TnWS Traveling Show 2010 Schedule

The TnWS (Tennessee Watercolor Society) is pleased to announce the schedule for their Traveling Show. Thirty paintings were selected by juror, George James for the Tn Watercolor Society Traveling Show from the 32nd Biennial Exhibition that consisted of 70 paintings from 58 artists from across Tennessee. The exhibition was held at the Olan Mills Building, Chattanooga Community College, May 16-June 25. The itinerary is: July 1-August 27, Customs House Museum,Clarksville; September 1-October 27, West Tennessee Regional Art Center, Humboldt, and November 1-30, Columbia State Community College inColumbia.

If you have an opportunity to either see the show in Chattanooga or one of the other venues, please let me know what you thought and what was your favorite painting in the show. These comments may be used for the TnWS ARTBEAT publication sent out to all the members. If you would be interested in joining TnWS, contact:

Peach McComb 206 Rising Sun Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138. A catalog and a DVD of the exhibition may be purchased for $20 each including postage. Contact: helenburtongraphics@gmail.com

TENNESSEE WATERCOLOR SOCIETY TRAVELING SHOW - 2010
Award Winning Paintings

Wildwood Garden,

edie Maney TnWS, (29x38) / $2000 First Place GOLD Award

Ground Cover, Fred Rawlinson TnWS, (30x36) / $1400 Second Place SILVER Award

Decaying Elegance, Kay Coop TnWS, (31x27) / $1000 Third Place BRONZE Award

Cycle Two, Harriet ChipleyTnWS, (37x27) / $1100 Special Award, Totally Transparent Watercolor

Orangina, Laurin McCrackenTnWS, (20x42) / $1400 Patron Purchase Award, Excellence in Watercolor

Dancers, Leslie Dulin TnWS ,(30x40) / $1200 Patron Purchase Award

Sunday Morning, Denton Ridge TnWS, (42x33) / $1000 Patron Purchase Award

Jail Birds, Mary Britten LynchTnWS, (24x24) / $1000 Patron Purchase Award

Blue View, Barbara ChamplinTnWS, (26x34) / $1000 Patron Purchase Award

Musings in the Garden, Mary Ann Valvoda, (36x30) / $500 Region V Award

The Red Boat, Marty Cognata, (30x34) / $400 Dr. E.J. Tisko Memorial Award

Decadence, Judy Lavoie,(38x30) / $400 Region IV Award (Knoxville)

As the Nails Dry, Erin Stukey Johnson,(28x23) TnWS / $375 Region 1 Award (Memphis)

Indulgence, Maggie Vandewalle, (23x27) / $350 Honoring Peggy M. Franck Award

Garden Dance, Linda KerlinTnWS, (41.5x34) / $345 Beauty of Water Media Award

Moon Walk, Fran Henley TnWS ,(39.5x31.5) / $255 Past Presidents' Award

Fruit Salad, Marie Spaeder Haas, (29x28) / $250 Mountain Art Guild Award

TENNESSEE WATERCOLOR SOCIETY TRAVELING SHOW - 2010

NON AWARD WINNERS - IN ALPHA ORDER

Contemplation, Anne BagbyTnWS, (12x12)

Peachglow, Helen BurtonTnWS, (21x21)

Cold Day in Maine, Sandra Carpenter TnWS, (25x32)

Where’s Maddie?, Dot Galloway TnWS. (40x30)

Red Hot Mommas, Christine S. Harness (27x22)

Church Spires, Pam McDanielTnWS (36x17)

Rusting Away, Dean SheltonTnWS (29x37)

Water Lilies, SheltonSimpson (28x28)

“K” is for Kaiser, Mary P. Spellings TnWS (26x36)

Let the Light Shine Through,Tuva Stephens TnWS (30x24)

Forgotten Linen, Laurie Szilvagyi (36x28)

Evening Chattanooga,Michael Wilson (19x22.5)

Shoreline Spruce, Nelson Ziegler (30x38)

10 Tips for a Better (Painting) Life

10 Tips for a Better (Painting) Life

This was a popular article posted recently on FASO in which artists made a copy and posted in their studio. Enjoy and even make some comments about the tips that speak to you!

10 Tips for a Better (Painting) Life
by Louise B. Hafesh

This post is by guest author, Louise B. Hafesh. This article has been edited and published with the author's permission.

Last year around the holidays, a good friend sent me a list entitled: "40 tips for a Better Life," which I have since seen published with various additions and deletions as "Enjoy the Ride," "45 life lessons and 5 to grown on," "20 tips for a better New Year."
As I read over the 40 inspiring tips, I realized with a little tweaking, some of the themes could easily be applied to us artists and set about drafting a version that became my 2009 New Year blog post. Heading into 2010, I took up the challenge again. Here, then, revamped are my "10 Tips for a Better (Painting) Life."

1. Set consistent work habits and painting goals; then stick to them. Start each painting session by abandoning preconceived notions and stumbling blocks.

2. Be true to YOUR 'art and soul'. Encourage your inner vision; listen to your private voice; let your imagination soar, and don't concern yourself with what others may think of your work.

3. Take short breaks, particularly when you've hit a rough spot or are experiencing a painting block. Stand back from your canvas on occasion. Quietly review your day’s work and take it all in with a fresh eye.

4. Take pleasure in the painting process. Continually advance your skills. Read instructional books, attend workshops and exhibits, frequent museums, and study the masters.

5. Be generous with your knowledge. Whenever possible, exchange ideas, tips, techniques with other artists. Fine Art Views ("FAV") is a great place to start, as are Facebook and Twitter. The more you share, the more you learn, and the benefits of networking are limitless.

6. Be passionate about creating your art, but do make time to nurture relationships. As in all things in life, balance is key!

7. Clear out the clutter from your studio. It will help you hone in and focus. Reassess unfinished work. Categorize as salvageable or not. Discard or sand down any canvases that don't make the grade and start anew.

8. Learn from the challenges that each painting offers and move on to your next masterpiece. Keep a positive mindset and resist being over critical. Give yourself the right to make mistakes, a free rein to experiment.

9. Bring HEART to your work. Treasure wisdom and innocence wherever you may find it.

10. Work from promise not fear... the best is yet to come! Think of that blank canvas as an opportunity to color your world!
----------------------------------------------
This article appears courtesy of FineArtViews.com by Clint Watson, a free email newsletter about art, marketing, inspiration and fine living for artists, collectors and galleries (and anyone else who loves art) .
For a complimentary subscription, visit: http://www.fineartviews.com

TnWS Hosts George James Workshop

(This is a post from January 11th, 2010 that is being consolidated to this TNWS Blog.)

George James Workshop
May 17-21, 2010
Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga
Cost: TNWS Members: $350, Non-members: $375
Contact: Post a comment

George James, AWS DF, NWS, paints on Yupo because it allows him to constantly revise a painting, adding or subtracting layers, pattern and subject matter without losing transparency. He has been inventing unconventional techniques for painting with traditional watercolor media on synthetic papers since 1982. James observes daily life for subject matter, constantly sketching people in everyday settings. He starts a painting by considering darks and lights, then adding colors determined by his emotional response to the subject. The result is a colorful innovative work filled with geometric patterns, flattened forms and symbols relating to the subject.

Recently retired, George James taught art at California State College at Fullerton beginning in 1968. He has won numerous prizes and awards during his 50-year painting career, including the AWS Bronze Medal (1998), the AWS Gold Medal (1999), the AWS Ida Wells Stroud Award (2000), the NWS Silver Medal (2001), Waterworks 2003 NWWS First Prize, and the Louisiana Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, First Prize (2003). His work and articles have been published in The Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor Magic, Southwest Art, and International Artist magazine. Two books by Gordon T. McClelland and Jay T. Last document the work of George James: The California Style, California Watercolor Artists 1925-1955 and California Watercolors, 1850-1970.

In workshops George James shares the secrets of working on Yupo. While introducing innovative techniques and a wide variety of unusual tools, he also emphasizes design and composition. He has a relaxed teaching style and encourages experimentation and new ideas. For more information on George James, see his website at www.georgejameswatercolor.com or check out his videos at Creative Catalyst Productions' website www.ccpvideos.com. They currently list three videos (and have another on landscapes coming soon), along with links to articles on James' work. The free previews to his videos are the best way to see how he works. Also read “George James: Innovations with Transparent Watercolor” at www.myamericanartist.com/2008/02/george-james-in.html.

TnWS Society 32nd Biennial Exhibition

(This is a post from January 11th, 2010 that is being consolidated to this TNWS Blog.)

Tennessee Watercolor Society
32nd Biennial Exhibition
May 16 - June 25, 2010
Chattanooga State Community College
(former Olan Mills building)
4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406

A state-wide competition open to watermedia artists, age 18 and older, who are residents of Tennessee.

Entry by electronic image on CD - jpeg format at 300 dpi. Postmark deadline February 15, 2010.
Post comment to ask for prospectus.
More than $10,000 in awards will be presented on May 22, 2010.
Members: 1-2 entries, $20
Non-members: 1-2 entries, $50
Juror is George James, internationally renowned professional artist and former teacher at California State College at Fullerton. For information, see his website: www.GeorgeJamesWatercolor.com. His specialty is watercolor on Yupo.

George James Workshop
May 17-21, 2010
Chattanooga State Community College, Chattanooga
Cost: Tennessee Watercolor Society Members: $350, Non-members: $375