Newsletter Creating and Supporting the Visual Arts in Loudoun County, Virginia since 1944 LSC Newsletter Online: www.LoudounSketchClub.com – Featured Artist – Sheep IV by Simon Bland, 11” x 14”, oil on linen © 2014 The Marvelous Zeynep Baki by Gale Waldron Those of us fortunate enough to know Zeynep Baki marvel at this woman in constant motion. In between her many roles at the family home and winery business, in her magnificent gardens, promoting the local arts, traveling with husband Bora and supporting a growing family, Zeynep is a woman who understands the meaning of a full day’s work. Zeynep was born in Bursa, Turkey and One Tuesday Morning, 14” x 18”, oil on canvas later moved to Izmir. Her forays into art were enhanced by private drawing lessons from her mentor, Cevat Sakir, a renowned artist, philosopher, and scholar who taught Zeynep about drawing – and life. She had planned to attend the Fine Art Academy in Istanbul, but chose to stay home with the family when her father became ill. She fell in love with Bora Baki, a young businessman, and married him in 1968. Political instability in their homeland prompted the Bakis to move to the US in 1979 where they settled in Falls Church. The mother of two young boys – Tolga and Kerem - Zeynep managed to find some time to attend The George Washington University where she studied art with Frank Wright. She also discovered the Art League in Alexandria, where she took oil painting classes with Diane Tesler, Mike Francis and Michael DePompa, among others. Zeynep paints with pastels and oils, but especially enjoys the freedom she feels with oils. She looks at a landscape and sees shapes. “I like to work with shapes, and if those shapes talk to me, then I move ahead with a painting.” She then adds, “I don’t always go by the rules, and I like to express myself with color.” She recalls DePompa instructing her to tone down her colors, “but I could not. This is me!” she exclaims. It was 2002 when the Bakis moved to Hillsboro and began their venture into wine. Kerem, a biochemist who had studied winemaking, took on production while Bora ran the business. They completely renovated the barn, graded the property for planting, and fully January/February 2015 transformed the property into one of Loudoun’s most scenic wineries overlooking the Loudoun Valley. There was a time when Zeynep painted for several hours a day in her studio, the old music room in her historic home. But her growing responsibilities at the winery – the abundant gardens, private events and her many special touches throughout the property – all in addition to her continuous support Zeynep Baki of her family – have whittled into that time, so the outdoor sessions provide an important venue for her art. Although she is not painting as much as she would like, she is heavily involved with several art events, including the annual Sketch Club exhibit in November. She puts these exhibits together Red Barn at Rock Hill, 12” x 16”, oil on canvas. with special care, noting that she has known some of these artists for many years and has enjoyed watching them improve and grow. With a newly built home in Maine and plans to live there half the year, Zeynep has already met art friends in her community and is looking forward to painting the Maine landscape. She’ll be back to Loudoun in the fall, however, for the annual wine harvest. “It is the highlight of the year!” she says with a smile! Yellow Wood, 9” x 12”, oil on canvas Mary Champion, Membership Chair PO Box 1683 Leesburg, VA 20177 Loudoun Sketch Club Stamp A Letter from the President Dear Sketch Club Members, It was so nice to see so many of you and your works at the 10th Annual LSC Art Show at Hillsborough Vineyards in November. Congratulations to all the winners! Cathy Wilkin must have had a hard time choosing winners from all the beautiful entries this year. I’ve said it before, I’m constantly amazed at the talent and enthusiasm of this group. I want to thank Zeynep for the incredible job she’s done making this show beautiful and successful for TEN consecutive years! It will be Lori Goll hard, if not impossible, to find a comparable venue for future shows. And a big THANK YOU to Jean Ann and Ralph Feneis for hosting the Holiday party at beautiful Mount Harmony Farm. The sun came out for us, the home and barn were adorned with greenery and lights, the food was delicious, the music was festive, and the handmade cards were so special. It was truly a feel-good afternoon. By the time this newsletter comes out, the holidays will be over. I don’t know about you, but my goal is to hunker down in my studio for a couple of months, get into a painting groove (perhaps some still lifes?) and look forward to our winter workshops. Until then, keep painting! Warm regards, –Lori Goll, President Membership Update Since the last newsletter went to press, members continue to renew and our membership is now at 166 with 10 on a wait list. If you've been reading your newsletters you are aware that the Sketch Club has temporarily suspended new memberships, allowing only those who were members last year to rejoin. Past members who have been off the rolls and who wish to rejoin will be placed on the wait list. –Mary Champion, Membership Chair and Feature Writer Overcrowding Committee Report On December 8, 2014 members of the Loudoun Sketch Club Overcrowding Committee met to discuss concerns and solutions pertaining to the recent growth of the sketch club and the issue of overcrowding at Plein Air venues. Those on the committee that were available to attend were Vivian Attermeyer, Pat Roth, Donna Robinson, Bethany Widom, Crystal Jordan and Rose McIntyre. During the meeting all previously received suggestions from Loudoun Sketch Club members were reviewed, considered, and discussed. While potential solutions were explored, the committee noted the importance of acknowledging that to date, there has been no actual problem(s) reported connected to current club size and anticipated concerns pertaining to overcrowding issues ie, that of no parking, complaint by venue owners, or plumbing issues due to overuse and drought. With this in mind the committee noted the following goals: “keep things simple”, recognizing that we are a volunteer based organization, “work to preempt the above mentioned potential problems”, and most importantly, “protect the serenity, peace, accessibility and flexibility” that currently exists when attending plein air paint outs. (Continued on Member News Page) Loudoun Sketch Club Volunteers Officers President Lori Goll 571-251-9659 [email protected] Vice-President Patrick Roth 703-250-0641 [email protected] Secretary Crystal Jordan 703-729-1046 [email protected] Treasurer Steve Huelsman 703-777-8725 Historian Pam De Peña 703-421-0218 [email protected] Membership Mary Champion [email protected] E-mail Concierge Margaret Huddy 703-356-2363 [email protected] Newsletter Newsletter Desk/ Compilation and Design Dana Thompson 540-454-1989 [email protected] Feature Writers Gale Waldron 703-771-0127 Mary Champion [email protected] also thanks to Patrick Roth, Linda Hendrickson and Zeynep Baki Outdoor Sessions Committee Mary MacDonnell Jessica Wilson Becky Tighe Lee Kincaid 540-554-8181 301-642-6995 540-668-6447 540-554-2640 Show Committee Cheryl Cochran 703-723-1737 [email protected] Zeynep Baki 540-668-7787 Indoor Sessions and Workshop Committee Lorrie Herman 703-906-5815 Remington Restivo 703-443-0814 Patrick Roth 703-250-0641 Webmaster Dana Thompson 540-454-1989 ––––––––––––––– Would you like to help? Do you have a suggestion? Let us know. Member News Lillian Miller was thrilled, it was an emotional moment when she took her oath to the American Flag at the courthouse in Alexandria on September 10, 2014. The judge was very diplomatic and charismatic. Einstein became an American citizen, so did Bob Hope and Irving Berlin he told them. He shook each of their hands, 75 immigrants, and spoke to them in their native tongues, when he American Citizen Lillian Miller knew the language. “This is the most important day of your lives,” he said. Lillian is so proud to be part of this wonderful country. Now she’s an American artist instead of a Brazilian one. In addition, Lillian sold her painting of Aldie Mill Wheels to a couple that got married at Aldie Mill and wanted to have a painting that would have them remember their special occasion. Aldie Mill Wheels by Lillian Miller Overcrowding Committee Report continued (From Page 2) With the before-mentioned in mind, the Loudoun Sketch Club Committee wants to present to the board the following suggestions for review, consideration, and implementation: 1) Work towards reducing the size of the club to 130 members. Currently there is a cap on new members, and a waiting list has been established. The belief is that through natural attrition, membership will reduce. Currently we have no deadline and are very lenient regarding the payment of dues. We suggest that we change this and limit our grace period to that of 30 days. Currently membership dues are to be received by September 1. We suggest that members be informed that if dues are not paid in full by September 30 of each year, that their membership will be terminated, and they will no longer be in good standing. Dues reminders will be sent out August 1, and September 1 via email. This information will also be noted in the newsletter. Members who fail to pay by the deadline will be dropped from membership and must get in line on the waiting list to rejoin. Even though we are working on membership reduction, we still believe that the club should allow minimally 10 new members each year, this is regardless of current club size. We believe that new people bring creativity, and energy that is beneficial to the ongoing life of the club. Also new members are often active regarding volunteering. We do not believe that increasing dues will reduce membership size, and think that if dues are increased at all, it should be no more than $10 per year, increasing it from that of $20 to $30 annually. 2) We want to STRONGLY ENCOURAGE the use of carpooling whenever possible, especially at small plein air venues. We can encourage carpooling by stating it in the weekly plein air email as well as in the newsletter, facebook, and on the roster that is distributed at the Spring meeting. We also suggest that carpool sites be identified, however, we leave the coordination to the members. 3) We have had two people step up and indicate willingness to coordinate large venue sites utilizing State Parks in the Eastern and Western Loudoun areas. We suggest that we encourage them to take the lead on this, and hopefully by next year we will have two weekly venues available for members both, large and small, which in itself, will help with the potential concern of overcrowding. 4) Should there be any drought conditions, members will be notified of them in the weekly email, where they will be encouraged to be mindful of the weather conditions, and to take care of their personal needs prior and or off site. The committee was clear that we do not recommend or want plein air sign ups, allowing for membership plein air flexibility. We agree that there should not be any additional charges for plein air painting, and that there should be no division of group A or B. We also do not believe that there should be any limiting of membership to Loudoun only residents. We believe that through implementing the above ideas, natural attrition, carpooling, 30 day grace period pertaining to the membership due date, and the introduction of alternate larger plein air venue sites, that the goals of the club can be maintained. We respectfully submit this to the Board and are available to answer any questions you may have. –Rose McIntyre, Overcrowding Committee Co-ordinator Oil Painting with Qiang Huang in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico February 8 - 11, 2015 Join Qiang Huang (pronounced: Chong Wong), for a 4-day oil painting workshop in historic San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Learn his tried-and-true, five-step process while focusing both on still life and plein air painting in scenic locations in and around San Miguel de Allende. Spaces are very limited. If you are interested in finding out about lodging and more or in reserving your place in this workshop, please contact Jean Ann Feneis at [email protected] before it sells out. Call For Entries Black & White Exhibit Franklin Park Arts Center Regional artists and craftspeople are invited to participate in Black & White, a juried exhibit featuring creative works done in black and white in your choice of media and materials (shades of gray are acceptable.) Black & White will be on display in the Gallery at Franklin Park Arts Center from January 10 – February 9, 2015. A cash prize of $100 will be awarded for Best in Show and a certificate for free entry in the next Franklin Park Arts Center show will be given to the Friends Choice winner. Artwork may be submitted to Franklin Park Arts Center on January 5 – 7, 2015. For Submission Requirements see: www.franklinparkartscenter.org/black-and-white/. The public will be invited to join in the exhibit by drawing graffiti or a cartoon in white chalk on a black chalkboard, displayed throughout the exhibition period. A public reception for participating artists will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 3 to 5 pm. Franklin Park Arts Center is located at 36447 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville, VA 20132. For more information see www.franklinparkartscenter.org or call 540-338-7973. Black & White is sponsored by Friends of Franklin Park Arts Center, a non-profit advisory board dedicated to the success of the Arts Center. 2015 Plein Air Competition Events in Our Region There are a number of plein air competition events occurring near, or relatively near, Loudoun during 2015. They can be a lot of fun, and educational, either as a juried participant, “paint out quick draw” participant where you can sell your painting, attending free demonstrations, or just as a spectator. Some even have a nocturnal paint out. If you want to apply to be a juried artist, many of these events have early 2015 deadlines. Here is a list: Virginia Art Guild of Clifton Plein Air Festival. Clifton VA. May 15-17. All juried show. Submit works. Cash prizes. Website: www.artguildofclifton.org Falls Church 7th Annual “Scenes in the City” Plein Air Exhibition. Falls Church VA. All juried show. Painting dates for last years event were April 26-June 20. 2015 TBA. Enter up to four paintings to the show. Website: www.fallschurcharts.org Plein Air Richmond. Richmond VA. June 21-28. All juried artists. Thirty five artists will be juried. $10,000 in awards. Website: www.pleinairrichmond.com Maryland Plein Air Easton. Easton MD. July 11-19. Maybe the biggest of them all. Juried artists and open to all artists Quick Draw, Demonstrations. Website: pleinaireaston.com Easels in Frederick. Frederick MD. June 15-20. Juried artists. Open to all artists Quick Draw. Total of $16,000 in prizes. Website: www.easelsinfrederick.org Paint Annapolis. Annapolis MD. June 8-14. Website: www.mdfedart.org juried artists, open to all artists quick draw, nocturne. $10,000 in prize money. Painting Seascapes The Winter Workshop schedule is now finalized and you can sign up for the workshops now. Please note that there are different coordinators for the workshops. Reservations for individual workshops should be made with them. Workshops will be conducted at the Hillsborough Winery from 10am until 2pm. The Winery address is 36716 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville, VA. It’s located on Rt. 9 (Charles Town Pike) just west of Hillsboro on the right. The schedule is as follows: April 21, 2015 Lori Goll will lead this workshop. Lori is known for her seascapes and invites us to come and get ready for that vacation at the beach. Pat Roth will also coordinate Seascape by Lori Goll, pastel ©2014 this workshop. Please let him know if you plan to attend at [email protected] or phone 703-250-0641. Choosing the Materials That Best Support Your Work January 27, 2015 Paint it! Ellicott City Juried Plein Air Paint-Out and Exhibition. Ellicott MD. July 9-13. Juried artists. Open to all artists paint-out. and more. Website: www.hocarts.org/exhibits.php Mountain Maryland Plein Air. Cumberland MD. June 2June 7. Juried artists, open to all artists quick draw. Website: www.alleganyartscouncil.org Solomons Plein Air Festival. Solomons MD. September 15-20. Last year they had juried artists, an open-to-allartists quick draw, a nocturnal quick draw, and a special “paint the town” for a cause event. $10,000 in awards. Website: www.solomonspleinair.com Artists Paint O.C. Ocean City. August 7-9. More information at www.artleagueofoceancity.org $2,325 in awards. Jessica Wilson will present this workshop as part of the Dedicated Workshop Program sponsored by Gamblin Colors. Although it is geared toward oil painters everyone is welcome. Remington Restivo will coordinate this workshop. Please let Remington know if you plan to attend at [email protected] Topics to be covered include: • Personalizing your palette to capture color of light, express ideas or capture mood or feeling. • Choosing your medium for the painting conditions you are working in, or in services to effects you want to create. • Studio safety Southern Pennsylvania Capturing Light Gettysburg Fest. Gettysburg, PA. June TBA. Juried artists. Open-to-all-artists quick draw in 2014 included $500 first prize, $220 second, $100 third. Plein Air Camp Hill. Camp Hill PA (near Harrisburg). May 27-May 31 Juried artists and open-to-all-artists quick draw. $3,750 in awards in 2014. Call to painters will be issued January 9. Website: www.pleinaircamphill.org ~ List compiled by Patrick Roth LSC Spring 2015 Show at ArtSpace in Herndon As you know, we have a group show at ArtSpace Herndon in April entitled Behind the Scenes with Loudoun Sketch Club. This show will comprise your favorite paintings and drawings depicting private farms and properties that we have been fortunate enough to visit over the years, especially those which aren’t otherwise open to the public. The show will be held at Ar tSpace, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA 20170 from April 7 - May 3, 2015. The artists’ reception will be Saturday, April 11 from 7 - 9 pm. If you have (or can get soon) images of your work that you plan to enter into this show, send them to Lori Goll ([email protected]) and Lorrie Herman ([email protected]) now. ArtSpace Herndon needs images to submit to the Washington Post for publicity for the show, by the first week of January. Stay tuned for more information coming in the next few weeks regarding this show. We’re looking forward to seeing your work! Margaret Huddy will lead this workshop. Everyone who knows Margaret’s work knows how light filled her paintings are. This is a color workshop for those who work in watercolor and gouache, but the principles are universal and everyone is welHillsborough Wintery Spring by Margaret Huddy, acrylic, 9" x 12", 2011© come. Lorrie Herman will coordinate the workshop. Please let Lorrie know if you plan to attend. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Pet Portraits March 24, 2015 Workshops can accommodate 25 painters. Reservation is on a first come, first served basis, with the exception of the March “Pet Portraits” workshop where we will give priority to club members who couldn’t be accommodated last year. Workshop coordinators will maintain a standby list should reservations exceed 25. Cancellation policy will be in accordance with the Loudoun County schools closure policy. If a workshop is cancelled because of weather, we will try to reschedule it the following Tuesday. Armchair Art Expeditions Libby Stevens discovered the multi-faceted website of artist Dianne Mize. She has a blog and a website, and offers tips and exercises for painters who wish to improve their skills. She uses photos of her works in progress to convey her thought process while she works to finish a painting that “pops.” This February she will debut short video tutorials for creating stronger paintings. diannemizestudio.com (website) and diannemize.com (for upcoming tutorials) February 17, 2015 Hudson by Simon Bland Artistic Opportunities 2015 Winter Workshop Lineup Late Afternoon October by Dianne Mize, pastel, 2014 View from Sky Meadows by Mary Championl Simon Bland will repeat last years popular workshop. Pat Roth will be the coordinator for this workshop. Please let Pat know if you plan to attend at [email protected] or phone 703-250-0641. Note: We will give priority to members who were turned away because last years workshop was full. If you are one of these few and want to reserve a spot this year let Pat know when you make your reservation. You must let Pat know by March 1 if you are in this category. Webdesignschoolsguide.com/library/50-best-blogsfor-watercolor-artists/ lists four categories of blogs: Demonstrations, Watercolor Artists, Art Business tips (for all artists) and Art News and Reviews. Clicking on some of the sites leads you to another index site with more options than you could explore in a year. The artist's blogs with watercolor demonstrations might be your best bet, but explore away! Being half Czech, I just had to visit Prague, and during a museum visit discovered the work of painter Jakub Schikaneder. Back home, I googled him, and found numerous YouTube videos of his atmospheric, moody paintings set to music. Enter the search term "Jakub Schikaneder videos with music" and enter a storybook world. –Mary Champion More Artistic Opportunities LSC Virginia Land Trust Show 2016 Start saving some of your paintings from the Virginia Land Trust properties for a show that we will be having in 2016. Properties from this year are: Talbot Farm, Waterford East Lynn Farm, Bluemont Dresden Farm, Middleburg Copeland Farm, Purcellville Silver Brook Farm, Hillsboro Woodgrove Farm, Round Hill Weather Lea Farm and Vineyard, Lovettsville More properties will be coming this year. The Ashburn Library I received a call from Lorraine Moffa at the Ashburn Library. In the entryway of this well-visited library is a large locked display case with glass doors which houses exhibits of interest to the community. Lorraine would like to feature local artists' work for monthly exhibits. She would welcome small paintings or any 2-dimensional work, as well as jewelry, pottery, sculpture, etc. Your works may be for sale and have price tags visible. The case is approximately 5 feet high by 5 feet wide, with wood-paneled glass doors and adjustable and removable shelves, up to 8 shelves approximately 2 feet wide. The visibility is partially blocked by the four wood-paneled doors. The cabinet is approximately 11 inches deep. Please contact Lorraine at [email protected] if you are interested in showing your work there. - Lori Goll Purcellville Train Station There’s a great opportunity to show your art at Purcellville Train Station. The Town of Purcellville will be holding town celebrations with wine tasting and an art show every weekend this summer. They are looking for artists (or possibly a small group of artists) to hang their work in the Train Station (next to Magnolias). The artist should be present as much of the weekend as possible, to answer questions and perhaps provide demonstrations. Betty Wiley has participated in the “pilot” program for this new event. If you are interested in this opportunity, there is more information and an artist interest form at the following links: http://purcellvilleva.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2522 or www.purcellvilleva.gov/FormCenter/Parks-and-RecForms-2/Artist-Interest-Form-34 Call For Artists! Arts in the Village Gallery Arts in the Village Gallery is a program of the Loudoun Arts Council and is in The Village at Leesburg (behind Wegmans). This is a co-op gallery that will be celebrating its second-year anniversary in September. Openings for 2-D and 3-D fine artists and craftspeople are still available for the gallery to reach its full complement of exhibitors. Details and jury application forms can be found at www.LoudounArts.org. Call For Artists! Gateway Gallery The Gateway Gallery is currently accepting applications for new member-artists. We are especially interested in 2D artwork as well as fiber. However, we are open to an array of mediums. Surprise us! We are located on Route 7 just west of Round Hill, in the Hill High Orchard Building, which we share with the Round Hill Arts Center, the Bogati Bodega wine & tapas tasting room, and the Barefoot Weavers Studio. Members serve on committees to manage the Gallery, work three halfday shifts a month, pay $40/month dues and contribute 20% of monthly sales toward gallery expenses. We are a fun group and are looking forward to hearing from you! If you are interested or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Loudoun Sketch Club’s 9th Annual Fall Show and Sale at Hillsborough Vineyards 2014 Awards: 1st Pastels - Karen Mazza, Walking Through It 2nd Pastels - Libby Stevens, Sunset Barn 3rd Pastels - Rachel Estrada, A Day’s End 1st Oil or Acrylic - Simon Bland, Morning Light 2nd Oil or Acrylic - Joan Wood, The Time Between 3rd Oil or Acrylic - Aledra Hollenbach, Rock Farm 1st Watercolor - Denise Pierce, Maine Work Boats 2nd Watercolor - Jean Ann Feneis, Yellow Field 3rd Watercolor - Paul Gesswein, Smoker 1st Photography - Robert Pierce, Window 2nd Photography - Susan Breen, Grist Mill 3rd Photography - Barbara Sample, Bon Bons 1st Mixed - Mokhtar Youssef, By the Lake 2nd Mixed - Linda Bowman, The Night Watch 3rd Mixed - Brenda Market, Through the Woods Drawing Award - Steven J. Huelsman, Lighthouse at Halifax Artists Who Have Sold Work To Date: Ute Gill, Rebecca Tighe, Libby Stevens, Zeynep Baki, Robbyn Holmes, Whit Williams, Cynthia McGrannahan, Paul Gesswein, Lori Goll and Mary Champion have each sold one piece. Simon Bland has sold 4 paintings. _________________________ And...Don’t Forget to Pick Up Unsold Work After Monday, January 8, 2015 Dates and times to be announced through email. In the Field With over 150 members, many with decades of experience painting outside, we should be able to tell many stories about those experiences. Please consider sharing your story with your fellow members. Email Mary Champion at [email protected]. You can even email me with your phone number and a good time to call and I will let you tell me your story and I will write it up for you! Here is a contribution from Elly Friedman: The Green Dog Once upon a time a couple of years ago in land called Hastening Farm. There lived a little black and white friendly dog who loved nothing better than follow aspiring artists around and take a nap under their easels. One day, a visiting artist, fairly new at her craft was painting away on a canvas using the most staining of tube green colors called CADMIUM GREEN….. dum, dum, dum, dum…. Suddenly a big gust of wind blew the artist’s paint brush off of the easel. A great glob of the CADMIUM GREEN fell off of the brush on to grass! The little black and white dog thought, “Oh my, this is a delicious smell. I think I’ll roll in it!” The aspiring artist gasped at the horrible CADMIUM GREEN covering the back of the little formerly black and white dog. She frantically tried to wipe the horrid CADMIUM GREEN off of the little black and white dog. She first used paper towels, then, while no one was looking, she tried adding a little magic elixir called Gamsol to the paper towel. Disaster of disasters, the horrible CADMIUM GREEN spread even more over the little black and white dog. One of the aspiring artist’s friends, Princess Robbyn of Holmes, realized what was happening to the poor little dog and the frustration and utter desperation of the aspiring artist. She quickly mounted an attack on the horrid CADMIUM GREEN. Together they rubbed and rubbed and panicked and panicked and the only thing that happened was that the little black and white dog became greener and greener. Suddenly, a friendly stranger stopped by in her white conveyance as she was leaving the site and asked what was happening. Once the dire circumstance was explained, she said she might have in her bag of tricks a magic potion called “Goop”. Neither the aspiring artist nor Princess Robbyn knew of this magic potion, but were grateful to the stranger for her offer. By then quite a concerned crowd, some of them snickering, had gathered to watch the fate of the little black and white dog. As the Goop was rubbed in and the paper towels were applied, the horrid CADMIUM GREEN started to disappear from the back of the little black and white dog leaving behind a greasy residue. Suddenly the good mistress of the little black and white dog appeared. With fear the aspiring artist explained the circumstance. The generous, sweet good mistress of the little black and white dog pointed out how he was loving all of the attention and rubbing of his fur, and pronounced it one of the best days of his life in months. She gathered him into her arms and carried him away for a bath to remove the Goop residue. When he reappeared snowy white and ebony black, his mistress said he was cleaner than he had been in quite awhile even though he preferred to be CAMIUM GREEN than to have a bath. Epilog: The aspiring artist and Princess Robbyn did not know who the stranger with the magic potion was and do not know to this day. If you are reading this, kind stranger, thank you for the magic cure for CADMIUM GREEN. Sir Simon of Bland commented that he didn’t know which was worse: that the poor little dog was green or that the aspiring artist was using a tube green! Many Thanks Many thanks again this year to Cathy Wilkin for judging and critiquing all the work during Loudoun Sketch Club’s 9th Annual Fall Show and Sale at Hillsborough Winery. And also to Zeynep Baki for all the work you do putting it together to make it one of our most-successful shows during the year. -photos by: Bob Pierce, Patrick Roth and Lori Goll Favorite Places to Paint All of us have favorite places to paint. I’m happy to share some of mine. Yes, Turner Pond Except for the occasional fisherman, Turner Pond is a less visited part of Sky Meadows State Park. It has a picturesque pond, “Timberlake” an old farm house, superb views of Ashby Gap and the parks working farm, neat tree groupings, and both farm and fallow fields. In the fall there is an immense expanse of goldenrod. Overall, the pond is a great, quiet, place to paint with plenty to recommend it. I paint there a lot. There is a porta potty that is cleaned daily, and some shaded picnic tables. Large trees are also provide shade. A park parking fee of $4 on weekdays and $5 weekends is charged. Of course, this fee also allows you to park elsewhere in the park, perhaps a Bleak House farm with it’s fantastic views down the Crooked Creek Valley. I’d recommend lunch either on the porch of historic Locke Store in Millville just over the Ashby Gap (6 miles) or at the somewhat closer and equally historic Hunters Head Inn in Upperville. Directions: From route 50 turn left on route 17 South. Proceed about a mile to right turn (second right) at the Turner Pond sign. Painting Pointers I’ll Paint for You! Ever been afraid to say yes to a commission? My mentor, Tara Funk Grim, always encouraged me to say yes. She told me I would learn from every single painting....and I have. Right away I learned I couldn't take any money up front...it put too much pressure on me---totally stifling my creative progress. However, other parameters have been a must for delighted clients. Photo and watercolor of Working Farm by Patrick Roth White’s Ford Regional Park White’s Ford Regional Park is a relatively new Northern Virginia Regional Parks property along the Potomac River in northeast Loudoun County. I haven’t painted there yet but scouted it out after the Club paint out at Riverside on the Potomac. It’s worth checking out. White’s Ford has about a mile of river front with a number of View Looking North access points and good views from the river trail. Large views across wide fields ,in soybeans this year, with farm buildings in the distance are also available. For a closer up view, you could View Looking South also paint these farm buildings from the edge of the park property at the park entrance although it would be a hike. There is ample free parking but were no bathroom facilities as of October 2014. There is also canoe and kayak access to the river. Directions: Take route 15 north of Leesburg. Turn right onto State Rte 657 go 1.5 miles. Turn right onto State Rte 661 Go 1.0 mi then turn left onto State Rte 656, Hibler Road 1.2 mi to 43646 Hibler Rd Leesburg, VA 20176. There are signs. If you have some favorite places that you would like to share pass on your discoveries to Newsletter editor Dana Thompson, [email protected]. If you don’t want to write it up you can just send the basic facts on to me, [email protected] and I’ll write it up for you and pass it on to Dana. If you have photos of your place send them along too. ~Patrick Roth A Joyous Time at Mount Harmony Farm Many thanks to Jean Ann and Ralph Feneis for hosting such a beautiful LSC Christmas Party at their home this year. -photos by: Jay Pigeon and Lori Goll • What COLORS DON’T you like?...most people can tell you what they don't like faster than what they do like. • What SIZE do you want the painting to be and do you want it portrait, landscape or square? • Be ready with a PRICE LIST. My paintings are priced by size and extra critters or major elements add to the total. I take checks, cash and credit cards via the Square register. • Are you working toward an event DEADLINE --anniversary, birthday or holiday? Here more than any other detail adhere to the old adage to "under promise and over deliver!" • Get to know your SUBJECT...find out likes and dislikes, their favorite activities. The more information you gather, the more energy and connection will translate to the painting...even if it is a landscape! Do they have a particular picture of the subject they really love? Kick Start Creativity Through Play “All children are artists, the problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.” ~ Pablo Picasso I think the key to remain an artist is to engage in what children do---PLAY. My New Years resolution is to PLAY.... become a kid again! Join me in thinking and planning what each of these “play dates” might look like for you. • I plan to play alone and with other artists--- maybe use different media than "normal"...swap “toys” • to build---use mixed media or work 3d • to pretend---an assignment to paint a ceiling, design a candy machine or?? • to experiment using both small and large motor activity--work in a new size • play inside and out--snow sculptures, skiing By creating an oasis of time and space without judgement or interruption I think one will experience unique, inventive, creative solutions. What does your oasis look like? How much time can you set a boundary around...20 minutes per day,1 day per week? For me dedicated studio space is a room and daily 2-3 hours minimum is key. The freedom to experiment • Be certain to gather client name address, phone, and email....sounds basic....but there isn't anything more frustrating than finishing a project and not having several ways to contact the client. When you are ready for the big reveal I would encourage a face to face meeting. This is an opportunity to “sell” your work to a prequalifyed buyer. Begin with the painting covered or with the back of the piece to the client until you can concentrate on the client’s face. When you turn it around “read” the client’s face for reaction...tears of joy are wonderful, but you may see confusion or something else. Ask questions to get to the bottom of a negative response. If I have time, I often do two paintings so the client can make a choice. This relieves pressure for both of us and sometimes even doubles my income! Do not hand off the painting without collecting your reward for the work....also sounds simple but can be easier said than done. Tara’s pieces are often large so she tends to deliver to the client’s home and help with installation. Without Tara’s encouragement I would have missed meeting countless people and their pets, not seen incredible properties nor progressed to the level saying yes to three 60” x 60” paintings which are now hanging at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington DE. In short the growth curve is worth swallowing your fear and taking on new challenges. ~ Linda Hendrickson ....to “doodle start” in the extreme...to play with new materials and techniques..to investigate “what’s possible” and “what if?!” is bound to relax, refresh, inspire and lead to a happy creative productive artist! “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” ~ Scott Adams ~ Linda Hendrickson Phantom by Linda Hendrickson,12”x 12”, acrylic, 2014© Favorite Places to Paint All of us have favorite places to paint. I’m happy to share some of mine. Yes, Turner Pond Except for the occasional fisherman, Turner Pond is a less visited part of Sky Meadows State Park. It has a picturesque pond, “Timberlake” an old farm house, superb views of Ashby Gap and the parks working farm, neat tree groupings, and both farm and fallow fields. In the fall there is an immense expanse of goldenrod. Overall, the pond is a great, quiet, place to paint with plenty to recommend it. I paint there a lot. There is a porta potty that is cleaned daily, and some shaded picnic tables. Large trees are also provide shade. A park parking fee of $4 on weekdays and $5 weekends is charged. Of course, this fee also allows you to park elsewhere in the park, perhaps a Bleak House farm with it’s fantastic views down the Crooked Creek Valley. I’d recommend lunch either on the porch of historic Locke Store in Millville just over the Ashby Gap (6 miles) or at the somewhat closer and equally historic Hunters Head Inn in Upperville. Directions: From route 50 turn left on route 17 South. Proceed about a mile to right turn (second right) at the Turner Pond sign. Painting Pointers I’ll Paint for You! Ever been afraid to say yes to a commission? My mentor, Tara Funk Grim, always encouraged me to say yes. She told me I would learn from every single painting....and I have. Right away I learned I couldn't take any money up front...it put too much pressure on me---totally stifling my creative progress. However, other parameters have been a must for delighted clients. Photo and watercolor of Working Farm by Patrick Roth White’s Ford Regional Park White’s Ford Regional Park is a relatively new Northern Virginia Regional Parks property along the Potomac River in northeast Loudoun County. I haven’t painted there yet but scouted it out after the Club paint out at Riverside on the Potomac. It’s worth checking out. White’s Ford has about a mile of river front with a number of View Looking North access points and good views from the river trail. Large views across wide fields ,in soybeans this year, with farm buildings in the distance are also available. For a closer up view, you could View Looking South also paint these farm buildings from the edge of the park property at the park entrance although it would be a hike. There is ample free parking but were no bathroom facilities as of October 2014. There is also canoe and kayak access to the river. Directions: Take route 15 north of Leesburg. Turn right onto State Rte 657 go 1.5 miles. Turn right onto State Rte 661 Go 1.0 mi then turn left onto State Rte 656, Hibler Road 1.2 mi to 43646 Hibler Rd Leesburg, VA 20176. There are signs. If you have some favorite places that you would like to share pass on your discoveries to Newsletter editor Dana Thompson, [email protected]. If you don’t want to write it up you can just send the basic facts on to me, [email protected] and I’ll write it up for you and pass it on to Dana. If you have photos of your place send them along too. ~Patrick Roth A Joyous Time at Mount Harmony Farm Many thanks to Jean Ann and Ralph Feneis for hosting such a beautiful LSC Christmas Party at their home this year. -photos by: Jay Pigeon and Lori Goll • What COLORS DON’T you like?...most people can tell you what they don't like faster than what they do like. • What SIZE do you want the painting to be and do you want it portrait, landscape or square? • Be ready with a PRICE LIST. My paintings are priced by size and extra critters or major elements add to the total. I take checks, cash and credit cards via the Square register. • Are you working toward an event DEADLINE --anniversary, birthday or holiday? Here more than any other detail adhere to the old adage to "under promise and over deliver!" • Get to know your SUBJECT...find out likes and dislikes, their favorite activities. The more information you gather, the more energy and connection will translate to the painting...even if it is a landscape! Do they have a particular picture of the subject they really love? Kick Start Creativity Through Play “All children are artists, the problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.” ~ Pablo Picasso I think the key to remain an artist is to engage in what children do---PLAY. My New Years resolution is to PLAY.... become a kid again! Join me in thinking and planning what each of these “play dates” might look like for you. • I plan to play alone and with other artists--- maybe use different media than "normal"...swap “toys” • to build---use mixed media or work 3d • to pretend---an assignment to paint a ceiling, design a candy machine or?? • to experiment using both small and large motor activity--work in a new size • play inside and out--snow sculptures, skiing By creating an oasis of time and space without judgement or interruption I think one will experience unique, inventive, creative solutions. What does your oasis look like? How much time can you set a boundary around...20 minutes per day,1 day per week? For me dedicated studio space is a room and daily 2-3 hours minimum is key. The freedom to experiment • Be certain to gather client name address, phone, and email....sounds basic....but there isn't anything more frustrating than finishing a project and not having several ways to contact the client. When you are ready for the big reveal I would encourage a face to face meeting. This is an opportunity to “sell” your work to a prequalifyed buyer. Begin with the painting covered or with the back of the piece to the client until you can concentrate on the client’s face. When you turn it around “read” the client’s face for reaction...tears of joy are wonderful, but you may see confusion or something else. Ask questions to get to the bottom of a negative response. If I have time, I often do two paintings so the client can make a choice. This relieves pressure for both of us and sometimes even doubles my income! Do not hand off the painting without collecting your reward for the work....also sounds simple but can be easier said than done. Tara’s pieces are often large so she tends to deliver to the client’s home and help with installation. Without Tara’s encouragement I would have missed meeting countless people and their pets, not seen incredible properties nor progressed to the level saying yes to three 60” x 60” paintings which are now hanging at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington DE. In short the growth curve is worth swallowing your fear and taking on new challenges. ~ Linda Hendrickson ....to “doodle start” in the extreme...to play with new materials and techniques..to investigate “what’s possible” and “what if?!” is bound to relax, refresh, inspire and lead to a happy creative productive artist! “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” ~ Scott Adams ~ Linda Hendrickson Phantom by Linda Hendrickson,12”x 12”, acrylic, 2014© More Artistic Opportunities LSC Virginia Land Trust Show 2016 Start saving some of your paintings from the Virginia Land Trust properties for a show that we will be having in 2016. Properties from this year are: Talbot Farm, Waterford East Lynn Farm, Bluemont Dresden Farm, Middleburg Copeland Farm, Purcellville Silver Brook Farm, Hillsboro Woodgrove Farm, Round Hill Weather Lea Farm and Vineyard, Lovettsville More properties will be coming this year. The Ashburn Library I received a call from Lorraine Moffa at the Ashburn Library. In the entryway of this well-visited library is a large locked display case with glass doors which houses exhibits of interest to the community. Lorraine would like to feature local artists' work for monthly exhibits. She would welcome small paintings or any 2-dimensional work, as well as jewelry, pottery, sculpture, etc. Your works may be for sale and have price tags visible. The case is approximately 5 feet high by 5 feet wide, with wood-paneled glass doors and adjustable and removable shelves, up to 8 shelves approximately 2 feet wide. The visibility is partially blocked by the four wood-paneled doors. The cabinet is approximately 11 inches deep. Please contact Lorraine at [email protected] if you are interested in showing your work there. - Lori Goll Purcellville Train Station There’s a great opportunity to show your art at Purcellville Train Station. The Town of Purcellville will be holding town celebrations with wine tasting and an art show every weekend this summer. They are looking for artists (or possibly a small group of artists) to hang their work in the Train Station (next to Magnolias). The artist should be present as much of the weekend as possible, to answer questions and perhaps provide demonstrations. Betty Wiley has participated in the “pilot” program for this new event. If you are interested in this opportunity, there is more information and an artist interest form at the following links: http://purcellvilleva.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2522 or www.purcellvilleva.gov/FormCenter/Parks-and-RecForms-2/Artist-Interest-Form-34 Call For Artists! Arts in the Village Gallery Arts in the Village Gallery is a program of the Loudoun Arts Council and is in The Village at Leesburg (behind Wegmans). This is a co-op gallery that will be celebrating its second-year anniversary in September. Openings for 2-D and 3-D fine artists and craftspeople are still available for the gallery to reach its full complement of exhibitors. Details and jury application forms can be found at www.LoudounArts.org. Call For Artists! Gateway Gallery The Gateway Gallery is currently accepting applications for new member-artists. We are especially interested in 2D artwork as well as fiber. However, we are open to an array of mediums. Surprise us! We are located on Route 7 just west of Round Hill, in the Hill High Orchard Building, which we share with the Round Hill Arts Center, the Bogati Bodega wine & tapas tasting room, and the Barefoot Weavers Studio. Members serve on committees to manage the Gallery, work three halfday shifts a month, pay $40/month dues and contribute 20% of monthly sales toward gallery expenses. We are a fun group and are looking forward to hearing from you! If you are interested or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Loudoun Sketch Club’s 9th Annual Fall Show and Sale at Hillsborough Vineyards 2014 Awards: 1st Pastels - Karen Mazza, Walking Through It 2nd Pastels - Libby Stevens, Sunset Barn 3rd Pastels - Rachel Estrada, A Day’s End 1st Oil or Acrylic - Simon Bland, Morning Light 2nd Oil or Acrylic - Joan Wood, The Time Between 3rd Oil or Acrylic - Aledra Hollenbach, Rock Farm 1st Watercolor - Denise Pierce, Maine Work Boats 2nd Watercolor - Jean Ann Feneis, Yellow Field 3rd Watercolor - Paul Gesswein, Smoker 1st Photography - Robert Pierce, Window 2nd Photography - Susan Breen, Grist Mill 3rd Photography - Barbara Sample, Bon Bons 1st Mixed - Mokhtar Youssef, By the Lake 2nd Mixed - Linda Bowman, The Night Watch 3rd Mixed - Brenda Market, Through the Woods Drawing Award - Steven J. Huelsman, Lighthouse at Halifax Artists Who Have Sold Work To Date: Ute Gill, Rebecca Tighe, Libby Stevens, Zeynep Baki, Robbyn Holmes, Whit Williams, Cynthia McGrannahan, Paul Gesswein, Lori Goll and Mary Champion have each sold one piece. Simon Bland has sold 4 paintings. _________________________ And...Don’t Forget to Pick Up Unsold Work After Monday, January 8, 2015 Dates and times to be announced through email. In the Field With over 150 members, many with decades of experience painting outside, we should be able to tell many stories about those experiences. Please consider sharing your story with your fellow members. Email Mary Champion at [email protected]. You can even email me with your phone number and a good time to call and I will let you tell me your story and I will write it up for you! Here is a contribution from Elly Friedman: The Green Dog Once upon a time a couple of years ago in land called Hastening Farm. There lived a little black and white friendly dog who loved nothing better than follow aspiring artists around and take a nap under their easels. One day, a visiting artist, fairly new at her craft was painting away on a canvas using the most staining of tube green colors called CADMIUM GREEN….. dum, dum, dum, dum…. Suddenly a big gust of wind blew the artist’s paint brush off of the easel. A great glob of the CADMIUM GREEN fell off of the brush on to grass! The little black and white dog thought, “Oh my, this is a delicious smell. I think I’ll roll in it!” The aspiring artist gasped at the horrible CADMIUM GREEN covering the back of the little formerly black and white dog. She frantically tried to wipe the horrid CADMIUM GREEN off of the little black and white dog. She first used paper towels, then, while no one was looking, she tried adding a little magic elixir called Gamsol to the paper towel. Disaster of disasters, the horrible CADMIUM GREEN spread even more over the little black and white dog. One of the aspiring artist’s friends, Princess Robbyn of Holmes, realized what was happening to the poor little dog and the frustration and utter desperation of the aspiring artist. She quickly mounted an attack on the horrid CADMIUM GREEN. Together they rubbed and rubbed and panicked and panicked and the only thing that happened was that the little black and white dog became greener and greener. Suddenly, a friendly stranger stopped by in her white conveyance as she was leaving the site and asked what was happening. Once the dire circumstance was explained, she said she might have in her bag of tricks a magic potion called “Goop”. Neither the aspiring artist nor Princess Robbyn knew of this magic potion, but were grateful to the stranger for her offer. By then quite a concerned crowd, some of them snickering, had gathered to watch the fate of the little black and white dog. As the Goop was rubbed in and the paper towels were applied, the horrid CADMIUM GREEN started to disappear from the back of the little black and white dog leaving behind a greasy residue. Suddenly the good mistress of the little black and white dog appeared. With fear the aspiring artist explained the circumstance. The generous, sweet good mistress of the little black and white dog pointed out how he was loving all of the attention and rubbing of his fur, and pronounced it one of the best days of his life in months. She gathered him into her arms and carried him away for a bath to remove the Goop residue. When he reappeared snowy white and ebony black, his mistress said he was cleaner than he had been in quite awhile even though he preferred to be CAMIUM GREEN than to have a bath. Epilog: The aspiring artist and Princess Robbyn did not know who the stranger with the magic potion was and do not know to this day. If you are reading this, kind stranger, thank you for the magic cure for CADMIUM GREEN. Sir Simon of Bland commented that he didn’t know which was worse: that the poor little dog was green or that the aspiring artist was using a tube green! Many Thanks Many thanks again this year to Cathy Wilkin for judging and critiquing all the work during Loudoun Sketch Club’s 9th Annual Fall Show and Sale at Hillsborough Winery. And also to Zeynep Baki for all the work you do putting it together to make it one of our most-successful shows during the year. -photos by: Bob Pierce, Patrick Roth and Lori Goll What To Do, What To Do... National Gallery of the Art El Greco in the National Gallery of Art and Washington-Area Collections: A 400th Anniversary Celebration Until February 16, 2015 West Building Main Floor The National Gallery is fortunate to have seven paintings by El Greco (1541 – 1614), one of the largest collections of his work in the United States. Four of them (Christ Cleansing the Temple, two altarpieces from a chapel in Toledo, and the Laocoön) have recently returned from Spain, where they were featured in major exhibitions honoring the 400th anniversary of the artist’s death. The Gallery’s reunited paintings by El Greco are joined here by three others from Dumbarton Oaks and The Phillips Collection in Washington, and The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Domenikos Theotokopoulos, universally known as El Greco, was born on the Greek island of Crete, where he achieved mastery as a painter of Byzantine icons. Aspiring to success on a larger stage, he moved to Venice in his late twenties and absorbed the lessons of High Renaissance masters, especially Titian and Tintoretto. In 1570 he departed for Rome, where he studied the work of Michelangelo and encountered the style known as mannerism, which rejected the logic and naturalism of Renaissance art. El Greco relocated to Spain in 1576 and spent the rest of his life in Toledo, where he finally received the major commissions that had eluded him in Italy. Unlike the Italian mannerists, who aimed at elegant artifice, El Greco used their dramatically elongated figures and ambiguous treatment of space for expressive ends, creating transcendent works that, like the icons of his youth, convey deep spirituality. Blending diverse influences — Byzantine, Renaissance, mannerist — he developed a unique style that captures the religious fervor of Counter-Reformation Spain. El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), Saint Martin and the Beggar, c.1600/1614, oil on canvas, Andrew W. Mellon Collection El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), Madonna and Child with Saint Martina and Saint Agnes, 1597/1599, oil on canvas, Widener Collection Degas’s Little Dancer Until February 8, 2015 West West Main Floor Gallery 82 Overview: Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (1878–1881), Edgar Degas’s groundbreaking statuette of a young ballerina that caused a sensation at the 1881 impressionist exhibition, takes center stage in an exploration of Degas’s fascination with ballet and his experimental, modern approach to his work. Degas was a keen observer and wry but sympathetic chronicler of the daily life of dancers, depicting their world off-stage, at rehearsal or in the wings. Degas’s Little Dancer showcases this world of gaslight and struggle, as captured by the master. One of the Gallery’s most popular works of art, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen will be presented with 14 additional works from the Gallery’s collection, including the monumental pastel Ballet Scene (c. 1907), monotypes and smaller original statuettes by Degas that are related to Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. The exhibition also includes the oil painting The Dance Class (c. 1873) from the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The National Gallery of Art has the largest and most important collection of Degas’s surviving original wax sculptures in the world. Its wax version of Little Dancer Aged Fourteen is the only one formed by the artist’s own hands and the only sculpture he ever showed publicly. Degas did not carve sculpture but used an additive process. Little Dancer Aged Fourteen was modeled in wax over a metal armature, bulked with organic materials including wood, rope, and even old paintbrushes in the arms. Degas elevated the sculpture’s realism by affixing a wig of human hair and giving his ballerina a cotton-and-silk tutu, a cotton faille bodice, and linen slippers. Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, 1878–1881pigmented beeswax, clay, metal armature, rope, paintbrushes, human hair, silk and linen ribbon, cotton and silk tutu, linen slippers, on wooden base. Overall without base: 98.9 x 34.7 x 35.2 cm (38 15/16 x 13 11/16 x 13 7/8 in.) weight: 49 lb. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon Rachel Estrada at PenFed Realty in Hamilton Impressions of Loudoun – Landscapes and Florals by Rachel Estrada will be on display at Pen-Fed Realty in Hamilton. Exhibit dates are January 2 – April 19, 2015. Please join Rachel for her opening reception on Tuesday, January 27 from 5 – 7 pm. If you have interest in displaying your work in this lovely office space, contact Gale Waldron. Alchemist’s Meadow by Rachel Estrada, 12”x 12”, pastel, 2014© From the Newsletter Desk Here’s the schedule for Newsletter copy and images: Deadlines for submitting info: Issues for 2015: January/February December 10 March/April February 10 May/June April 10 July/August June 10 September/ October August 10 November/December October 10 Issues for 2016: January/February December 10 Please send your news and pictures to Dana at [email protected] When e-mailing your news: Please put “LSC News” or other clear and relevant words in the subject of the e-mail so I don’t delete it thinking it’s spam from an e-mail address I don’t recognize. Please include Images!! We’re a visual organization, and our newsletter (and website for that matter) should reflect that. Images should be color jpegs, 300dpi, at least 3” wide or larger (no less that 1000 pixels if possible). If the image is your artwork, please include title, unframed size, medium and date for each. If the image is a person or event, please include an appropriate caption and identification. Contributing Writers Wanted: Helpful Hints; Upcoming Shows and Exhibits; Classes and Workshops; Competitions and Deadlines; Great Websites or Organizations... Anything that would be of help or interest to our members. Thank you to the contributers who continue to inform and inspire. And please know, all members are encouraged to participate. Keep it coming! Lost Your Newsletter? Or maybe you’d like another copy to send to a friend or potential new member? You can now go to the Sketch Club website and download any newsletter you need. Go to www.LoudounSketchClub.com –Dana Thompson Join the conversation on Facebook! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– And don’t forget to send your March/April 2015 news and images to the LSC Newsletter. E-mail [email protected] by February 10, 2015. Show Us Your Stuff Franklin Park Arts Center –––––––––––––––––– Current Gallery Exhibit: Barns and Farms of Loudoun County – continues to Jan. 4. Upcoming Gallery Exhibit: Black & White Show – will be on exhibit January 10 – February 9, 2015. A public reception for participating artists will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 3 to 5 pm. Also in February – Youth Art Show, Paint the Town. More info on both shows at www.franklinparkartscenter.org under “In the Gallery.” The Gateway Galler y ––––––––––––––––––––– The Gateway Gallery is now open daily from 11 to 6 pm. The Gateway Gallery is currently accepting applications for new member-artists. We are open to an array of mediums. Surprise us! We are located on Rt. 7 just west of Round Hill, in the Hill High Orchard Building, which we share with the Round Hill Arts Center, the Bogati Bodega wine & tapas tasting room, and the Barefoot Weavers Studio. Learn more at www.thegatewaygallery.com. Round Hill Arts Center ––––––––––––––––––––– www.RoundHillArtCenter.org • 540-338-5022 Drawing and Painting Studio Life drawing and painting on Tuesdays 7 pm - 9 pm; $10 per person, Age 18 & up; bring your own art supplies. Marvels of Monotype with Jessica Wilson A great class for those who like to paint and draw. Sunday, February 8, 2 pm - 5 pm, $80 includes materials fee; Age 16 & up. Class size limited to six students. Knitting in the Round: Wrist Warmers with Kathy Reed Sunday, February 22, 1 pm - 3 pm, $25, Ages 12 & up. Material list will be provided upon registration. Master Class: Critique with Catherine Hillis The Loudoun Arts Council is partnering with Round Hill Arts Center to present a series of monthly critique sessions with painter Catherine Hillis. Painters may bring up to two pieces of “finished” artwork to be critiqued. Monday, January 12 or February 9, 7 pm - 8:30 pm, $5 for LAC Members, $10 for non-members*. Intermediate and Advanced Wheel Thrown Pottery with Sandi Fanning Mondays, 10 am to 1 pm, January 26 through March 16; $200 plus $25 materials fee for eight classes. Ages 18 & up. Handbuilt Ceramics with Amy Manson Tuesdays, January 20 through March 10, (eight classes) 10 am - 1 pm, $200 plus $25 materials fee, Age 16 & up. The Leesburg School of Photography at Photoworks –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2a Loudoun St., SW, Leesburg, VA 20175 ~ 703-777-4002 Year-round courses and workshops taught by Tom Ramsay: Digital Photography, Adobe Lightroom, Night, Twilight, HDR New series beginning Jan. 2015. Register at www.leesburgschoolofphotography.com or in person at Photoworks ~ KD Kidder, School Director “ When you go out to paint try to forget what it is you’ve got in front of you, a tree or a field. Just think: here is a little square of blue, an oblong of pink, a streak of yellow, and paint exactly what you see. contributed by Margaret Huddy ~ Claude Monet A Letter from the President Dear Sketch Club Members, It was so nice to see so many of you and your works at the 10th Annual LSC Art Show at Hillsborough Vineyards in November. Congratulations to all the winners! Cathy Wilkin must have had a hard time choosing winners from all the beautiful entries this year. I’ve said it before, I’m constantly amazed at the talent and enthusiasm of this group. I want to thank Zeynep for the incredible job she’s done making this show beautiful and successful for TEN consecutive years! It will be Lori Goll hard, if not impossible, to find a comparable venue for future shows. And a big THANK YOU to Jean Ann and Ralph Feneis for hosting the Holiday party at beautiful Mount Harmony Farm. The sun came out for us, the home and barn were adorned with greenery and lights, the food was delicious, the music was festive, and the handmade cards were so special. It was truly a feel-good afternoon. By the time this newsletter comes out, the holidays will be over. I don’t know about you, but my goal is to hunker down in my studio for a couple of months, get into a painting groove (perhaps some still lifes?) and look forward to our winter workshops. Until then, keep painting! Warm regards, –Lori Goll, President Membership Update Since the last newsletter went to press, members continue to renew and our membership is now at 166 with 10 on a wait list. If you've been reading your newsletters you are aware that the Sketch Club has temporarily suspended new memberships, allowing only those who were members last year to rejoin. Past members who have been off the rolls and who wish to rejoin will be placed on the wait list. –Mary Champion, Membership Chair and Feature Writer Overcrowding Committee Report On December 8, 2014 members of the Loudoun Sketch Club Overcrowding Committee met to discuss concerns and solutions pertaining to the recent growth of the sketch club and the issue of overcrowding at Plein Air venues. Those on the committee that were available to attend were Vivian Attermeyer, Pat Roth, Donna Robinson, Bethany Widom, Crystal Jordan and Rose McIntyre. During the meeting all previously received suggestions from Loudoun Sketch Club members were reviewed, considered, and discussed. While potential solutions were explored, the committee noted the importance of acknowledging that to date, there has been no actual problem(s) reported connected to current club size and anticipated concerns pertaining to overcrowding issues ie, that of no parking, complaint by venue owners, or plumbing issues due to overuse and drought. With this in mind the committee noted the following goals: “keep things simple”, recognizing that we are a volunteer based organization, “work to preempt the above mentioned potential problems”, and most importantly, “protect the serenity, peace, accessibility and flexibility” that currently exists when attending plein air paint outs. (Continued on Member News Page) Loudoun Sketch Club Volunteers Officers President Lori Goll 571-251-9659 [email protected] Vice-President Patrick Roth 703-250-0641 [email protected] Secretary Crystal Jordan 703-729-1046 [email protected] Treasurer Steve Huelsman 703-777-8725 Historian Pam De Peña 703-421-0218 [email protected] Membership Mary Champion [email protected] E-mail Concierge Margaret Huddy 703-356-2363 [email protected] Newsletter Newsletter Desk/ Compilation and Design Dana Thompson 540-454-1989 [email protected] Feature Writers Gale Waldron 703-771-0127 Mary Champion [email protected] also thanks to Patrick Roth, Linda Hendrickson and Zeynep Baki Outdoor Sessions Committee Mary MacDonnell Jessica Wilson Becky Tighe Lee Kincaid 540-554-8181 301-642-6995 540-668-6447 540-554-2640 Show Committee Cheryl Cochran 703-723-1737 [email protected] Zeynep Baki 540-668-7787 Indoor Sessions and Workshop Committee Lorrie Herman 703-906-5815 Remington Restivo 703-443-0814 Patrick Roth 703-250-0641 Webmaster Dana Thompson 540-454-1989 ––––––––––––––– Would you like to help? Do you have a suggestion? Let us know. Member News Lillian Miller was thrilled, it was an emotional moment when she took her oath to the American Flag at the courthouse in Alexandria on September 10, 2014. The judge was very diplomatic and charismatic. Einstein became an American citizen, so did Bob Hope and Irving Berlin he told them. He shook each of their hands, 75 immigrants, and spoke to them in their native tongues, when he American Citizen Lillian Miller knew the language. “This is the most important day of your lives,” he said. Lillian is so proud to be part of this wonderful country. Now she’s an American artist instead of a Brazilian one. In addition, Lillian sold her painting of Aldie Mill Wheels to a couple that got married at Aldie Mill and wanted to have a painting that would have them remember their special occasion. Aldie Mill Wheels by Lillian Miller Overcrowding Committee Report continued (From Page 2) With the before-mentioned in mind, the Loudoun Sketch Club Committee wants to present to the board the following suggestions for review, consideration, and implementation: 1) Work towards reducing the size of the club to 130 members. Currently there is a cap on new members, and a waiting list has been established. The belief is that through natural attrition, membership will reduce. Currently we have no deadline and are very lenient regarding the payment of dues. We suggest that we change this and limit our grace period to that of 30 days. Currently membership dues are to be received by September 1. We suggest that members be informed that if dues are not paid in full by September 30 of each year, that their membership will be terminated, and they will no longer be in good standing. Dues reminders will be sent out August 1, and September 1 via email. This information will also be noted in the newsletter. Members who fail to pay by the deadline will be dropped from membership and must get in line on the waiting list to rejoin. Even though we are working on membership reduction, we still believe that the club should allow minimally 10 new members each year, this is regardless of current club size. We believe that new people bring creativity, and energy that is beneficial to the ongoing life of the club. Also new members are often active regarding volunteering. We do not believe that increasing dues will reduce membership size, and think that if dues are increased at all, it should be no more than $10 per year, increasing it from that of $20 to $30 annually. 2) We want to STRONGLY ENCOURAGE the use of carpooling whenever possible, especially at small plein air venues. We can encourage carpooling by stating it in the weekly plein air email as well as in the newsletter, facebook, and on the roster that is distributed at the Spring meeting. We also suggest that carpool sites be identified, however, we leave the coordination to the members. 3) We have had two people step up and indicate willingness to coordinate large venue sites utilizing State Parks in the Eastern and Western Loudoun areas. We suggest that we encourage them to take the lead on this, and hopefully by next year we will have two weekly venues available for members both, large and small, which in itself, will help with the potential concern of overcrowding. 4) Should there be any drought conditions, members will be notified of them in the weekly email, where they will be encouraged to be mindful of the weather conditions, and to take care of their personal needs prior and or off site. The committee was clear that we do not recommend or want plein air sign ups, allowing for membership plein air flexibility. We agree that there should not be any additional charges for plein air painting, and that there should be no division of group A or B. We also do not believe that there should be any limiting of membership to Loudoun only residents. We believe that through implementing the above ideas, natural attrition, carpooling, 30 day grace period pertaining to the membership due date, and the introduction of alternate larger plein air venue sites, that the goals of the club can be maintained. We respectfully submit this to the Board and are available to answer any questions you may have. –Rose McIntyre, Overcrowding Committee Co-ordinator Oil Painting with Qiang Huang in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico February 8 - 11, 2015 Join Qiang Huang (pronounced: Chong Wong), for a 4-day oil painting workshop in historic San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Learn his tried-and-true, five-step process while focusing both on still life and plein air painting in scenic locations in and around San Miguel de Allende. Spaces are very limited. If you are interested in finding out about lodging and more or in reserving your place in this workshop, please contact Jean Ann Feneis at [email protected] before it sells out. What To Do, What To Do... National Gallery of the Art El Greco in the National Gallery of Art and Washington-Area Collections: A 400th Anniversary Celebration Until February 16, 2015 West Building Main Floor The National Gallery is fortunate to have seven paintings by El Greco (1541 – 1614), one of the largest collections of his work in the United States. Four of them (Christ Cleansing the Temple, two altarpieces from a chapel in Toledo, and the Laocoön) have recently returned from Spain, where they were featured in major exhibitions honoring the 400th anniversary of the artist’s death. The Gallery’s reunited paintings by El Greco are joined here by three others from Dumbarton Oaks and The Phillips Collection in Washington, and The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Domenikos Theotokopoulos, universally known as El Greco, was born on the Greek island of Crete, where he achieved mastery as a painter of Byzantine icons. Aspiring to success on a larger stage, he moved to Venice in his late twenties and absorbed the lessons of High Renaissance masters, especially Titian and Tintoretto. In 1570 he departed for Rome, where he studied the work of Michelangelo and encountered the style known as mannerism, which rejected the logic and naturalism of Renaissance art. El Greco relocated to Spain in 1576 and spent the rest of his life in Toledo, where he finally received the major commissions that had eluded him in Italy. Unlike the Italian mannerists, who aimed at elegant artifice, El Greco used their dramatically elongated figures and ambiguous treatment of space for expressive ends, creating transcendent works that, like the icons of his youth, convey deep spirituality. Blending diverse influences — Byzantine, Renaissance, mannerist — he developed a unique style that captures the religious fervor of Counter-Reformation Spain. El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), Saint Martin and the Beggar, c.1600/1614, oil on canvas, Andrew W. Mellon Collection El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), Madonna and Child with Saint Martina and Saint Agnes, 1597/1599, oil on canvas, Widener Collection Degas’s Little Dancer Until February 8, 2015 West West Main Floor Gallery 82 Overview: Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (1878–1881), Edgar Degas’s groundbreaking statuette of a young ballerina that caused a sensation at the 1881 impressionist exhibition, takes center stage in an exploration of Degas’s fascination with ballet and his experimental, modern approach to his work. Degas was a keen observer and wry but sympathetic chronicler of the daily life of dancers, depicting their world off-stage, at rehearsal or in the wings. Degas’s Little Dancer showcases this world of gaslight and struggle, as captured by the master. One of the Gallery’s most popular works of art, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen will be presented with 14 additional works from the Gallery’s collection, including the monumental pastel Ballet Scene (c. 1907), monotypes and smaller original statuettes by Degas that are related to Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. The exhibition also includes the oil painting The Dance Class (c. 1873) from the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The National Gallery of Art has the largest and most important collection of Degas’s surviving original wax sculptures in the world. Its wax version of Little Dancer Aged Fourteen is the only one formed by the artist’s own hands and the only sculpture he ever showed publicly. Degas did not carve sculpture but used an additive process. Little Dancer Aged Fourteen was modeled in wax over a metal armature, bulked with organic materials including wood, rope, and even old paintbrushes in the arms. Degas elevated the sculpture’s realism by affixing a wig of human hair and giving his ballerina a cotton-and-silk tutu, a cotton faille bodice, and linen slippers. Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, 1878–1881pigmented beeswax, clay, metal armature, rope, paintbrushes, human hair, silk and linen ribbon, cotton and silk tutu, linen slippers, on wooden base. Overall without base: 98.9 x 34.7 x 35.2 cm (38 15/16 x 13 11/16 x 13 7/8 in.) weight: 49 lb. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon Rachel Estrada at PenFed Realty in Hamilton Impressions of Loudoun – Landscapes and Florals by Rachel Estrada will be on display at Pen-Fed Realty in Hamilton. Exhibit dates are January 2 – April 19, 2015. Please join Rachel for her opening reception on Tuesday, January 27 from 5 – 7 pm. If you have interest in displaying your work in this lovely office space, contact Gale Waldron. Alchemist’s Meadow by Rachel Estrada, 12”x 12”, pastel, 2014© From the Newsletter Desk Here’s the schedule for Newsletter copy and images: Deadlines for submitting info: Issues for 2015: January/February December 10 March/April February 10 May/June April 10 July/August June 10 September/ October August 10 November/December October 10 Issues for 2016: January/February December 10 Please send your news and pictures to Dana at [email protected] When e-mailing your news: Please put “LSC News” or other clear and relevant words in the subject of the e-mail so I don’t delete it thinking it’s spam from an e-mail address I don’t recognize. Please include Images!! We’re a visual organization, and our newsletter (and website for that matter) should reflect that. Images should be color jpegs, 300dpi, at least 3” wide or larger (no less that 1000 pixels if possible). If the image is your artwork, please include title, unframed size, medium and date for each. If the image is a person or event, please include an appropriate caption and identification. Contributing Writers Wanted: Helpful Hints; Upcoming Shows and Exhibits; Classes and Workshops; Competitions and Deadlines; Great Websites or Organizations... Anything that would be of help or interest to our members. Thank you to the contributers who continue to inform and inspire. And please know, all members are encouraged to participate. Keep it coming! Lost Your Newsletter? Or maybe you’d like another copy to send to a friend or potential new member? You can now go to the Sketch Club website and download any newsletter you need. Go to www.LoudounSketchClub.com –Dana Thompson Join the conversation on Facebook! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– And don’t forget to send your March/April 2015 news and images to the LSC Newsletter. E-mail [email protected] by February 10, 2015. Show Us Your Stuff Franklin Park Arts Center –––––––––––––––––– Current Gallery Exhibit: Barns and Farms of Loudoun County – continues to Jan. 4. Upcoming Gallery Exhibit: Black & White Show – will be on exhibit January 10 – February 9, 2015. A public reception for participating artists will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 3 to 5 pm. Also in February – Youth Art Show, Paint the Town. More info on both shows at www.franklinparkartscenter.org under “In the Gallery.” The Gateway Galler y ––––––––––––––––––––– The Gateway Gallery is now open daily from 11 to 6 pm. The Gateway Gallery is currently accepting applications for new member-artists. We are open to an array of mediums. Surprise us! We are located on Rt. 7 just west of Round Hill, in the Hill High Orchard Building, which we share with the Round Hill Arts Center, the Bogati Bodega wine & tapas tasting room, and the Barefoot Weavers Studio. Learn more at www.thegatewaygallery.com. Round Hill Arts Center ––––––––––––––––––––– www.RoundHillArtCenter.org • 540-338-5022 Drawing and Painting Studio Life drawing and painting on Tuesdays 7 pm - 9 pm; $10 per person, Age 18 & up; bring your own art supplies. Marvels of Monotype with Jessica Wilson A great class for those who like to paint and draw. Sunday, February 8, 2 pm - 5 pm, $80 includes materials fee; Age 16 & up. Class size limited to six students. Knitting in the Round: Wrist Warmers with Kathy Reed Sunday, February 22, 1 pm - 3 pm, $25, Ages 12 & up. Material list will be provided upon registration. Master Class: Critique with Catherine Hillis The Loudoun Arts Council is partnering with Round Hill Arts Center to present a series of monthly critique sessions with painter Catherine Hillis. Painters may bring up to two pieces of “finished” artwork to be critiqued. Monday, January 12 or February 9, 7 pm - 8:30 pm, $5 for LAC Members, $10 for non-members*. Intermediate and Advanced Wheel Thrown Pottery with Sandi Fanning Mondays, 10 am to 1 pm, January 26 through March 16; $200 plus $25 materials fee for eight classes. Ages 18 & up. Handbuilt Ceramics with Amy Manson Tuesdays, January 20 through March 10, (eight classes) 10 am - 1 pm, $200 plus $25 materials fee, Age 16 & up. The Leesburg School of Photography at Photoworks –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2a Loudoun St., SW, Leesburg, VA 20175 ~ 703-777-4002 Year-round courses and workshops taught by Tom Ramsay: Digital Photography, Adobe Lightroom, Night, Twilight, HDR New series beginning Jan. 2015. Register at www.leesburgschoolofphotography.com or in person at Photoworks ~ KD Kidder, School Director “ When you go out to paint try to forget what it is you’ve got in front of you, a tree or a field. Just think: here is a little square of blue, an oblong of pink, a streak of yellow, and paint exactly what you see. contributed by Margaret Huddy ~ Claude Monet Call For Entries Black & White Exhibit Franklin Park Arts Center Regional artists and craftspeople are invited to participate in Black & White, a juried exhibit featuring creative works done in black and white in your choice of media and materials (shades of gray are acceptable.) Black & White will be on display in the Gallery at Franklin Park Arts Center from January 10 – February 9, 2015. A cash prize of $100 will be awarded for Best in Show and a certificate for free entry in the next Franklin Park Arts Center show will be given to the Friends Choice winner. Artwork may be submitted to Franklin Park Arts Center on January 5 – 7, 2015. For Submission Requirements see: www.franklinparkartscenter.org/black-and-white/. The public will be invited to join in the exhibit by drawing graffiti or a cartoon in white chalk on a black chalkboard, displayed throughout the exhibition period. A public reception for participating artists will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 3 to 5 pm. Franklin Park Arts Center is located at 36447 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville, VA 20132. For more information see www.franklinparkartscenter.org or call 540-338-7973. Black & White is sponsored by Friends of Franklin Park Arts Center, a non-profit advisory board dedicated to the success of the Arts Center. 2015 Plein Air Competition Events in Our Region There are a number of plein air competition events occurring near, or relatively near, Loudoun during 2015. They can be a lot of fun, and educational, either as a juried participant, “paint out quick draw” participant where you can sell your painting, attending free demonstrations, or just as a spectator. Some even have a nocturnal paint out. If you want to apply to be a juried artist, many of these events have early 2015 deadlines. Here is a list: Virginia Art Guild of Clifton Plein Air Festival. Clifton VA. May 15-17. All juried show. Submit works. Cash prizes. Website: www.artguildofclifton.org Falls Church 7th Annual “Scenes in the City” Plein Air Exhibition. Falls Church VA. All juried show. Painting dates for last years event were April 26-June 20. 2015 TBA. Enter up to four paintings to the show. Website: www.fallschurcharts.org Plein Air Richmond. Richmond VA. June 21-28. All juried artists. Thirty five artists will be juried. $10,000 in awards. Website: www.pleinairrichmond.com Maryland Plein Air Easton. Easton MD. July 11-19. Maybe the biggest of them all. Juried artists and open to all artists Quick Draw, Demonstrations. Website: pleinaireaston.com Easels in Frederick. Frederick MD. June 15-20. Juried artists. Open to all artists Quick Draw. Total of $16,000 in prizes. Website: www.easelsinfrederick.org Paint Annapolis. Annapolis MD. June 8-14. Website: www.mdfedart.org juried artists, open to all artists quick draw, nocturne. $10,000 in prize money. Painting Seascapes The Winter Workshop schedule is now finalized and you can sign up for the workshops now. Please note that there are different coordinators for the workshops. Reservations for individual workshops should be made with them. Workshops will be conducted at the Hillsborough Winery from 10am until 2pm. The Winery address is 36716 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville, VA. It’s located on Rt. 9 (Charles Town Pike) just west of Hillsboro on the right. The schedule is as follows: April 21, 2015 Lori Goll will lead this workshop. Lori is known for her seascapes and invites us to come and get ready for that vacation at the beach. Pat Roth will also coordinate Seascape by Lori Goll, pastel ©2014 this workshop. Please let him know if you plan to attend at [email protected] or phone 703-250-0641. Choosing the Materials That Best Support Your Work January 27, 2015 Paint it! Ellicott City Juried Plein Air Paint-Out and Exhibition. Ellicott MD. July 9-13. Juried artists. Open to all artists paint-out. and more. Website: www.hocarts.org/exhibits.php Mountain Maryland Plein Air. Cumberland MD. June 2June 7. Juried artists, open to all artists quick draw. Website: www.alleganyartscouncil.org Solomons Plein Air Festival. Solomons MD. September 15-20. Last year they had juried artists, an open-to-allartists quick draw, a nocturnal quick draw, and a special “paint the town” for a cause event. $10,000 in awards. Website: www.solomonspleinair.com Artists Paint O.C. Ocean City. August 7-9. More information at www.artleagueofoceancity.org $2,325 in awards. Jessica Wilson will present this workshop as part of the Dedicated Workshop Program sponsored by Gamblin Colors. Although it is geared toward oil painters everyone is welcome. Remington Restivo will coordinate this workshop. Please let Remington know if you plan to attend at [email protected] Topics to be covered include: • Personalizing your palette to capture color of light, express ideas or capture mood or feeling. • Choosing your medium for the painting conditions you are working in, or in services to effects you want to create. • Studio safety Southern Pennsylvania Capturing Light Gettysburg Fest. Gettysburg, PA. June TBA. Juried artists. Open-to-all-artists quick draw in 2014 included $500 first prize, $220 second, $100 third. Plein Air Camp Hill. Camp Hill PA (near Harrisburg). May 27-May 31 Juried artists and open-to-all-artists quick draw. $3,750 in awards in 2014. Call to painters will be issued January 9. Website: www.pleinaircamphill.org ~ List compiled by Patrick Roth LSC Spring 2015 Show at ArtSpace in Herndon As you know, we have a group show at ArtSpace Herndon in April entitled Behind the Scenes with Loudoun Sketch Club. This show will comprise your favorite paintings and drawings depicting private farms and properties that we have been fortunate enough to visit over the years, especially those which aren’t otherwise open to the public. The show will be held at Ar tSpace, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA 20170 from April 7 - May 3, 2015. The artists’ reception will be Saturday, April 11 from 7 - 9 pm. If you have (or can get soon) images of your work that you plan to enter into this show, send them to Lori Goll ([email protected]) and Lorrie Herman ([email protected]) now. ArtSpace Herndon needs images to submit to the Washington Post for publicity for the show, by the first week of January. Stay tuned for more information coming in the next few weeks regarding this show. We’re looking forward to seeing your work! Margaret Huddy will lead this workshop. Everyone who knows Margaret’s work knows how light filled her paintings are. This is a color workshop for those who work in watercolor and gouache, but the principles are universal and everyone is welHillsborough Wintery Spring by Margaret Huddy, acrylic, 9" x 12", 2011© come. Lorrie Herman will coordinate the workshop. Please let Lorrie know if you plan to attend. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Pet Portraits March 24, 2015 Workshops can accommodate 25 painters. Reservation is on a first come, first served basis, with the exception of the March “Pet Portraits” workshop where we will give priority to club members who couldn’t be accommodated last year. Workshop coordinators will maintain a standby list should reservations exceed 25. Cancellation policy will be in accordance with the Loudoun County schools closure policy. If a workshop is cancelled because of weather, we will try to reschedule it the following Tuesday. Armchair Art Expeditions Libby Stevens discovered the multi-faceted website of artist Dianne Mize. She has a blog and a website, and offers tips and exercises for painters who wish to improve their skills. She uses photos of her works in progress to convey her thought process while she works to finish a painting that “pops.” This February she will debut short video tutorials for creating stronger paintings. diannemizestudio.com (website) and diannemize.com (for upcoming tutorials) February 17, 2015 Hudson by Simon Bland Artistic Opportunities 2015 Winter Workshop Lineup Late Afternoon October by Dianne Mize, pastel, 2014 View from Sky Meadows by Mary Championl Simon Bland will repeat last years popular workshop. Pat Roth will be the coordinator for this workshop. Please let Pat know if you plan to attend at [email protected] or phone 703-250-0641. Note: We will give priority to members who were turned away because last years workshop was full. If you are one of these few and want to reserve a spot this year let Pat know when you make your reservation. You must let Pat know by March 1 if you are in this category. Webdesignschoolsguide.com/library/50-best-blogsfor-watercolor-artists/ lists four categories of blogs: Demonstrations, Watercolor Artists, Art Business tips (for all artists) and Art News and Reviews. Clicking on some of the sites leads you to another index site with more options than you could explore in a year. The artist's blogs with watercolor demonstrations might be your best bet, but explore away! Being half Czech, I just had to visit Prague, and during a museum visit discovered the work of painter Jakub Schikaneder. Back home, I googled him, and found numerous YouTube videos of his atmospheric, moody paintings set to music. Enter the search term "Jakub Schikaneder videos with music" and enter a storybook world. –Mary Champion Newsletter Creating and Supporting the Visual Arts in Loudoun County, Virginia since 1944 LSC Newsletter Online: www.LoudounSketchClub.com – Featured Artist – Sheep IV by Simon Bland, 11” x 14”, oil on linen © 2014 The Marvelous Zeynep Baki by Gale Waldron Those of us fortunate enough to know Zeynep Baki marvel at this woman in constant motion. In between her many roles at the family home and winery business, in her magnificent gardens, promoting the local arts, traveling with husband Bora and supporting a growing family, Zeynep is a woman who understands the meaning of a full day’s work. Zeynep was born in Bursa, Turkey and One Tuesday Morning, 14” x 18”, oil on canvas later moved to Izmir. Her forays into art were enhanced by private drawing lessons from her mentor, Cevat Sakir, a renowned artist, philosopher, and scholar who taught Zeynep about drawing – and life. She had planned to attend the Fine Art Academy in Istanbul, but chose to stay home with the family when her father became ill. She fell in love with Bora Baki, a young businessman, and married him in 1968. Political instability in their homeland prompted the Bakis to move to the US in 1979 where they settled in Falls Church. The mother of two young boys – Tolga and Kerem - Zeynep managed to find some time to attend The George Washington University where she studied art with Frank Wright. She also discovered the Art League in Alexandria, where she took oil painting classes with Diane Tesler, Mike Francis and Michael DePompa, among others. Zeynep paints with pastels and oils, but especially enjoys the freedom she feels with oils. She looks at a landscape and sees shapes. “I like to work with shapes, and if those shapes talk to me, then I move ahead with a painting.” She then adds, “I don’t always go by the rules, and I like to express myself with color.” She recalls DePompa instructing her to tone down her colors, “but I could not. This is me!” she exclaims. It was 2002 when the Bakis moved to Hillsboro and began their venture into wine. Kerem, a biochemist who had studied winemaking, took on production while Bora ran the business. They completely renovated the barn, graded the property for planting, and fully January/February 2015 transformed the property into one of Loudoun’s most scenic wineries overlooking the Loudoun Valley. There was a time when Zeynep painted for several hours a day in her studio, the old music room in her historic home. But her growing responsibilities at the winery – the abundant gardens, private events and her many special touches throughout the property – all in addition to her continuous support Zeynep Baki of her family – have whittled into that time, so the outdoor sessions provide an important venue for her art. Although she is not painting as much as she would like, she is heavily involved with several art events, including the annual Sketch Club exhibit in November. She puts these exhibits together Red Barn at Rock Hill, 12” x 16”, oil on canvas. with special care, noting that she has known some of these artists for many years and has enjoyed watching them improve and grow. With a newly built home in Maine and plans to live there half the year, Zeynep has already met art friends in her community and is looking forward to painting the Maine landscape. She’ll be back to Loudoun in the fall, however, for the annual wine harvest. “It is the highlight of the year!” she says with a smile! Yellow Wood, 9” x 12”, oil on canvas Mary Champion, Membership Chair PO Box 1683 Leesburg, VA 20177 Loudoun Sketch Club Stamp
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