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Highlights Newsletter June 2022

President's Palette

Photograph of BWS president Sherry Morell

For the President’s Palette this month, I would like to introduce you to Kathleen Gardiner, our new Jurying Chair. Most of the BWS Board Members do their work in the background and are only “out front” when there is a problem to be fixed or an event. The Jurying Chair is “out there” working and communicating with individual Associates who are applying for Signature Membership (many often going through Jurying several times before they achieve Signature Artist status), writing letters that are often difficult but must be encouraging and enlightening at the same time, schooling new Board members in Jurying Criteria and Etiquette, and making sure that the whole process is anonymous. Thus it takes a special type of person to mentor everyone (applicants and jurors both) along the way. Read on and meet Kathleen – you will be as pleased that she is there for you as we are to have her join us.

Sherry



Photo of Kathleen Gardiner"I grew up on Long Island enjoying the Atlantic shore as well as the Sound. Summers were spent in Upstate NY rambling through old growth forests and swimming in cool clear lakes. It feels as if I’ve always drawn or painted my interpretations of nature. Colorful birds, shimmering waterscapes and towering white pines painted on stones, old barn wood and canvas. I studied Art at SUNY Plattsburg and spent a few years in the classroom, teaching Social Studies (American History & Government) in NY and MD. I also taught art at St Mary's in Annapolis and gave private lessons in my home when I was a Middle School teacher.

Since moving to Maryland in 1981 and raising three children with my husband, Scott, I’ve been able to continue connecting with nature. When not in front of an easel, I can be found in my garden blowing bubbles with my grandchildren, exploring the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay by boat, hiking with my bouncy dogs along nature trails, and visiting Assateague National Park and local wildlife refuges. My work is inspired by and reflects these experiences.

I was very influenced by my Uncle, George Dunham, who was a plein air oil painter who worked in the style of the Hudson River School. Consequently, I originally took classes and studied with oil painters in New York like Joseph Abruzzo and my SUNY professors all of whom encouraged me to study with other local artists and to keep drawing and keep painting. Then five years ago I went with a friend to a watercolor class and fell in love! I love the transparency, the luminosity and the way colors blend and flow into each other. Researching the works of Watercolor Masters has given me further direction, inspiration, techniques, an understanding of the importance of composition, design and solid drawing: Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, John Singer Sargent and Edward Hopper are some of my favorites. My tubes of oils are now covered in dust!

I have also been very fortunate to have the opportunity of attending classes and workshops through organizations, such as BWS, as well as the Chesapeake Fine Arts Studio on Kent Island. BWS has an incredible number of wonderful and gifted artists who are also teachers. Taking each other's workshops and setting up time to paint together are priceless resources to use in order to learn and grow as an artist. I am honored to be part of BWS and thankful for the opportunity to serve on the Board and to help and serve all the members of BWS.”


    Upcoming Events

    Note: The above Upcoming Events summary only displays the start date for each event. For full details please click on the event, or visit the Events page.


    Annual Member Meeting & Luncheon Photos

    BWS members enjoyed a beautiful day of plein air painting, socializing, and lunch at the historic Elkridge Furnace Inn.

    Photo of plein air painters in a green landscape with a winding pathPhoto of a painter sitting at a table outdoors with watercolor supplies




    Photo of plein air painters in the landscape with a tall pine treePhotos by Joan Orcutt


    Welcome New Signature Members

    New Signature Memberships are announced only after dues are paid and members are considered in good standing. Additional new Signature Memberships will be announced next month.

    Gregory McLemone, Towson, MD

    Eric Miller, Hanover, MD

    Luis Perez, Canaan, NY

    Jyotsna Umesh, Chantilly, VA

    Frank Wengen, Dallas, PA


    Welcome New Associates

    Kris Angelis, Davidsonville, MD

    Scott Ponemone, Baltimore, MD

    Maria Sola-Simon, Washington DC

    Where to Send Your News

    For our next issue, please begin sending your Member News to our new Newsletter Editor in training, Devin Lulu, at devin.lulu@gmail.com.


    Member News

    BWS members may submit a 60-word announcement gratis to be listed under the heading "Member News." Images will be included as space allows. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month preceding publication date, and may be edited for length or clarity. Please e-mail your submissions to the Newsletter Editor at devin.lulu@gmail.com

    Boxed off featured ads are available for $25 and may include up to 100 words and one image. Contact the Newsletter Editor at joanna@joannabarnum.com for details.

    Lois Ward Wolford has been awarded the Maurice Prendergast Award in the 2022 TWS 46th Annual National Exhibition for her painting "Morning Routine" (below). Her painting "NY Morning Rush" has been accepted into the Adirondack 2022 National Exhibition. Her painting “Can You Repeat That" won an Honorable Mention at the Laurel Art Guild’s 2022 Annual Juried Show.

    Watermedia painting by L. Wolford, scene of a person in a kitchen making a green smoothie in a blender

    J. M. Littleton is offering an in-person watercolor workshop at the Littleton School of Art in Color Theory/Mixing Difficult Shadow Colors, Saturday June 4, 11-2pm. Lecture, multiple demos, and student exercises.  Welles21@verizon.net, JMLittletonart.com.


    Great News From the 2022- Mid Atlantic Awards Committee

    Loyal donors have been very generous this year contributing to memorial awards, reciprocal awards (art groups matching each other in donation), and corporate awards. New sponsors have joined in supporting BWS in each of these award categories!

    Armed with help and advice passed on from Dana Kleinstuber, we (Janet Arsenault and Janet Freeman), have much to share about reaching out to the art world and having such a great response. 

    Janet Arsenault and Janet Freeman posing with award donations

    BWS corporate sponsors have been extremely generous again this year, donating certificates or gift cards for merchandise. These include Acuity, Artist Angle Gallery, Dick Blick, Cheap Joe’s, Classic Homes of Maryland, MGraham, Princeton Artist Brush, Creative Catalyst, Ampersand Art Supply, Colson Art Printing, Airfloat Systems, Talas, Hahnemuhle and Artist Magazine. Paint sets from Dr. Ph Martin, Holbein, Jerry’s ArtaRama, QoR, and Winsor Newton have been received as well as watercolor paper from Stonehenge Aqua, and Winsor Newton and brushes from Silver Brush, Jack Richeson, and Winsor Newton.

    BWS has added a new art society to our reciprocal award sponsors. The New Jersey Watercolor Society joins with Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Delaware Watercolor Society, Virginia Watercolor Society, Potomac Valley Watercolorists, and the International Society of Experimental Artists.

    In addition to two regularly donated memorial awards (Gold Award in Memory of David Churchill and $300 award in Memory of Edward Longley), this year BWS will be presenting awards in memory of Edward Kidera and Virginia Gordon, funded by family and friends.

    As representatives of BWS we have formed relationships with wonderful people. Below is a list of a few highlights that are a result of this year’s support from donors.

    Photo of Dr. Ph Martin gift sets

    • Dr. Ph Martin is recognized as our largest merchandise donation in history, with a donation of their high quality paint ink and acrylic sets valued at $2,939.52. (left)

    • Acuity and Talas are new award sponsors. To anyone not familiar with these companies, we can state with first hand experience that they are both excellent sources for ordering paper and other materials.

    • Thanks to Hahnemuhle’s added donation, all artists participating in this year’s exhibition and BWS members will receive their exhibition catalog in an envelope! Included with the catalog will be a sample kit of Hahnemuhle’s very fine watercolor paper.

    • Looking to try a new brush? Princeton Artist Brush Company has donated 100 free samples of their “Elite” round brush for interested BWS members and participating M-A artists attending the awards ceremony.

    • In addition to their donation toward awards, American Frame Company has donated 20% off coupons for BWS members. (coupon is accessible on BWS members only page through the remainder of the year. To receive the discount, set up an account with American Frame before ordering). This is a true savings for members!

    Finally, as of June 1st, the BWS website sponsor page will contain this year’s award sponsors. This is a great place to check out our valued 2022 award sponsors and find a link to some of their websites. Thank you for supporting our sponsors.

    See you at the awards ceremony!

    Janet Arsenault and Janet Freeman, Mid-Atlantic Awards Chairs


    Opportunities

    Pittsburgh Watercolor Society
    Aqueous Open 2022 International Exhibition
    Stifel Fine Arts Center, Oglebay Institute
    Wheeling, WV
    https://www.pittsburghwatercolorsociety.com/
    Entry Deadline: July 15, 2022


    In Memoriam

    Robert Dansky, Baltimore, MD

    Jeanne Johnson, Mechanicsburg, PA

    Watermedia painting by Jean Johnson, three children with rollerblades sitting on a bench with a video game"Three Sports" by Jeanne Johnson


    Board of Governors and Committee Chairs

    Baltimore Watercolor Society, a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization

    Please note: Multiple names are listed for several positions as both the outgoing current Board Member and the new member in training are included.

    President: Sharon Morell, slmorell12@gmail.com, 443-465-1863

    Vice President:

    Secretary: Deborah Cohan, 301-977-6212

    Treasurer: April Rimpo, bwsocietytreasurer@gmail.com, 443-766-0148

    Assistant Treasurer: Ruth Lampi, rthlampi@gmail.com 240-515-0552

    Mid-Atlantic Co-Chair (outgoing): Sharon Green, bwsmidatl@gmail.com, 410-363-1922

    Mid-Atlantic Co-Chair: Stacy Lund Levy, 410-446-2714

    Mid-Atlantic Co-Chair: Susan Bradley, 301-525-6303

    Workshops: Sabine Yeager, bwsworkshops.sabineyeager@gmail.com, 410-245-0366

    Programs: Dana Kleinsteuber, Kleinstk@verizon.net, 410-917-7935

    Webmaster: Bob Coe, 410-877-3730

    Newsletter Editor (In Training): Devin Lulu, devin.lulu@gmail.com, 302-690-8635

    Newsletter Editor (Outgoing): Joanna Barnum, 410-428-3432

    Newsletter Committee: Carolyn Murphy, 443-578-8343

    Archivist: Karen Norman, 301-318-2224

    Hospitality Chair: Karen Schuster, 410-531-5768

    Hospitality: Joan Orcutt, 240-381-9309

    Membership/Database: Janice Hendra, bwsmembership@gmail.com, 410-271-4943

    Membership/Jurying: Kathleen Gardiner, 410-991-1183

    Mid-Atlantic Awards: Janet Arsenault, 410-713-0248

    Mid-Atlantic Awards: Janet Freeman, 410-299-3906

    Exhibits Chair: David Drown, 410-971-9769

    Exhibits: Kathy Daywalt, 410-507-1662

    Exhibits: Jennifer Murtha, 443-834-4160

    Publicity: Harold Walpert, 443-825-8463

    Social Media: Annie Strack, 610-925-2815

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