Tuesday 1/15 Plein Air Buds at 4 Mile Creek Greenway

Who says winter is bleak. Looks pretty good to me. Join the Plein Air Buds at the greenway at Rea and Bevington at Piper Glenn in south Charlotte Tuesday 1/15 at 1 PM. There's a parking lot next to the trail. Wheel your supplies on down the walkway until you see some gals (sometimes some guys) painting at their easels. Paint with us or go you own way. We understand. After a little time painting, how about some coffee at Starbucks? All artists of any ability welcome.

Colors in the Cold Exhibit is Up at MAC

Stop by the McDowell Arts Center and take a look at the "Colors in the Cold" exhibit. These are all done by local artists and some of the works are for sale. The best way to go into a gallery is to look for the artwork that grabs you most. You will not only leave appreciating art more but through the experience learn something about yourself. That's art!

My Artwork is... FALLING! HELP!

All artists need help from time to time with a work that just won't come together. Who are you going to call? How about giving MAG members, Russell Smith and Gene Lazo a try! Both of these artists are qualified to give you assistance with whatever ails your precious work. 

Russell Smith during MAG demo with his artwork

Gene Lazo (at right) receiving award at Matthews Alive for "Street Jesus"

Bring it in, Tuesday 1/15 at 6:30 PM to the McDowell Arts Center gallery area where other fellow frustrated artists will receive kind and gentle help too. No Simon Cowell's are allowed when critiquing please!

Judy Mizell Poured on the Charm

Judy Mizell answers question from Ron Fields

The results from the poutings

Paper, paint, towel, various bottles, but very little brush action

Great turnout for first MAG meeting at the MAC

Judy Mizell creates beautifully detailed watercolor subjects with equally beautiful, colorful and sparkling backgrounds. How does she do it? Pouring. That's right. Not a brush in sight. Just pour diluted paints on the paper and movie it around by tilting the paper. 

But before you go off and attempt this there are considerations:

Paper- make sure it is good quality such as Arches or Kilimanjaro with at least 140 weight.

Watercolor Paint- Use professional artist grade paints and (1) check for transparency... should be very transparent (2) Staining quality... should be strong and able to stand up to rewetting (3) Sedimentary or Granulation Quality... some paints have light particles that stay with the wash while others are heavier and sink or bind to the paper leaving a grainier appearance. Know all these qualities before applying the paints.

Before applying the paint to paper, draw a sketch of your subject and mask it.

Put diluted paints in pill bottles mixing 1/8th of an inch of paint to 6 squirts of water. Stir it well. This keeps for 2 weeks.

Soak paper in a large container of water and brush off any bubbles.

Pour paints onto the wet paper and tilt. Keep applying colors using the pill bottles or with an eye dropper for specific spots. You can use the spray bottle to further manipulate the paint and create a pathway of light with lifting.

Put the paper on a towel to dry. After it is dry, rewet again and repeat the process for deeper colors. Make sure you preserve that path of light!

Keep working it until you are satisfied. When it is fully dry and you're pleased with the effect, then you can unmask and paint your subject.

Other tips:

Don't use a brush... it will streak it.

Avoid the hair dryer... especially when it is really wet.

Try using the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for lifting.

Avoid mixing complementary colors... you'll get mud!

Thank you, Judy, for the perfect presentation for the opening of MAC.

If you wish to know the quality of your watercolor selections you can go to Winsor & Newton's Resource Center.

Our First Meeting at MAC is TONIGHT!

Come tonight to the McDowell Arts Center in Matthews, NC (next to our old meeting place the Matthews Community Center) at 6:30 PM for our first meeting at the MAC. We will meet upstairs in the gallery area for social time and then watch a live presentation by Judy Mizell at 7 PM. 

Judy is an accomplished watercolorist who will demonstrate her unique style of pouring colors. She belongs to the Georgia Watercolor Society and the Watercolor Society of North Carolina both as a signature member. She won the Atlanta Artists' Society Award at the 2009 National Show. It's an honor to have her present to MAG tonight. You can view her works at her web site.

New Exhibit at McDowell Arts Center

Starting Saturday, 1/5, there will be a new exhibit at MAC called "Colors in the Cold" by the artists of MAG. Come and take a look at how local artists interpret "Cold", that term meaning low uncomfortable temperatures. There will be beauty and maybe more than a few thought-provoking surprises. Come and take a look. The building will be heated.

Some of the artwork will be for sale. Contact information for the artist will be noted on cards with each artwork.

Life Drawing Tonight and Every Wednesday Night

"Tom" by Jack

Life Drawing continues for 2013 at the Matthews Community Ctr. You must be 18 or older to participate. The cost runs from $4-10 depending on how many participate to split the model fee. Bring your own easel and supplies. The model schedule has been updated at the lower right side of this blog. Thanks to Nancy Kennedy for keeping this art option going. Come early to be ready to start at 7 PM. And if able, please help with set up and take down.