Theme: EXPERIMENTAL

Artists are encouraged to use non-traditional ideas and materials for this month’s exhibit. Any surface is allowed but media must be at least 80% water soluble such as watercolor, gouache, acrylic, egg tempura, casein, charcoal or ink.

For more details, here is the JANUARY PROSPECTUS.

Register HERE.

By Karen Stopnicki, WAS-H President

Dear WAS-H Community,

As we come to the close of 2022, I would like to thank you for your support. Whether you participated in our monthly exhibits, signed up for one of the many classes and workshops, dropped in pick-up a piece of local art for a special someone, or volunteered at any of our events, we are grateful to have you in our community. 

No matter what brings you to the Watercolor Art Society - Houston, we are happy you're here!  Please consider supporting our mission to share the joy of water-media art through teaching programs, demonstrations, outreach and exhibitions. Donations can be made online HERE.

We have an exciting year planned for 2023 and look forward to you and your friends joining us.  

Gratefully yours,

Karen Stopnicki,

President of WAS-H

On the morning of Wednesday, December 20th a fire broke out at Winter Street Studios destroying several studios and damaging the building at large. Artists in our community have lost works of art, tools, and other critical pieces of their livelihood and life’s work. Several of the artists impacted are WAS-H members and teachers. Our heartfelt wishes go to everyone impacted by the fire. The Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) has an Emergency Relief Fund. If you would like to contribute, please click HERE.

By Karen Stopnicki, WAS-H President

Dear Members and Admirers of WAS-H,

We've had a busy year at WAS-H!

In 2022, WAS-H taught more than 730 students in 97 classes/workshops in our onsite classroom. We held nine monthly exhibits with 265 participating members. We hosted two major juried shows where 165 selected entries adorned the walls of our gallery.

More than 300 artists drew from live models on our upstairs stage, and we launched 34 virtual classes where almost 200 people learned art in the privacy of their homes. More than 160 members participated in our monthly paint-ins and we organized three "En Plein Air" events, where artists honed their outdoor painting skills.

We held our annual Art Fair in October for the first time in three years! WAS-H artists sold over 140 paintings at this one-day event.

We hosted two free weekly events: the Senior Class and Open Studio. More than 600 seniors and 300+ WAS-H members came together to paint and enjoy the camaraderie of this creative community.

It is amazing that we do all this with an all-volunteer organization! We are a charitable non-profit and can only continue our mission because people like you give. If you have sent in your 2022 annual donation, thank you! You can click THIS LINK to submit your donation online if you still need to donate.

A donation of any amount is very much appreciated!

Karen Stopnicki,

President of WAS-H

Kim Granhaug, NWS, TWS, WAS-H, will demonstrate how to create an abstract painting with sound principals of design.  She will lead you through her thought process on choosing a composition, use of creative color choices and mark making to build depth and history in the painting.  Then comes the age old question of how do you know when an abstract painting is finished?  Please join us for the Meeting on January 8th at 2pm and explore abstract art from a new perspective.

By Cissy Geigerman, co-Gallery Director  

It’s been a long time since we had a holiday gathering.  This year we had a welcome celebration of the season with friends and delicious food.  The gallery is filled with small paintings and cards for immediate sale and looks amazing.   In order to carry out the plan for this party it was a bonus to have plenty of room upstairs and people who demonstrated talent and flexibility.  Joanie Hughes and Mary Zellman worked to finish up class early and arrange the room upstairs.  Diane Trepagnier was our primary volunteer this time providing help with decorations, food, and even tidying up.  We thank all of you for making this a great day.   

 

In addition to great goodies to eat, we were treated to some entertainment.  We had a participation game with a balloon octopus chasing a candy cane, stories, a painting table, a lesson in making an origami paper balloon, and a showing of a beautiful quilt by Kean Bliss.   

 

 

As for conversations, it is amazing what can be learned from asking a few questions. I had discussions with Les McDonald about the pros and cons of making prints from paintings.  I mentioned to Mohammed Ali Bhatti that I was trying out poster paint, and he knew about the various uses of it.  We then drifted onto the subject of perceiving colors under different lighting conditions.  These gatherings provide a rich environment to expand your world.  

 

Next month we will go a little crazy for an experimental show.  We look forward to seeing paintings from a new angle, made with a new material (water based), or different point of view.  Please be ready to share your experience in creating these pieces.  Find the prospectus for this show Here

SEEKING MAJOR WORKSHOP COORDINATOR

For the March 2023 Major Workshop with Brenda Swenson, 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 requires time and effort before, during and after the Workshop.  In exchange for serving as Workshop Coordinator, you will be compensated with a complimentary seat in the Workshop, a value of $550.*    

The Workshop Coordinator's first priority is attending to the needs of the classroom, which requires:

• communicating directly with the Artist instructor and the 20 students starting 2 months before the Workshop (January 5)

• assembling pre-workshop materials and instructions and disseminating information to all participants​

• setting up the classroom at the start and end of each day

• preparing coffee and organizing snacks

• organizing daily lunch period

• facilitating participant introductions at outset of the Workshop

• familiarizing participants with safety exits, masking requirement, and classroom-comportment protocols

• assisting the Artist-Instructor as required, e.g., refreshing Artist's water, timekeeping, driving the projection camera to ensure Instructor's work is visible to the class

• monitoring the classroom, identifying real-time needs and taking corrective actions

• maintaining order and enforcing students' adherence to safety, masking and comportment protocols

• gathering student and Instructor feedback

• preparing a post-Workshop report for the Board of Directors.

 

Skills, knowledge and experience required:

• membership in WAS-H 

• proficiency in planning and organizing

• proficiency in spoken and written communications

• proven leadership

• willingness and ability to enforce rules and regulations

• completion of WAS-H's Class Monitor training or willingness to learn

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

Experience from having attended a Major Workshop is desirable.

If you are interested in being considered for the Workshop Coordinator position, please contact Donna Van Fleet at vicepresident@watercolorhouston.org

 

*The IRS regards this form of compensation as taxable, and WAS-H will provide the Workshop Coordinator with a 1099 Form for tax purposes.  

Phillip Weigand was recently was selected as a guest artist for December at Mont Art House. Mont Art House is a local gallery that showcases an amazing selection from really talented artists.  Congratulations Phillip!

Visit his gallery at Mount Art House Here.

WAS-H Members Priority Registration opens today, December 1, 2023

General Registration opens December 8, 2023

Spring Classes run from January through May 2023

WAS-H Holiday Party on December 4th is a Pot Luck!  Sign up by sending an email to admin@watercolorhouston.org 

Holiday Party December 4th Sunday December 4th 3 - 5pm Pot Luck Holiday Party Let us know what you're bringing!