Women Painters of Washington

October 2009 Vol. 22 No. 2
2009-2010 Calendar
October Cover Artist-Catherine Foster
October 14, 2009 - Kate Steiger. Seattle Art
Museum, 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA
98101 (See page 5)
November 11, 2009 - Cynthia Toops, Dan
Adams, jewelers/bead artists. Seattle Art
Museum, 1300 First Avenue, Seattle WA
98101
December 9, 2009 - Christmas Luncheon.
Nile Golf and Country Club, 6601 244th
Street SW, Mountlake Terrace WA 98043
January 13, 2010 - Beth Takewa. Women in
Asian Art. Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King
Street, Seattle WA 98104
February 10, 2010 - Pam Ingalls. Seattle Art
Museum, 1300 First Avenue, Seattle WA
98101
March 10, 2010 - Suzanne Moore. Design
and Calligraphy at the Smithsonian. Seattle
Art Museum, 1300 First Avenue, Seattle WA
98101
April 14, 2010 - New members. ArtWorks, 201
Second Ave S., Edmonds WA 98020
May 12, 2010 - Spring Luncheon, Location:
TBA
MEETING SCHEDULE
Board meeting
10:00 am
Social Hour
11:00 am
Business Meeting
Noon
Program
12:30pm
“Robe of Peace, paint on copper.
Catherine’s ”Peace Prevails”
project is a three-phase project.
Current works in galleries, peace
tapestries, peace kimonos, peace
weavings and more are her first
step. Phase II is an interactive
project with full body castings of
people, one from each continent
with activated voices stating in
each individual’s language words
of peace. This phase is in its beginning stage.
“Robe of Peace” is paint on copper and aluminum, embossed with the world words for peace. The embossed metal
is woven together to create a symbol of unity and peace in
the world.
Robe of Peace is part of Catherine’s “Peace Prevails” project “Weaving Peace Through Art”.
October 2009
1
FROM THE PRESIDENT,,,
www.womenpainters.com
Women Painters of Washington is sponsored by
We’ve had rain! What a thing to
get excited about. That and the
return of cool evenings, even on
hot days, means Fall really is here.
I find myself often pulled out into
the garden, trying to squeeze
every last bit of balmy day experience out of my days. Meanwhile,
the emails are flying, as Women Painters get ready for the
beginning of a new year of meetings and shows. As the
days shorten and gray skies become the norm, we have
some great programs to look forward to.
As a studio painter, I don’t often go out for plein aire
painting and drawing. When I do it is always a treat. This
summer we spent a week at Cape Arago, on the Oregon
Coast. This was the first time in almost 20 years that I have
been there long enough to paint, even though it is one
of our favorite places. It was a way of marking the passage of time, just by seeing how differently I respond now
to the constantly changing nature of the appearance
of the world. The last time I was there, I painted the rocks
and crashing surf and wind-swept trees. This time, I was
painting the light. Last time, I mixed colors on the palette.
This time, I glazed layers straight from the tube and used
a very different palette of colors. It’s a slower way to build
a painting, so I have scaled down the size. Because the
movement of the sun creates paintings and then destroys
them in a very short time, I chose to make paintings of
the morning light and drawings of the afternoon light.
Years ago I was unconcerned about the light - perhaps
because it was foggy most days! I would paint all day
on one painting and finish it in the evenings in the motel
room. This time I returned on a second morning to finish
each piece and was lucky enough to have a whole week
of sun.
Cape Arago is one of those magical places where you
could sit down in one spot and just turn in place to paint
or draw an infinite number of images and never need to
move. This is especially true since I love rock and water. It
is very complex geologically and rich with moving water
and wildlife. It takes me a while to settle down in one spot
because I want to capture everything at once! I will enjoy
painting in the studio from the many photos I took that
week. We have promised ourselves that we won’t wait so
many years before returning.
I hope you all have stored up wonderful memories like
that over this past summer and have a full well to draw
from over the coming days as we all withdraw indoors. I
look forward to seeing everyone again, and hearing your
stories.
Elizabeth Kincaid
2
October 2009
PRESIDENT
Elizabeth Kincaid
e@elizabethkincaid.com
FIRST VICE PRESIDENTS (Programs)
Sue Gill Rose
Marilyn Webberley
suegillrose@verizon.net
bpub2@gte.net
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT (Social) Nanci Bogni
bogmark@aol.com
RECORDING SECRETARY
Beverly S. Starkovich tonyandbeverly@msn.com
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Nancy Fulton
TREASURER
Jane Mayer
Dcf12139@aol.com
JMAYER9261@comcast.net
About Your Newsletter :
Beginning with the January 2010 newsletter, no
newsletters will be mailed via US mail to members
UNLESS each member who wants a mailed copy
notifies Pat Hitchens (pjhitchens@mac.com). It will
be incumbent upon each member who wants to
receive a US mailed version to notify Pat before
December 15 that she wants to receive the
newsletter by US mail. If a member does not notify
Pat of her wish to receive the newsletter by US
mail, she will receive only an e-mailed version until
she notifies Pat of her wish to receive a US mail
copy.
Beginning with this current (October 2009)
newsletter, all members who have e-mail
addresses in the WPW data base will receive an
e-mail version of the newsletter. Those members
who regularly receive the newsletter by US mail
will still receive it that way until January unless
a request is made to be reinstated as a US mail
newsletter recipient.
Member News
Sue Gill Rose had two paintings selected by the Edmonds Art Festival juried show. She also has a painting
in the Lynnwood Art Commision Celebrate 50 Show. This
show is exhibited at the Lynnwood Library Gallery and
runs from September 28 through November 12.
Betty Jo Fitzgerald will be the juror of Awards for the
Northwest Collage Society show in October. The city of
Moscow, Idaho purchased Betty Jo’s painting “Boxed
Tulips” for their collection.
“Baked Goods”, Jeanne Edwards, oil.
Tracy Fraker has gained signature membership to
International Society of Experimental Painters (ISEA).
This year’s annual show was held in Bethlehem PA.
“Boxed Tulips”, Betty Jo Fitzgerald,
monotype with collaged elements.
Catherine Foster received the Cultural Foundation of
NW grant of $1,000 for supplies to create all new works
for the upcoming invitational Arts Alive, November,
2009 in La Conner WA.
Three paintings by Sarah Waldo are included in the Tacoma Community College Gallery juried show, September 1 to October 1. She had two paintings accepted
in the Western Washington Fair Art Show which runs
September 12 through September 28. Three of Sarah’s
paintings are included in the Puget Sound Sumi Show at
the Handforth Gallery in Tacoma. This show runs September 1 through October 1.
Mareth Warren recently
received signature status
in Northwest Watercolor
Society and also won the
top award in the National
Watercolor Society with her
piece entitled “Flaxen Hair,
Freckles”.
“Flaxen Hair, Freckles”,
Mareth Warren, watercolor.
Jeanne Edwards’ painting “Baked Goods” has been
accepted into the American Impressionist Society
Exhibition held in Denver, Colorado.
Tracy will be also be showing at the Blue Heron
Gallery on Vashon Island the month of November.
She continues to teach experimental acrylic painting
techniques at Cole Gallery in Edmonds and she
is teaching portrait drawing through the ArtsNow
program.
Marilyn Bergstrom is in a group show at The Gallery
- Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, “The Circle” from October 2 through November 3. Marilyn and Susan Bethke
invite you
to “Art To Wear”, one of a kind necklaces, bracelets
and earrings on Saturday, November 7, 10 AM to 4 PM
at 3510 Beach Drive in Seattle, Bring a friend!
A painting by Cheryl King will be featured on a wine
label for Animale Wine. The release wine tasting event
will be held in early October. Details can be found on
the website: www.animalewine.com.
Madelaine Georgette will exhibit a series of mixed
media artworks on her Global Warming Project in
Paris at
Galerie Thuillier, 13 rue de
Thorigny from
September 25
through October 9. Her solo
exhibition will
include works
addressing
Arctic warming,
deforestation
“From Above”, Madelaine Geor- and desertificagette, mixed media/oils/encaustion. Reception
will be September 29th, 6pm to 9pm.
Member News continued on Page 4
October 2009
3
Member News-continued from page 3
Sheila Theodoratos received the Sharon Tietjen Memorial
Award of Exceptional Merit (tied for 2nd) at the
Colored Pencil Society of America International Juried
Art Show in Atlanta, Georgia this summer, with her piece
“Self: In Progress”.
Michele Usibelli will exhibit two paintings in the
American Impressionist Society 10th Annual Naltional
Juried Exhibition. This is the 4th consecutive year that
Michele has exhiibited in this show. Please visit the Saks
Galleries website for a listing of all the wonderful artists
included in this annual show. Location: Saks Galleries,
Cherry Creek, CO.
Patsy Surh O'Connell's painitngs will be included in
the show, "Ink Connection - China, Korea, Japan,"
at Tacoma Community College, The Gallery, during
October. The reception will be held on Thursday,
October 15, 4pm to7pm. There will be a ' with the artists'
opportunity at the reception to share how each of the
artists approach painting using ink.
Classes and Workshops
“Self in Progress”, Sheila Theodoratos,
colored pencil
Christine Olson Gedye will open her new solo show,
Edge of Light, at the Fountainhead Gallery in Seattle on
Thursday, October 8. The twenty-plus oil paintings feature familiar and favorite Northwest places (Green Lake,
Discovery Park, the North Cascades, the hills over Port
Angeles), graced with the transitional light at the beginning and end of day. The gallery will host a preview
reception on Thursday, October 8, from 5pm to 7pm, as
well as an opening with live cello music on Saturday,
October 10 from 5pm to 7pm. Christine will be at both
events.
Denise Cormier Mahoney, in her second year of
graduate work in Art Education through Texas Tech
University, holds studio classes during summer breaks
from teaching high school art at Crosspoint Academy
(formerly known as King’s West) in Bremerton. Many
of these classes are open to artists who would like to
be a part of a studio setting, working on their own art
with critiques from peers and instructors. If you are
interested in joining Denise next summer, check out this
website for the type of classes that were offered this
year www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcountry/junction/Summer.
Jacqui Beck announces the following upcoming
workshops:
Expressive Acrylic Painting Workshops
Location: Rainier Valley Cultural Center.
Dates and descriptions:
Saturday, October 10. Fee: $95. Expressive Acrylic
Painting: Create Bold Statements with Your Compositions.
Monday through Friday, October 19 through 23. Fee:
$395. Expressive Acrylic Painting: Five-Day Wider &
Deeper Workshop.
Saturday November 14. Fee: $95. Expressive Acrylic
Painting: Stretch Toward Abstraction.
To register for any workshop, contact me at jacqui@
jacquibeck.com or call 206-325-7267
Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio presents a two-day workshop with Michele Usibelli. Join Michele Friday and Sat“Floating in Fog”, Christine Gedye, oil
urday, October 30 and 31, 2009 at this newly completed
(Included in solo show, Edge of Light).
studio (formerly Fall City Fine Art Studio) with a reputation for hosting some of the nation’s most popular art
Randena Walsh had two paintings accepted in Art Port
instructors. Set among the splendor of Edgecliff Drive in
Townsend/Expressions Northwest. The regional show will
Langley, this Whidbey Island studio setting is a painter’s
be held at Northwind Arts Center in Port Townsend, Octo- dream. For more information contact Cary Jurrians at
ber 2 through November 1.
Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio, 206-571-0442 or 360-6374690 or Michele Usibelli at 206-546-2351. Cost: $200.
4 October 2009
October Speaker-Katherine Steiger
Katherine Steiger developed her original technique of mixed media painting while a student at the Rhode Island School of Design. After graduating
with a degree in Fine Arts, Steiger worked in New York City for a few years,
before moving to the Washington DC area. She had her first one-person
show at the Spectrum Gallery in Georgetown. The exhibit was reviewed in
the Washington Post:
“With all due homage to Matisse, Kate Steiger’s ‘Bulldog with Pillows’ demonstrates an exuberant imagination and evident mastery of technique.”-Meryle Secrest, The Washington Post
In November 2003, two paintings by Steiger were selected for the juried
benefit exhibit, “Art for Art’s Sake” at the National Museum of Women in
the Arts. She has had over twenty one-woman shows in the Washington
area. In their discussion of her latest exhibit, the Georgetowner Newspaper
wrote:
“Sometimes an interior landscape opens to an exterior one. The artist interweaves flowers, fruit, furniture and finely
patterned fabrics, into a rich tapestry, with textures varying from moderate impasto to flat areas of paint or collaged areas of baroque design. The technique infuses these paintings with luminous warmth.” Mark Longaker, The
Georgetowner
Steiger’s work is included in many corporate and private collections, she has done painting demonstrations, and
been a guest lecturer at colleges. She is represented by galleries and art consultants throughout the United States
and has participated in the Department of State’s Art in the Embassy Program.
In 2007 Katherine Steiger relocated to the Seattle area. Since her
move to the West Coast, her work has grown looser and larger in
scale. Her new studio in Edmonds gives Steiger the opportunity to
work on larger canvases. The ever-changing light and landscape,
both sea and sky, encourage a new, more atmospheric quality to
her painting.
Steiger had her first one-woman show in Seattle this June at the
Marni Muir Gallery in Pioneer Square. Writing in the Seattle Times,
Marian Liu described the artist’s work as a “beautiful amalgamation of memory and imagination”.
“Room with a View”, oil, Katherine Steiger
“Buried Treasure”, mixed media,
Katherine Steiger
October 2009
5
Columbia Center WPW Gallery
Women Painters of Washington Gallery
701 Fifth Avenue, Columbia Center Building, Suite 310, Seattle WA 98104
206-624-0543, www.womenpainters.com
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.
Current Show: Passages
Exhibition Dates: Tuesday,
August 4 – Friday, October 30, 2009
First Thursday Gallery Reception, 4 –
6pm, October 1
Artists Exhibiting in “Passages”
Mary Anderson/Joan Archer/Kathie Bliss/Kristi Galindo
Dyson/Naomi Gray/Jeanne Grisham/Victoria Harrison
Sandra Kahler/Hyang Kim/Suzy Kueckelhan/Donna Leavitt
Ruth Glenn Little/Marti Lyttle/Janci Mannington/Jane
Mayer/Barbara Benedetti Newton/Ilse Reimnitz/Cheryl
Richey/Nancy Rothwell/Susanne Werner/Irene Yesley
"Madrone", acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18", Marti Lyttle.
This painting was used as the poster image for
“Passages”.
“Connections” is the title of the next show at the
Women Painters of Washington Columbia Center
Gallery. The dates are November 3, 2009 through
January 29, 2010.
Show chairs:
Donna Leavitt: donnaleav@gmail.com
Naomi Gray: naomi@skygoddess.net
Upcoming Membership Show:
WPW Spring Membership Show, March 19 though April 27,
2010 at the Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell.
We are currently seeking volunteers to serve as chair
and co-chair. This is an exciting opportunity which
provides excellent skills and work experience.
Contact Barbara Noonan, 206-697-2716 or
bmnoonan@yahoo.com.
Look for details in future newsletters.
submitted by Barbara Noonan, Exhibition Chair
6
October 2009
WPW OFFICERS
WOMEN PAINTERS OF WASHINGTON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2009-2010
PRESIDENT......................................Elizabeth Kincaid
RECORDING SEC......................... Beverly Shaw-Starkovich
TREAS/FIN/BUDGET.......................Jane Mayer
1st VP/PROGRAMS...................... Sue Gill Rose
Marilyn Webberley
2ND VP /SOCIAL..........................Nancy Bogni
CORRESPONDING SEC................Nancy Fulton
e@elizabethkincaid.com
beverly@theshawcollection.com
jmayer9261@comcast.net
suegillrose@verizon.net
bpub2@gte.net
bogmark@aol.com
dcf12139@aol.com
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
DUES..............................................Esther McLatchy
DIGITAL ENTRY..............................Judith Smith
EXHIBITIONS...................................Barbara Noonan
•WPW GALLERY..........................Donna Leavitt
Susanne Werner
•MACY’S......................................Julie Creighton
•NATIONAL OPEN........................Espi Grundy
Susanne Werner
Paula Parks
LUNCHEON/HOLIDAY..................Marsha Lippert
SPRING...................................Sheila Theodoratos
VOLUNTEER DB............................Deon Matzen
AWARDS.......................................Susanne Werner
BIOGRAPHY BOOKS....................Judith Smith
PUBLICITY......................................Michele Usibelli
SEATTLE FOUNDATION.................Carole Barrer
E-MAIL NOTICES...........................Sally Cays
FRIENDSHIP...................................Gen Ashford
HISTORIAN/SUNSHINE..................Esther Akrish
LIFE MEMBERS.............................. Ann Breckon
MENTORING................................ Faye Castle
NAME TAGS..................................Barbara Benedetti
Newton
NEWSLETTER................................. Mary Anderson
ADVERTISING.........................Cissy Gray
REPORTER WPW.....................Randena Walsh
DAILY PAINTING.....................Reni Moriarity
STUDIO TOUR.........................Cheryl King
PROOFREADER.....................Christine Gedye
MAILING DB...........................Pat Hitchens
NEW MEMBERSHIP........................Lisa Stirrett
PHOTOGRAPHERS........................Cathy Woo
Randena Walsh
PO BOX PICK UP...........................Esther Akrish
RESOURCE CATALOG..................Pam Belcher
WEB DESIGNER..............................Kay Dewar
UW WOMEN’S CLINIC..................Anni Leedy
YEARBOOK ROSTER..................... Espi Grundy
TELEPHONE................................... Nancy Axell
wetpaint@fidalgo.net
judith@nightwingstudio.com
bmnoonan@yahoo.com
donna85thave@comcast.net
swlovesart@worldnet.att.net
jcreightonart@juno.com
esperanzaarts@msn.com
swlovesart@worldnet.att.net
paula_parks@msn.com
jimihofcolor11@hotmail.com
sheilatheo@earlthlink.net
debobon2001@yahoo.com
swlovesart@worldnet.att.net
judith@nightwingstudio.com
mlu@cmc.net
colorcurrents@gmail.com
sally@caysart.com
genashford@earthlink.net
eakrish@msn.com
annbreckon@gmail.com
fayecastle@comcast.net
barbaranewton@comcast.net
m.marya@verizon.net
cwvgray@comcast.net
randena@yahoo.com
renimark@centurytel.net
redfriend1@msn.com
chris@gedye.com
pjhitchens@mac.com
lisa@sjimech.com
cathywoofineart@comcast.net
randena@yahoo.com
eakrish@msn.com
pam@pambelcher.com
kaydewar@comcast.net
annileedy@yahoo.com
esperanzaarts@msn.com
Phone: 206-232-6872
October 2009
7
Women Painters of Washington
at
American Art Company
Members Show
September 12 through October 10, 2009
1126 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma WA
253-272 4327 or 800-753-2278.
Gallery hours: T-F 10am-5:30pm, Sat 10am-5pm.
Artists in Show
Barbara Walker
Mary Anderson
Tracy Kay Fraker
Collette Laico
Beverly Shaw-Starkovich
Janis Graves
Sue Gill Rose
Ann Breckon
Elizabeth Kincaid
Marilyn Webberley
Barbara Benedetti Newton
Kristi Galindo Dyson
Ilse Reimnitz
Carole Barrer
Gillian Bull
Jeannie Grisham
Barbara Noonan
Anni Leedy
Martha Brouwer
Jacqui Beck
Nancy Bogni
Jane Mayer
Dot Stanton
Esther McLatchey
Kay Dewar
Patsy Surh O’Connell
Randena Walsh
Patrice Bruzas
Pat Meras
Marianne Harlor
Betty Jo Fitzgerald
Naomi Gray
BEST OF SHOW, “Studio Still Life”, Jane Mayer
SECOND PLACE, ”Swan Song”,
Randena Walsh
FIRST PLACE, “Three Roosters”,
Naomi Gray
THIRD PLACE, “Cup Full of
Cherries”, Kay Dewar
8
October 2009
Continued on next page
ADG Printing/ Red River
Paper Company Award,
“Moo”, Barbara Noonan
Golden Art Award,“Storm Sky”,
Barbara Benedetti Newton
Canson/Cheap Joes Art
Supplies Award, “Acrobats”,
Martha Brouwer
The Sharon Tietjen Memorial
Award, ”Dead End”, Collette Laico
Art Association Award
(MIVAL, Sumi, NPS) ”Spring in Seattle”,
Patsy Surh O’Connell
West Seattle Art Club/
Katherine Baker Award,
“Neighbors”, Anni Leedy
Art & Soul Award, “Gentle Breeze”,
Janis Graves
Winsor & Newton/ColArt
Award, “Joule”, Carole Barrer
St. Cuthbert’s Mill/ADG
Printing Award, “Exist Minus
“s” is Exit”, Betty Jo Fitzgerald
M. Graham Company Award,
“Inside Out”, Marilyn Webberley
NWWS Award, “Red Hot”,
Elizabeth Kincaid
October 2009
9
Names of those whose dues have not been received
as of September 18, 2009. DID YOU FORGET?.
Esther Akrish
Reiko Araki
Marilyn Kay Barnes
Linda Bean
Rosemary Belknap
Ann Breckon
Diana Carew
Faye Kazdell Castle
Arden Charles
Michele Cooper
Roberta Crawford
Alice Dubiel
Kathleen Faulkner
Jo Finley
Catherine Foster
Linda Lee Foster
Tracy Fraker
Christine Gedye
Rita Gesinger
Catherine Gill
Cissy Gray
Janet Hamilton
Yangzhee Hsu
Evelina Huck
Elizabeth Kay
Cathy Lamb
Kari B. MacKenzie
Marjorie Mankin
Marlene L. Marczewski
Peggy McRae
Betty Mears
Pia Messina
Irina Milton
Carolyn Modarelli
Barbara Nickerson
Phyllis Oliver
Caroline Orr
Pepper Peterson
Lila Putnam
Phyllis Ray
Donna Romero
Leslie Sandbulte
Beverly Shaw-Starkovich
Diana Shyne
Cheryl Smith
Judith Smith
Joan Snapp
Lisa Snow Lady
Deborah Stachowic
Shirley Stallings
Dorothy Stanton
Lisa Stirrett
Wendy Thon
Sally Tjostelson
Michele Usibelli
Jacqueline A. Van Noy
Susan Waite
Sarah Waldo
Kristin Warner
Donna Watson
Jeanne Whitney
Marilyn Wilkins
Ina Wu
Irene Yesley
“Afternoon on Broadway”, Michele Usibelli, oil
Newsletters will not be sent to members
whose dues have not been paid by January
“Pa de Deux”, Jacqui Beck, mixed media
MACY’S WPW ART GALLERY – 2010 SHOWS
Macy’s Art Gallery is being scheduled for 2010. WPW provides exhibits of two months duration
for the 6th floor downtown Seattle Macy’s Art Gallery. The gallery is an attractive retail space with a
high degree of foot traffic. Our exhibitors have sold in 2009.
No rental space fees, sales commissions or duties.
Choose to have a solo or group show.
WPW provides publicity for each show.
Gallery open daily, during store hours.
Hang and take down your own art.
Choose to have an opening reception in conjunction with the First Thursday Seattle Gallery
Walk. Macy’s may be hired for catering.
• Detailed instructions will be provided to exhibiting artists.
•
•
•
•
•
•
To secure a two-month show, send the following information to:
Julie Creighton, Macy’s Art Gallery Chair
By mail: 612 175th PL NE Bellevue WA 98008
By e-mail: jcreightonart@juno.com
Phone: 425-641-1807 (I will unavailable by phone 9/9 to 10/04)
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________
E-Mail: ___________________________________________________
2010 Exhibit Schedule: Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr, May-June, July-Aug, Sept-Oct, Nov-Dec
1st Choice _________________________________________________
2nd Choice _________________________________________________
3rd Choice _________________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Don’t miss Elizabeth Kay’s exhibit currently at the Macy’s Gallery, through Oct 30th.
October 2009
11
Daily Painting-Anni Leedy
Ah yes, Daily Painting….
“Now, wouldn’t that be nice”, I think to myself with guilt. For
many years I have had this goal of painting daily. In fact, I remember actually taking an oath ( “…so help me, Harley!” ) to
“draw a little something each day from life”.
“Across the Field at Arcady Farm”, oil
Well, it hasn’t happened. Nope, I don’t do it. If this is more evidence of my failings as an artist, then… so be it, that’s the way
it is. I still think it is a fine goal and a fine thing to do, like many
of the habits they say we need to be good artists. However, like
lots of us capable women-with-husbands-and-families, I have
multi tasked for so many years now that I have been completely
trained to move from topic to topic, from project to project.
Even with a little more time for art these days, I am too restless to
do the same thing. Where is that income from being a “domestic engineering and human resources specialist”? But I digress….
So, enough with the confessions. They can be so tiresome, right?
Oh, but let me give you another one:
Here I am after an interesting summer of discovery: I had just enough free time and a little cash to enter some
plein air events. Why we poor artists are charged for this, I’ll never know. Despite being allergic to just about everything that grows, I really do enjoy this type of painting. I am out and away from the house and all that goes on
there. I am engaged with the outdoors, focused on what I am seeing. The piece is done swiftly and finished on
the spot…. ideally.
For awhile now I have been frustrated by not being
able to get enough paint on the canvas quickly - what
with the cold, hot, rain, pollen, potty needs, …oh yeah,
and light changes. Add to those issues my thinking,
“well, nobody is buying my work anyway, why don’t I
just do what I want, something wild n’ crazy” - but what
might that be? Those who have no need to be liked by
everyone or please others all the time won’t relate to
this, of course.
What I ended up doing was grabbing my palette knife
and, after furtively looking around to see that no one
was watching me, using it to paint, and not using my
brushes at all. I know, I can hear you say, so what’s the
big deal, Anni? Well, for me, who has always been a
draftsman and who has always found security in drawing “just so”, this was a bold move, and in public, no
less.
It was a revelation. It forced me (in a more direct may)
to figure out the simplified shapes first, then get the
warm and cool color business clear in my head and
then just glop it on. No worries! What fun! I found myself
apologizing a lot.
12
October 2009
“Near Mom’s Marsh”, oil
Continued on next page
And just to tempt the fates with my new-found freedom
from the evil “what’ll-they-think?”, two of these paintings actually sold! Living people actually made compliments. This becomes dangerous territory now. I am not
sure what to do with all of this. I won’t think about it.
The days are moving on toward fall and I am back in my
house, applying joint compound to a hole in the wall
and contemplating imaginary home repair scenarios. I
don’t think I will be using my palette knife for my portraits,
if I actually get around to doing them….
November Field Trip
The next Field Trip will visit Seattle’s famous “First
Thursday” in Pioneer Square on November 5.
Participants will meet at 5pm at Elliott Bay Book
Company, downstairs in the cafe. The address is 101
South Main Street. This will give everyone a chance
to come before 5pm and grab a quick bite or drink
before we depart at 5:15pm to tour the many galleries
in the area. This will be a fun evening with inspiration for
all.
If you plan to attend, please contact: Jeannie Grisham
206-842-9567 or cell 206-979-5913, Suzy Kueckelhan 206842-3395 or cell 206-795-2624.
(Note: The board decided last year to take this committee off the list of official committees and reaffirmed
that decision this year. That means they can be a
group that announces trips, but not claim to be a
committee.)
Show Announcements
“At English Boom”, oil
The Northwest Watercolor Society presents Waterworks
2009 Annual Members Exhibition at the Kaewyn Gallery,
10101 Main Street, Bothell WA. The exhibit runs from
October 23 through November 23. Gallery hours:
Tues.,Wed.,Thurs.,10am to 6pm; Fri.,10am to 5pm; Sat.,
10am to 4pm (Closed Sun-Mon).
Korean American Artists Association of Washington,
Members and International Korean Artists Exhibition,
coordinated by Patsy Surh O'Connell, who is also
president of KAAAW, will be held at the New Dimensions
Gallery, 206 105th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 during
the month of October. Reception, First Thursday, October
1, 6 to 8pm.
(Always keep in mind)...the mass,
the ensemble which has struck you...
that first impression by which you were moved...
“Toward Obstruction Pass”, oil
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
October 2009
13
New Members
VICTORIA HARRISON
HYANG KIM
“Honored” is most definitely the
word that describes my feelings
best about being accepted into
WPW. Being part of a group of
hard working, serious artists with
a fun flair is ideal!!! I work in my
studio on Bainbridge Island, a
room above our garage. I feel
so lucky to have the big space
I need for my (mostly) large
acrylic paintings on panel. I am
married and have two children –
both to be juniors - my daughter
at Hamilton College in upstate
New York and my son at Bainbridge High School. I have
lived in Washington for 18 years and it is home!
Water is a vital essence
in every entity. Yet nothing addresses its essential
character. Exuding time
and space, water is the
touchstone of all essentialities and connections, emerging in forms
of incredible depth and
dimensions. Water allows
itself to be emptied of
turmoil – a cleansing effect – and to retrieve the tranquility of mind. Its form is dynamic, symbolizing endless growth and transformation. When water moves,
it is compelled to return to the lowest plain – the sea,
and that place is quietude. To know its tranquility is to
embrace all humanity, exemplifying wholeness, the
foundation of infinite fulfillment. Form, yet no form,
and an ever-changing image, water is indefinable.
It is elusive, an infinite gateway to mysteries within
mystery. Water moves without deliberation. Its flow
sustains the harmony of life. It is diminishingly bountiful, nourishing the paradoxes that challenge our life
as it enlightens our mind.
My work currently explores places where earth meets
water and water meets sky, flowing from real to abstract
and is based on photos and memories relating to nature. There are so many directions I would like to take
my work, but right now I am focused on transitioning
into abstracts. I’ve been slowly getting there over the
past few years. Even though I have a degree in art from
a thousand years ago, I have never had any formal or
even informal training in abstracts. (If anyone has any
suggestions on classes or workshops, I would love that information!) Definitely out of my comfort zone, I still know
it’s the place I am heading. I am also revisiting research
into strong composition, and am also trying to incorporate my love for calligraphy and line into my paintings. I
am simplifying my work and I just “wanna have fun!”
Looking forward to getting involved with WPW.
P.S. My friends and family use lots of nicknames; I am
comfortable with Victoria, Vicky and Vic.
“A Moment into Spring”, oil on linen, Hyang Kim
“Graceful”, oil, Victoria Harrison
14
October 2009
October 2009
15
Correction: October’s meeting date is
October 14 not 7 as listed in the calendar in
last month’s newsletter.
The deadline for news and articles in the
November 2009 WPW newsletter is October 14.
SAVE THE DATE!
Women Painters of Washington
Annual Holiday Luncheon
Place: Nile Golf and Country Club
6601 244th St. SW
Mountlake Terrace, Washington 98043
Date: December 9, 2009
Time: 11am to 2pm
Women Painters of Washington
was founded in 1930 by a group of six women
artists. Their goal was to create an organization
that would promote individual growth for female
artists while at the same time nurturing a strong
fellowship among its members. Women Painters
of Washington has worked diligently to create
opportunities for artistic growth and to encourage
creative expression for women.
In our 78 year history the organization has had
over 1,000 members, many who have had significant impact on the contemporary art world
both in the states and abroad. Women Painters of Washington seek to maintain a level of
excellence and to promote artistic awareness
in the community for women artists while consistently providing opportunities to exhibit our work
throughout the United Sates and abroad. The
membership holds monthly informational meetings featuring lectures and discussions from artists
and professionals within the art community.
Women Painters of Washington currently has 175
active members residing throughout the state. For
membership information contact Lisa Stirrett at
360 373-7741.
More information about Women Painters of
Washington can be found on our website:
www.womenpainters.com
18427 Olympic View Dr.
Edmonds WA 98020