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  • July 26, 2022 3:44 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Kathleen Cooper, Treasurer

    As the Treasurer of WAS-H, I would like to present the members with a short summary of our financial position. Please know that, at any time, a member may request a copy of a financial statement or a filed tax return. Our fiscal year ends on May 31st. The tax return for the June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022 has not yet been filed, but it will be filed on a timely basis. Note - below the numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand, to make this easier to read. 

    We currently have cash accounts totaling $331,000. Fixed assets less depreciation equal $472,000. Our only liabilities are sales tax and payroll tax payable, for a total of $3,000 in payables. Therefore, we are in fiscally sound condition.

    For the fiscal year ending 5/31/22 we had revenues of $248,000 and cash expenses of $247,000, giving us positive cash flow of $1,000. For the prior year ended 5/31/21 we had revenues of $195,000 and cash expenses of $196,000 for a negative cash flow of $1,000.

    So, we are living within our means, but not making anything extra to save.


    Note - FYE 5/31/21 - fewer awards were given out for the international exhibit.

    As you can see from the above, once you subtract the instructor fees from the class income it falls to third place in the list of money-making activities.  Instructors generally are paid 80% of class revenue.

    Donations and Membership Dues are the PRIMARY sources of income that keep WAS-H running!

    Please let me know if you have any questions or want further information. My WAS-H email is washtr@watercolorhouston.org

  • July 26, 2022 11:12 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    1st place

    Elizabeth Winslow, “Chinese Peony” 


    Artist comments: “Watercolor done on rice paper. I have been doing Chinese watercolors for 8 years with my teacher Peihong Endris. This is done in the Gong-Bi style which is detailed as opposed to being in the spontaneous style.” 

    Judge comments: “Lovely painting! Delicate colors, beautiful composition. Impressive painting! This would be a challenging painting on watercolor paper, but on rice paper—WOW! Incredible!” 

     

    2nd place 

    Josena Arquieta, “Black and White House” 


    Artist comments: “I’ve been painting pictures of Montrose bungalows that are disappearing. This is a study in light and dark- parts of a class with Ed Pettit.”

    Judge comments: “This painting grabbed by attention from across the room and kept my attention when I got close. The vacant porch allowed me to imagine who might be sitting there. Love the composition and values.” 

     

    3rd place

    Susan Bizzell, “Summer Day” 

     

    Artist comments:  “This was my first experience with gouache. This is also the first time I've ever placed in a show! There were so many beautiful paintings, I am truly honored”

    Judge comments: “I can feel the warmth! Colors are full of energy, yet there’s a calm resting place under the tree. This is a place I’d like to be.” 

     


    Honorable Mention

    Nancy Moody, “Mah Jongg Mayhem” 


    Artist comments:  “The subject and composition of my painting stemmed from my other hobby that I love, the game of Mah Jongg.  The tumble of the die, tiles and even the snack bowl was randomly created, then photographed for this piece.  It was hand drawn using the grid method, then painted with mixed colors advised by Ellen Orseck and finishing touches suggested by Carla Gauthier.”  

    Judge comments: “Excellent composition! It intrigued me that the artist left the roll of the 2nd dice to the viewer’s discretion. I assume it was a good roll since the tile “lucky” was shown.”  


    Honorable Mention

    Joyce Veneman, “Garden at Bayou Bend” 



    Artist comments:  “I took this photo last year at Bayou Bend and decided it would great subject to paint. I am a traditional plein air watercolorist, but I had to rely on my photo for this painting. The painting has some detail in the statue, but I was able to be freer with the abstract background. Carla Gauthier gave me a few pointers on how to finish this piece”.

    Judge comments: “This painting invited me in to enjoy the garden. I didn’t want to leave. So peaceful and beautiful.” 


    Honorable Mention

    Victoria Avalos, “Go Astros!” 


    Artist comments:  “I painted this portrait in Dr. Mohammand Bhatti's portrait class last year.  The boy is the grandson of a friend who has on a Astros baseball cap. I wanted to learn more about the placement of facial features (such as ears, nose, etc.) in a portrait study.  This is a great class to start as a beginner or also advanced students too.  I enjoyed the class”. 

    Judge comments: “I smiled when I saw this boy. His rosy cheeks told me he had been playing outside. His expression shows the wonder of a little boy—playful, happy, and possibly a little mischievous.” 

  • July 21, 2022 11:40 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)


    We have sad news to report about longtime WAS-H member William Tone's passing in March.  Follow this link for the obituary.


  • July 21, 2022 11:37 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)


    The summer 2022 issue of The Best of Watercolor magazine featuring the winners of the Splash 23 art competition is out. Congratulations to WAS-H members Carla Gauthier, Leslie McDonald, Jr. and Keiko Yasuoka for being included!

    Laura's Tea

    by Carla Gauthier

    "Painting from photos taken on a trip is a great way to revisit locations to remember the sights, sounds and smells. It's like taking a mental vacation while you paint."

    Shopping in San Jose

    by Les McDonald

    "The colors of the merchandise, as well as their setup, captured my attention. When painting a scene like this one I always draw a detailed pencil rendering before painting. It was a labor of love"."

    The Gifts from Him

    by Keiko Yasouka

    "The most difficult thing about this painting was the motif. The arrangement had so many angles that could have been the focal point. I utilize natural light and must wait until certain times of the day to achieve the proper hue from the sun as well as light directions and shadows."

  • July 17, 2022 3:39 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    There are some remaining spaces left in Myke Venable’s Drawing 101 class.  This is a four session class on Tuesday mornings, starting August 16th.  Click HERE for details.  


  • July 16, 2022 4:23 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki, President

    Got ideas about great things to do at WAS-H? Let us know! A survey about the classes you want to take at WAS-H went out in our last email. We are also interested in hearing about any special events you think would be fun at WAS-H… let us know! You can email me your ideas at president@watercolorhouston.org .

  • July 14, 2022 7:06 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    For the October Major Workshop with Ryan Fox, WAS-H is seeking an individual to serve as the Workshop Coordinator.

    The Workshop Coordinator plans and carries out the logistics of the Workshop, which necessitates a considerable commitment of time and effort.  The position entails communicating directly with the Artist instructor and the students starting 2 months before the Workshop, assembling and disseminating instructions and materials, attending and tending the Workshop, and preparing a post-Workshop report to the Board of Directors.

    Skills required for the Coordinator position are

    - proficiency in planning and organizing

    - fluency in spoken and written communications

    - familiarity with setting up and operating Padlet or willingness to learn

    - familiarity with operating classroom A/V equipment or willingness to learn

    Experience from having attended a Major Workshop is desirable.

    In exchange for serving as Workshop Coordinator, you will be compensated with a complimentary seat in the Workshop, a value of $625.  (The IRS regards this form of compensation as taxable, and WAS-H will provide the Workshop Coordinator with a 1099 Form for tax purposes.)

    If you are interested in being considered for the Workshop Coordinator position, by July 31 please send an email note to Donna Van Fleet, co-vicepresident, at vicepresident@watercolorhouston.org

  • July 14, 2022 6:47 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Diane Trepagnier, AME Director

    Wet your brushes and start painting for the 53rd Annual Members Exhibit coming October 2022!  It’s not too early to start!  As in past years AME will award over $3000 in cash and merchandise, again making it one of the most highly anticipated events for our members.  We are looking forward to a bigger and better show this year.  

    We are excited to welcome artist Ryan Fox as our judge for this year’s AME whose works have been featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine and Art of Watercolour.  He is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS),New England Watercolor Society (NEWS), and Watercolor Society of North Carolina (WSNC).  He describes himself as a traveler, teacher, photographer, artist and father of two boys.  His paintings are based on his travel photographs, reinterpreted from the original images rendered with watercolor using a variety of techniques and surfaces.

    The AME is set for October 2 and exhibits will remain in the gallery for viewing during regular hours until November 3.

    You can soon find the prospectus on the WAS-H website. 

    Key Dates:

    Date online registration begins:​​​9/13/2022 – Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.

    Date drop-off begins:  ​​​​9/20/2022 – Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.

    Date online registration & drop-off ends:​​9/28/2022 – Wednesday, 3:00 p.m.

    Judging date:​​​​​​10/01/2022 - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:00p.m.

    General meeting, demo & awards:​​​10/02/2022 – Sunday, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    Gallery reception:​​​​​10/02/2022 – Sunday, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30pm. 

    Date to pick-up unaccepted paintings:​​10/04/2022 – Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Last day of exhibit:​​​​​11/03/2022 – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Exhibit take-down & painting pick-up:​​11/03/2022 – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


    If you have questions, contact Diane Trepagnier, AME Director at 281/253-7562 or ame@watercolorhouston.org.

  • July 07, 2022 2:23 PM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Donna Van Fleet, Co-Vice President

    You've read about him in Watercolor Artist magazine . . .

    ​​  

    . . . seen his work featured in Watercolor Artist, Art of Watercolour and Splash books . . . 

     


     

    Now meet Ryan in person!

          ​​

     October 3 - 6 Major Workshop

    ​​​Registration opened July 3rd and 1/3 of the seats are already filled!

    ​​​Learn more about Ryan's Workshop  HERE

  • July 01, 2022 11:13 AM | Nancy Moody (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki

    Dear WAS-H Friends,

    We have a lot of “hot” plans for July at WAS-H! And by hot, I mean exciting, not hot weather like the we have experienced the past few weeks.

    First up is our July Student/Teacher Show. Registration for entry and painting drop off deadline is Wednesday, July 6th.  Follow this link to the prospectus. This is a great chance to enter those paintings you did in a class. Plus, teachers are invited to display their work. The July 1st Friday Open Studio will have information on how to cut mats and frame your work. Drop in to learn more so you can enter the show.

    The July Gallery Show Awards reception will be on Sunday, July 10th at 3pm. Join us to enjoy the Student and Teacher Show, we are really excited about it, and expect a full and lively exhibit!

    A few more hot events: 

    • The Ryan Fox major  workshop opens for early-bird registration on July 3rd
    • Model Lab is adding some more evenings in July
    • There are a few open spots left in classes scheduled for July

    Look for upcoming show prospectuses, the August Gallery Show theme will be “Skies”, and the September Gallery Show theme will be “Blue.” Our Gallery Directors, Cissy Geigerman and Katie Steck, are finalizing details for both shows and want you to know now what is upcoming. 

    We had a fun New Member Orientation this week. This will be a regular event, so if you are new (or new-ish) to WAS-H, look for information to sign up. It is a great way to learn more about WAS-H, how to enter shows, and meet others new to our organization. After all, art friends are the best friends!

    We have lots of fun plans for the Fall in the works, including a full class schedule, the Art Fair, and the Annual Members Exhibit. WAS-H is a vibrant community, thank you for being part if it!

    If you haven’t already done so, please renew your membership today so you can take part in our Summer and Fall events. You can go to the website at THIS LINK to renew.

    Personally, we are just back from a family vacation to the Big Apple. It was fun to enjoy the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and to watch our Astros play both the Mets and Yankees. Best of all, it was great to experience the energy of a city so well known for its arts. 

    I hope you have fun plans for the summer, and that WAS-H can be part of it. Wish you a Happy Fourth of July!

    Warm Regards,

    Karen Houston Stopnicki

    President

    Watercolor Art Society - Houston

    president@watercolorhouston.org




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