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  • September 15, 2022 11:54 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    Register HERE


  • September 15, 2022 11:08 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Cissy Geigerman, WAS-H Gallery Co-Director

    Everybody sings the “Blues”.  Our members rose to the challenge to paint something primarily blue (pun intended).  The variety of subjects, intensities, and textures was astounding given the criteria in the prospectus.  


    Our judge, Shirley Moore Leago, did a thorough job evaluating over 70 entries.  She has been a judge for the Kingwood Art Show, the Conroe Art League,  the Houston Arts Society and has taught painting theory at Houston area studios for 30 years.   Being one of the judges at the Houston Rodeo Art Show has been a highlight of her career as she enjoyed predicting which young artist would blossom into a professional.  For our gallery reception, Ms. Leago once again put on her teaching hat and helped us understand what makes a painting speak to the viewer.  

    This show has a different look and feel because the colors are in harmony.  The biggest challenge was to hang so many paintings!  Our volunteer crew did an amazing job.  Many thanks to Marcia Wasson, Leisa Patin, Mansueto Fabugais, Paula Fowler, Nancy McMillan, and Martha Inskeep.  It’s wonderful to have you!

    First Place:  Jackie Liddell 

    “Galveston Breakers”



    Ms. Leago – Nice warms and cools that juxtaposition.  The wave could be off center a bit more.  Nice handling of the paint, with lots of energy. A difficult media handled well. 

    Jackie Liddell- Yupo is a challenge but it is so much fun!  It is forgiving enough that if you don’t like it you can just lift it off and start again.  For this piece I was trying to be a traditional artist using an untraditional paper.  My idea was from a memory with my daughter where the Galveston breakers were some time ago.  The water was bluer and beautiful.  The rocks were my challenge.  With watercolors, textures can be done so many ways.  I practiced with Saran wrap on other paper before finally using it here.


    Second Place:  Maksim Koloskov

    “Night in Asturias”



    Ms. Leago – This has wonderful mood, is dramatic and mysterious.  It has depth, strong darks and a brilliant blue sky.  I love it because of these little lights in the background which really told the story.  You wonder, looking at it, there is this close black tree, but what is going on in the distance?  A simple piece that told a lot.  

    Maksim Koloskov - Last winter I spent over two months staying with my family in a little aldea in the mountains of Asturias, which is in a north of Spain. Beautiful countryside with grassy hills and mountains, dotted with clay tile roofs of the little aldeas and pueblos. It’s a true paradise for an artist. I spent every free moment to paint watercolors and often would come back at night. One night I was walking up the hill after finishing painting a watercolor of a small church from XIII century, the trees along my walk were looming over me, the deep color of the night with few lights of the aldea in the distance was so impressive that I did a “ Night in Asturias” watercolor right after coming back to the house. I pained it fast, in one go, as I merely wanted to record the feel, so I could do a “proper” painting later. I painted it in a room with a dim light and was in a hurry to finish it before joining everyone for a dinner, which I’m sure resulted in a stronger colors and bolder decisions. 

    Cissy Geigerman – As you have just described, you worked to capture your mood on paper before it faded.  During our introductions yesterday, Ms. Leago said she would be looking for paintings that could convey emotions as well as an image.  She found it with yours.


    Third Place:  Philip Wiegand 

    “Blue and White Porcelain – Double H”




    Ms. Leago – Nice composition, the darker shapes are positioned to keep you within the painting.  

    Philip Weigand - My painting “Blue & White Porcelain: Double Happiness” is based off a similar scene taken from our entry hail which includes a similar styled vase with a bouquet, stairs in the background, and a mirror. When thinking about the Blue theme for the show, I wanted to utilize some of my favorite hues of blue which include Cobalt, Cerulean, and French Ultramarine. In trying to emulate the likeness of the Blue and White pottery, cobalt oxide was how the artesian achieved that vibrant color that has lasted through the centuries, so I thought it fitting to utilize the same pigment for this work. Lastly, the Double Happiness character adorning the vase was a common symbol for vases given as gifts, namely for special occasions such as weddings or other happy events.  For the patterns and markings on the vase, I used stamps.  

    Ms. Leago – I noticed in the pattern shapes you have some slightly blurred.  Just like when painting a portrait, you want the features in the face and when you get to the hair, you don’t want the same level of detail.


    Honorable Mention: Maria Rodriguez-Alejo

    “Raining Flowers”


    Ms. Leago – An interesting use of texture, movement, color, and value.  I look for these and your work has all of them.

    Maria Rodriguez-Alejo – For this painting I did not have a specific idea in mind. I just wanted to create an abstract and use turquoise as it is one of my favorite colors. I first worked with the background applying several layers looking to create interest with the different tones and the direction of the brushstroke. I then proceeded to create textures and patterns using brushes, palette knives and other tools. At some point, images of flowers started to appear.  Also, the background suggested water flowing. I took the idea of water, movement, and flowers and played with it to create “Raining Flowers”.


    Honorable Mention: Erik T. Sprohge

    “Towards Rollover PAST”




    Ms. Leago – Confident strokes, good use of color. A believable shore and depth.

    Erik Sprohge – This is a scene from Rollover Pass, a coastal area near Bolivar Texas, formerly accessible by ferry from East Galveston.  This site used to be a favorite fishing spot until the pass was closed to conserve the beaches from erosion.  Now it’s in the PAST (Pun intended, Erik’s this time).  The name “Rollover” is derived from the habit of pirates of using the sand bar to rollover barrels of contraband to shore.

    Honorable Mention:  Fontaine Jacobs

    “Table for Four”


    Ms. Leago – Movement and strong values.  The subject could have been moved a bit more to the left so negative spaces could be more interesting.  I was imagining glasses of wine there.  

    Fontaine Jacobs – I am honored to be selected.  Unfortunately, I cannot come to the reception, we have COVID in the house. 

    Cissy Geigerman – We are always happy to see what Fontaine Jacobs has created.  We miss her today, but are glad to know she and her household will be OK.   


  • September 15, 2022 10:30 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Donna Schultz Van Fleet, Co-Vice President, WAS-H


    YIKES, YUPO!

    It can be either frustrating or liberating painting on Yupo paper. Linda Vanek's advice, "Just be ready to play." And what fun WAS-H members had playing vicariously with Linda while she demonstrated painting on Yupo at our September monthly Members Meeting.

    Linda is a legend at WAS-H, a former Vice President, President and Past President, an Elite Signature Member and a sought-after teacher of a catalog of classes. As if that isn't impressive enough, she is also a Signature Member of the Louisiana Watercolor Society and currently has a piece in the National Watercolor Society's 2022 International Exhibit.

    Linda explained that Yupo is synthetic paper made originally for the printing industry and artists came along later thinking it could be fun to paint on this surface that doesn't behave like normal watercolor paper. To start with, it doesn't absorb. This means colors stay where your brush places them. Put down different colors and you can blend them by picking up and slanting the paper to cause colors to run into one another. Or place the colors abutting and let them run together on their own.

    If you don't like the result, you can wipe off the parts you don't like with a tissue, towel, sponge, brush. Or just wash off the whole thing! Unlike conventional watercolor painting where you preserve white spaces from the start, this to add white spaces back in painting and add highlights paint-removal attribute allows you after the fact, to do negative to dark areas.


    It takes a long time for paint on Yupo to dry -- at least overnight -- which encourages your imagination to play in the wet paint, to press crinkled plastic wrap, netting, grids, anything! into it to make impressions.

    Linda has created award-winning paintings on Yupo, and her captivating demonstration at the Membership Meeting inspires us to let go of our old notions about how to paint with watercolor and learn a fun new way by painting on Yupo.

    Thank you, Linda!



  • September 12, 2022 2:25 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)


    As a workshop instructor, you influence other artists.  What artists influence your work?  I look online at art every day and consistently get new ideas from those I follow on social media.  John Salminen.  Linda Baker.  Nico Lopez.  Carol Carter. Viktoria Prischedko.  Chien Chung Wei.  Of the old masters, Sargent and J.M.W. Turner are heavy influencers.

    Subject matter?  Does it matter?  I like architecture.  It's what I focused my photography career on, and I am still painting from photographs shot almost 20 years ago.  I find that a photograph I didn’t like at the time will years later provide inspiration for something else (different technique, style, color choice, etc.).

    Where do you find new subject matter?  I love traveling! New photographs inspire new paintings.

    Do you take commissions? I take several commissions a year and swear I will never do it again!  I don’t feel creative when I'm painting a commission because they are so structured.  To me, a commission is just work.

    What are your goals for students in your workshop?  The overarching goal is to have fun while learning something new. 

    I talk a lot about color in my classes.  There are so many choices with color.  You can make a great painting with 20 different colors.  Or two.

    I also talk a lot about simplification.   How can you make a cityscape look like a city with geometric shapes? How do you simplify people?

    My techniques and lessons apply to any subject matter.


     

    Ryan's Workshop at WAS-H is coming up in 30 days! Enroll HERE

  • September 08, 2022 8:42 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    It’s time to register for the major workshop taught by artist Ryan Fox that WAS-H is offering October 3-6, 2022. Check out Ryan’s beautiful artwork examples below of the techniques you will learn. It's all about innovative techniques . . . Wet-onto-wet painting, charging color, intentional water blossoms, scraping, spattering, and adding texture. The second two days he will teach a technique called watercolor batik, using watercolor and wax on Japanese rice paper.  Sign up HERE






  • September 03, 2022 4:15 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki, WAS-H President

    Dear WAS-H Friends,

    It’s now September which brings promise of a reprieve of hotter temperatures and more gatherings as summer travels close. Halloween decorations are already in stores, as is everything pumpkin spice. Best of all, we have a lot going on at WAS-H beginning this month!

    If you are planning to enter the September Gallery Exhibit, the theme is “Blue” and registration closes at 3pm on September 7th. Click HERE to see the prospectus.

    On Sunday, September 11th beginning at 2pm WAS-H will host our first Fall General Meeting, Demo, and Awards Presentation for the September Gallery Exhibit. Following a short meeting of announcements, well-known artist and past WAS-H President, Linda Vanek, will present “Painting on Yupo.” If you have ever tried to paint on Yupo or just want to see how this unique surface works, then this is a “not-to-be-missed” demo.  This is going to be a great opportunity to be back at WAS-H, see a fabulous demo and a beautiful exhibit. 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, (https://watercolorhouston.org/Classes-and-Workshops). A number of new classes have been added. Members get priority registration through September 7th, so sign up before all the classes are filled!

    Check out these upcoming key events:

    • The Annual Members Exhibit (AME) opens for registration on September 13th. The Awards Reception will be on October 2nd.  You can see the full schedule and prospectus here https://watercolorhouston.org/AME.
    • The Ryan Fox major workshop on Monday, October 3rd thru Thursday October 6th has a few spots open for enrollment https://watercolorhouston.org/event-4849188.
    • The Art Fair is planned for Saturday October 8th. It is a great opportunity to sell your work, meet the community and enjoy being with fellow WAS-H members on a nice October Saturday. See more HERE (https://watercolorhouston.org/ArtFair)
    • Senior group, an ongoing gathering for people 55+, is back with artist facilitators beginning in September. See here for more detail, and to register for a spot in a specific week https://watercolorhouston.org/Outreach-for-Seniors.
    • Paint-Ins are back in session! The September Paint-In with Irene Sheytman is already at waitlist status. Stay tuned for the remaining Fall Paint-Ins to be posted.

    Our August Gallery Exhibition, “Skies,” is a beautiful show still on display for a few more days. I want to thank Cissy Geigerman and Katie Steck, our Gallery Co-Directors for their hard work in presenting lovely shows this summer, and planning exciting shows for the Fall. We couldn’t have shows, classes and other events if it weren’t for our volunteers. We have lots of opportunities to get involved. Keep us in mind if you have a little bit of time and interest to help.

    I hope to see you at WAS-H soon - we have so much to offer, please stop by!

    Warm Regards,

    Karen Houston Stopnicki

  • August 29, 2022 10:13 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)


  • August 28, 2022 4:44 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    WAS-H is saddened to share the news that long-time member Nancy Fleagle passed away on August 12th. Nancy was active with the Model Lab group and had a refreshing and fun style. Please see THIS LINK for her obituary.

  • August 28, 2022 10:43 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    We were sad to hear of the passing of longtime WAS-H member Mary Treanor on 8/21/2022. Mary actively participated at WAS-H, taking classes, joining in the senior group and serving on the WAS-H Board for several years.

    Follow THIS LINK for her obituary.

  • August 23, 2022 9:17 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)


    • Aug 27-28: Flower Painting Workshop with Dr. Mohammad Ali Bhatti Saturday and Sunday August 27-28 10:00am - 4:00pm
    • Aug 31,Sept 7,14,21: Introduction to Watercolor for Beginners with Alison Hendry on Wednesday evenings Sept 7, 14, 21, 6-9 pm
    • Sept 8,15,22,29: Find Your Path with Carla Gauthier on Thursday afternoons, 1:00-4:00 pm
    • Sept 9: Mindfulness and Watercolor with Katie SteckFriday evening, Sept 9, 6-9 pm
    • Sept 16: Exciting Ways to Paint on Yupo with Linda Vanek on Friday, Sept 16, 9:30-3:30
    • Sept 17-18: Portrait Painting with Dr. Mohammed Ali Bhatti on Saturday & Sunday, Sept 17-18, 10:00am-4:00 pm
    • Sept 24-25: Sand, Sea, & Sky with Les McDonald on Saturday & Sunday, Sept 24-25, 9:30-3:30.
    • Sept 27-28: Watercolor Foundations with Jason Bentley, Zoom class on Tuesday & Wednesday, Sept 27-28 from 1:00-4:00 pm 
    Register HERE





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