KACHEMAK BAYWATERCOLOR SOCIETY P.O.Box 98

Homer, Alaska 99603 E-MAIL:kbws@naturephotography.net

FIREWEED GALLERY http://www.fireweed.com

MAY 2006

Newsletter

10th Annual Kachemak Bay

Watercolor Society Spring Show

May 2 Paintings due at Fireweed GalleryMay 4 Hanging show May 5 5-7pm Opening ReceptionMay 30 Refresh gallery or pick up paintingsFor info contact: Pat Wells 235-9030 joemom@alaska.net

Fireweed Gallery

May 5-30 EXHIBIT

IMPORTANT: We need from you:One painting, framed, ready to hang. Have a small card attached with your name, medium if applicable, under glass or under plexi, title of piece, and price. Be sure to include in your price the 30% commission for the Fireweed Gallery. Plus please update or provide an artist statement and /or bio for the KBWS ARTISTS Notebook.

Stephanie Alward, Connie Aschenbrenner, Betty Atkinson, Dot Bardarson, Rachel Bilbo, Patricia Bliss, Savanna Bradley, Nina Burkholder, Claudia Caffee-Delapp, Maria Cahoon, Madeline Chris-tianson, Tony Clawson, Kim Cooper, Nancy Crawford, Susan Cushing, Jackie De La Cruz, Chick Deal, Meriam Deutschle-Olson, Paula Dickey, Judy Dickson, Angela Doroff, Laurel Epps, Donna Rae Faulkner, Trina Fellows, Janet Fink, Erin Fisher, Sarah Glaves, Jo Going, Jeanne Hallerbach, Karrie Hill, Eileen Hughes, Renee Jahnke, Marybee Kaufman, Marilyn Kirkham, Janann Kitchen, Leslie Klaar, Melissa Koshak, Claudia Lamb, Beverly Macy, Mathew Marshall, Donna Martin, Di-ane McBride, Pamela Mersch, Susan Mumma, Gael Murakami, Micael Murray, Darla Myers, Sha-ron Nault, Marvin Niemeyer, Monica Oʼkeefe, Ilene Paulsen, Elizabeth Petersen, Jan Peyton, Mag-gie Pilant, Nancy Radtke, Irrene Randolph, Lynda Reed, Joyce Reynolds, Marian Robertson, Teri Robl, Lela Ryterski, Mary Sharp, Karen Shemet, Lynne Sinnhuber, Alexandra Sonneborn, Jacquelyn Terhume, Jan Thurston, Dot Tideman, Rube Tikka, Shirley Timmreck, Kristen Tonga, Roxie Trimble, Pat Wells, Rita Wettach, Gaye Wolfe, Jules Wolfe, Susan Woodward

KBWS MEMBERSThis is a members only show. Your name must be on the list in order to enter a painting. For info on mem-berships contact: Marybee Kaufman 235-6356 or marybee@naturephotography.net

Creative Opportunities

June 10 Slide Entry Deadline: 32nd Annual AKWS Juried Exhibition at Artique September 15 - 29, 2006Visit the AKWS web site at www.akws.org <http://www.akws.org/> for a prospectus.AKWS 2006 Workshop September 11-15, 2006 instructor Stephen Quiller.

June 9-11“Waterfront Watercolor” at Across the Bay Tent and Breakfast Adventure Company on Kachemak Bay. Paula Dickey instructs this weekend painting adventure. All skill levels are welcome and participants will be painting “en plein aire” or in the comfortable lodge. Tuition of $320 includes water taxi from Homer to Kasitsna Bay, rustic accommodations, hearty home cooked meals and instructions. For more information call 907-235-7953 or see www.tentandbreakfastalaska.com/work-shops/watercolor <http://www.tentandbreakfastalaska.com/workshops/watercolor>

Workshops

CLAUDIA’S BOOKSHELF Remember to check out the new videos and books at the Homer Council on the Arts

July 10-14 “Plein Air Design and Content” watercolor workshop with Gerald Brommer $1175 August 16-20 “Come and Paint” workshop/retreat with Mary Southard $975 Jan Thurston is giving 20% off for the Brommer workshop and $100 off for the Come and Paint workshop. This offer is good for members of KBWS, AKWS and VFAA. Although our prices seem higher than the other workshops being offered, they include lodging, all meals, and tuition. This becomes a total experience apart from all distractions of the everyday life. Jan Thurston, Alaska Center for Creative Renewal, PO Box 6448, Halibut Cove, Alaska 99603; 907-296-2283 www.centerforcreativerenewal.com <http://www.centerforcreativerenewal.com

July 14 - 16 “Art Design Course in Denali National Park” Join Talkeetna artist Tony Crocetto for a creative closer look into Denali’s natural world. An endless source of inspiration, Denali has been the backdrop for thousands of artists in dozens of different media. Working on location, we’ll use a simple palette of colors to capture the drama of Denali’s landscape in quick studies and more finished paintings. Class is limited to 10 participants and is based at the Murie Science and Learning Center Field Camp, located 34 miles inside Denali National Park. This class is offered by the Murie Science and Learning Center in cooperation with the National Park Service and is accredited through the University of Alaska Anchorage. Course begins at 6:30pm on the first day and ends at 4pm on the last day. Price: $320 (to take for credit add $64). For more information or to register, visit www.murieslc.org

June/July: Kenai Peninsula PAINT OUT Join Andy Sonneborn and artists from Alaska and beyond for two amazing Paint Outs in Seward and Homer. There will be a show at the PAINT SPOT GALLERY at the end of the summer for finished pieces, and a little show right after the gathering in Homer at the BLUE SHACK cattycorner from the Bunnell Street Galllery. For more information, please contact Andy Sonneborn <PaintSpotInAK@aol.com>

Supporting Watercolor in Alaska

FINE ARTIST of the VALLEY ASSOCIATION meets in the Valley. They hold regular meetings and Painting events. For more info contact: Judith Sharp-Levy: hlevy@mtaonline.net or 907-746-7718

ALASKA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY P. O. Box 90714, Anchorage, Alaska, 99509-0714; http://www.akws.org

FAIRBANKS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY P. O. Box 82536, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99708; www.geocities.com/fairbanks_watercolor/

GIRDWOOD CENTER FOR VISUAL ARTS P. O. Box 678, Girdwood, Alaska, 99587 (907) 783-3209

SELDOVIA ARTS COUNCIL P. O. Box 41, Seldovia, Alaska, 99663 http://www.xyz.net/~seldarts/index.htm

July 16-30 Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Karlyn Holman , Nikki Kinne, and Tom Nixon. http://www.fsaf.org/classes2006/vi-sual.html

Art in the Mountains P.O.Box 1355, Redmond, Oregon 97756 541-923-2648 aitm@bendcable.com

June 5-7 and 9-11“Sharon Freeman Watercolor Workshops” Sharon Freeman will be presenting two three day work-shops in Fairbanks designed for Beginners to Advanced painters. Emphasis will be on flowers and landscapes- $175 per workshop. $50 will hold your place. Contact: Sherry Fidler 479-5246 or upkfsaf@mosquitonet.com OR Cheryl Berrong 389-2114 araven@mosquitonet.com

MEMBER NEWS

KBWS Corner at the FIREWEED GALLERY

SCHOLARSHIP CARD PROGRAMThe KBWS gives out scholarships to cover portions of KBWS workshop fees each year. If you are interested, please send a letter of application indicating why you are requesting the scholarship to: SCHOLARSHIPS, KBWS, P.O.Box 98, Homer, AK 99603

Ilene Paulson, a KBWS member from Palmer, will be ex-hibting her recent works in a show, “Sea-Attitudes” at the Ptarmigan Arts Gallery in July. Judith Sharpe-Levy and IIlene started up the Valley Fine Arts Association in 2005. If you are looking for great places to paint in the Matanuska Valley, consider contacting Judith Levy <hlevy@mtaonline.net>

“Bouyed Up” by Ilene Paulsen

Meriam Deutschle-Olson has her jewelry displayed at the FIRE-WEED GALLERY. She is a long time member and Secretary for the KBWS. May 5-7, during Shorebird Festival weekend, Meriam will open her own gallery on the Spit (Harborview Boardwalk) called LOCAL SHOWCASE

EDGE OF THE BAYJULY 2006Join us in the KBWS Corner this July for a thematic show celebrating Kachemak Bay. This is a members only show.

The card project is ongoing.While you are practicing those new techniques and subjects from this winter’s Paint Togethers...consider putting a few sketches down on WC paper to be glued onto card stock for Shorebird and the upcoming season. Rowan is mounting paintings. If you want to work in collage directly onto the cards, there will be some available in the drop box. Drop paintings at the WC drop box behind the counter at Fireweed. If you need to talk with Rowan, she is at the Fireweed Tuesday and Wednesday 10:30 - 5:30PM. 235-3411

The Artists Statement notebook and the Scholar-ship Cards in the KBWS corner.

SHOWSFireweed Gallery

MAY 10th Annual Kachemak Bay Watercolor Society Spring ShowJUNE the KBWS Spring show moves over to the KBWS cornerJULY Edge of the Bay KBWS Corner members show

Pratt MuseumMAY Body Works: A Science/Art CollaborativeJUNE-AUG14 Pratt Museum Juried Art Exhibit: Going to Extremes

Picture Alaska Art GalleryMAY Atmospheric observations: Dusk til Dawn Gaye WolfeJUNE Art in Bloom: mixed media show of floral art

Bunnell Street Art GalleryMAY Paul Dungan and Paul Eneboe ceramicJUNE Steven Godfrey and Tina Shih ceramics and painting

Ptarmigan Arts Back Room GalleryMAY Outdoor garden art mixed media, invitationalJUNE The Kingdoms of the Himalayas by Carolyn StrandJULY Sea-Attitudes watercolors by Ilene Paulson

Kenai Visitors and Cultural CenterApr28 - Sept 9 The Kenai Experience Statewide invitational

Homer Council on the ArtsMAY Winged Art JUNE Landscape oil painting by Peg Belcastro

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llJackie De La Cruz and Donna Rae Faulkner

Plate Painting Paint Together supporting local arts organizations

Under the direction of Gaye Wolfe, a group of KBWS artists gathered at the Bunnell Street Gallery on April 8th to paint plates for the Bunnell’s Plate Project. Design and concept varied. Donna Rae Faulkner brought a plate of eggs and bacon as reference for her painting. Mike brought an intri-cately pre-sketched design influ-

Gaye Wolfe and Donna Rae Faulkner

Nine KBWS watercolorists have joined together to cre-ate a collaborative piece for WINGED ART

enced by Italian architecture. Paula chose to follow the natural geometries of the ocean’s creatures.

Pat Wells (Gallery Coord) and Donna Martin (VP) at the KBWS Corner of the Fireweed Gallery

Bear Gallery, FairbanksMay - August Watercolor works, Fairbanks Watercolor Society

Workshops, Elizabeth Peterson 226-2218 KBWS Gallery corner, Pat Wells 235-9030 Programs co-chairs, Paula Dickey 235-7953 and Mike Murray 235-0120

KBWS BOARD and COMMITTEES President, Mary Bee Kaufman 235-6356 Vice President, Donna Martin 235-6348 Secretary, Meriam Deutschle-Olson 235-9406 Treasurer and Memberships,Tony Clawson 235-1576

NEW MEMBERSHIP and RENEWAL FORMThe Kachemak Bay Watercolor Society was formed to facilitate and promote watercolor arts. The society holds one general meeting and painting event per month to provide a platform for special programs focusing on watercolor and related issues. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting watercolor arts. Membership dues are paid on annual basis. COST OF MEMBERSHIP $20 PER YEAR. DATE:____________________WATERCOLOR SOCIETY MEMBERS ANNUAL DUES $20:___________________NAME:_______________________________________________________________________________________________HOME PH:__________________WORKPH:_____________________FAX:_________________CEL: __________________E-MAIL:__________________________________________________________________MAILING ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ZIP:_______________________________

Please make checks payable to the Kachemak Bay Watercolor Society.Send to: MEMBERSHIP, Kachemak Bay Watercolor Society, P.O.Box 98, Homer, Alaska 99603

Don Kolstad Watercolor WorkshopFriday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006

Cost: $ 190 Class size: limit 20 students; 10% discount on tuition for K.B.W.S. members For teens and adults, all skill levels, watercolor experience recommended. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE.

Contact: Elizabeth Petersen 226-2218 seadator@yahoo.com

Sunlight pierces the snow-fog and pours through the windows on this spring morning. Vases of flowersgrace the wooden floor as we sit

Angels of Rome

among the bright pastels and vivid life hues of Jo Going’s huge open-form three-dimensional wood, paper and object sculptures.

Jo opened her home to the KBWS on this beautiful April morning to share her thoughts on a recent artist-in-residency in Rome… and the art that found her there. It was within Saint Peter’s cathedral colonnade where she discovered a direction for her residency in a presence of “angels,’ “a vibration frequency, the essential spiritual core of all religions.”

Each day using Arches watercolor paper, she painted and cut and formed delicately balanced angelic sculptures that seem to hang in space, leaving only shadows to connect them to the earthly confines on Skyline Drive. Each sculpture is a memory link to a particular experience in Rome. Rome, a place of paradox, from the col-liseum, “marker of man’s inhumanity to man… to grandest spiritual architecture in the world. What do we do with that paradox? I took it to a deeper realization that beyond the paradox is a spiritual core, proof positive that we are evolving. That was the most positive thing to come out of my visit there.”

Photo and text reference from March 16 ARTS article, Homer News by McKibben Jackinsky. Photo of Jo by Donna Martin.

APRIL/MAY 2006 Calendar

May 2 Tues Spring Show Paintings due at FIREWEED GALLERY by 5PMMay 4 Thurs HANG paintings May 5 Fri FIRST FRIDAY opening Fireweed Gallery 5 - 7 PMMay 4-7 Thurs-Sun SHOREBIRD FESTVALMay 7 Sun Field Sketching birds on location 11AM-1 PM Shorebird Festival event with Mary Bee KaufmanMay 30 Tues Refresh gallery corner and pick up pieces from show

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE : 15th of month. Send ideas, announcements, and photos to: Kachemak Bay Watercolor Society Newsletter, KBWS, P.O.Box 98, Homer, AK 99603; ph235-6356 or email:kbws@naturephotography.net.; Photos for this issue come from Donna Martin, McKibben Jakinsky and the editor. Thank you from the staff to all the contributors, consultants and editors.

KACHEMAK BAY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY P.O.Box 98 Homer, Alaska 99603

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.

----------Henry Miller

June 2 Fri FIRST FRIDAY opening at Fireweed GalleryJuly 3 Mon Drop off pieces BY NOON for KBWS Corner show Edge of the BayJuly 7 Fri FIRST FRIDAY opening at Fireweed Gallery

Paula Dickey at the Bunnell Gallery

TECHNIQUESby darla myersabout the paper on canvas

Darla Myers show, “Muse,” at the Fireweed Gallery created a buzz..raw deckled edges of watercolor paper on stretched canvas without the need for glass. She has graciously allowed us to print the techniques she uses in preparing and finishing the paintings. Be sure to thank Darla next time you see her!!! Her exhibit wil be at the Fireweed until May.

Most works are primarily watercolor, as the reaction of this paint on paper is why I paint in watercolor. These new works are done on 300# watercolor paper (almost exclusively Arches Cold Press) affixed to a wrapped canvas with acrylic gel. The paper is mounted on canvas before starting the painting. A preliminary pencil sketch is done on the prepared paper to lay out the main shapes and things I donʼt want to forget. This helps to preserve my image as I tend to get caught up in the movement of the paint and colors.

Sometimes watercolor crayons are used for a little extra on edges or to provide lines/texture, usually in the beginning drawing, sometimes fora dash of color at the end. I continue to paint in watercolor as long as I am happy with the effects and colors I am getting. After this point, the painting is set out in an area where it can be seen during my normal daily life, and often after a couple of days of this subconscious viewing I will take a glance at the piece and see exactly what the painting needs.

Once I am happy with the watercolor, I put a layer of polymer medium (an acrylic product). This provides a protective layer over the watercolor paint and allows for acrylic paint to be applied without disrupting the lower layers. Many times after this layer the painting is glowing and surprises me by looking finished. Sometimes I see areas to enhance or change and this is done with acrylic paint- often thinned with polymer medium to make it transparent, similar to a thin layer of watercolor. Some paintings call for casein-a milk based paint that is opaque and can provide moodiness of soft velvety areas when used in a watercolor painting.

Once I have mostly completed my painting the edges of the wrapped canvas are painted with acrylic paint, usually mixed with gel medium to give the paint body. Sometimes I choose to continue the painting around the edge with the acrylic (matching the color to the watercolor painting), other times I choose colors to enhance and finish the painting. You may have noticed the paintings are not signed in a consistent manner-usually I sign in the lower front, depending on the composition, but sometimes I choose to leave the image pure and sign on the side of the canvas.

Once I am satisfied and see the painting looks complete, I commit to finishing the work and varnish the paint-ing and edges with a satin mix of acrylic varnish. This unique presentation completes the painting with no need for putting the work under glass or in a frame.

“Polly”

“Wai

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Fireweed Gallery on the corner, 475 E. Pioneer Ave. Homer, Alaska. Hours open: 10-7pm Mon-Sat, 11-5pm Sun Winter 10:30-5:30 Mon-Sat907-235-3411 art@fireweedgallery.com