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SASA NEWSLETTER – March 2017

President: Glenda Chambers president@sasa-artists.co.za

www.sasa-artists.co.za www.facebook.com/SASArtists http://sasartists.blogspot.com

Patrons: Sam Nhlengethwa, Conrad Theys, Hayden Proud

Secretary Liz Pearson - PO Box 2574, Clareinch 7740 Tel. 021 671 8941 secretary@sasa-artists.co.za Treasurer Kim Scarrott 021 712 3229 k.scarrott@yahoo.com

Diary

MARCH Sunday 26 Art in the Park 1

Thursday 30 Monthly Meeting: Fellows’ Demonstration

APRIL Tuesday 4 Plein Air Outing: Scarborough Beach

Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot; others transform a yellow spot into the sun Pablo Picasso

President’s Letter

Dear Members

The AGM is behind us, and it is amazing what the society got up to in 2016. As usual when you prepare the annual presentation it reveals what an incredibly busy year we have had.

SASA had four exhibitions at Kirstenbosch, two AIP’s, a Selection Weekend, five life drawing sessions, three winter workshops, three studio visits, five sketching and hiking outings, (thank you Linda Howe-Ely for organizing these) 10 monthly meetings and three plein air outings. Thank you to all those who organize these and the three in-house competitions. Big thanks to Christine Cherry-Jones and Wyn Rossouw for the quiz at the Eleanor Palmer and end of year function; this was enjoyed by all.

Now bearing all those things in mind, I would really like to thank the SASA Committee for 2016 for all their dedication, inspiration and hard work for another outstanding year. We are all staying on for 2017 and we have an addition of two new members, Lynne Menge and Ronnie Biccard. We look forward to having you on the council in 2017. Thank you, thank you for everything, to all the members and council who are always on hand to help.

Sunday 26th March 2017 is our first AIP at Rondebosch Park and we look forward to another busy successful event. Don’t forget to book your spots for this fun filled day. The positive feedback was so nice to receive from both members and the public.

To the council members, I cannot thank you enough for all your dedication and hard work. The Society could

not exist without the help from the council and members. The success of the exhibitions and all the other events takes a lot of organizing, so please let’s make 2017 even better. Many hands make light work.

Well done to our 3 winners: drawing competition “50 shades of grey”- Craig Paton-Ash (1st Place), Adele Sanders (2nd) and Mary McMillan (3rd)

The next meeting is an Interactive demo with SASA Fellows, back by popular demand.

Our website which was launched last year with our online gallery, is receiving many hits – are you on it yet? Details are on the web – www.sasa-artists.co.za.

READ the newsletter for all the upcoming events.

Happy painting!

Glenda Chambers

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Member News and Happenings

The noticeboard is put up at every monthly meeting and the latest news from the art world posted for your information. You are invited to bring along your own bits of information to post on the board. Members are also welcome to put up notices advertising their art related products or classes. Please contact Stephen Gibson on artassist@cybersmart.co.za or if you have any news you would like to share, email secretary@sasa-artists.co.za. Your society continues to grow and this month we welcome:

Julie Kakebeeke Paramasiven Veeramunder Mary-Ann Wiggill Nicolai Pareti Johan Steyn Kizzie Stenslunde Liesel Hibbert

Yvonne Liebbrandt Beverley Brown Coralie Bradburn Ali Meck Janet Annandale Philip Weideman

And it’s welcome back to Alan Fowler. On a sad note, we say goodbye to new member Humphrey Worthington-Smith who passed away last month. Although Humphrey only joined last year, his wife, Sonia, has been a member for many years. Our condolences go to her and her family.

2017 Membership Fees

Thank you to all members who have paid their 2017 subscription. This is the last month you will receive your newsletter and any other correspondence from the society if your subs have not been paid.

Please take advantage of the grace period if you haven’t already paid. You can make payment via the internet to SASA Nedbank Constantia, branch code 198765, account number 1088006981. Email proof of payment to secretary@sasa-artists.co.za and please use your name as the reference.

We have an unidentifiable payment, made in January, so if you’ve paid and stop receiving your mail, this could

be you! You can help by checking your bank records as to what was written in the beneficiary column.

If you pay by cheque, please make your payment out to the South African Society of Artists (in full) and post to: The Treasurer PO Box 2574 Clareinch 7740

Ordinary members : R270 Country members : R170 Students (full time under 25) : R170

SASA Programme - What’s on

Monthly Meetings

SASA Monthly Meetings are held at the Athenaeum, Boundary Terraces, off Campground Road, Newlands, on the last Thursday of every month at 19h00. Entry is R10 for members and R20 for guests, including refreshments. The library will be open from 17h45 to 18h45 – your membership card is your access to the library.

Thursday 23rd February: Annual General Meeting and Drawing Competition: This year’s AGM went off without a hitch and it’s a big thank you to Solly Gutman for chairing the meeting. Your council will remain the same as 2016 with two additional members joining the team. Welcome to Lynne Menge and Ronnie Biccard. Glenda Chambers presented a cheque for R10 000 to Liesl Hartmann, Principal of the Peter Clarke Art Centre. This money will be used for the advancement of art in underprivileged areas. You can read more about the centre by clicking here.

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Our Annual Drawing Competition which follows the AGM was well attended although not all members present put up work. The drawings that were on show were really exceptional, and it’s well done to three of our new members who featured in the top 10.

Congratulations to our prize winners – seen here with their winning works 1st Place Craig Paton-Ash 2nd Place Adele Sanders 3rd Place Mary McMillan

Thursday 30th March: Fellows Demonstration:

This has become an annual event due to its immense popularity. This year we have the

following Fellows who will be giving demonstrations of their work:

Solly Gutman

Lyn Northam

Wyn Rossouw

Charles van der Merwe

Fanie le Roux

Veronica Reid

Laura Wenman

Exhibitions

Merit Exhibition 2017: Thursday 26th January to Tuesday 7th February: Although sales were down on last year’s Merit, the artists who exhibited sold very well. Well done to everyone who took part – it really was an exceptional Merit.

Art in the Park 1 2017: Sunday 26th March: It’s all systems go for this year’s first Art in the Park.

The stand numbers were only sent out at the end of February, so by now you

should have all your information. If you still want to book, please email Glenda at president@sasa-artists.co.za – we still have three weeks to get organised. The stands (approx. 3mx3m) will cost R100 and you can do an eft to SASA Nedbank Constantia branch 198765 account number 1088006981 – PLEASE use your name as the beneficiary reference.

Remember you can put up work that has been on previous SASA exhibitions and at the same time do your

own sales and marketing! Prints and cards of your own original artwork will be allowed at this event provided you also display original work as well.

Set up is from 8.00am – no-one will be allowed early access to the park and you will have an hour to set up your stand and then move your car from the area. SASA will take 15% commission on ALL sales to cover costs. A credit card facility will be available and all payments, whether cash or credit card, need to be made at the SASA table.

Please remember that you are responsible for supplying all your own equipment (stands, gazebo, etc).

Laura Wenman in full demo mode in 2016!

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Members’ 1 Exhibition 3rd – 14th May 2017: The first Members’ exhibition of the year has been scheduled during Autumn at Kirstenbosch and includes two weekends! Conditions of Entry, entry forms and labels will be sent out closer to the time.

You will also be informed as to the maximum number of works you will be allowed to exhibit when we have an indication of the number of artists taking part.

Other Exhibitions: SASA member, Frederike Stokhuyzen, is having a solo exhibition of paintings at Cape Gallery. The opening will be on Sunday 12th March and will be opened by Amanda Botha. The exhibition runs until 8th April. Please contact the Cape Gallery (60 Church Street Cape Town 8001, 021423 5309) for further information.

Plein Air Outings

The first outing of the year was a great success with everyone sketching up a storm on Valentine’s Day.

The second one was on the 6th March at Altydsgedacht with Sonja Frenz – an email was sent out with the information.

And then in April it’s back to the Deep South with Yvonne Ankerman convening the morning at Scarborough Beach on Tuesday 4th April. Meet at the main beach parking lot at 9.00 am. There is plenty of parking and two restaurants and a coffee shop within walking distance of the beach.

Remember to bring a chair, umbrella, hat, sunblock and all your painting equipment that you need for the morning. It is also advisable to take something to eat and drink (plenty of water).

Please let Michele Batchelder know if you will be attending so we know who to expect on the day. Please email her at african.artist@gmail.com by the 24th March.

Studio Visits

The first studio visit on the 17th February was well attended and it’s a special thank you to Yvonne Ankerman, Karin Davel and Ronnie Biccard for opening their studios for us.

The next one is going to be scheduled for April and Michele is busy putting together the programme for us. You will be informed of the studios and dates later this month.

Autumn Landscape by John Constable

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Library

Thank you to all those members who returned their overdue library items.

We have a new library protocol in place and members are asked to please pick up a copy of the updated Library Protocol leaflet and familiarise themselves with the latest procedure.

Sadly, after the stocktake, the library is still missing four DVDs two of which are by Alvaro Castagnet: Passionate Painter in Northern England and Passionate Painter in Paris; DVD063 and DVD068. Together with the missing

Castagnet book W107, this makes three Alvaro Castagnet items.

Until such time as these items are returned, there will be no new DVDs added to our collection.

Please have a look in your DVD player and check your DVD collections to see if these missing items may be there. If you do find them, please contact Audrey urgently to let her know when you can arrange to return them. Her email is audsinnes@hotmail.com. Here is the total list of missing DVDs:

DVD027 Wileman, Peter Painting the Light in Oils

DVD055 Soan, Hazel A Splash of Colour Part 2

DVD063 Castagnet, Alvaro The Passionate Painter in the North of England

DVD064 Alade, Adebanji Coastal Adventures in Acrylic

DVD068 Castagnet, Alvaro The Passionate Painter in Paris

DVD094 Saper, Chris How to Paint Skin Tones in Oil

Workshops, Classes and Information

Your 2017 membership card will allow you to claim your 10% discount from the following art shops: Deckle Edge – all branches, The Italian Artshop, Brush and Canvas and The Art Shop in Hermanus and 5% from Art Sauce in town and Creative Atelier in Durbanville. You will need to present your 2017 membership card when claiming your discount, so please ensure that you collect your card at the monthly meeting. All the art shops have instructions to only give the discount to paid up members. Robert Slingsby has been honoured with being the solo launch artist for a new Everard Read gallery in Franschhoek. The art on exhibition will feature his large portraits/drawings of the Omo valley tribes in Southern Ethiopia. The opening of the new gallery will be on Sunday 19th March at 11am. The gallery and gallery precinct features The Leeu Collection with sculpture in their garden and surrounds. The gallery address is 20 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek.

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Landscape Painting Getaway in the Majestic Overbert with Lesley Charnock 15th – 19th May, 2017. In the heart of the Overberg and in one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world - no more than an hour and a half away from Cape Town - lies the small seaside village of BETTY’S BAY. What it lacks in architectural splendour, it more than makes up for with its breath-taking mountains, its beaches, craggy coves and pounding seas. This is where you are invited to join Lesley Charnock, at her studio, for her autumn workshop. COST: Tuition, teas and very tasty light lunches – R4,850. ACCOMMODATION: There are B&Bs and guesthouses plus self-catering cottages near the venue. For more information and to book, please contact Lesley at lesart@webafrica.org,za. South Peninsula Art Gallery will be holding a Tiny Art 2017 exhibition. This is a mixed media and open genre exhibition featuring artworks measuring only 20cm x 20cm. It is only open to artists living in the South

Peninsula area and submissions are open until Wednesday 5th April. Please contact the organiser, Carrie Basson for more information at southpeninsulagallery@gmail.com.

Hermanus FynArts Festival: Diarise the dates 9 – 18 June 2017. Don’t miss the 2017 festival and yet another bumper programme to celebrate five years of FynArts in honour of South African arts and artists. Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za, at

selected Webtickets outlets or at Hermanus Tourism, Station Building (028 312 2629).

Advertising Rates

All money earned from advertising goes towards our Outreach Initiative. To advertise in the newsletter or send out an email, the advertising rates for art-related events are:

Full page R260 Half page R160 Third page R130

Quarter page R110 Sixth page R 85 Eighth page R 70

Email rates Business or non-members advertising service or goods for profit. R200 Members advertising service or goods for profit. R150

Water Soluable Oil Paints

This article is by Marion Boddy-Evans, artist living on the Isle of Skye.

“Oil painting purists may shudder at the thought, but water soluble oils are here to stay. Many painters have discovered the joy of working with these newer oils and there are many reasons why you might consider doing so yourself.

“Water mixable oils are perfect for painters who have allergies and those who work in home studios. They are also a great introduction to oil paints, so beginners may wish to explore this medium as well.

“What are Water Soluble Oil Paints? First of all, it is important to understand what water soluble oil paints are. They are not water-based, but water-soluble paint and that distinction is key. These paints are real oils, they simply have the ability to be mixed and cleaned with water.

“Water soluble means that you can use water to thin the oil paint (though traditional oil mediums like linseed or stand oils can also be used). While we learned in elementary school that water and oil do not mix, the water mixable (also called water miscible or solvent-

free oils) paints have been formulated to accept water and get around that chemical barrier.

“These paints retain almost all of the aspects which painters love about oil paints. They make it more accessible, convenient, and easier to work with oils. With practice and attention to how they are mixed, water mixable oils can produce stunning paintings that rival the colour depth and texture of those done with traditional oils.

“The Advantages of Water Soluble Oils

Painters have long considered oil paints to be the crème de la crème when it comes to mediums. They take extra skill and care to use, but are rewarding because of the textures and vibrant colours they can produce. Oil paintings are also appreciated for their longevity and ease of care.

“As great as oils are, they have always had their drawbacks. Long drying times and harsh fumes from solvents are among the biggest complaints from artists

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concerning oils. These can scare off beginners and cause painters with allergies and other concerns (like a home studio with children and pets nearby) to avoid this type of paint.

“Water soluble oils address these concerns and there are many benefits to using them:

The joy and look of working with oils without the harsh toxins and fumes found in turpentine and other compounds used with traditional oils.

Faster drying time than traditional oils.

More time to work with the paint than water-based acrylics allow.

Mixable with water, linseed oil, or other solvents to produce different effects.

It is possible to mix these with traditional oils and some acrylic paints.

“Working with Water Soluble Oils When you begin to work with water soluble oils, you will find that they are much like working with traditional oils. They smell like oils and you can use many of the same solvents. “Your choice of solvents is vast. While you can use water to thin water soluble oil paints, it may not be your best option. Straight water will often create a duller colour and stickier paint that doesn't brush easily or work well when other oils are added. In reality, water may be best reserved for clean up with these paints. Traditional linseed oil can be used to thin water soluble oils and it will give the painting a nice sheen and add depth to the colour. There are specially formulated linseed, safflower, and other oils designed to work with these non-traditional oils.

“You will also be able to use other mediums to customize your painting experience and the finished piece. Among these are fast-drying mediums, stand oils, impasto and alkyd mediums, and blenders to give heavily pigmented colours more of a transparent look... These paints dry considerably faster than traditional oils, though not as fast as acrylics. On average and depending on how thick the paint is, you may get up to 48 hours of workable time with these paints before they lose their elasticity.

“You can mix them with other paints. Because water soluble oil paints bridge the gap between oil and acrylic paints, they can often be mixed with either. You will need to experiment and choose wisely, but it is possible.

“When mixing with traditional oils, you lose some of the ability to mix the paint with water. Many artists have found that a small amount of oil (below 25%) is a good range if you want to retain some water solubility. Again, an oil-based solvent like linseed oil will likely give you superior results.

“The colours mix very well. Artists who have made the switch have been impressed with the vibrant colours that they can get with the pigments and have even found it difficult to produce a 'muddy' colour… You might notice that some pigments are more transparent than they are with their oil-based counterparts. Some artists have noticed this difference with the likes of viridian green and cobalt blue.

“The one aspect you may enjoy even more with water soluble oils is the ease of creating transparent glazes and water-washed underpaintings. This is where the ability to mix the pigment with water is very helpful.

“Drying Time and The Longevity of Your Paintings Many components go into the creation of water soluble oils and the formulation took many factors into account. The water soluble oils have been designed to

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prevent yellowing and should be treated like any other oil painting once you've finished the work.

“Allow plenty of drying time - a week to a few months depending on thickness and the solvent used - and avoid dark, damp rooms. To speed up drying time, add a fast-drying medium to your paint. If you used water, a shorter drying time is required because water evaporates quicker than oil-based solvents.

“Varnish finished paintings as you would any other oil. Like always, make sure the painting is completely dry, not just dry to the touch.

“Water soluble oils are relatively new to the world of painting, so it is difficult to say exactly how good they are when it comes to longevity. Artists who have been using them for years have seen no difference in their first paintings and seem to think they are aging as well as traditional oils.”

We are an affiliate member of the

South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA)

www.sanava.co.za