Kilgoris Art Sale

MAG will again participate in the Kilgoris Marketplace this year to benefit the children of an African village. MAG members can join in the sale without charge but you are encouraged to donate a percentage of your sales to The Kilgoris Project.

The event runs from 12/9-10, Friday 4 PM to 8 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM. Set up is Thursday at 10 AM. Bring small artwork (no larger than 8 x 10 inches) to 5215-D South Boulevard in Charlotte near the Tyvola intersection. Take down is Saturday night at 7 PM.

Email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com if you want to participate and/or help with set up, selling, or take down. Information regarding Kilgoris can be found at http://kilgoris.org.

Annual MAG Christmas Party

Merry Christmas! Tuesday, 12/13, is the date for our annual Christmas Party. Bring a guest, a gift to exchange (please don't spend a lot... re-gifting encouraged; and, make sure guests bring gifts also) and a side dish. MAG will provide the meat entree, beverages and bread. If you'd like to bring a dessert, email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com. Last year we had an over abundance of desserts! Social time begins at 6:30 PM and the meal will start at 7 PM. Hope you can come!

Life Drawing Every Wednesday Night

There's Life Drawing tonight at the Matthews Community Center. Be ready to start at 7 PM. Cost runs from $5-8 depending on how many attend to split the model fee. All artist 18 years old and over are welcome.

No Plein Air Tomorrow Due to Rain

The forecast is for rain, tomorrow morning so the Plein Air Buds will not be meeting. Hopefully better weather next week.

No Plein Air Painting or Life Drawing Thanksgiving Week

Happy Thanksgiving! Due to the holiday, there will be no Plein Air Buds session or Life Drawing at the Matthews Community Center next week. Create and/or enjoy some art wherever you may be.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 PM. We'll be celebrating Christmas with our annual dinner. MAG will provide the entree and beverages. Members are asked to bring sides and desserts (as well as a guest). Also, each person that comes needs to bring a gift (can be gag or nice... re-gifting is ideal!) for a white elephant exchange. Hope to see you there!

Life Drawing Every Wednesday Night

Come to the Matthews Community Center tonight for life drawing. Be ready to start by 7 PM... allow some time to set up. Be sure to thank Jack, Tom and Nancy for volunteering to set this up. The cost runs from $5-8 depending on how many participate to split the model fee. You do not have to be a MAG member to take part (but why wouldn't you want to be!); however, you must be at least 18 years old. The model schedule is posted on the left bottom side of this blog.

Great Day at South End for Plein Air Buds

Kevin finding a view

Jenn drawing the skyline

Carol taking in the skyline before painting

Jenn, Jennifer, Carol, Deborah, Kevin and Debbie enjoyed beautiful weather on the roof of the Ashton South End apartment building painting the Charlotte uptown skyline. Thanks to Kevin for arranging this! Next week the Buds will be off for Thanksgiving but will resume painting the following week. If you want to get involved, email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com to receive emails.

Plein Air Buds at South End

Want to paint uptown from an apartment roof at South End? Plein Air Buds are going Tuesday morning (11/15 at 10 AM). Contact Debbie @ dyacenda@aol.com if interested. Open to all artists and no charge... but, space is limited.

Greg Barnes Pastel Demo... Beautiful!

Greg Barnes did two pastel works during his demo tonight. One was a dark woodsy scene with snow in the foreground. He first applied dark colors then medium and light range colors. Using a charcoal vine, he put in "magical" details. Finally he developed a focal point by blending the surrounding elements. The resulting image is below.

His second work was a smaller recreation of a marshland scene as shown in the top two pictures. Both works were excellent demonstrations of pastel application and technique.

Harry and Anthony From Binders Visit MAG Meeting Tonight

Thank you, BINDERS for your continual support of MAG.

Harry and Anthony brought door prizes... what fun!

Plein Air Buds in Matthews!

Beautiful day in Matthews this morning! We started out at Stumptown Park and ended up by Matthews City Hall/Library. Cathy painted the red caboose, Cinthia did a wonderful job with City Hall, Jenn and Barbara painted nearby rose bushes and other foliage while Connie painted a shed in someone's yard. Norma showed up later to draw while Debbie took the pictures above. Afterwards we walked over to Pure Taqueria for huge servings of Mexican cuisine. Wow! Should'a been there... email Debbie if you want to be in the loop at dyacenda@aol.com.

MAG Meeting in Room 204 Tonight

Due to the election, we will meet in Room 204 tonight on the third floor. If you're not sure where it is, ask at the desk. See you there with Greg Barnes!

Jenn Spaker Wins 3rd Place in Artist Guild Gallery of Greenville 2011 Small Art Show

Way to go Jenn!

Greg Barnes At Next MAG Meeting This Tuesday Night

Greg Barnes Painting En Plein Air

According to Greg Barnes' web site, when he paints on location his goal is to achieve "more than just a pretty picture"... he goes for "the spirit of the place." "I am blessed to be able to translate that beauty onto paper or canvas in my own way, and to be able to make a living at what I love to do." He received a BFA from Wake Forest University in 1985 and has always been involved with art ever since. After 9/11, he became a full-time artist selling his works at art shows around the country.

MAG is honored to have him do a pastel demo for our next meeting this Tuesday, 11/8 at 6:30 PM at the Matthews Community Center. All meetings are free and open to the public.

Look at Greg's work at his web site: http://barnesstudios.com/recent_works.html

Life Drawing Every Wednesday Night

MAG sponsors opportunities for life drawing every Wednesday night at 7 PM at the Matthews Community Center. Be there early to set up so everyone is ready to draw on time. Charge is usually $5-7 to split the model fee. You do not have to be a member of MAG to participate but you must be at least 18 years old.

Plein Air Buds at Hunter's Farm in Weddington

Great time creating art at Hunter's Farm today! Join us next week... never know where we'll end up... especially for lunch! We ate at Illios Noche this afternoon for some wonderful Greek cuisine. Get in the loop and meet with us next Tuesday. Email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com to be added to the email list.

Our next MAG meeting is Tuesday, 11/8/11, at 6:30 PM at the Matthews Community Center in downtown Matthews. Full-time artist, Greg Barnes is our presenter (http://barnesstudios.com) and he will do a demo with pastels. "Landscapes are Greg's love." So whether you enjoy landscapes en plein air or from photography in the nice warm comforts of your studio, you can't miss this one! Find out how he makes all those beautiful greens. All meetings are free and open to the public. We love newcomers!