibit and learn is a win-win for everyone."

Judi teaches in East Booth Bay, Maine in the summer and in Florida in the winter. Go to the web for her schedule:www.judiwagner.com or email her at judiwagner@worldnet.att.net.
Two Member Donations
We are very grateful for two recently received donations that will go towards the revision of our website. Marijke Westberg of Londonderry directed a donation of $100 from one of her client-friends and Bruce Wilkie of Bermuda gave $100 to the Society. Thank you both very much for your generosity.
Other Exhibits and Workshops
Exhibition at Grafton 2009, a select juried art show of more than 50 original works by professional artists from the East Coast, will be held in Grafton, Vermont from August 30 through September 10, 2009.Go to the perspectus at: http://gnsgrafton.com/exhibition_at_grafton1.htm for the show details and the call to artists.

Annelein Beukenkamp, VWS signature member and a member of the VWS Board of Directors is a new instructor at the 13th Annual Vermont Art Event in Colchester from July 28 - August 1. Call 1-888-HOLBEIN for information and a class schedule.

Rob O'Brien, signature member and also a VWS board member is teaching at the InView Center for the Arts at the Landgrove Inn from September 8 - 10. Go to Rob's website for details

A Landgrove Inn workshop featuring portrait artist Paul Leveille is scheduled at the InView Center for the Arts at the Landgrove Inn from October 27 through the 29th. Contact The Landgrove Inn to register. Remember, VWS members get a 10-20% discount.

New Painting Group in the East Region

A group of VWS members and other artists are meeting at the Bartonsville Grange off Route 103 south of Chester on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 12 noon. Come and paint, have fun and stay for the critique. All levels are welcome! Call Marlene Kramer for more details at 802 722-3378.
artful things
Artful Things in Lebanon Offers:

Prints on 4 substrates with archival inks on Somerset Velvet watercolor paper, glossy or matte canvas, and premium photo luster
Scans of your digital images or photographs with perfect accuracy
Reproduction with stunning detail
Photo restoration
Custom framing services and
Exhibition opportunities
in our gallery.
Visit: www.artful-things.net or call 603 448-5100.


Happy painting and we look forward to seeing you at one or more of the Openings this summer and fall.
Cordially,
Diane Bell
Director of Communications
Vermont Watercolor Society