RAA News | January 2013

RAA News | January 2013

Photography Show: The Travelers Eye

Photographs by Penny E. Schwartz and Caroline McAllister

Please join Penny Schwartz and Caroline McAllister at their gala show reception from 5 to 7 p.m. January 22. Reception parking is free in Lots 3, 4 and 5.

The Gresham Art Gallery at San Bernardino Valley College is located at 701 S. Mt. Vernon Ave.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Their photo show runs from Jan. 14 to Feb. 7. For information, call (909) 384- 2013

Annual Photography Show-In-A-Show

 Call for entries

Here is a great opportunity to show off your best photographs, and to be part of RAA’s third annual Photography Show.  This show is open to the community and RAA members alike.  Take-in for the show will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013, from  2:00-5:00 p.m. The entries will then be hung in the east gallery, and will hang through the week.  A reception will be held on Sunday, February 10, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Take down is after the Open House, 4 to 5 pm.

The theme of the show is open so thus may include a wide range of subjects.

You may enter one or two photographs, which must be matted and framed, with wire for hanging (no saw tooth hangers). The entry fee is $5.00 for the first, $7.00 for two.  There is no size limitation. A 20% commission will go to RAA for any sales during the show.

The reception will be a chance for you to invite your family and friends, enjoy some refreshments, and socialize with other artists.  Your artwork may be picked up at the end of the reception.

So look at your photographs, choose your very best, and come be a part of this fun event!

For additional information or to ask questions, contact Judith Sparhawk at 909 793-1876 or email to jsparhawk746@yahoo.com.

Entry form can be found on the website here.

Adult Art Classes / Workshops

It is already January 2013 and some of the Winter/ Spring Adult Art Class sessions are starting up this month.  Check out the schedule and sign-up for a class.  All classes are listed in the December / January RAA Newsletter, as well as on the  RAA website, www.redlands-art.org:  or pick-up a schedule at the RAA Gallery.  Also, don’t forget to check out the intriguing workshops that are scheduled.

Expand your artistic horizons by taking a class!

 Lori Powell, Adult Ed Chair

Spring Artist’s Way Workshop

Sign-ups are being taken now for a new Artist’s Way Workshop.  This popular class is based on the bestselling book, The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron.  It is designed to unblock your creativity and to help in setting and reaching creative goals.  It is a fun and exciting class with a great group dynamic, and is led by successful photographer and  workshop leader, Judith Sparhawk.

The class begins with a free no-obligation Orientation on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.  This is a chance to learn more about this program, ask questions, and find out if it is for you.  The workshop will then begin the following week on Wednesday, January 30th , from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and will continue weekly for 12 weeks.  Don’t miss this great experience.

Come into the gallery to sign up, or come to the orientation.  For more information, contact Judith Sparhawk at 909 793-1876 or emailjsparhawk746@yahoo.com.

Judith Sparhawk

Artist Bio Book Cover

On behalf of the Art Association I would like to thank Joanna for allowing us to use one of her new mouse prints for the 2013 cover of the Artists Bio Book. The artist mouse is very cute.

So bring in your 2013 bio for the new Bio book and see Joanna’s cover.
Liz Coviello, “Historian in the cupboard”

RAA Historian looking for History

We recently received a donation of some 1990s and 2000s RAA newletters – Are there more of these treasures out there?

If you are Spring cleaning and want to find a new home for old RAA newletters please bring them down to the gallery for the Historian.

Many thanks,

Liz Coviello, “Historian in the cupboard”

 

Upcoming  Programs and Workshops

RAA is privileged to have some very interesting and outstanding program speakers.  Be sure to take advantage of theses events that are free to RAA members and only $3.00 to nonmembers.

This month, on Tuesday, January 22, at 7:00 pm, ceramic artist, Marijke Terwissha, will be speaking on “Glorious Glazes for Raku Firing.”  Marijke is well known for her unique and beautifully glazed raku fired tiles.  Don’t miss hearing about the special techniques she uses and seeing her amazing ceramic art.

The Tuesday evening program will be followed by a workshop on Saturday, January 26, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.  At this workshop you will experience using Marijke’s glazes and techniques to create your own individually expressive tiles.  You will also participate in a Raku firing.  Workshop fee is $70 members / $75 non-members with a $5 per tile materials fee paid at workshop.

Next month, on Tuesday, February 26, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Elizabeth Carr, a watercolor, collage and acrylic artist, will be our special speaker.  She has won many awards and is an active member of the National Watercolor Society.  Her works are known for their bright, joyous colors and whimsical shapes.  Elizabeth’s Tuesday night program, called “Mess into Masterpiece,” will be followed by a workshop of the same name, on Saturday, March 2, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.  Participants in this workshop should take their unsuccessful artworks to the workshop.  Elizabeth will guide individuals in developing their failed artworks into masterpieces, using collage papers, acrylic paint and a little ink.  Each student will also create a collage of their own.  Workshop fee is $70 members / $75 non-members.

Sign up for a workshop by calling or visiting the RAA Gallery, 215 E. State Street, Redlands  (909) 792-8435

 Lori Powell, Adult Ed Chair

Cookie Exchange Fun

Executive director Randy suggested we have a cookie exchange before the holidays last month. Participants would bring 36 cookies, half would go to Carol’s kitchen & half would be shared. About 16 people participated.

Randy suggested Carol’s kitchen who feed people who need meals and give out food. It has a sad story as to how it came about (death of daughter and her hubbie in car accident),

The cookies were delicious. Thanks to everyone who joined in. We look forward to doing it again next year.

Cookies to exchange

cookies gathering for Carol’s kitchen

 

“Off the Shelf” by Joanna Mersereau, A.W.S.

This column will review books in the RAA library that I consider valuable art tools. In reading them I found my own imagination was stimulated. I hope it does the same for you.

“The Watercolorist’s Guide to Painting Trees” 7758.4 by Ferdinand Petrie

This is a starter book. The author paints from photos (we all do, at times). Of course, the photo must have the elements of good composition and color. “Trees” show the photos (by John Shaw) and, on the opposite page, what Petrie has done in watercolor.

I was disappointed that the author chose to copy the photograph as closely as possible. In most respects I thought the photo better.

Having said that, I’ll credit Petrie with subtle color and depicting accurately the silhouettes of the many different species of trees. He uses opaque drybrush to suggest the lacy quality of  a willow or similar tree.

Also on the positive side, he shows and tells how to paint trees in confusing situations such as a heavy fog (Davy’s Gray and yellow ochre in a graded wash with a foreground of Davy’s Gray and ultramarine).

All in all, this is an excellent book for the beginner. Petrie solves many problems of intricate leafage against  a dark background by using gouache (opaque watercolor). While not acceptable into juried transparent watercolor exhibits like Watercolor West, this technique is an easy solution.

Take a look at this book! See if you are challenged to take the author’s painting and put your own unique composition, design and artistic slant in order to carry it into a further stage.

I remember a cautionary advice from Millard Sheets. “No square inch of a painting should be exactly like another—either change the value or the color.” Petrie’s work would be more interesting if he had done that.

I add my own thought: when painting from a photo, remember your eye sees more than the camera. “Be a creator—not a copier!”