In This Issu In This Issue

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March
2012
September 2013
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geag.net
PRESIDENT’S CORNER:
In This Issue
PRESIDENT’S CORNER – BEWARE THE CAMERA
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Congratulations to all of you who participated in our annual “Gateway to
Art” exhibit at Our Lady of the Snows. It was beautifully received! We
sold four pieces this year…two of the sales were paintings done by new
GEAG members, John Klein and Karen Romani!
Kathy Hardin-Odle, Exhibits Chair, sent me the following article from
Robert Genn that I felt would be pertinent to share, particularly to our
numerous GEAG painters, because judges notice.
Recently, Ben Novak of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada wrote: "Are traced or
projected photos an acceptable way to draw? When proportions and
perspectives are too perfect, when shadows are perfect and contrasting as
in bright sunlight, when stop motion is involved, where is the artist's
personal feeling? Does not the best art arise from slight imperfections and
personal ways of rendering?"
Thanks, Ben. Your questions will be argued as long as there are inventive
minds. In the meantime, here are some thoughts: Used as a tool in
painting, photography may diminish passion and sincerity. A certain
roughness and distortion is more convincing as the genuine article. Think
of Vincent Van Gogh's use of incorrect and overly strong colours. His lack
of sophistication gave character and distinctiveness. Art communicates
best when we feel the artist's struggle.
Used as a tool in painting, photography may be the enemy of style. By
showing what is, photography misses out on what could be. Simply put, it's
valuable to run an image through the filter of the human
imagination rather than the lens of a camera. Think again of Cont. pg 5
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President’s
Corner
Aug ’13
Meeting
minutes
Aug ’13
Meeting
minutes Cont
Calendar;
Member
Activity
President’s
Corner Cont.
Workshops
and More
Sept 2013
President
Marty Spears
(618) 795-0522
president@geag.net
Vice President:
Sue Lowry
(618) 234-6498
vicepresident@geag.net
Secretary:
Darlene Caviness
(618) 222-0888
secretary@geag.net
Treasurer:
Lois Holthaus
(618) 526-4331
treasurer@geag.net
Program Chair:
Kathy Gomric
(618) 476-1299
program@geag.net
Exhibits Chair:
Kathy Hardin-Odle
618-420-0369
exhibits@geag.net
Membership Chair:
Sheila Holloman
(618) 222-0396
membership@geag.net
Webmaster:
Michael Waligorski
web@geag.net
Hospitality:
To be Filled at a
Later Date
Publicity Chair:
Kay Brendel
(618) XXX-XXXX
publicity@geag.net
Workshop Chair:
Beth Meier
(618) 526-4921
workshop@geag.net
Newsletter Editor:
Tom Wodarczyk
(618) 530-1365
newsletter@geag.net
Gateway East Artists Guild
Meeting Minutes – August 7, 2013
Terry Waldron, an artist and teacher from Sparta, presented a fascinating program for us.
He was friends with the late Roscoe Misselhorn, the “Norman Rockwell of the
Midwest” and was instrumental in establishing the museum in Sparta which houses over
2000 of Miselhorn’s original drawings, paintings, cartoons, etc. The Gallery is housed
in the restored Gulf, Mobile and Ohio train depot that was used in the film, “In the Heat
of the Night.” The Gallery has a large, permanent exhibit but also has space for other
exhibits that can be displayed and sold.
Terry draws and paints, with a preference for pen and ink. He teaches his students that
art a process, and those who “get it” are the ones who will make it in the art world.
Terry uses Micron pens for his art, a change after he realized that the ink from the Pilot
pens he was using faded over time. He also uses Kinko’s to have prints made of his pen
and ink drawings – it is fast, economical and the quality is excellent. Terry is a lively
and very entertaining speaker. He also brought several examples of Misselhorn’s work,
which was amazing!
Break –
The Guild membership now stands at 101. Two guests were welcomed to the meeting
by president Marty Spears.
We have two workshops coming up. Michael Anderson will conduct a plein air
workshop at Rock Springs Park in O’Fallon, IL on September 28th from 9-4. This
workshop is free to GEAG members so everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the
opportunity, you can learn a lot. Linda Rawson is the contact for this workshop.
The second workshop will be taught by Michelle Wells on October 26th at the Stone
Lodge in Bellevue Park in Belleville. This pastels workshop is limited to 14
participants. Cost is $50 for GEAG members and $70 for non-members. A materials
list is on the flyer which is available on the GEAG website.
A reminder that art retrieval for the exhibition at Governor French is Saturday, August
31st from 10:00 to 12:00.
The Gateway To Art show at the Shrine retrieval is August 17th from 10:00 to 12:00.
The show this year was larger than last year with many fine entries. Our
members get better and better every year. Over $1000 in prizes was donated
by vendors such as Gamblin, Cheap Joe’s and Dick Blick. Please patronize
their businesses to thank them. A round of applause goes all those who helped
make the show such a success. Tom Wodarczyk and Mike Waligorski made
registering for the event easy, several volunteers helped receive and hang art
PAGE 2
Sept 2013
and Kathy Hardin-Odle planned and did most of the work necessary. Thanks
everyone! People’s Choice ballots will be counted at retrieval and the winner
announced at the September meeting.
The Christmas Art Competition to be held at our party in December has a size limit of
17 inches in any direction. GEAG decorates a themed Christmas tree at the
Shrine each year. This year’s theme is “Christmas songs.” Linda Klossner is
our liason to the shrine and reports that our specific song is ”The Twelve Days
of Christmas.” What a great inspiration for lots of ornaments! Don’t forget to
bring your completed ornaments to the November meeting. After the
ornament competition, they will be used to decorate our tree at the Shrine.
Don’t forget, everyone is welcome to help with the decorating.
The Senior Art Show deadline for registration is August 26th. The competition is open
to artists 60 and older and the show is in October.
Notes & Reminders
GEAG Logo Items
Logo Items are available at
every membership meeting.
Please see Tom Wodarczyk if
you are interested in making
a purchase.
Newsletter Mailings
If anyone is receiving the
“Mixed Media Messages”
newsletter via postal mail and
would like to go ‘Paper Free’
with the online edition only,
simply send a brief note to
membership@geag.net
Salute to the Arts is the weekend of August 25th. GEAG will have a demo tent and Sue
Lowry has scheduled volunteers. Several of our members will have booths,
so please be sure to stop by and say hello.
The PSOP artist for August is Michael Anderson.
GEAG elections are coming up. The positions of President and Vice President are up
for election this year. Please submit nominee names to Lois Holthaus.
It has come to the board’s attention that the email blast announcements and reminders
do not reach all of our members.
Joyce Wells has volunteered to
call those who do not have
email. Please give her your
name and phone number if you
prefer toget announcements by
phone.
$500.00
Artist Opportunity
MORE INFORMATION
Name tag winner: Vi Leyba
50:50 winner: Steve Reich
Dave Cornell and Marty Coulter
provided a great critique of the art
in our monthly contest. Thanks guys!
Respectfully submitted,
Darlene Caviness,
GEAG Secretary
Monthly Art Contest winners
1st Place: Marty Coulter
2nd Place: Dave Cornell
3rd Place: Sheila Holoman
Creative Kids Art Class
Aug 31: Rockin’ to the Blues
F G T
PAGE 3
Sept 2013
GEAG 2013 Calendar
+ ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR
Aug 31 Pick up art at Governor French Gallery
Sep 4 GEAG meeting
10 a.m. to noon
6 p.m.
program - Michael Anderson - plein air sketchbook
Sep 28 Watercolor workshop on plein air sketchbooks
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rock Springs Park, O'Fallon, IL
Oct 2 GEAG meeting
6 p.m.
program - Scott Jenkins - American Frame & Art Supply
Oct 9 Delivery of art for Life Experienced (Senior Art Exhibit)
9 a.m. to noon
Schmidt Art Center, SWIC
Oct 11 Opening reception for Life Experienced
6 to 8 p.m.
Oct 12 Life Experienced open
11 a.m to 4 p.m.
Oct 13 Life Experienced open
noon to 4 p.m.
Oct 14-16 Life Experienced open
9 a.m to 5 p.m.
Oct 17 Pick up art at Life Experienced
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct 26 Michele Wells - Pastel Workshop
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov 6 GEAG meeting
6 p.m.
program - TBA
Monthly competition will be ornaments for GEAG Christmas tree
(Theme - Twelve Days of Christmas)
Nov 16 Delivery of art for Art and Wine Walk
10 a.m to 2 p.m.
Art on the Square Gallery
30 Public Square, Belleville
Nov 23 Art and Wine Walk
5 to 9 p.m.
Downtown Belleville
Dec 4 GEAG meeting
6 p.m.
Christmas party, Card contest
Art competition and exhibit
Dec 14 Pick up art at Art on the Square Gallery
10 a.m. to noon
PAGE 4
Sept 2013
Vincent Van Gogh--those cypresses of his twist into the sky like tortured
flames. I took photos all over Provence and found none just like his.
Used as a tool in painting, photography may not, after all, produce perfection.
Photography is forever at war with knowledge and truth. Horses, for example, generally
need to be painted with longer legs than a camera might indicate. In portraiture, the
human neck often needs to be longer, or thinner, or less strained. Think of John Singer
Sargent, who took well-heeled reality and added elegance and dignity.
For the painter, photography is a brilliant tool and a cruel master. Because of the
complexity and consequent difficulty of drawing hands, I often mention them as a
legitimate use of photographic reference. But think of Egon Schiele: In his short, brilliant
life he attempted the understanding of hands. His hands are extensions of the emotions and
windows to the soul--the second most expressive part of the human body. Stress, languor,
stupor, and wisdom exude from Egon's hand…
PS: "We are the strongest filter we can place before the lens. We point the lens both
outward and inward." (John Paul Caponigro)
Esoterica: Another problem that besets photo-dependent painters lies in the process by
which reference is collected. Especially since the advent of digital, artists snap willy-nilly
without looking and seeing the subjects they might render. While "sorting it out in the
studio" has some value and "random catches" may provoke new ideas, true visual
understanding is often lacking in photo-based work. Jurors of juried shows often remark
on this condition. Sitting in front of a subject and sweating it out may be the old fashioned
path but, in my opinion, it can produce better art. "Cavete camerae," said the well-known
Roman philosopher and poet
Kjerkius Gennius, (36BC)
Thank you to all our members for
"Beware of the camera."
demonstrating their beautiful art at
If any of you are interested in
Salute to the Arts. Many patrons were
receiving Robert Genn’s twice
seen carrying our brochures as they
weekly letters, click on the link
visited the artists and we will hopefully
below for information.
add a few members from our efforts.
http://painterskeys.com/
Gary Olds of the Arts Council was
generous in his praise of our demo tent
Marty Spears
and its artists and Salute has invited us
President
back for next year.
Pres. Corner
PAGE 5
Sept 2013
Sketching In
Watercolor:
Landscapes
GEAG Exhibit at ART and WINE WALK
And Unique Boutique
Saturday, November 23, 2013, 5 to 9 p.m.
Delivery: Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pickup: Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. to noon
Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Deadline for submission: November 9, 2013
Applications may be submitted by email
srlowry@sbcglobal.net
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION
"Foggy Morning"
Pastel Workshop
You are invited to a free
workshop presentation
by Michael Anderson
just for GEAG members
at the
Rock Creek Pavilion,
1428 E 3rd, O'Fallon, IL.
Saturday, Sept 28,
9-4pm
APPLICATION
Grafton Art in the Park: 9/14 - 15
A Call for Artists
Saturday, Oct 26, 2013, 9 AM to 4 PM.
at Stone Lodge, Bellevue Park, 48 Bier St,
Belleville, Il 62226.
Cost is $50 Guild members and $70 for nonmembers, payable to GEAG.
MORE INFORMATION
VIDEO LINKS:
August 2013 Meeting
Watercolor Workshop
Artwork Retrieval
Local
Treasures
The Governor French
Art Gallery
223 W Main St
Belleville, IL 62220
(618) 233-7542
Staunton Art & Music Fair
Saturday, Sept 21, 2013
10am - 5pm
Sunday, Sept 22, 2013
11am - 4pm
MORE INFO
APPLICATION
Saturday,
August 31st
10am - 12pm
PAGE 6
Special Occasion Cakes
Wedding Cakes
Gooey Butter Cake
Peanut Squares
Cupcakes + Pies
Sandwiches
Salads + Soups
Fresh Bread
“Nice by the slice" Everyday Special:
Buy 1 slice of cake or pie
and get one FREE!
10th St Baking Co.
1021 West Main St.
Belleville, IL 62220