PROGRAM JUNE 4, 2014 - CAROL CARTER

June’s Program was presented by Carol Carter.  She has done several programs and a Workshop for GCWS.  Carol is a well-known International Artist.  She was named Best St. Louis Artist in 2000.  She started the North American Artists Group – 5 artists from North America that go to other countries to represent North America.  Her list of accomplishments is totally amazing.

The title of this program was “The Watercolor Life”.  She says what she likes is the “process” of making a painting.  A lot of her paintings have psychological titles, describing the feeling of the painting, or about something she is, or was, going through at the time.  She told that most of her figurative paintings are of people she knows and loves.  She does do self-portraits, fewer now than earlier in her career; usually doing a self-portrait every 10 years.

Carol started by showing her collection of swimmers – paintings done over the years.  Her show Good Girl/Bad Girl, was all about swimmers.  It was one show – two openings.  She wanted to show that all good girls aren’t all good, and all bad girls aren’t all bad.  The show was a success.

When the recession hit, she went to selling smaller paintings and bumped up her Marketing.  While she once sold a lot of big paintings; now she sells more the size of a ¼ sheet.  Florals have become a big seller for her, even though when she first started, she hardly ever painted them.  As a professional she has learned to bring her style to the subject rather than let the subject dictate her style.

Carol does use photo references and draws on the watercolor paper.  For small paintings, she uses 140 lb.; for large, 300 lb., Arches paper.  A lot of her shows are painting groups with a theme, such as Everglades, Bubbles (fish), and she is now working on an Asian-Influence series.  Her Everglades show was right after the BP oil spill.  She had paintings of the pristine water and wildlife at the everglades, and some of the effects of the oil spill.

Carol has been commissioned by St. Mary’s Hospital in Jeffersonville, MO for 15 paintings to be hung in the new hospital.  Crate & Barrel have bought the rights for a couple of her paintings.  They print them and frame them for the store.  It has become a huge marketing opportunity because they attach a profile of her and her Blog on each painting.    Carol said that Social Media, such as Facebook also helps get her name out to many, many people, and it is so very important in this day and age.

As we listened to Carol, we realized the amount of work, both in the actual painting, and the necessary Marketing it takes, to become a successful professional painter.  Amazing!

Notes taken by Kathy Kuyper,

Written and submitted by Joyce Grothaus,   June, 2014

MINUTES - JUNE 4, 2014

June 4, 2014 Meeting

Before we get into the Minutes of the June meeting, I would like to acknowledge Kathy Kuyper, and her gracious acceptance of the work of taking the notes of the meeting this month.  As I could not be there, Kathy stepped up and used her time and effort to do the job.  The GCWS and I truly appreciate it!  Thank you, Kathy!

As Marilyn called the meeting to order, she announced that there would not be a Leadership meeting or Open Painting later due to the impending bad weather.

A new member, Tim Biggs, was introduced.  Tim says he is new to watercolors, likes to paint landscapes and architecture.  Welcome Tim!

We had some guests – Amy Brice, a friend of Marilyn Bishop and Nancy Wisely, who is in a Wyoming painting group.  She started painting watercolors in 2000.    Another friend of Marilyn’s, another guest  – Margie Carelton, asked our members if we would like to donate any of our unused art supplies to the Lockland schools’ Art Teacher, who has a need of supplies for her students.  Her email address is MMCARELTON@ fuse.net.  Also attending was Carolyn Robinson, who came because she had enjoyed Carol Carter’s Workshop so much.

Our Treasurer, Sally, gave her report.  She stated the working balance is now minus the money we took out of the treasury for the Scholarship Awards.

Some copies of the Minutes from the May meeting are available to those who don’t have access to the Blog, on the back table.  Also available there are Information Forms to be filled out for those who have Announcements, so we can get the correct info for these.

Joan O’Leary is our new Program Co-ordinator.  She has most of the programs lined up for this coming year.  Our Program for next month – July – is entitled “Inspiration for Paintings”.  This will be given by Trish McKinney.

Marilyn requested that each member pick up their envelope from the back table.  It contains information, and an application form, for our August Art Show, and also info and an application form for our August program.  Members not in attendance will receive their envelopes in the mail.

We are taking a Bus Day-Trip to Middletown to the Art Center, then to Lunch, and in the afternoon, a tour of the Stained Glass Studios.  The cost for members is $64; cost for guests is $84.  We can take 40-50 people.  Reservations are required, and need to be made by July 2, our next meeting date.  Send check (or credit card into) to Provident Travel.  For questions, contact Joyce Grothaus.

Announcements:    Joan Abdon told about the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild’s Regional Art Exhibition.  This Event will be August 9 – 16, 2014, in Aurora, IN.  You do not have to be a guild member to enter your work.  Deadline is July 8. For info, Joan – 812-290-9547.

Marilyn asked members to continue passing out club flyers to other artists that they know, or see at other art shows.  She also asked if anyone filled out the Featured Artist form for Deb.  Answer was No.  Come on, folks  J  it’s not that hard.  J

Art Show Chair, Carol McAfee, passed around signup sheets for volunteers for the Show.  She needs:  gallery sitters, refreshments for Reception, Hanging committee, and Pick-up helpers.  Pickup can be at the last day of the show (Aug 24) after 4:00, or on the 26^th.  You will need to sign out  your paintings.   Don’t forget to add 20% for the commission.  If you sell a painting, you will be responsible for paying the 20% to The Barn.  Carol will have postcards for the Show next month.  All this information is in the envelope to be picked up at today’s meeting.  Those who were not in attendance will receive their envelope in the mail.

Marilyn read a Thank You note from Katlyn Wolary, one of our Young Artist Award winners.

Notes taken by Kathy Kuyper,

Written and submitted by Joyce Grothaus,  June, 2014