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  • October 21, 2022 11:54 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Laura Mossman, Artist Liaison

    After the event, I approached our two big sellers, Pei Hong Endris and Laurie Hammons and asked them what the secret to their success was. Here is a summary of their recommendations:

    1. Use social media and send a note to your email list before the event. Both Pei Hong and Laurie posted the event on Facebook so their followers knew about the Fair. Pei Hong also posted on Instagram and sent an email out to her email list.
    2. Label and display your artwork so that it's matted, easy to find, and the price is clearly marked. Laurie recommends displaying pieces according to subject, like landscapes, still life, people, animals, etc. Using standard size mats will enable to customer to easily find a frame.
    3. Promote yourself: Include some information about you, the Artist, in your booth. Purchase some business cards and put one inside the packaging of your paintings.
    4. Price your artwork appropriately. See Laurie's comments about pricing in the Art Fair Summary article. Link to article is below.
    5. If it's not against the Fair rules, selling prints of your work can help introduce your work to a new customer. Pei Hong recommends that you only display one print of the same piece of art, not multiples. She is very particular about which pieces she has reproduced and only displays one copy of each piece at the fair. Pei Hong recommends Copy Doctor for good quality prints.
    6. Talk and connect with fair attendees. Pei Hong states "Emotion plays into real sales. Once you've made a sale to a customer for the first time, if they love your art, they are likely to buy again."

    If you are thinking about selling at Art Fairs, our participants have shared their tips for Art Fair success. If you want to read a detailed listing with links to preferred equipment and additional comments on selling tips, read the full "Art Fair Summary" article by clicking HERE

  • October 21, 2022 11:47 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    The Annual Art Fair on Saturday, October 8 was a success! It was a beautiful day! The people came, talked to the artists and bought some art. Below you'll see pictures of many of the Artists/participants in this year's event.  Total sales for this year is $10,663.68.  Twenty-six artists participated in the event.


  • October 21, 2022 11:31 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    November Paint-In

    MEMBERS ONLY EVENT

    Saturday, November 5, 2022

    Class:  10:00-3:00pm

    Instructor: Lynn Chatman

    Register HERE


    Much of Lynn’s work pushes the boundaries of abstract experimentation. She focuses on ways to express the different “seasons” in the circle of life through the use of symbolism, texture and color. Lynn explains “Art is a journey and the road I travel will always be reflected in my work.”

  • October 21, 2022 11:19 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    A new member orientation will be held on Friday, November 4 from 1 pm - 2 pm

    While this is intended for new members, anyone who has questions or would like to attend is welcome to join us.

    Please sign up HERE

  • October 15, 2022 8:58 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    Watercolor mapmaking - a tool for illustrating urban sketching, ethnographic study and personal reflection. Not just essential guides from our GPS, maps are also a way to tell our Personal Stories.


    At the General Membership Meeting & Demo on November 6, 2022 at 2pm,  Ed Pettitt will enlighten us about the different kinds of maps -- representational and metaphorical -- and the various map components -- cartouche, compass rose, symbols and more.

    As Ed sketches and uses watercolor techniques to create a map, attendees will gain appreciation for mapmaking as an illustration tool for urban sketching, ethnographic study, personal reflection and decorative illustration. 

  • October 15, 2022 10:36 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    You may have received an email from Amazon Smile this week asking you to select another Charity. If you have, please click on this link and update your account: Amazon Smiles Program

    Each time you shop, be sure to log into smile.amazon.com (instead of amazon.com). When you do, if you have updated WAS-H as your charity of choice, WAS-H will receive .5% of your eligible purchases (at no extra cost to you!)

    Thank you!

  • October 15, 2022 10:31 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    This year we will combine the November and December shows into one to create a "Small Treasures Holiday Bazaar."   This show will not be judged. 

    Your paintings can be any subject or theme, but they can be no larger than 15" x 15" (including the frame). However, you can submit up to four framed pieces (frames/mats may be any color) and you may submit pieces that are unframed (up to 30) but are matted and in a clear sleeve. One final option is to submit hand-painted original greeting cards for sale.

    All the submissions will be combined to create a nice shopping experience for our visitors - inviting them to buy original art for holiday gift-giving for their friends and family or themselves.

    There will be two different sign-up links:

    1. Framed Paintings, register HERE

    2. Unframed Paintings & Greeting Cards, register HERE

    Deadline to register and bring in your items: Nov 2 @ 3pm.

    You can find the prospectus HERE

    Award funds will be allocated for a gift certificate to one randomly selected participant, and to a local student from the Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts. Gallery sales will be immediate so visitors may take their paintings that day. Artists may replace their painting with a new painting or greeting card for the duration of the show. 


  • October 13, 2022 9:40 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    This year's Annual Members Exhibit did not disappoint!   

    1st Place Winner

    Daniella Werneck

    2nd Place Winner

    Alison Hendry

    3rd Place Winner

    Laurie Hammons


    1st Place

    The Eclosion of A Butterfly, Daniella Werneck.  The strongest element of this beautiful painting is the horizontal line of the models’ body countered by the vertical lines of the curtain and tile. This composition is reinforced by the light. The strong darks and light and the details in the face again emphasize the subject.


    2nd Place

    Aren’t I Beautiful!?, Alison Hendry.  The artist’ simplified composition is formed by a hierarchy of branches in front of and behind the bird. The eye movement through the painting is based on the branches and there is enough detail to suggest the background.


    3rd Place

    Still Life in Blue & Ochre, Laurie Hammons.  This abstract suggests flowers, with its organic shapes. It combines a lot of texture, the use of scratching and stamping and beautiful calligraphy to make the painting more engaging. 


    Shirley Sterling Award

    Ethereal Autumn, Hiep Nguyen.  This painting is evocative of classical Chinese and Japanese paintings with simple marks that move the eye. The use of orange and yellow creates a circular pattern around the colorful center.


    President's Award

    Royal Pharmacy Sketch, Carla Gauthier.  Her technique is superb. You can see this in the sky. Her composition is perfect, and leads your eye around the painting, her shadow colors are spot on.


    Director's Award

    Times Three, Rona Lesser.  The gestural, loose drawing and repeated colors makes this painting Picasso-like.


    Honorable Mention

    The King's Camel, Katherine Rodgers.  Realistic colors, not too much detail. The eyes are very well done. I like the spatter. It adds to the painting and becomes a directional element.


    Honorable Mention

    The Old Days, Les McDonald, Jr.  Well done drawing and perspective. Lots of detail but not too much. Strong horizontal yellows are complimented by the repetition of orange in other parts of the painting.


    Honorable Mention

    Paradise Lost,  Jackie Liddell.  What drew me to this paining were the limited colors, combined with pattern and shapes that suggest foliage and move the eye around.


    Honorable Mention

    Pamela Anderson, Debbie Lee Parmley.  This painting has strong contours and simple color. The composition and makes use of its strong dark background.


    Honorable Mention

    Blackwater Swamp Dawn, Beth Graham. This painting showcases the beauty of blossoms and use of wet into wet of watercolor. It is a simplified landscape created with beautiful effects.


    Texas Art Supply

    Shay & SusieQ, Kay Salem.  This artist knows how to use color! She keeps it simple with beautiful orange and green. While the blue eyes are the focal point, the orange brings your eye around the painting. I also like the presentation on the board.


    Art Supply on Almeda

    Taken Flight, Lynda Jung.  I love the multiple layers, use of marks, and spiderwebbing – they all bring the eye forward. I don’t know how she does it!


    Goldens

    Homeless, Mohammad Bhatti.  The face is beautifully done and there is a masterful use of color but what makes this painting is that the artist brings the background into the foreground on the subjects’ shoulder.


    M. Graham

    Get in! Let's Eat, Chaitanya Alli.  Although this architectural scene is crooked, the composition helps to create movement. The use of blue adds to this as it moves the eye around, first vertically and then horizontally.


    Texas Art Supply

    Mallard, Fontaine Jacobs.  Its hard to paint on Yupo. The swirls and colors in this painting are beautiful. The texture of the duck is completely different – this is difficult to do!


    Dixon Ticonderoga

    Butterfly's Bouquet, Marj Hales.  Every color in the flower is repeated throughout the painting. The reflected color bounces on the vase. It’s a beautiful use of color.


    Ampersand

    Gloria, Maureen Lewis.  This paintings’ warm colors and use of only one dark area brings us immediately to the focal point. The subjects’ tassel keeps the eye in the painting while her gaze moves your eye around.


    Cheap Joes

    Who's the Fairest .., Rosemary Massey.  I love the subtle value shift of the reflection. It has nice diagonal movement and less detail at the edges keep the eye in the painting.


    Cheap Joes

    Amazon Buddies, Cheryl Evans.  This painting engages the viewer and makes them want to know more about it. The complimentary colors of purple and green are loosely defined in a beautiful background.


    Blick

    Early Morn, Ruby Allen.  The simple composition and cohesive color make this painting work.


    Art Supply on Almeda

    Enigma, Susan GiannantonioThis abstract painting created with the use of multiple layers and complimentary colors keeps the eye moving. It has great calligraphy, movement, and use of different edges.


    Winsor Newton

    Ranch Security, Jan ShraderAlthough the face is simplified, it remains the focal point. There is a lot of color even in the whites. The edges around the face are hard, the fir in the back is soft and this gives a great sense of depth. What’s best is what is not painted.


    Blick

    Hurrah the Maestro!, Larry Spitzberg.  I like the bright colors and the loose suggestive brushstrokes of this painting


    Jack Richeson

    Just Hanging Around, Bridgett DeFloraThis painting of clothing in simplified patterns is composed of a strong horizontal and diagonal. The highlights of the fabric are essential to its composition.


    Blick

    Farm Friends, Mary Klug.  The graphic shapes, limited palette and texture make this simplified painting fun and wonky.


    Blick: Cypress Trees Medina River, Stephanie Williams

  • October 13, 2022 9:24 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki, President

    Dear WAS-H Friends,

    Hurrah – it’s October, and the cool weather has been blessing us! I already have my Halloween decorations out but am holding off on buying the candy because it is so tempting to eat it all before the trick-or-treaters arrive.

    If you have not seen the Annual Members Exhibit, it is on display, and it is FABULOUS! You must come see it and bring some friends. It will be on display in the gallery through November 3.  I want to thank Diane Trepagnier and her tireless group of volunteers for the work they put in to bring us this beautiful show! And another big thanks to Irene Sheytman and Diann Zimmerman who made our dream workshop with Ryan Fox a reality.

    The Art Fair is this Saturday October 8, from 11-4. It will be a glorious day, and the parking lot will be full of amazing art, priced to sell. I am planning to be there and hope to see you!

    Looking ahead, our November Show will be combined with the December Show. The theme is Small Treasures Holiday Bazaar. We are adding original greeting cards this year in addition to the small paintings, so there will be a wonderful variety. It's a great place to buy gifts for family, friends (or yourself)! Our November Paint-In is open for registration and features fun acrylic techniques with Lynn Chatman.

    On Sunday, November 6 at 2pm we have our General Meeting, Demo, and Awards Presentation for the November Gallery Exhibit. Following a short meeting of announcements, a favorite WAS-H teacher, Ed Pettitt, will demonstrate Watercolor Mapmaking. Mark your calendar and plan to attend spend a fun afternoon at WAS-H!

    I recently read an article about slowing down and observing to make sense of the world around us.  I wasn't surprised to see that one of the recommended activities was taking time to make art or take an art class.  We are so lucky to have an excellent facility and a superb variety of class offerings that allow you to explore the artist inside you.  If you haven't seen the latest line up of classes, check out our education calendar HERE

    Another article (yes, I read a lot!) mentioned the importance of making friends as adults.  We have to seek out the grown-up equivalent of a sandbox -- a place where we can make meaningful connections.  I realize that for me, that place is WAS-H!  I encourage you to join in and volunteer for some of our activities.  It is so rewarding -- and a great way to connect with others who share your same interests.  Don't be shy -- we'd love to have your help and could use all the hands we get!

    I look forward to seeing you at WAS-H soon!

    Warm Regards,

    Karen Houston Stopnicki

  • October 02, 2022 1:49 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)





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