Artcolony Gift Exchange

The Artcolony is an other blog that I participate in started by Jane Freeman in MN. I was totally blown away and excited when she asked me to become a member some time this year. It is a group of very talented artists that support each other in all matters more than just art. It is truely a great gathering of friends even thought most have never met.

So, the holidays were coming and Jane asked if any of us wanted to do a gift exchange (of paintings naturally ). Jane drew names and we partnered up. I was partnered with Verena Heroux. Proving again just how small the world is, Verena lives in North Carolina near Morehead City and I figure we probably passed each other on the street at least once. She is a wonderfully gifted water colorist featured in the Oct/Nov 2010 issue of International Artist magazine. I am so honored to have received this. Thank you Verena.

Judy Morris Workshop

Last week was the Baltimore Water Color Society workshop with guest Judy Morris. The week went by unbelievably fast...my head is still trying to take it all in. I need to take better notes but then I miss things when I do that. I can't be a good note taker and observe at the same time.
Judy is known for beautiful textures in her paintings and we were privy some of her "secrets" which aren't really secrets at all. Most everyone has tried salt on their paintings at some point but Judy maintains that the paint must be wet and not shiny when you apply the salt. This really is the key. She also used Morton Kosher salt which she says makes a difference as well; the grains being somewhat flaky.

She also when asked, reveled the jury procedure for the AWS show. In a nut shell : The entrees are grouped by signature members, sustaining associate members, non-members and students. Four signature members, the AWS president and a guest juror do a run through of all the slides submitted, then look at each one individually. With a control devise in hand (think Jeopardy), each juror voted "yes" with a push of the button or "no" by doing nothing. They had about six seconds on each painting to decide ! Of the six votes, four to six votes meant admission to the show, three was a "maybe" and got another look, anything less meant, well, try again next year.

Poor Judy. She was unimpressed or negatively impressed by our endless freeways and traffic. I really wished she had been here at least one more day to see all that the area has to offer. We did hit some great restaurants each night and sampled various wines ! And had a couple hours to tour Ellicott City's historical district on the way to the airport. But there was not nearly enough time to discuss or show her all we wanted. You'll just have to come back, Judy. :)

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OK...It's been busy at the Belich household this month. Not a lot of art work being done . But well worth it. I have a daughter now ! Best wishes to Christer & Jessica Belich ! 10/23/10

Utah Vacation and Water Colors

Milo and I are in Utah "Oooing" & "Awwing" at the georgous landscape ! The scenery never ends and the color, shapes and shadows change moment by moment.

This morning while buying a book of watercolor paintings by Don Weller, I asked the woman at the desk if he was a local artist. No, he lives up near Park City but comes down here to paint the wranglers at the lodge. Turns out that he and his family are staying here now too !! He is a very personable man and indulged me by signing the book and taking a photo. It was a real treat talking water colors with him and a BIG bonus to the vacation! Check out some of his work ! You'll love it too. http://www.donweller.com/

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I Heart PA & PA Hearts ME!!

The letter from Pittsburgh Watercolor Socirty came this week and "Jersey Girl" will be included in their Aqueous exhibit this Fall. The show will run from Oct.1-30 at the Fein Art Gallery,19 E. Ohio Street, Pittsburgh,PA (North Side). It's been a good year, 5 for 9, and 3 for 3 in PA....but who's counting!

Wow. What have I been doing for almost a month? I know that I've been on the computer but I guess I haven't been up to blogging.
There has been some news : "Lunch Time for Becca" was accepted to the Pennsylvania Water Color Societys juried show. It will be in Warren, PA this year. Juror was Nick Simmons. Thanks Nick ! Now all I need to do is drive to Pittsburgh to retrieve the painting from Becca and get it to Warren.

Other good news : "Bat Wings & Twirrly Things" was juried into the Philadelphia Water Color Society show ! It will be at the beautiful Goggle Works in Allentown,PA. Juror was Paul Jackson. Thank you Paul ! (This painting continues to surprise me.)

OK, to keep me humble : "Indian Corn II, no 5" was not sellected to be in the National Water Color Societys show in California this year. No worries, I understand how subjective these things can be. I think I'm still ahead of the count this year. One more to hear from. Waiting for the Pittsburgh Aqueous results. Juror is Don Andrews.

OK...back to the drawing board ! Prospectus' come in the mail for next year in a couple months !!!

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My very DEAR friend Cathy with her new T-shirt to benefit the wild critters in the Gulf of Mexico. Cathy doesn't do much "half way" ; she also ordered a mug, a tie and a bumper sticker !!! I thank you Cathy, and I'm sure we helped wash a few birds this way.

BWS Paint Out

Yesterday I was to the beautiful rolling hills of Maryland horse country for an outing of painting with some members of the Baltimore Water Color Society. Our hosts graciously opened their grounds for about twenty artists to tramp around, photograph and paint. Southern Living had been there just days before to take photos for a future issue. The gardens were in glorious color, the house, barn and out buildings were a Tom Sawyer white washed clean that sparkled in the morning sun. No humidity, light breeze, clear sky...what I call a "water color day".

As part of the 125 year celebration of the founding of BWS, we were treated to a demo by Stewart White. Stewart is a well known artist from the B'more area with many,many awards for his plein air paintings. He does architectural renderings as his day job.

This was my set up. I had things laid out , ready to go to work and even had the scene sketched in and was watching the demo when I turned around to see "Sophie" aka "Princess" lapping up the water from my container. Just like home. :)

Here is Stewarts finished demo piece.

And here, an informal critique before heading home.

Second from right is my friend Debi Watson. She wrote on her blog afterwards that plein air painting isn't for whimps, citing the bugs, heat, etc, etc. Debi is an aclaimed watercolorist but who preferrs the studio to plein air painting. This was my first serious outting probably since college and I have to say I rather enjoyed being outside, esp. with a group of other painters... hmmm...perhaps a workshop tour someday?

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henry & seagulls by Janet Belich, Tshirt from Zazzle.com www.zazzle.com
24 Hour Shipping on most orders. henry & seagulls by Janet Belich, Tshirt created by Artvsoilspill. This design is available on many sizes, styles, and colors of shirts.

Art Vs Oil Spill:Artful Products at Zazzle for Save the Gulf- Wild Life Rehab

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Art Vs Oil Spill:Artful Products at Zazzle for Save the Gulf- Wild Life Rehab
Paul Jackson has offered artists a way to do something about the Gulf of Mexico. He has set up a Zazzle store where you can buy products with the proceeds going to the Wildlife rescue. Here's a link to the online store, there are 18 new products in just the first day, so please take a look. Zazzle store link.
This online Zazzle store features a collection of artwork donated by artists around the the world specifically to benefit wildlife rescue operations along the Gulf Coast in the wake of the BP oil spill disaster. Proceeds from your purchase will benefit an organization that is all volunteer and they will use the funds where they can do the most good. The name of the organization is Wildlife @Rehabilitation & Nature Preservation Society, Inc. or WRANPS. TIN is 64-0701440. They were formed in 1983 and are a 501(c)3. Their info can be verified on Guidestar, the official website that monitors US Non-Profits. They are also registered with the Secretary of State of MS as a Charity. Their address is P O Box 209; Long Beach, MS 39560. Please feel free to donate to them directly! Make checks payable to Wildlife Rehabilitation & Nature Preservation Society, Inc. or WRANPS. P O Box 209; Long Beach, MS 39560. (in the note/subject line of your check, please include "art vs oil spill") Attn: Jan Dubuisson Thank you for all that you can do to help!!

Art vs Oil Spill

This is a cropped version of a painting I did last year . I have loaded it to a Face Book group that hopes to raise money for the Gulf Spill victims. Paul Jackson from Missouri is leading the way and I invite all my artist friends to get on the site and upload an image. Not many of us can drive to the Gulf to help clean up...esp when the hole is still leaking,no, spewing oil and will for a couple more months! As artists, this what we can do and all of us, I dare say, have a spiritual connection with nature and this what we should do... if not more.
Please spread the word and do what you can to help. It effects the whole world.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=124568567574068

I Heart New York

Friday, April 30,2010, The Baltimore Water Color Society took the annual trip to NYC to the American Water Color Society's show in NYC. What a beautiful, sunny, warm, Spring day we had to walk around Manhattan. The water color show was almost an after thought...almost.

" Partners in crime" were Debi Watson and Paul Kasmir from Landcaster,PA. Not sure who this other guy is that they picked up on the street...I'm guessing a spy..you can tell by the beard & sun glasses. They were actually waiting for me after crossing the street. (I was busy taking people photos). They were very tolerant.

I've been to NYC a few times but I must not have looked up. I don't remember seeing these "cartoon" water tanks on the roofs before. And if you zoom in, they seem to be made of wood ! It made me wonder what a plumbers nightmare the city must be !

The watercolor show was, as always, exceptional and I could spend the entire day there. But part of the trip includes a stop at the Metropolitan Museum which is wonderful too. If I sound underwhelmed, it's because there was so much art in one day, it was sensory overload.

The day went by much too quickly. While we were waiting to board the bus back to MD, I stopped to look at what the street venders were offering and found a great photo (not a print) in sepia of this winter in Central Park.

Debi and Paul have posts on their blogs which offer a great capsule of the day and more art photos ( I guess I was captivated by those cartoon water tanks ). Please go over and check out their views of the day. http://www.debiwatson.com/ , http://paulkasmir.blogspot.com/

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von Furer Revisited

A little over a year ago, when I first started blogging, I wrote about an experience I had as a child. This was my first experience meeting a "real artist". I published the blog March 19, 2009 and I hope you dig back and look at it. Anyway, I found two photos from the time I wrote about and I'm very happy to share them with you. My dad took the photos, the first being one Mr. von Furer wanted to use in a promotion, the other just one of me and a girl my age from England who was vacationing with her family, too. For the record, I still stand with my hands in my pocket ,contrapositively, and I'm usually squinting at something !

Susan Murphy and Art House

Several weeks ago I met Susan Murphy from Sandy Spring, MD and got to see the most lovely art studio/gallery I've ever seen. About a year ago, the Gazette newspaper ran an article on Susan's gallery and I was so impressed and envious that I cut out that article and photos for my cork board, wishing "some day maybe ..." (to have such a studio )

I mean...LOOK AT THIS PLACE !

Fastforeward to this year and the Baltimore Water Color Society. I agreed to help line up workshops for the BWS in the next three years. I didn't know at the time I would be working with Susan and had quite forgotten about the article. The more I listened to her the more she seemed familar and then it all clicked to why I knew her.

Well, COLOR ME GITTY ! Not only is Susan an energetic volunteer and marvelously talented artist. She's an excellant teacher, open, funny,interesting person and she has two black cats ! ( Don't we all !? )

The Art House Gallery /Studio/School offers classes, framing, gilcee printing and much more. Stop in to meet Susan if you are coming through Maryland

and experience this place for yourself.

Untill then, you can visit her website :http://susanmurphy.blogspot.com/

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More Bat Wings, Twirrly & Other Things

More good news ! I was notified the other day that "Bat Wings & Twirrly Things" was chosen to be part of the Baltimore Water Color Society's Mid-Atlantic Regional show. Strange how these things play out. I like this painting for a few reasons, of course the colors and it fun to look at and find different things. But as for technical merit, it really is lacking. As it's creator, I feel I'm allowed to say that. I'm not sure at all why it was picked. There were 473 entries and I can't believe 377 others ( the show consists of 95 ) were of less interest. I have thought more than once that this could have or should have been painted in another medium. ( It still may.) Don't get me wrong, I am over joyed and excited to be included in this show ! I'm just surprised which painting was chosen. The other entry I submitted was of course Indian corn. So much for my reputation as the "Corn Lady". Ah Oh. No. I refuse to be the "Bat Lady".

I just returned from the UPS store to ship my painting to the MO Watercolor Society's national show. I'm so nervous I feel like when my son missed the bus from school on the first day and we had just moved to a new state not knowing anyone. ( It really happened ). I felt sure that I packaged it really well until I had to get in the car to come home. Self doubted all the way and a nap on the couch didn't help. I wouldn't give it a thought but I've seen others paintings arrive to shows in condition not hangable ( Bonny, is that a word ?) And it's ma baby. Sigh...I'll find out Wednesday. 'Tll then...

It's BOX SHOW time again at The Artists' Gallery, 4 East Church St, Frederick, MD. Once again I went for the humorous instead of the serious but I'm almost outta puns where boxes come into play. So this year I thought to do something totally "unbox" which would mean something sphere like and the result is "The Bowling Cube". As one friend said referring to her own bowling skill, "I couldn't do much worse with that than a regular bowling ball". The reactions have been "LOL" enthusiastic so I figure it's a successful project. Saturday evening is the opening reception 5:00 to 8:00. Stop in if your in town. But don't forget the closing reception and silent auction at the end of the month. It's always a blast.

Exciting news ! One of the newest corn paintings has been admitted to the Missouri Watercolor Society's national show this year. The show will take place April through May in Fulton, MO at the Winston Churchill Memorial .

Blizzard #2, Round 2

Saturday's blizzard came back around and hit us again on Tuesday adding another 15.5 inches to the 28 we had all ready gotten. Milo was concerned ( and rightly so ) about the weight on the porch roof . I snapped this photo from the bedroom window. This has been a historic winter for the DC area with more snow than they have ever had . Just another sunny day in other parts of the country.

Blizzard # 2

Blizzard number two ( in 6 weeks ) greated us this past Friday night and all day Saturday. Good thing it's beautiful to look at. It stopped being fun when the power went out Saturday for six hours. We got off easy. Some folks are still waiting for power.Maggies' friends Julieann and Sophie walked down to play. She was delighted to have them throw snowballs for her to catch.

Our poor "Southern Magnolia" tree. It's very confused.

Our front walk. Looks like something from Jukkasjarvi. http://www.webbkameror.se/webbkameror/icehotel/index.php

Frederick magazine

I made a special trip to Borders yesterday looking for the latest American Artist magazine because a friend of a couple friends on Face Book whose friends I friended ( or they friended me, anyway we're all just super best friends now even though none of us have probably ever met ) is on the front cover ! ( Nancy Guzik ) But of course they didn't have the issue yet so I bought three other magazines instead. One is the Frederick magazine from Frederick, Maryland. I picked it up and started thumbing through it looking for something I hadn't seen before. But something jumped out with which I was very familiar . There was a spot publicizing The Artists' Gallery show for this month. A group show . A VERY nice group show and one I recommend seeing if you are in town. What did they use but a detail of my painting "Bat Wings & Twirrly Things".

Sorry to say this painting is not in the show. So if you do make a trip , you won't see this one. Last month I decided to resign from TAG. It's all a long borring story that I won't go into. Just to say there were numerous reasons none of which was the "straw". I'm not stopping painting. I have promised myself to keep at it. The past two years have brought successes I wouldn't have imagined before and I have other goals I hope are not too far out of reach. But I wonder too if such a thing as the Peterson principle pertains to the art world as well. Here's to never finding out ! It may not be the cover of American Artist, but hey, I'll take it. Even if it did come a little late.

KarmaTube: Burden of Genius

KarmaTube: Burden of Genius


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Burden of Genius

This is a wonderful talk by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the book Eat, Pray, Love. I had seen the book but hadn't thought to buy it 'till today after listening to this short program. Although she is a writer, the points she makes hold true to creative folks of any medium. I think this is also timely with the beginning of a new year it gives us a new perspective, things to keep in mind when we start new work or go back to look at older pieces that perhaps didn't go as we planned. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I'm going back for another listen. Please let me know what you think.