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By Linda Flower and Brian Flaherty, Gallery Co-directors
Gallery Conversations “Experimental” September 2023
Curated by Linda Flowers and Brian Flaherty and judged by Annette Palmer, September's "Experimental" exhibit showcases 86 works by 46 WAS-H artists moving out of their comfort zones and pushing the boundaries of both form and content.
Viewers are invited to embark on a journey through experimental experiences from each artist. From standard forms created in a non-standard way to pushing boundaries in the use of medium, the show arrays the richness and diversity of the creative spirit. For those unable to experience the gallery in person, the show can be viewed online at the WAS-H website here.
Judge Annette Palmer's personal artworks present experimental seascapes in a fusion of paint, textures and elements of collage. At the General Meeting, Annette presented a fascinating demonstration of experimental painting with found objects, ink (Quink) and spray bleach (Clorox Clean-up).
WINNERS
First Place - Ethical Entomology
Eleanor Buchan
Judge: "A very clever, quirky, fun piece. I love how the insects have been individually cut and mounted. Beautiful detail, very delicate, and cruelty free!”
Second Place - Cat's Cradle
Cheryl Evans
Judge: “Two pieces of very different shapes working together as one. Lots of detail and the head being the house. It makes me think of balance in both the composition and the life.”
Third Place - Fantasy Garden
Laura Mossman
Judge: “Small but superb. Effects resembling marbling complimented by the lively brush strokes. The limited palette works very well.”
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Erle Hoppe, "Grand Central Station”
Judge: “Incredible detail, with lovely areas of light."
Erik Sprohge, "Guardians"
Judge: “A very organic work. I love the structure added to the looseness of the pour, a marvelous palette.
Robin Avery, “A Walk through an Artists' Garden”
Judge: “Beautiful perspective, use of color and experimental patterns.”
Reva Power, "Summer of 2023"
Judge: “Wonderful rendering of the barn with experimental techniques. I like the areas which have been blocked then overpainted”
Carol Rensink is our September 2023 Volunteer of the Month!
Carol first fell in love with art at five years old. Her family visited the Prado Museum in Madrid and a security guard beckoned her over. He lifted her up to look through his magnifying glass at the tiny hairs on the chin of a portrait of a young man. She was fascinated. She will always be grateful to that guard for introducing her to the art world. From that point on, Carol noticed art.
Carol’s father was in the Air Force, so her family moved several times while she was young. Her family lived in Portugal, South Carolina, Bermuda and Illinois, among other places. Carol attended Oklahoma University and earned her degree in Philosophy and Art History.
Around 1976 Carol’s husband accepted a job in Houston and relocated his family here. After getting settled in, Carol taught art programs at a local Montessori school and continued to study art. She took courses at Glassel and other local colleges in addition to studying under artists like Jose Perez and Lajos Markos.
Many years ago, Carol heard about a prosector (a person who prepares dissections of the human body for study) who taught at Baylor’s College of Medicine. Carol and her artist friends approached Baylor about having the prosector teach a course just for artists. It really helped enhance her knowledge of anatomy.
In 1997, Carol built the Mother Earth Eco-Sculpture commissioned by Houston Women’s Caucus for Art. She placed 60 truckloads of clay to sculpt a massive 80-foot figure of a woman lying in repose and covered in low-maintenance buffalo grass. To read more about the sculpture, click Mother Earth Eco-Sculpture.
Carol began attending WAS-H’s model lab when they held their sessions at the Art Supply on Main. Once WAS-H moved into our current building, she was asked to take over as Model Lab Coordinator and she’s been here since! Each week, Carol schedules a model, a lab assistant and a monitor to facilitate the model lab sessions each Wednesday afternoon-it’s no small feat!
She is currently working on her own art and drawing more from the imagination and sculptures or 2-D images.
Carol is married to Dave, who is also an artist. He uses rock and wood to create unique sculptures. You can check out his art at Dave Rensink.
Thank you, Carol, for all you do for WAS-H!
By Karen Stopnicki, President
Dear WAS-H Friends,
I am so excited about Fall activities at WAS-H, and I hope you will be too! On the menu are lots of new classes, the Annual Members Exhibit, the Art Fair, a major workshop with Ken Call, monthly meetings with demo artists, monthly paint-ins, and more. But no pumpkin spice, I am sorry to say, you will need to visit (or avoid depending on how you feel) your local coffee shop for your pumpkin spice needs.
If you are planning to enter the September Gallery Exhibit, the theme is “Experimental” and registration closes on Wednesday, Sept. 6 @ 3pm. The prospectus and a registration link can be found in this newsletter.
On Sunday, September 10 at 2pm, WAS-H will host our first Fall General Meeting, Demo, and Awards Presentation for the September Gallery Show. Following a short meeting of announcements, Annette Palmer with Archway Gallery will present a lively demo. She is also the judge for the September Gallery Show and will have comments on the winning paintings at the reception. Put it on your calendar, and plan to bring a friend!
If you have been thinking of taking a class, whether to learn a new technique, refine your skills or enjoy class time with fellow artists, check out our updated Education Calendar, Classes and Workshops. We have new classes, new instructors, and both in-person and online options in our robust offerings.
Check out these upcoming key events:
I keep reading articles about arts workshops and classes filling up with people who want to connect with others instead of screens. Creating art, seeing art, and connecting with artists and art-lovers can be reinvigorating and a great way to relieve stress. Please make time this Fall to visit WAS-H to see what we have to offer. I hope to see you at WAS-H soon!
Warm Regards,
Karen Houston Stopnicki
It's time for the 2023 WAS-H Art Fair!
When: Saturday, October 21
Time: 11 am - 4 pm
Where: WAS-H Parking Lot
Eligible Participants: WAS-H members only
PARTICIPATE
Tent Space (8 spaces available)
WAS-H Community Tent
SIGN UP HERE
Table (8 spaces available)
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Morning set-up will begin at 8 am. Set-up crew will bring tables/chairs down from upstairs and place them at the front on the building, along the sidewalk until all the tent participants have set up their spaces. Garbage cans will be strategically placed around the lot and bottled water/ice will be set up in the downstairs kitchen area. Crew will also need to install the two Art Fair Flags in front.
Artists with tents will have 20 minutes to unload and remove cars from lot.
Artists with tables will have 15 minutes to unload and remove cars from lot.
Space Allocations: For those who will purchase a tent space or a table space, the map is shown below with the appropriate space numbers (1 through 16). You can indicate your preference when signing up for the event. The first sign-up with an appropriate space number will be assigned the space.
Art: Must be 80% watermedia (no oil). Art must be presentable and in good taste. Participants with tents/table spaces may bring framed pieces and additional tables, etc. to set0up their space. We recommend having one or two framed pieces, with the remainder of the pieces matted for presentation. Standard sizes are ideal for sales, since standard frames are most cost effective for the customer. You may sell prints of your original art at this event.
Sales: Will be run through the WAS-H cashier desk, which will be right outside the WAS-H front door, near the community tent. WAS-H will receive 25% of the sale, so please price your pieces accordingly.
Rain or Shine: If bad weather appears, we will move the event inside the WAS-H building, using both the up and downstairs area. Space will be limited, so artists may need to limit the volume of work if this happens.
Advertising: We are creating more brochures this year and ordering 20 new neighborhood signs to put out the Sunday before the event. We will also use Facebook and Instagram marketing to get the word out to our community. We are looking for a bigger turnout this year!
Pre-Fair Meeting: We will host an information meeting about two weeks before the sale to ensure that all participants understand the details on the day of the event. We will go over space allocation, seller responsibilities, and discuss Art Fair best practices. Sellers are required to attend the meeting - preferrably in person, but we will also offer a zoom option.
VOLUNTEER
We need volunteers! If you’d like to volunteer as a set-up helper, coordinator, cashier, follow this link to sign-up.
by Katherine Rodgers, AME Director
The 54th Annual Member Exhibit is fast approaching with a deadline for entries on September 27 at 3pm. We are looking forward to filling our Gallery walls with artwork from our talented members and having artist, Ken Call, be our juror and judge for the show.
Born and raised in Rochelle, Illinois, Ken Call went on to graduate from the American Academy of Art in 1980 with an associate degree in Illustration and Watercolor. He has worked as a national freelance artist for many years and spent 1993 and 1994 studying and painting in Paris, France. To date he has created over 500 illustrations for books, magazines, art publishers, advertising agencies and corporations. In the last few years, he made the transition to fine art and portraiture. “Many of my originals are hanging in galleries and homes across the country. Several awards have led to Signature status in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society, Montana Watercolor Society along with being a Master Signature member with the Transparent Watercolor Society of America and Illinois Watercolor Society.” - Ken Call Ken Call will conduct a workshop at WAS-H October 2-4.
You can also participate in the AME by volunteering. Runners will be needed on the day of judging to move paintings for judging and installation and to assist with the reception. It’s a great way to get to know your fellow artists. Click HERE to sign-up to volunteer.
Click to see the prospectus: HERE
Here are the key dates:
Questions about the rules and regulations for the show may be directed to: Kat Rodgers, AME Director, ame@watercolorhouston.org.
By Linda Flowers and Brian Flaherty, Gallery Co-directors
The August 2023 Gallery paintings at the Watercolor Art Society of Houston (WAS-H) are a captivating exploration of the diverse facets of human connections and experiences. Curated by Linda Flowers and Brian Flaherty, this month's exhibition sheds light on the multifaceted concept of "People," moving beyond conventional portraiture and nudes to encompass a vibrant tapestry of emotions, relationships, dreams, and distant landscapes.
Comprising a total of 64 artworks by 37 artists, the August Gallery offers a rich visual narrative that transports viewers into moments frozen in time. The theme of human interactions is eloquently captured through vivid strokes, colors, and textures encompassing the spectrum of artistic styles.
Our judge was Leslie Cuenca, an accomplished artist, yoga and dance instructor, hailing from Havana, Cuba, and currently residing in Houston. With a background encompassing art, architecture, theology, and liberal arts studies in Italy, Leslie's creative journey is as diverse as her talents. As a professional dancer specializing in Latin dances and belly dance, as well as a dedicated yoga practitioner, Leslie shares her expertise as an art teacher across Houston's venues. Notably, she teaches at the University of St. Thomas, The Art League of Houston, HBU, and the YMCA. Discover Leslie's remarkable work at Cothren Contemporary.
Brian Flaherty, Leslie Cuenca and Linda Flowers
For those unable to experience the gallery in person, the virtual platform offered on the WAS-H website ensures accessibility to many of the captivating works of art in this month's show. To see the online show, click Online Gallery
The Watercolor Art Society - Houston invites its viewers to embark on a journey through the intricacies of human existence. From vibrant depictions of relationships and dreams to the allure of distant landscapes, this exhibition encapsulates the essence of the human experience in all its diversity and vibrancy. Whether one has the opportunity to walk through the gallery's physical space or explore the virtual exhibit, the August Gallery will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark, reminding us of the power of art to unite, inspire, and reflect the myriad facets of our shared journey.
First Place - Rusty Tumbles, Rodeo Clown
Karen Hamilton
Judge: "The expression, colors and textures are exquisite. The subject of the rodeo clown resonates in the heart of every Houstonian. This is a culminating figure in our society. He is a hero, entertainer, police and fireman all in one; putting himself on the front lines to help others. His expression captures the grit and heart behind his endeavor.”
Second Place - Mr DG
Adam Zhao
Judge: “I love the use of negative space in this painting, it flows. The figure is painted beautifully and the perspective of the hand and cane in the foreground is very well done giving this figure a dignified yet natural stature.”
Third Place - He Want To Give It To You
Erik Sprohge
Judge: “The emotional quality in the two little figures is charming. The artist really captures the essence, purity and innocence of childhood through the figure's expression. The attention to detail is so delicate and sweet and the flower in the foreground pops with light.”
Kay Salem
“Jett Fusion Of Light”
Judge: The attention to detail in this painting is exquisite. You can tell the subject is a real musician because the fingers are placed correctly across the guitar chords, like he is really playing a tune. The lines for the chords, guitar strings and the subject's hair are very well done, as well as the use of shadow and light.
Carol Rensink
“Disaster at the Watering Hole”
Judge: “The flow in this painting is striking. I love the position of the figures in different directions, the anatomical movement is capturing. I also love the flow of the ink between the figures, from a distance creating a very modern and decorative abstract composition that is very well balanced.”
Naomi Rosborough
" We Don't Do That”
Judge: “The lines and use of mixed media in this painting are very well done and very expressive. I love the use of color in just the right areas to give this face a lot of personality."
I'm More Than My Story, 16x32, watercolor on Ampersand Aquabord
One of our talented instructors, Daniela Werneck, was recently featured in an article! The article unpacks her technical approach and inspiration as an artist.
"Aquabord artist Daniela Werneck is a realistic watercolor painter based in Houston, TX, whose work combines the most traditional watercolor methods with a contemporary look... A self-taught watercolorist, Dani became a full-time artist in 2015, focusing on realistic figurative watercolor; since that, she has been exhibiting nationally and has received several awards in regional and national competitions."
Read the full article on Ampersand's website, here.
By Linda Flowers and Brian Flaherty, Gallery Co-Directors
This month’s “Student / Teacher” theme provides an opportunity to see the creativity and skill of students and teachers at WAS-H. What a fun and lively gallery reception for all, displaying 80 diverse paintings, created by participating artists or WAS-H teachers over the last two years. Please take time to see all this month’s paintings in person or in the virtual gallery (Click Here).
Guadalupe Hernandez was our judge for the show, currently an Artist-in-Residence with the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. His practice examines themes of family, labor, and cultural practices through a series of paintings and works of cut paper inspired by the traditional Mexican craft of Papel Picado. Recently he was notably among six pairs of visual artists in the 2022 US Latinx Art Forum Mentorship Program supporting an intergenerational skill exchange. He will also serve as the 2023/2024 Visiting Artist of Color at The Art Students League of Denver in the fall.
Picture above, L to R: Brian Flaherty and Linda Flowers (Gallery Directors) with judge Guadalupe Hernandez.
Gallery Directors, Linda and Brian, host the reception and the 65+ attendees.
The Woodlands Art Gallery & Studios is hosting an exhibition for WAS-H instructor Mohammad Ali Bhatti! The exhibition is titled "Vibrant Expressions: Celebrating the Colorful Traditions of Pakistan and the Energy of the American West."
Mark your calendars for the opening reception on July 20, 2023, from 5 PM to 8 PM. It will be an evening filled with delightful refreshments and a unique opportunity to hear from Mohammad. The exhibition will be available for viewing until September 15, 2023.
Learn more: The Woodlands City Lifestyle
Upcoming Shows: August and September 2023
August 2023 Show
Drawing by Xylina Wu
Theme: People
This month we invite artists to explore people. Portraiture, the human figure or a group of friends.
Judge: Leslie Cuenca
Prospectus August 2023 v2.pdf
Registration Opens: Friday, July 14
Deadline: Wednesday, August 2, 3 pm
Reception: Sunday, August 6, 3 pm
September 2023 Show
Painting by Laura Mossman
Theme: Experimental
We encourage our members to used different techniques or mediums for this show. Do something wild!
Judge: TBD
Prospectus: TBD
Registration Opens: Friday, August 13
Deadline: Wednesday, September 6, 3 pm
Reception: Sunday, September 10, 3:30 pm
©Watercolor Art Society - Houston. All images are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
