PROGRAM - AUGUST 6, 2014

Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society

August 6, 2014 Program

Well, the big day – the GCWS Bus Trip to Middletown finally arrived!  It was a beautiful day, moderately warm, and sunny – perfect for the adventure.  Some members began arriving at 8:30 for the 9:30 departure – anxious to enjoy the day.  And that, we did!  Even got a bit of a tour through some of Middletown’s neighborhoods – at no extra cost. J 

Members getting on the bus to Middletown.

At the Middletown Art Center we were warmly welcomed by the Asst. Director -  Kim Major, as well as the charming lady from Middletown (Pat Hayes), who was the original inspiration for our trip.  A purely happenstance meeting between Pat and myself, about eight months before, eventually evolved into a wonderful art-filled experience for our GCWS members.

For the first part of our Tour, we perused a great show of watercolor paintings by Alan Hutton, prize-winning Ohio artist.  Many of the paintings were of nature, farmland, barns, and other country scenes.  We were amazed at his washes, shadows, and interesting takes on very ordinary items and other farm implements.  His paintings showed us what is meant by “leaving the white of the paper show through”.

We then were shown very gracious hospitality as we wandered around the Center, into the various classrooms and workrooms.  We saw artists at work painting watercolors and acrylics, throwing pottery, and making jewelry.

Artists working on ceramics.

Artists working on pottery.

Carol McAfee talks to a jewelry artist.

We re-boarded the bus to take us to lunch at Murphy’s Landing Restaurant, so named because the building was originally Murphy’s  5 and 10/c  store.  The current owners, Jay and Linda Moorman have done a magnificent job of restoring and re-doing and joining a couple of historical buildings here.  The restaurant is really very beautiful with most of the décor coming from old schools and churches; and used in extremely creative ways.  The food was very good, and we even had a surprise dessert.

After lunch, it was time for our Tour of the Beau Verre Riodan  Stained Glass Studios, also owned by the Moorman’s.  Jay and Linda graciously welcomed us.  They gave us a great deal of interesting information about the history of the surrounding downtown area, and the buildings, and how they started their glassworks, and the restaurant, etc.  They explained the difference between art glass and stained glass, and where they get the inspiration for their stained glass windows; fascinating!  It is the oldest continuing glassworks studio in the U.S.; not taking shortcuts, but using the old methods which produce a better product.

Because of the extensive collection of historical records that they own, they are able to find a great deal of information about original windows of churches in the area, and around the country, that need to be refurbished and restored.

Old stairway preserved from 5 and 10 Cent store which now leads to the artists' workshops.

Next on our agenda  -  going downstairs to see all the “bins” of colored glass, the workshops, and some of the tools that are used in this art.  We were able to watch some of the artists and technicians who were actually working on projects.  We saw what “layering” is, and how the artists accomplish changing the color or “mood” of a piece. 

Members talking to stained glass window technician.

Our members were fascinated with the Stained Glass Studio Tour, and wished that we had another hour to watch and listen to the wonderful craftsmen who do such incredible artistic work.   We had a great day!

Our members thanked Joe Ramos from Provident Travel, and Marty, our bus driver, for getting us safely to and from our Cultural Day Trip to Middletown.  “A good time was had by all”.

Submitted (and photos) by Joyce Grothaus, Secretary.

WATERCOLOR EXHIBIT AT WOMAN'S ART CLUB

We had a wonderful turn out for our 2014 juried exhibit held at the Woman's Art Club Cultural Center (aka "The Barn") in Mariemont, Ohio on August 17.

The show was a great success with delicious refreshments, several paintings sold at the opening, awards handed out, old friendships renewed and new friends made!

Our thanks to all who participated in the show in any way!

The show will run through August 24 - hope you get a chance to get out and see it.  (Check out our sidebar for all show information).

Viewing the show.

Meeting old friends and making new ones.

A stop at the refreshment table was essential!

Our President Marilyn Bishop (right) beaming with pride!

First Place Winner - Susan Grogan
Bright and Beautiful

Second Place Winner - Kathy Lawrence
The Movie Stars

Third Place Winner - Carol Imbus
Pucker Up

Honorable Mentioni - Carol McAfee
End of the Trail
Carol was also our Show Chairman

Honorable Mention - Eileen Hulsman
Good Friday

Honorable Mention - Louise Allen
Triptych

AUGUST 6 MEETING - BUS TRIP TO MIDDLETOWN, OHIO

For the August meeting we did something different - we took a bus trip to Middletown, Ohio where we visited the Middletown Arts Center, the Beau Verre Riordan Studios and had lunch at Murphy's Landing.

These photos were taken at Murphy's Landing, the restaurant that is attached to the Beau Verre Riordan Studios.

After lunch we went to the attached Beau Verre Riordan Studio where we had presentations on the history of the studio as well as education about stained glass.  There is somewhat of a misunderstanding about "Stained Glass."  The stained glass is actually "painted" with fine particles of glass and fired as many as 20 times to give a painted look.  This is used in the face and arms of the window with the exotic woman which is inspired by Gustav Klimt.  The transparent window pieces are constructed of glass that are received pre colored and are transparent or translucent.  Sometimes it is created in folds that give the impression of the folds in a dress such as shown in the window of the angel.

The window with many faceted pieces demonstrates the skill of the owner who handcut each piece of clear glass to produce the face

Window uses stained glass plus art glass.

Window created by Beau Verre owner using hand cut facets.

Beau Verre Glass Studio

After the educational presentation, we were shown the working studios where people were cutting glass and preparing a window.

Window being readied for leading.

Sheets of glass used in windows.

GREATER CINCINNATI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY SUMMER EXHIBIT

WHEN:             August 16 – August 24

                        Tuesday – Friday:  9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

                        Saturday/Sunday – 1 – 4 p.m.

OPENING RECEPTION

August 17 from 1 – 4 p.m.

Meet the Artists!

Refreshments served

WHERE:           The Barn

                        6980 Cambridge Avenue

                        Mariemont, Ohio

Discover the visual expressions of local watercolor artists at the Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society in their summer exhibit at “The Barn” 6980 Cambridge Ave., in Mariemont, Ohio, August 16 through August 24.  Hours on the weekends: 1-4 p.m.;Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The grand opening on August 17, 1-4 p.m. offers the opportunity to meet the artists who capture pleasing harmony in a variety of subjects from traditional still lifes to landscapes.  The free show is open to the public.

Juror for the show is Nancy Nordloh Neville, an award winning nationally recognized watercolorist.   She will select three paintings for prize money plus paintings for Honorable Mention.

The Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society is the only organization in the Tri-state area that focuses exclusively on water-based painting.  Although watercolor is the primary paint, members also use gouache, casein, and acrylic on surfaces such as paper, Yupo (a plastic product), board, canvas and hand-made paper.  The art might be brushed, sprayed, poured or printed onto the surface. 

Begun in 2002 with the intent of offering a gathering place to paint, the organization quickly grew from 29 members to over 100.   Annual workshops, exhibits, and tours are available to members for $45 annually.   Over 50 percent of the members consider themselves advanced artists. 

The watercolor society offers painting demonstrations followed by open studio painting, the first Wednesday of March through December at 10 a.m. at the Cincinnati Art Club, 1021 Parkside Place in Mt. Adams.  Guests are welcome to attend.