Updates from Terri on Her Art Journey
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One of my goals for 2024 is to enter at least one juried art competition. So, in an effort to knock off an item from my to-do list, I entered Nevada Watercolor Society’s 2024 Spring Show.
I joined NVWS during the Covid lockdown, but have never attended an in-person meeting or participated in any of its exhibits. As an emerging artist, I never expected my work to be worthy of exhibition. Nonetheless, I entered my watercolor, “Woodland Stream.” To my great surprise, my painting was not only accepted into the exhibit, it was one of seven paintings to be honored. (I won an “Honorable Mention” green ribbon and a $100 cash prize!) The ribbon was presented to me by Sharon Menary, the president of NVWS. There are 38 pieces of beautiful artwork (all watercolors) done by 25 different painters that will be on exhibit until May 4 at Charleston Heights Art Center, located at 800 Brush St. in Las Vegas. I was delighted that my brother John, who is visiting me from Maine, was able to attend the opening reception on February 22 when I received my ribbon. My husband Ralph and I celebrated with a glass of champagne when we got home. I wondered if all of the paintings that were submitted for this exhibit were accepted. I asked Cecilia Lary, another watercolorist seen here with her husband examining my painting, and she told me she was certain the judges were quite selective. One of the jurors, Kim Johnson Nechtman, had this to say: “As an instructor and student of the arts, I appreciate how difficult it is to put your paintings out there for judgement. Art is subjective and the journey to learn and grow are different for each individual. My hope is that the show helps to inspire artists to continue in their endeavor to grow.” Well, I’m definitely inspired to not only learn and grow but also to be bold enough to enter another juried competition!
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My art journey took a bit of a detour last week. On Friday, I participated in a mixed media photo collage workshop at City Lights Art Gallery with a terrific artist, Karla Cloninger.
It was quite a departure for me, yet something I said I’d challenge myself to do this year . . . experiment, learn and grow! And this workshop was just the ticket! Using black and white photos printed on plain paper, Karla showed us how to cut, paste, layer, paint, draw and splatter to make unique, one-of-a-kind collages. Karla provided wood panels and most of the supplies (except for the photographs), including the magic ingredient: MOD PODGE, an all-in-one glue, sealer and finish. Mod Podge is awesome. This quick-drying glue works on a variety of surfaces such as wood, paper, canvas, tin, terra cotta, and more – making it a must-have product for arts and crafts! This was my first craft project and I was definitely out of my element. While most of the other students did more abstract pieces, I was stuck in my “real” world and used various photos of my kids doing weird things (e.g. Paul pushing Danny off a train). The workshop was so much fun. Although I’m not sure I’ll become a collage aficionado, I did just order my first bottle of Mod Podge! About six years ago, I had my introductory lesson in watercolors. It was taught by New York artist Joan Iaconetti, an award-winning watercolorist who teaches and paints in her studio on Union Square in Manhattan. That’s when I still lived in New York City and I had the pleasure of taking several in-person classes with Joan. Indeed, everything I know about painting with watercolors I learned from Joan.
When I moved to Las Vegas, I took up acrylic painting. If you know anything about these two media, you know that they’re as different as night is from day. Watercolors are mostly transparent and you typically start with light colors before dark colors. Acrylics are mostly opaque and generally you start with darker colors. And that’s just the most basic difference. Needless to say, after spending most of my painting hours these past couple of years using acrylics, I’ve lost much of what I knew about painting with watercolors. And I want to get that back! So, at the risk of completely confusing myself, I’ve decided to get back to painting with watercolors . . . starting with the basics. Fortunately, ever since COVID, Joan has added online (ZOOM) classes to her repertoire of course offerings. So, last week I started a six-week zoom course that is intended for absolute beginners. Her first lesson is so basic, yet so important: WATER CONTROL IS A BIG DEAL! How much water you mix with your watercolor pigment will determine the consistency of the paint which, in turn, will determine the various SHADES or VALUES of the color. The more water you use, of course, the paler the color. I’m looking forward to getting out my watercolors and painting along with Joan! Last week I got stung by the nasty bug that’s been flying around the Las Vegas valley for the past couple of months. While so many friends and acquaintances were falling sick, I kept boasting about how healthy I am. Armed with every shot and vaccine that’s available, I bragged that I was nearly invincible.
So, of course, I got what I deserved . . . As the Proverb so clearly states, “Pride comes before a fall.” It wasn’t COVID (I tested negative). It was nastier than a common cold or typical flu, and it’s taken me down for nearly a week. I’ve had to cancel many meetings and appointments, including a couple of Bible studies, lunches, and an art webinar. And it’s set me back on completing my benchmark painting for 2024. Such were my plans. Woody Allen has joked, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans.” That’s not particularly funny, and I don’t think it’s true. God isn’t laughing because I’m sick. What I think is more likely is that my heavenly Father may look at my plans at times and say, “I have something else for you today. Trust me.” So, I’m letting go of my plans for now, as I await full recovery from this nasty bug. Over the weekend, I got a bit of news that cheered me up. My painting of “Woodland Stream” has been accepted into the juried exhibit of the Nevada Watercolor Society and will be on display from February 22 - May 6 at Charleston Heights Art Center in Las Vegas. I’m prayerfully hoping that I’ll be back to my normal, cheerful self in time for the opening reception! |
AuthorTerri Thompson is a journalist-turned-visual artist, who is on an "art journey" and exploring how to tell her stories through her watercolor and acrylic paintings and photographs. Categories |