President's Message
There are times when I find my life has gotten more busy and hectic and that it is a challenge for me to pick up my watercolors and paint. If you're like me, you have also experienced times when those creative juices just don't flow and you find yourself in an art slump. The painting isn't working, and it just doesn't speak to me.
When this happens, I take those "quiet paintings", the ones that aren't speaking to me and place them in a special area. I don't want to give up on the painting, because there are things I like and things that don't quite work.
Recently I decided to take some of my "quiet paintings" and evaluate them. Maybe I should set the record straight and tell you that no, I did not actually hear a voice coming from my painting --but something wasn't quite right and I knew it.
The paintings were moved to what I refer to as Connie's watercolor sandbox. Its a place where I can evaluate the painting and go back in and experiment with no expectations of making a masterpiece. If it doesn't work, it's just a piece of watercolor paper, no worries.
What happened for me is that several of my paintings were improved with the corrections I made. This artistic revisit was what had been missing all along in the painting. And not all the paintings worked out with my corrections, but I am very pleased with the ones that were improved.
Sometimes artists need to find their watercolor sandbox and take time to have fun and create and play with art. No worries or high expectations, just have fun and take time to play and refresh. Are you ready to find your watercolor sandbox and have fun creating? Why not give it a go!
As a reminder, we will begin our first meeting of the year on March 21, 2023 and I hope you plan to join us and bring a friend with you.
Thanks- God bless and take care,
Connie S. Gifford
President
βArt is the elimination of the unnecessary.β - Pablo Picasso
WOWS Annual Dues for 2023 is being accepted now and is due on or before May 31, 2023.
Dues are $25.00/year ($10.00 for students).
Renewal form is on the WOWS Website: http://www.westernohiowatercolorsociety.org/about-us.html
Please download and complete the form and send form with payment to Treasurer Sue Konek
Note, the new Roster states that dues at $30.00/year- it is actually only $25.
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Rosie Huart will have a workshop: Connecting Art & Spirit:
Planting Spiritual Seeds, April 27-30 at Maria Stein Spiritual Center.
The workshop includes 3 nights lodging with private room & bath, 7 meals, instruction, all paints, gels, paste . $495
Material List provided after registration $100 non refundable deposit due March 13, 2023, Balance due April 3, 2023.The Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, 2365 St. Johns Rd., Maria Stein, OH 45860, Retreat begins Thursday 6 PM, Ends Sunday 11 AM
NEWS TO SHARE:
Connie S. Gifford will have an art exhibition at the Beavercreek Lofino Art Gallery the entire month of March 2023. Connie has participated in shared exhibits at this location, but this will be her first solo exhibition of her watercolors paintings. Artist reception on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. till 3:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
The Gallery at Lofino Plaza is located inside the Beavercreek Senior Center, 3868 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek, OH 45432. The Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - noon.
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