Plein Air Buds at Belmont Abbey... Take 2!

Due to the cancellation, we will return Tuesday, June 5, to Belmont Abbey College, at 10 AM. Interested in joining us? Email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com and ask to be added to the list for weekly updates. All artists are welcome. There is no charge. We usually work up an appetite and go out to eat afterwards dutch treat.
And... despite the early downpour last Tuesday, 6 of the buds: Belinda, Carol, Connie, Kathy, Todd and Jennifer, stuck it out and ended up being rewarded with better weather. Here is a lovely painting done by P-A bud newcomer, Todd Baxter, of Haid Hall:

by Todd Baxter

Web: http://www.baxterfineart.com/

Blog: http://BaxterFineArt.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

Life Drawing Night at Matthews Community Ctr

"Tom" by Jack

That's right... life drawing for all artists 18 and older is offered at the Matthews Community Ctr every Wednesday night at 7 PM. The model fee is fairly split among all participants. It usually runs from $5-8 and if attendance is low then the maxiumum cost is $10. Thanks to Nancy Kennedy for hosting and sceduling the models.

Plein Air Canceled Today

We will not be in Belmont today due to rain.

Plein Air Buds at Belmont Abbey College

The Plein Air Buds will be at Belmont Abbey College Tuesday, 5/29, at 10 AM. We will meet at the parking lot in front of Haid Theatre. Turn right at the college's entrance and you will see the parking lot. Directions can be gotten at the web site: http://belmontabbeycollege.edu/general-info/general-info-college-directions.aspx and you can also do a virtual walking tour: http://belmontabbeycollege.edu/index.aspx. Thanks to Belinda Churchward for her efforts in arranging this. Bravo!

Sign Up for Christ Church Art Sale

The Good News Shop at Christ Episcopal Church on Providence Road

So far, John Moeslein and Joyce Fischer are signed up for the Christ Church Art Sale scheduled for July 9th thru August 28. I know there are more wanting to join in so please email me, Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com and give me the titles, medium and prices of your two works.

This sale is for MAG members only BUT if you are not a member you can join at take-in. Membership is $25/yr which ends in September. Otherwise, there is no charge for participation in this art sale. 

Christ Episcopal Church on Providence Road does take a 30% commission on artwork that sells, which goes to worthy charities in the Charlotte area. The hanging and all sales are handled by the church's Good News Shop. MAG has appreciated this partnership with Christ Church in the past and look forward to this year's sale. Thanks to Margaret Salisbury and all at the Good News Shop!

WEDNESDAY... LIFE DRAWING!

"Tom" by Jack

If life drawing is your thing then come to the Matthews Community Ctr tonight 5/23 at 7 PM. All artists 18 and older are welcome. The cost of the model is split among the participants... no more than $10 but it usually runs $5-8. Arrive early to set up, please. We like to start right on time. Thanks to Nancy Kennedy for hosting this!

Nothing But Us Painters at Elmwood Cemetery

Kim Younce joined us for the first time

using oils

As did Tina with her pastels

Deborah's delightful abstract

Thanks to Tabitha for her fine service and picture taking

at the Cedar Tavern Restaurant

Belinda, Nancy, Deborah & Debbie

Great food... we'll be back!

Six made it out to paint at Elmwood Cemetery today. We feared rain but it turned out to be a beautiful day for all of us but next time someone's got to remember bug spray! Summer is here and so are the hungry bugs. And speaking of hunger... if you want a great quick meal, with wonderful smiling service and atmosphere... go to the Cedar Tavern Restaurant. Ask for Tabitha.

Plein Air Buds Will be at Elmwood Cemetery 5/22

Wonderful View of Uptown Skyline

Variety of Tombstones

Lots of Shady Trees and Greenery

Join the Plein Air Buds, Tuesday (5/22) at around 10 AM, at the Elmwood Cemetery to paint, sketch, photograph, etc... This place is huge! And very popular for joggers, dog walkers and others who also love parks. Interested? For more info email Debbie at Dyacenda@aol.com. 

Wed= Life Drawing

Yep, we are drawing from life tonight at the Matthews Community Ctr at 7 PM sharp. Be there early to set up. All artists 18 and older welcome. Model fee is split evenly and usually runs $5-8 and will cost no more than $10. Thank your hostess, Nancy, for all her hard work.

Two of Us Enjoyed the Park Today

For a while I thought I'd be alone painting today at still wet Squirrel Lake Park. Ten minutes later along came Jennifer Benson. I enjoyed her splendid company while watercoloring the above scene. Later Jennifer, who shot some photographs, and I walked the nearby trail and saw some outdoor artwork on display. Loved our time together, Jennifer!

Next week, 5/22, we will be at a public cemetary in uptown Charlotte. Fellow Plein-Air Artist, Deborah Winegar, made parking arrangements for us. So if you are interested, email me, Debbie, at dyacenda@aol.com for more information. Hope the weather is dryer!

Plein Air Buds at Squirrel Lake Park Tues 5/15

The Plein Air Buds will be at Squirrel Lake Park, Tuesday, 5/15, at 10 AM... if the rain finally stops! All artists are welcome and there is no charge or membership requirements. Afterwards, we usually go out someplace to eat lunch, dutch treat. Join us! We are serious artists with a fun side too.

Drawing Skills To Be Addressed in June MAG Meeting

Matthews Artists Guild

invites members & nonmembers to

DRAWING KNOWHOW

Tidbits of Practical Knowledge

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the Matthews Community Center

Join us June 12, 2012, for a 6:30 PM social where you can "share & compare" your favorite drawing tools. Then, after MAG's brief announcements at 7:00... DRAWING KNOWHOW BEGINS!

We'll breakout into a round robin of classes. Instructors at each group, will share a tidbit of practical knowledge on drawing perspective, figures, techniques, tools and more. You'll have an opportunity to practice by drawing a tidbit before starting the next class.

If you have a specific skill you'd like to learn, e-mail me, Nancy Kennedy presenter@nc-kennedy.com, and I'll try to have it covered. If you feel you won't find anything to add to your repertoire, e-mail me and offer to share a tidbit of YOUR knowhow.

You don't have to be Picasso to join us but, you can wear an artist's smock or beret to get you in the drawing mood!

Open to members & nonmembers.

Hope to see you there!

Bob & Kevin Show... Painting Improvement

Our meeting on May 8th was a repeat performance of the Bob & Kevin Show for painting improvements. They did this May of last year with such aplomb that we just had to have them do it again. Paintings were brought in by 6 MAG artists for evaluation but... to start off Bob Brooks and MAG President, Kevin Brown, showed their latest works for the audience to critique.

Bob Brooks holding up Kevin's painting



Critiquing is vital in improving our art in that it gives additional eyes to see repeated errors that an artist can be blind to. Near perfection, as well as problem areas, were noted for each painting. What were some of the painting issues? Body proportion, shadows, color choice, background, distracting content... all were addressed in mediums of watercolor, oil and pastels with subjects of people, animals, still life and landscape.

Thanks again, Bob and Kevin, for another brush up!

Kevin praising Barbara Jimison's background choice



Wednesday Night is Life Drawing Night

Life Drawing TONIGHT! Wed. 5/9, at the Matthews Community Ctr at 7 PM sharp. Come early to be ready for starting time. All artists 18 and older are welcome. The model fee is split so cost can be from $5-10 dollars. Oh, and say, "Thanks" to your hard working hostess, Nancy!

"Tom" by Jack

Plein Air Buds Learn Monoprinting

The Plein Air Buds took a break from painting to learn about monoprinting with Deborah Winegar at her studio at her residence in the NoDa area. Deborah has a lovely garden that we have painted in the past but this time we learned how to use the leaves and foilage to make prints with water-based inks and her large press. Thank you, Deborah, for your superior hospitality and for a unique artistic experience.

Beautiful Flowers at Deborah's back yard

Deborah treats us to lunch alfresco

Creating the print with inks and found objects

Finishing touches before pressing

Examining the finished print... lovely!

Deborah's studio

Progress Being Made on the McDowell Art Ctr

The downstairs working studio area

Colten Marble informing MAG Board of

McDowell Art Ctr progress and features

Entryway to downstairs

Elevator to upstairs meeting rooms

One of two meeting rooms in the upstairs

President Kevin Brown and

Program Chair Nancy Kennedy with Colten Marble

Walkway from elevator to upstairs

Colten and Nancy at wall between two

meeting rooms upstairs

Main Entryway

MAG's excitement over the McDowell Art Center is very hard to contain. It is matched only by that of its head, Colten Marble. Thanks to Colten for a personal tour! Can't wait to take another look next month. We will post pictures to keep you up to date. In the meantime, if you see Colten, tell him, "Thanks!", for all his efforts in making Matthews a place for the arts.

Don't Forget MAG Meeting Tuesday Night 5/8

We will be featuring the Kevin and Bob Show. Bring a couple paintings for them to scan over. They will provide encouragement as well as gentle improvement suggestions... if any. Read more at our previous post: http://matthewsartistguild.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-04-24T16:29:00-04:00&max-results=7. Meetings are held at the Matthews Community Ctr at 6:30 PM ( social time... meeting starts at 7 PM)... and they are free and open to the public.

If It's Wednesday... It's Life Drawing!

"Tom" by Jack

Yes, it's Wednesday (5/2) and tonight, and every Wednesday night, at 7 PM at the Matthews Community Ctr in historic downtown Matthews, there will be... LIFE DRAWING! How much? Why no more than $10... but it usually cost less. All participants split the model fee equally. Who can come? All artists 18 and older are welcome. If this is your passion... join us!

OH! And always thank your hosts: Nancy, Tom and Jack.

Plein Air Buds at Col Frances Beatty Park

Carol Pighin with easel on slope by lake

Belinda Churchward at focal point

Fisherman striking a nice pose for us

Weather couldn't have been nicer as well as the company. This place is loaded with secret trails leading to beautiful views of the lake. Yeah, you know you want to join in. Email Debbie to get in the loop at dyacenda@aol.com and find out where the Plein Air Buds will be next. 

Russell Smith Accepted in ASAA Exhibition

Russell Smith accepting First Place

at Matthew's Alive! Art Show

for "Self-Portrait as German Ace in 1918"

We at MAG are proud of fellow member, Russell Smith's acceptance in the annual American Society of Aviation Artists Exhibition at the Air Zoo Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum in      Portage, Michigan, June 4-9, 2012. His painting, "Self-Portrait as a German Ace in 1918", won first place in the Matthews Alive! Art Show. His painting, "Snake's First Strike", also qualified. His paintings can be seen at his web site: http://www.russellsmithart.com/index.html. Congratulations, Russell!