Christmas Celebration and Gift Basket

KBWS changed the Christmas celebration a bit this year by making a gift basket for a needy local family. The father had lost his job. The basket turned out very well and Renee' took care of seeing that it got delivered. There was even a job offer for the dad included! There were many donations of food and supplies as well as quite a bit of cash.

The party was held at Land's End restaurant, with people buying their own dinner but appetizers provided by KBWS. The dinner was very nice and festive, and people liked the idea of just having a dinner without worrying about decorating, clean-up, and preparing food as this is such a busy time of year.

 

Confidence and Risk in Watercolor

The group at the end of the workshop.

Sixteen students had a great time at the Elizabeth Otto workshop and produced many small paintings using the various techniques that Elizabeth demonstrated. We tried painting many different atmospheric conditions and even some Sumi-e techniques. The smaller class size allowed a lot of individual attention from the instructor. Marilyn did a great job of organizing the event.

Marilyn getting advice from the teacher

Otto's color wheel

Maria and Melinda confer

Fog demonstration

Elizabeth and Nina

Students hang their work on the wall

$25 Membership Fee is Due Now

The dues for the year September 2015-2016 are $25. Membership is included for participants in the Elizabeth Otto workshop.  Send checks to KBWS, PO Box 98, Homer AK 99603, or deliver them to Homer Art and Frame Company at the corner of Lake Street and Pioneer.

Bruce Sink mini-workshop

Saturday August 22, nine watercolorists, most of whom are members of
KBWS, joined artist Bruce Sink for a wondeful full day of painting,
demonstrations, sharing of ideas and techniques to enhance watercolor
paintings.

Bruce stays in the summer on the Peninsula and the rest of the year in
Chandler, Arizona.  He is a prolific painter in both oils and
watercolor and practices his art daily. His demo of an eagle in an
Alaska landscape was painted completely from memory and his
understanding of the bird's antomy soon became apparent as he
developed his painting in between working with individuals in the
group and discussing various techniques to enhance paintings as well
as tools of the trade.

Bruce recommended keeping sketch books all around the house (including
the bathroom) and have a pen or other drawing tool with each one...
that way there is not excuse not to take a few moments to draw every
day.  He likes to draw with a pen to discourage the use of an eraser
(man after my heart for sure) and emphasizes drawing skills even
though he noted there are many excellent artists who are amazing
painters but don't draw well (many of whom develop paintings from
projected images and tracing). 

Bruce's work can be found at www.brucesink.com

 

Michael Murray

Sept. 18, 19, 20 Workshop

Elizabeth Otto will be our featured artist at our next workshop to be held at Land's End for three full days in September. The workshop will begin at 10 and end at 5 with a break for lunch from 1-2, and the cost is $350. Elizabeth has extensive art teaching experience at the college level. She does not have a Web Site, but here are just a few images of her varied work. Contact Marilyn Kirkham, Workshop Coordinator, at 907-235-7690 or email mkirkham65@gmail.com.

August Events

August 5 is the day to deliver paintings before the Fireweed closes at 6 PM. The hanging crew will start as soon as the gallery opens at 10 AM on August 6.

August 22--Bruce Sink will lead our KBWS Paint-In, 10:30 AM to 5 PM. Reserve your spot by taking $30 cash or check to Homer Art and Frame.

Peyton Paint Demo August 9

Jan Peyton will be doing a painting demonstration at the Diamond Ridge Art Studio (Olga Amaral's gallery on the Spit) on Sunday, August 9, from 2 to 5 PM,  weather permitting.

Jan painting at a demo in July outside the Diamond Ridge Art Studio.

Dues of $25 Needed Now

The dues for next year September 2015-2016 will increase to $25. Membership is included for participants in the Elizabeth Otto workshop.  If anyone wants to join before September 1, the cost is still $20 but only covers membership through August 31. Send checks to KBWS, PO Box 98, Homer AK 99603, or deliver them to Homer Art and Frame Company at the corner of Lake Street and Pioneer.

Mark McDermott Workshop, June 6

What fun we had in this unique and challenging workshop! We used a process that many of us had never tried before.  Mark explained, "This workshop demonstrates a workflow that uses a 'value study' approach to watercolor. Working from light to dark, each of the 5 to 7 'gray values' in the painting are masked off, and the rest of the painting surface is covered with a rich, wet layer of paint. The painting is dried thoroughly between steps."

Mark helps Eva

Caren uses the light box

Jan, Mary Bee, and Marilyn in "the zone"

Applying lots of masking

Donna, Melinda & Gwen hard at work

Lynda shows off her painting of Mark's design

The Little Watercolor Society that Could

By Donna Martin, President

"Paula" by Donna Martin

 Kachemak Bay Watercolor Society earned this nickname early on when a few determined artists started the watercolor society with no money, no grants, and lots of determination and enthusiasm.  Our self-funded, not-for-profit group has continued through some terrible setbacks, such as the loss of our dear founder and mentor, Paula Dickey.  I’d like to thank all the people who have stepped up to help continue the Society after this devastating loss.

"Embers" by Char Jump

Several years ago, Colorado suffered terrible fires that depleted fire-fighting resources, and the “Ashes to Art Project” was founded to benefit the volunteer firefighters and buy new equipment. At least six of our members created beautiful works of art using charcoal or wood pieces from the High Park Fire of 2012. Who would have thought that jewelry
could be made from such an ugly thing, but Char Jump did just that with her stunning necklace, “Embers.”

"Fireweed" by Murray

 Michael Murray did a colorful piece called “Fireweed” using charcoal for the darks.

"Pears" by Andy Sonneborn

Andy Sonneborn submitted a lovely charcoal drawing of pears on a gold-toned background.

"Out of Ashes" by Eva Stovall

Eva Stovall did a powerful piece, “Out of Ashes,”depicting fireweed and green growth springing up from the destruction.

"Balanced Rock" by Donna Martin

"Garden Memories" by Donna Martin

Donna Martin, did two watercolors from her childhood recollection of growing up near the Garden of the Gods in Colorado, “Balanced Rock” and “Garden Memories.” She used charcoal for the burned trees as well as pieces of burned wood glued onto the paper.

"Transformative Balance"
by Mary Bee Kaufman

Mary Bee Kaufman submitted a beautiful wall hanging called “Transformative Balance.”  She states, “Fire challenges the balance of nature, a balance that hangs tenuously on relationships between the earth and man, the sway of seasons and the weight of time. As a transformative force, from fire destruction begets regeneration and adaptation.  As fire scorches the earth, it forces a new sense of equilibrium. It is in the struggle for balance that this piece finds its base.”

Thanks to everyone who participated. We are looking forward to a creative future.  Happy painting!

May Paint In-Out & Potluck

Jan Peyton gave us some great ideas on how to pack a bag for painting outdoors. She then showed us how to do a wet-on-wet painting. Next we went to Tony's and painted outside followed by a fabulous and fun potluck.

 All of Jan's supplies fit in this sturdy bag with handles. She rolls the watercolor paper around the paper towel roll, uses a small palette with only her favorite colors, small plastic water container, and a tiny sponge. A 1/4 sheet size backing board will also fit. She can pack this whole bag in her suitcase with her clothes around it for travel.

Wet-On-wet demo of flowers

Cindy and friend enjoy the spectacular view

Tony made a pie!!!

2015 "Spring into Watercolors" Annual Spring Show

"Lost Dreams" was our collaborative painting this year.  Thanks to Mary Bee Kaufman for coordinating the show and to Nina Burkholder for heading up the intrepid hanging team.

Marybee, Maria, Lynda enjoy the show

"Lost Dreams" sold right away

April Paint Together by Mary Bee Kaufman

To sit in the presence of thousands of birds and sketch.....an artist's dream. As on the great coastal areas of Alaska,so too the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula challenge an artist in the midst of millions of birds on land and in the air. 

Mid-December 2014 through January 2015, Mary Bee traveled to the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Peninsula as an art instructor and visitor. During the April Paint Together she introduced us to the southern-most landscape and wildlife, along with an appreciation for geology and climate, and how artists have played a part in the history of Antarctic exploration....and, of course, an exercise in painting penguins.

1. Marybee sketching penguins on South Georgia Island. What an extraordinary Christmas present!

2. Steve Kaufman captured the quality of light and Frederic Edwin Church-feel of the Antarctic Peninsula coast landscape.

3. Sketch by Marybee of King Penguins on South Georgia.

4. Sketch by Marybee of King Penguins on South Georgia.

Marybee sketching penguins on South Georgia Island.
 What an extraordinary Christmas present!

Steve Kaufman captured the quality of light and 
Frederic Edwin Church-feel of the Antarctic Peninsula coast landscape.

 Sketch by Marybee of King Penguins on South Georgia.

 Sketch by Marybee of King Penguins on South Georgia.

Paint In 3-21-2015

Another fun day with Sharlene Packer Cline, who continued her Sumi-e painting techniques showing us how to use color.

Renee's flowers

Claudia's Iris

Kathy does fish!

Sharlene helps Jan.

Eva is happy with her blue poppies