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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Wednesday Night Life Drawing

"Tom" by Jack
 
For those of you who enjoy life drawing, there will be a session for all artists, 18 years old and up, tonight at the Matthews Community Center at 7 PM. You do NOT have to be a member of MAG to participate. Bring your own supplies and arrive a little early to set up so the session can start on time. The cost is at a maximum of $10 depending on how many attend to split the model fee. It usually runs around $8.
 
Be sure to thank the volunteers who set this up and keep it going. If you have time, offer to help. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

En Plein Air Cancelled

We are officially cancelling the paintout today at Hunter Farm due to anticipated cold, breezy, drizzly weather. Hopefully the weather will be better Tuesday, 11/6 when we go to Providence Presbyterian Church.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Plein Air Buds at Weddington's Hunter Farm Tu 10/30

Old Barn at Hunter Farm
 
Like to paint old barns, farm animals or mayber some pumpkins... then get out to Hunter Farm tomorrow morning, Tu, 10/30 with the Plein Air Buds. We will meet at the parking lot at 10 AM and eat afterwards together, dutch treat, at nearby Ilios Noche... we all love that place! Information regarding Hunter Farm can be found at: http://www.thehunterfarm.org/
 

 
Also be aware there is 30% chance of rain tomorrow. Check this blog at 8:30 AM to see if this event is canceled.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Grand Opening of McDowell Arts Center to Feature Artists of MAG

McDowell Arts Center
Located next door to the Matthews Community Center

MAG is very proud to be exhibiting for the dedication and grand opening of the McDowell Arts Center on December 1, 2012. The exhibit of two-dimensional hung artwork will showcase the members of the Matthews Artist Guild. MAG will meet in one of the upstairs meeting rooms at the new art center when it opens. Thank you to Cultural Recreation Specialist, Colten Marble, and the town of Matthews for this honor.

The following artists plan on entering artwork for this exhibit:

Troyann Dougherty
Barbara Jimison
Shirley Benion
Jennifer Benson
Debbie Yacenda
Bob Evans
Carol Pighin
Dianne Britton
Mary Magee
Mataya
Jean Yates
Nancy Kennedy
Joyce Fischer
Kenneth Hutchins
Belinda Churchward
Cynthia Howard
Rita Bowers
Russell Smith
Yvette Brandell
Valeria Marcus
Evy Grouse
Alan Wells
Jo Tenz
Reg Narmour
Lindy Midkiff
Anne Harrell
Vince Murray
Mona Hearne
Lisa Britton
Sandy Wilkinson
Jen Spaker
Carol Connaughton
Carl Shealy
Stanella Barnes
Katherine Maske
John Lomax
Shane Somerset
John Moeslein
Kim Younce
Susan Panzarella
Illa Joshi
Nawona Keen
Cynthia Powers
Curtis Sloop
Marie Davis
Kevin Brown
Carol Benston
Marcia Pyner
Bob Brooks
Susan Hinrichs
Nawona Keen
Roger W. Schulz
Susan Smith

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Perfect Weather for Paintout at McDowell Nature Preserve

Plein Air Buds enjoyed the Lake Wylie waterfront view from the McDowell Nature Preserve this morning. All were oil painters except for one charcoal sketcher. Those who attended were Connie Snipes, Yvette Brandell, Kim Younce, Carol Connaughton and Debbie Yacenda. Beautiful weather resulted in beautiful works.

Next time we will be at Hunter Farm... again! Since it's the day before Halloween (Tu, 10/30) we figured it only right to be among the pumpkins. Interested? Email Debbie to be in the loop: dyacenda@aol.com.
Carol Connaughton set up her easel right on a trail path

Connie Snipes painted a view from Lake Wylie

Kim Younce painting trees with oil

Yvette painting a water scene
 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Thank You, Braitman Studio!

Anne Harrell and Jean Yates representing MAG
at Braitman Studio's Open House
 
Thanks to Nancy Kennedy! She got MAG a spot in the Braitman Studio's Open House last night (10/18) alongside Binders, Cheap Joe's, and other art organizations/services. We met lots of artists, established and beginners, with the single minded goal of making them aware that MAG exists. We told about our instructional monthly meetings, weekly life drawings and en plein air outings, the annual competitions/art sales and, of course,... the MAC (McDowell Arts Center in Matthews)!
 
Anne Harrell and Jean Yates helped Debbie Yacenda in the whole affair. We got one new member on the spot and added over 20 names to our email list. Our goal was to generate new interest in the guild by inviting artists to our meetings, which are always free and open to the public. The one new member was a total but pleasant surprise! He was already aware of MAG having gone to the life drawing sessions. 
 
And... THANK YOU, ANDY BRAITMAN! He put on a great event with the food, beverages, door prizes and an art-loving crowd. We hope to be able to come again.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

McDowell Arts Center to Open December 1st, 2012

McDowell Arts Center in Matthews, NC
 
All of us at MAG are saying, "Can't wait... can't wait... can't wait!" And it won't be long, until the McDowell Arts Center (MAC) is open. Colten Marble, Cultural Recreation Specialist in charge of MAC, has invited MAG to display artwork for the Dedication and Grand Opening, Saturday, December 1st. We at MAG are truly honored and can't wait to fill the upper rooms with beautiful artwork from local artists.
 
All members are encouraged to bring 2 works of art. Email Debbie Yacenda if you plan on participating at dyacenda@aol.com. Take in is right before the next MAG meeting, Tuesday, November 13 from 3-6 PM. The meeting afterwards at 6:30 PM will feature Winsor & Newton representative Larry Leach with the latest on watercolor products and samples for all who attend. Meetings are always free and open to the public. We love visitors!

Life Drawing Tonight

"Tom" by Jack
 
 
Didn't know? Yeah, there's Life Drawing every Wednesday night at the Matthews Community Center at 7 PM sharp. That means you should come early to set up with all your supplies. Cost? Very reasonable... no more than $10 and usually around $8. All participants split the model fee equally. Artists must be at least 18 years old and there are new artists particpating almost every week. Give it a try and thank those who volunteer to make this possible.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Plein Air Buds at Hunter Farm in Weddington

Kathy Collins' Barn in Oil

Carol Connaughton's Woodland in Oil

Kim Younce Painting At Her Easel
 
Hunter Farm is one of the Plein Air Buds' favorite location. So much so, we're going back for Halloween. Next week? We'll try the McDowell Nature Preserve again since we had to cancel due to weather conditions last time. We'll be at the Lake Wylie lakefront. Join us on Tuesday, October 23rd at 10 AM. Afterwards we go out to eat together. Great group!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Plein Air Buds at Hunter Farm

 
Plein Air Buds will be at Hunter Farm Tuesday 10/16. The address is 13624 Providence Road, Weddington NC. We will meet at 10am in the parking lot. There are pumpkins, fields and some barns and outbuildings. We can meet for lunch after painting.
The website is below. Hope to see you on Tuesday at 10. For questionable weather, please check  MAG's Blog: http://matthewsartistguild.blogspot.com/ around 8:30 am on the morning of the paintout for a cancellation notice. 
 


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Best of Show at Matthews Art Fest... Our Own Cynthia Howard!

Cynthia Howard at Matthews Art Fest
Best of Show
 
 
MAG is very proud of member, Cynthia Howard, for winning Best of Show at Matthews Art Fest. She says, "I am so overwhelmed and thrilled-- there were some amazing artists there! Guess I am doing ok." Well, Cynthia we know you are amazing too. Congrats from your fellow artists at MAG!

Lorene Demonstrates Basing Beautiful Artwork With Salt and Soap


Lorene applying first of many washes with hake brush.
 
Lorene Lovell's watercolor demo was filled with tips and facts but what was enjoyed most was her humorous delivery. She said she had always been a "good girl" wanting to please everyone in her youth but lately she has been breaking rules... like using Chinese white! And that's not all she's broken... like both her legs! One was broken when she fell off a ladder and the other while dancing (and, no, it wasn't on top of a table).
 
Between the laughter, we watched her wet 140 lb paper with a hake brush (three times). Her palette is a muffin pan normally filled with Naples yellow, sepia, burnt umber, alizarin crimson, Davy's gray and Payne's gray. For the demo she also had Prussian green and Hooker's green. These are colors she loves and is comfortable with.
 
Along with color mixed with a mixture of 1/4 cup water and 1/2 tsp dish detergent (Dawn is best!), she sprinkles individual grains of regular table salt in specific places to create "swirls and holes" for a textured background. Then she lets it completely dry. Hairdryer? Won't work! Let it dry naturally. Also, humidity affects the salt. During the rains earlier this week, she said she couldn't get the effect she likes. It works best when the humidity is low.
 
After the desired background is dry, Lorene brings out her magic brush... an Escoda size 8 (reservoir liner) to create details over the background. She demonstrated making clouds and trees, as well as bringing many samples of her technique to help us try to emulate her technique on our own.
 
One of Lorene's favorite subjects is birds. When she paints them, she does not start with a lot of detail... just the outline. She paints the specifics as she goes along. And she always starts with its eyes. "It is the soul of the bird." Last night, we not only learned about Lorene's technique but we also got a glimpse of her soul. Thank you, Lorene, for a wonderful presentation.


Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Plein Air Buds Paintout at McDowell Nature Preserve Canceled

Due to bad weather, the paintout at McDowell Nature Preserve scheduled for this morning is canceled. Next time!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Plein Air Buds at McDowell Nature Preserve




Jen Spaker has the Plein Air Buds planned for the McDowell Nature Preserve on Tuesday, October 9 at 10 AM. We will meet at the Lake Wylie Waterfront within the preserve. According to Jen, "There is a parking lot, a building with bathrooms and a great view of the lake and woodlands. There is only one entrance to the Preserve. Once you enter, stay on the same road, all the way to the lake front. It is about 1 mile to the lake. Do not turn right towards the Nature Preserve Building."

All artists are welcome. There is no charge except you pay for your own lunch when we eat out together... yeah, eat with us!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Watercolorist Lorene Lovell at next MAG Mtg Tu 10/9

In the Pink
Lorene Lovell

Down to a Trickle
Lorene Lovell
 

A Quiet Moment
Lorene Lovell

Poetry of Light
Lorene Lovell
 
Every artist should try to create in a way that is distinctively their own style. What distinguishes Lorene Lovell? She paints "magical reality" with watercolors and a touch of... table salt and diluted liquid dish soap!
 
Learn about Lorene's technique and more at MAG's meeting on Tuesday night, 10/9 at the Matthews Community Ctr at 6:30 PM (social time) and meeting starts at 7 PM. All meetings are free and open to the public. Come on by!