APRIL NEWSLETTER

- April 2011 Newsletter -

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS

South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter
113 - 437 Martin Street, Box 154
Penticton, BC V2A 5L1

***********************************************

News from the Chair

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our, new and returning, Chapter Executive and Committee members for 2011. Also thank you to Dianne Korsch and Diane Estabrook for all their hard work on the Nominating Committee this year.

We have an exciting year ahead and have lots of shows lined up.

The first one is a juried show at the Shatford Centre that runs from June 17th to July 27th 2011. This is a joint show with the North Okanagan, Central Okanagan and South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapters and is open to all Active, AFCA and SFCA members.

Robert Genn, Professional Artist and Founder of Painter's Keys, will be at the Opening of 'Triptych'.

Robert, who is renowned worldwide for his 'Twice Weekly Letter to Artists', will adjudicate the awards in the afternoon of June 17th. That evening he will give a free talk to artists, art investors and art lovers alike on the topic of 'Canadian Artist Expectations', which will include his perspective on recent changes for artists, art investment and art dealers in the local and world market. After his talk, Robert will be available for some questions and answers and he will also invite individuals to consider personal mentoring by e-mail.

Applications for this exhibition can be downloaded from our website. I encourage all active, and AFCA Chapter members to enter. We have received entries from the North Okanagan and Central Okanagan Chapters but only a few from our Chapter. In order to make this show a success we need your participation

There will be an award for "Best in Show", two "Honourable Mention" awards, as well as other awards from supporting businesses. (Once we have the awards confirmed we will inform you of what they are).

After that there is a non-juried show that will be at Little Straw Vineyard in West Kelowna and will run from July 4th to July 17th 2011. It is open to all FCA-SOS members. Opening Event will be July 9th 2011. There is only room for about 30 paintings so if you want to be included please contact Margaret Phillips or myself.

The next show is at Tinhorn Creek Winery in Oliver and is a non-juried show that runs from Aug 27th to Sept 11th 2011. It is open to all FCA-SOS members. If you want to be included please contact Margaret Phillips.

Our next Juried exhibition will be at the Osoyoos Art Gallery in Osoyoos and runs from Sept 10th to oct 1st 2011. More info to come.

Our last one of the season will be at N'Kmip Cellars in Osoyoos and is a non-juried show that runs for the month of October. It is open to all FCA-SOS members. More to come on this one as well.

*Remember that our next meeting, on May 7th, will be at Linden Gardens in Kaleden where there will be plein air painting, for those that wish to paint, after the meeting. For more info refer to our website.

- Brad Hillis, FCA-SOS Chair

MEMBER NEWS

Janice Cornett- Ching

Has had three paintings in the Main St. branch of Bank of Montreal , March 21st - Friday the 26th. The show was Women in business.

Carol Munro

Has had 2 works, "Thicket" and "Pas de Deux", accepted for the Federation Gallery's "Abstract" exhibition, which runs May 3-15.

Viv McElgunn-Lieskovsky

Has been accepted in the Fourth Annual FCA National Art Show - Thompson Nicola Shuswap Chapter, April 8 - 17, Kamloops, BC. and in the
Haiku Inspirations FCA International Juried Exhibition, April 12 - May 1, Vancouver, BC.

Sharon Leonard

Reports that on April 9 & 10/2011 David McEown , from Vancouver, gave a 2 day Water colour course sponsored by the FCA in Oliver at the Recreation Centre. It was attended by 11 FCA members and 3 non-members.

David also presented a video on Friday night at Leir House which was also well attended. The video showed wonderful scenes of the Artic and Ant Artic with great pictures of the animals of the north. David has travel extensively though out the North. David's course covered painting: wet into wet, controlling the water, values and colour exercises. the second day we covered transparent
water, wet rocks, trees and negative painting. Which were both challenging and exciting - if it worked the way it should. David presented a very well organized and educational course. He gave short demos and which we then attempted to duplicate and much needed one on
one.
Everyone agreed we should ask David back for a course on water techniques.

---------

Michael Jordan

With the closing of Handworks Gallery in Oliver, a small group of us have formed to open an artists' cooperative gallery on the main street in Oliver. We have secured a premise in a commercial building with good light and exposure, approximately 1000 sq. ft. in area. We are looking for up to ten additional members to share in the cost of the venture and keep the cost and risk to the individual minimal. The emphasis will be on flat works of good quality but we have agreed to
include sculpture, pottery and possibly jewelry as a portion of the venture. As a cooperative, decisions and management will be shared and as a business venture we expect an eventual break-even or positive cash flow from the venture. Core members would pay a very low commission rate
but would need to agree to sit at the gallery on a rotating basis, probably about two days per month with flexible timing to suit the individual. For those who would like to use the sitting time as an opportunity to paint, we are planning a small working area for this purpose out of the gallery proper.
We have agreed initially to commit on a one-year-at-a-time basis commensurate with the lease agreement and to give the business a running start. We are beginning tenant improvements this week and expect to be up and operating in April.

If this invitation interests you please contact me for additional information as soon as possible by return e-mail or at 250-495-8184. Besides the core membership of up to 15 artists, there will be an
opportunity for a similar number of members to buy in as non-voting participants at a lesser cost and with less obligation.

Lynn Marand

Was excited to be asked to do a painting to hang in the front of the church she attends. The only requisite was that it be appropriate for Lent. The result was "Okanagan Calvary" shown below - a scene from Poplar Grove Winery looking southwest to Penticton. The stylized 8' x 6.5' painting was accomplished in 20 hours of painting using 4 colours plus white and black. Challenges included finding a space big enough to work on the painting, getting the perspective and transporting from my house to the church. "A fun experience I would do again".

Karel Doruyter AFCA

Will be doing an enhanced palette knife demonstration at "Hooked on Books",
Main St. in Penticton, Thursday May 5th at 6:30 pm.
There is also an open invitation to interested members to visit his studio at 386 Haynes St. in Penticton, best to call ahead if you do. 250 276-4162

Equal opportunity 36" x 48" Karel Doruyter AFCA

LETTERS FROM THE DESERT - THE ART GAME; PART ONE

I seem to do a number of things because I am compelled to and making art is one of them. Art has always played an important part in my life; my earliest drawings still in my possession are on the frontispiece of a nursery book and date from the age of two. They weren't great but showed enthusiasm. Unlike many artists who know from an early age that this is what they were meant to do and love every minute of it, I have always found the process of making art difficult and troublesome and only when a good piece begins to emerge does my love of art come to the surface and my efforts feel rewarded. I have always known I didn't want to be a full time artist. This difficulty with process has kept me away from the easel for years at a time and it is only in the last year or so that I have begun - in the smallest way - to take pleasure in the actual doing of painting. So why do it if it is so hard? I mentioned compulsion and, like jogging or staying fit or other things that I do - not because they are innately pleasurable but because I can't conceive of not doing them - I must make art. Because it is part of my definition of self and because I can't conceive of a life worth living that does not include the striving to make better art.

I am occasionally called on to do lectures or demonstrations for painters in this area and I nearly always lead off with the statement that in my opinion making art is a spiritual pursuit. Visual artists - like musicians and writers - have the unique ability to evoke the emotional content of a place or event; to render it in their case in visual terms in order to communicate that event to another person. Arguably, art [as opposed to illustration or graphics, both of which I respect] must have as its starting point a moment of emotional connection with the object being painted. Something about the scene - the subject, the appearance of the light or some other aspect - resonated in the mind of the artist and led to the impulse to paint. Truly inspiring art manages to capture some measure of that emotion or vision and convey it directly to the viewer. I have stood in the Vancouver Art Gallery transfixed by a work of Christopher Pratt's with tears streaming down my cheeks unable to pull myself away or say for sure what it was about the piece that so overwhelmed me. [Years later I came to realize the scene was one I would see repeatedly in my own life; it was my future I was looking at; but that is another story]. Painting in the service of spirituality .

In order to connect with a viewer, however the artist must first place her picture on a wall and that is one of the enthusiastic amateur's great dilemmas. My initial offers to be represented in galleries in four cities that I had selected were met with immediate rejection. I began to discover that finding a gallery in a high traffic area was akin to having one's first novel published by Scribners. In Canada, when all the private and public galleries are summed and the space taken up by their permanent displays subtracted, there remain approximately 30,000 spaces available for public art display. [I am indebted to Sandra Albo for this statistic]. With hundreds of thousands of painters producing even a nominal amount of art each year, it is clear that even getting a picture on a wall somewhere is a significant accomplishment. I have been fortunate that between one private gallery, two art clubs with venues and winery displays I have managed to keep at least a half dozen pieces on display at any time during a good part of the year. Fortunately, I didn't intend to make a living with art as the sales at these events are few and the choices idiosyncratic to say the least. [That means 'not mine'.] More on this next month.

Michael Jordan

WE NEED MORE NEWS !!!!!!

For the next issue of the newsletter. Please make your submission ready copy and send any photos or samples as a JPEG attachment.
It takes too long to do all the various conversions .

Your new executive................

................and all the helpers

… Thank you to our Sponsors …

Athena Custom Framing Ltd.
Diane and John Miller
3396 Sexsmith Rd.
Kelowna, BC
V1X 7S5

FCA - SOS NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2010 - SPRING IS REALLY HERE

Federation of Canadian Artists South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter
113 - 437 Martin Street, Box 154
Penticton, BC V2A 5L1
http://www.fca-sos.ca

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

First of all, welcome to two new members to our chapter, Kim Greenhow and Barb Hillier. Our membership now sits at 80. In 2000 our Chapter began with just 24 members!

I have just returned from the Kamloops National FCA , "Artists Choice" show, where 4 of us attended the opening night. What an honour to hang with such amazing artists. There were a total of 83 paintings chosen from some 260 entries. Also 11 Senior Signature members had their art in the show. The Kamloops chapter does an amazing job of organizing such a large show, we were very impressed. The demo the following morning was by Suzanne Northcott and we were treated to an incredible example of spontaneity, working with borrowed tools, borrowed paint - as she was asked to step in at the very last minute. She is amazing!

Thanks to our Exhibition Committee who are working very hard to provide you with lots of venues to hang you paintings. Details at our May 1st Meeting. Note the change in Program to our May meeting. The June meeting will be a plein air meeting and demo by Ron Stacey, see details below.

A new donation to the FCA library is "John Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting", thanks to Thea Haubrich. I personally read this book driving to California in March and have included some quotes below. I highly recommend it to all landscape artists.

"The art of landscape painting properly speaking, cannot be learned. It is the purpose of this book to present to the student certain common sense ideas of procedure, without stifling the enthusiasm that is to carry him/her on. I want the artist to realize clearly that these ideas or rules are only beginnings; they are means and I want to warn him against considering them ends. It is my hope that in this book the student may find a guide to the technical "knowledge" that will serve him well in his own search for expressiveness and creativeness. The beginner in painting copies nature in all its literalness. He makes the painting look like the place. Soon he learns to omit the superfluous, grasp the essentials and arrange them in a more powerful and significant whole".
Happy painting.

Kate Kimberley

Opening Reception at the TNSC Open National Show in Kamloops. Date was April 18. Names, left to right (all had work juried into the show): Carol Munro, Doug Wilson, Kate Kimberley, Irene Gray. Missing from the photo are two other FCA-SOS members with work juried into the show: Dale Matthews and Michael Jorden.

Creativity does not depend on inherited talent or on environment or upbringing; it is the function of the ego of every human being.
Silvano Arieti

EXHIBITIONS OR MEMBER NEWS

~ Thea Haubrich

I'd like to share that I had two Encaustic paintings accepted in the current Vancouver FCA show "Blossoms":
Summer Song and Velvet Beauty. Velvet Beauty won the Second Prize Award.

Also I will be teaching two Encaustic workshops in Richmond this month.
Well-known FCA member Adrienne Moore (AFCA) saw my ad in Art Avenue and contacted me a while ago with a request if I would come to teach the basics in her studio.

That workshop filled up quickly. To allow more people to attend another local artist, Jeanette Jarville, decided to open her studio as well. So now I'm teaching two back-to-back workshops on April 24/25.

~ Karel Doruyter

For those who might be travelling north this May, you might want to check out the "Station House Gallery" in Williams Lake.

Summer Shows

~ July 1 - 29 Leir House non-juried show. Open to all FCA members
Title is "Harmony", the opening reception will be July 1st from 4 - 7. Sharon from PDCAC (Leir House) is checking on getting us some Academy musicians to play on the outdoor patio.
Receiving/hanging is Wednesday, June 30th from 10 - 12
Closing is Thursday, July 29th with pick up from 2 - 4
chairpersons: Margaret Phillips and Dona Smithson

~ July 3 - Handworks Gallery in Oliver Juried Show. Open to all Active members Title is "For the Love of Art", the opening reception is July 3rd from 2:00 - 4:00
Receiving/hanging is Tuesday June 29th from 10 to 12
Closing July 31 with pick up at 5:00
chairpersons: Michael Jordan and Bill Hibberd

~ Aug. 4 - Nov. 3 Lang Winery non-juried show, open to all FCA members
Title is "Originals Only"
Receiving/hanging is Tuesday, August 3 from 10:00 - 12:00
Closing is Wednesday, Nov. 3rd with pick up at 12:00
chairpersons: Dona Smithson and Margaret Phillips

~ Aug. 28 - Sept 11 Tinhorn Creek Winery non-juried show
Title is "Passion for Painting", open to all FCA members
Sitters required for this show. If you enter you must sit a shift or find a replacement. A sign up sheet will be circulated at the May meeting
Receiving/hanging is Friday Aug. 28th from 8:00 - 10:00
Pickup is Sunday, Sept 12th from 8:00 - 10:00 am
chairpersons: Doug Wilson and ???.... should have this info by press time

Out of the mouth of .......My young son and I were looking at an abstract painting in an art museum. I said "It is supposed to be woman holding a child."
"Well", replied my son, "why isn't it?"

MEETING GUESTS

May 1 - Michael Jorden- will do a demo and talk about compositon
and perspective, important basics for everyone.

June 5 - This month's meeting will be at The Summerland Ornamental
Gardens at 10:00 AM -afterwards we will do some plein aire painting
- Ron Stacey will help us get started with a talk and short demo.
Lots of great subject matter! Bring a lunch.

July and August- no meeting scheduled.

September - Try drawing or painting a self portrait with Bill Hibberd.

Also we will have an art swap and sale-put aside frames, books, other paints or supplies, etc. you may not need.

OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST

Thea got an interesting link , you might want to check it out. It's about
Should We Make Art that We Love. . . Or Make Art that Sells?

Bill Hibert passes this on For anyone who wonders what on earth drives the absurd buisness of artists such as Damien Hirst and others go to YouTube and look up "The Mona Lisa Curse Part I". This is a pretty long but highly entertaining doc by critic Robert Hughes. One of the best I've seen.

Legal Needs Questionnaire for visual and media artists

CARFAC is conducting a survey to examine the legal needs of Canadian visual and media artists. Your responses will help us design services that best meet artists' needs and interests. We encourage you to complete the survey, and to forward it to other professional artists: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/62NV6YY
Every artist who fills out the survey will be entered into a draw for a copy of "Artists' Contracts: Agreement for Visual and Media Artists" published by CARFAC Ontario.

Your answers will be treated confidentially. Individual data and comments will not be shared with any other individuals or organizations and will not be released publicly.

In addition to this survey, CARFAC will host a panel discussion on artists' legal issues at our national conference in Banff (May 13-15). Using the anonymous data from the survey and information shared by artists and arts lawyers at our conference, we will prepare a report, to be published in our upcoming newsletter, Calendar, with recommendations that CARFAC will pursue as a result of the survey findings. If you would like more information about this survey or the legal clinic, please contact us at communications@carfac.ca.

Please complete the survey by May 1st, 2010.

National Conference and Workshops in Banff
Open to CARFAC members and Non members

There is still time to register for the National Conference for Visual Artists in Banff May 13th, 14th and 15th. A handful of spaces are still available and the program looks exciting. Presentations about how artists get paid, the artist/dealer relationship, artists' legal issues, and how the Resale Right works in the UK are among the highlights. To see the full schedule and registration details visit www.carfac.ca

Another one

There is this great art collector who is on vacation in Italy. He walks into an old castle and discovers an exciting painting hanging in a dark corner. But he is sure, it must be a TITIAN! He spends his vacation convincing the owner to sell it to him. "but", says the owner, "there might be a problem with customs. I know a good artist who can paint a modern still life on it, then it is no problem to get it out of Italy". That's what they do. As soon as the collector has the painting in his home country he asks his restorer to remove the new painting / new layer of paint. Next day, the restorers gives him a phone call: " I am down to the Mussolini portrait, shall I clean any further?"

PHOTOS

--

He who works with his hands is a labourer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.

St.Francis of Assisi

That's All Folks!!!!!!

~ For news items, jokes, pictures you would like to see in the next News Letter please send to kareld@shaw.ca

APRIL 2009 Monthly Newsletter

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS

South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter


113 - 437 Martin Street, Box 154
Penticton, BC V2A 5L1
http://www.fca-sos.ca

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR IS MISSING BECAUSE KATE IS HAVING A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY - GO KATE GO!!

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER - The monthly meetings
Mark your calendars!

All programs start after meetings around 11:00 am -see you there!

May 2nd - General Meeting at 10 am

Slide presentation by our local chapter signature member -Karel Doruyter-details in next newsletter

June 6th - General Meeting at 10 am

Framing presentation by Classic Framers in Kelowna- They will have lots of frames for sale as well and have said they will have some great bargains! Don't miss this one.

July 11th - General Meeting at 10 am

No August Meeting

September 12th - General Meeting at 10 am
October 3rd - General Meeting at 10 am
November 7th - General Meeting at 10 am

No December Meeting

DON'T FORGET OUR WONDERFUL WEBSITE - www.fca-sos.ca

WHICH INCLUDES OUR GREAT LIBRARY OF ART BOOKS JUST WAITING FOR YOU TO BROWSE THROUGH!

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS :

*Please pick up a “New members information booklet” at the next meeting*

The following people have volunteered to be “Mentors” and will help new members navigate the world of the Federation of Canadian Artists

If you think you might like to have a mentor, please contact one of the following volunteers. They look forward to hearing from you.

George Traicheff ~ Sandra Albo

Upcoming shows in Vancouver FCA gallery

Federation of Canadian Artists - 2008

A REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS OF UPCOMING EVENTS.

Abstract Show
May 5 - 17, 2009
* Entry deadline: March 12, 2009
* Paintings due: May 1, 2009

· Any subject, any medium, image executed in an abstract style. Open to Active & Signature members.

Open Print Show
May 19 - June 7, 2009
* Entry deadline: April 9, 2009
* Paintings due: May 14, 2009

· Original prints of all kinds: intaglio, relief, serigraphs, or hand-pulled lithographs. No giclees or other mass-produced reproductions.

Canvas Unbound
June 9 - 21, 2009
* Entry deadline: April 14, 2009
* Paintings due: May 28, 2009

· Paintings on stretched canvas or linen (no frames) any subject, any medium. Open to Active & Signature members.

Summer Gallery
June 23 - August 16, 2009
* Application package due: April 2, 2009
* Paintings due: June 18, 2009

· 10 to 20 members will be selected by the Standards Committee to participate for the summer season. Application forms are available on-line or at the Federation Gallery. Open to Active & Signature members.

Painting on the Edge
August 18 - September 6, 2009
* Entry deadline: June 5, 2009
* Paintings due: August 14, 2009

· POTE 7th Annual International Open juried exhibition - any medium, any subject, $8,000 in prizes!! A full color catalogue will accompany the show. Porspectus available on-line and at the Federation gallery.

* Thursday August 20, 2009 (6:00pm to 8:00pm): POTE opening reception & awards presentation at Federation Gallery*

2nd FCA Member Group Show
September 8 - 20, 2009
* Application due: January 22, 2009
* Paintings due: September 3, 2009

· Open to Active & Signature members. Individual applicants must submit an image list and eight images. Applications will be juried by the standards committee.

A Bird, A Stone, A Letter
September 22 - October 4, 2009
* Entry deadline: August 6, 2009
* Paintings due: September 10, 2009

· Any subject, any medium, any style. Open to Active & Signature members.

Invition Show
October 6 - 18, 2009
Curated Show
* Paintings due: October 2, 2009

· A selection of SFCA members will be Invited to participate in this curated exhibition - the theme has not been determined yet.

3rd FCA Member Group Show
October 20 - November 1, 2009
* Application due: January 22, 2009
* Paintings due: October 16 , 2009

· Open to Active & Signature members. Individual applicants must submit an image list and eight images. Applications will be juried by the standards committee.

Chapters Show
November 3 - 15, 2009
* Entry deadline: September 24, 2009
* Paintings due: October 30, 2009

· Annual exhibition of works from FCA chapter members only. Images from Canada. Open to Active & Signature members.

Small Painting Salon
November 17 - December 6, 2009
* Entry deadline: October 1, 2009
* Paintings due: November 12, 2009

· Image no larger then 165 square inches, any subject, any medium (including original prints). Open to Active & Signature members.

Spilsbury Medal Show
December 8 - 24, 2009
* AFCA Entry deadline: October 15, 2009
* Paintings due: December 3, 2009

· Annual Signature members prize competition. Any subject, any medium. Open to Signature members.

December 11, 2009 ~ 6:00pm - 9:00pm: Annual Christmas Party and Spilsbury Medals & Silver Pin presentations at Federation Gallery

Register online at www.artists.ca, by phone at 604-681-8534 or in person at Federation Gallery (Tuesday to Sunday between lOam - 4pm)

EXHIBITION COMMITTEE

2009 - Exhibitions in the valley

We have 6 shows lined up for 2009. Four non juried shows and two juried shows. All are listed on our SOS Chapter website at www.fca-sos.ca . Artists are encouraged to contact Brad to be included on our website. Red Rooster take down will be 11:30 on the 31st March.
Here's a list in a glance:

"De-Vine Creations"
August 6 to November 3, 2009
* Entry deadline: TBA
* Paintings due: TBA

· This is a non-juried show that will be at Langs Winery in Naramada. More infomation to follow

"Pre-Summer Amble "
June2 - 29, 2009
* Entry deadline: TBA
* Paintings due: TBA

· This is a non-juried show that will be at Handworks Gallery in Oliver. More infomation to follow

"Summer Sensations "
July 2 - August 6, 2009
* Entry deadline: TBA
* Paintings due: TBA

· This is a juried show that will be at Leir House in Penticton. More infomation to follow

"Artists Perceptions"
August 24 - September 6, 2009
* Entry deadline: TBA
* Paintings due: TBA

· This is a non-juried show that will be at Tinhorn Creek Winery in Oliver. More infomation to follow

"Serendipity"
October 10 - October 31, 2009
* Entry deadline: TBA
* Paintings due: TBA

· This is a juried show that will be at the Osoyoos Gallery. More infomation to follow

~ Dona, on behalf of the Chapter, thanked Dianne Korsch for doing such a fabulous job as exhibition chair for the last year.

~ The new exhibition co-chairs are: Hiram Dockray, Karel Doruyter, Bill Hibberd and Dona Smithson.

~ We had 6 sales at the Red Rooster Show. Dianne Korsch, Sharon Newton, Elaine Clarke (2), Myra Hammond and Dona Smithson.

JURYING EXPLAINED

There has been some confusion on the jurying for shows and active status, these are the results.

~ Active Status - can be juried by any one signature member, AFCA or SFCA, at any time. The juror just has to sign the form. All that is required are 10 examples of the artists work either on CD or slides (no originals) plus a bio. Of course if more than one juror is involved it eliminates at least some possible bias. Active status allows entry in juried FCA shows locally or Vancouver.

~ Signature Status - requires successful entries in 8 qualifying juried FCA shows, two of which can be Chapter shows, the remainder must be in the Federation Gallery, Vancouver.

~ Juried Shows - to be a qualified juried show, the jury has to be two SFCA and 1 AFCA. For a non-qualifying juried FCA shows, the jurors can be a combination of any three signature members.

So, unfortunately we do not have any SFCA in the Penticton or Kelowna chapters, so for any qualifying shows locally, we would have to "import" 2 SFCA's or arrange some sort of jurying through email... Of course, for qualifying FCA shows in Vancouver,, the entries have to be sent into the Federation Gallery.

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE

~ There are still 2 spaces open for Kiff Holland's Oil and Watercolour workshops. Everyone that has signed up has paid. The workshops take place at the Oliver Community Centre. If you require more information see Sharon Leonard. The supply list for the workshops will be emailed as soon as Sharon receives them.

~ Workshop suggestions? email Sharon Leonard at saleonard@persona.ca

BITS & PIECES

~ The Osoyoos Art Gallery has a clay and glass show that is running until April 18th.

~ ARTS COUNCIL NEWS

~ Oliver - Oliver - The 2008 Oliver Arts Council Challenge, (Chooses an artist and a painting, and challenges artists who work in various mediums), choose Gustav Klimt. The artwork produced is being displayed in a show called "Klimtomaniacs" at Handworks Gallery in Oliver - The show runs from April 1st to 30th with a reception on April 25th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
~ Osoyoos - Art Trail/Walk has five artists that have opened their studio's from April 19th to 25th.
~ Penticton - "A Little Bit Of Everything" show just completed. The next show is art from the two high schools in Penticton and starts on April 16th.
~ Summerland - The Banner Program is going very well. They have a new type of acrylic paint that looks good on the banners. You can still participate all this week if you want.

~ Dianne Korsch and Velma Bateman have a show at Red Rooster May 1st to May 31st. The opening reception will be Sat. May 2/09.

~ KAREL DORUYTER AFCA - continues to have success showing his west coast relief paintings at Mountain Galleries in Whistler, BC. He also exhibits at Lloyd Gallery in Penticton, Hambleton Galleries in Kelowna, Mercurio Gallery in Victoria and has one entry in the TNS FCA open show in Kamloops, April 24 - May 3.

~ Thea Haubrich writes about a project she is part of, and wonders if there are other members who would like to participate.

"It really is a fun day and the school goes out of their way to make it successful. They have a very limited budget for art. The children and parents are very appreciative too and I always think we as artists should share as much as we can of our time and talents."

Here's the info:
One day Art Project, artist and student together

May 27th, 2009

8:50 am till 2:00 or 2:50 pm

Would you please confirm that you will be able to come?

I wish to do this project again with my 14 students (age 12 and 13 years old, all well behaved) so I would need 14 artists if possible. The goal is to complete in one day, one painting together, artist and student, in the style of the artist (both can paint together at the same time, or one after the other…). The idea is that the student learns the style of the artist and get directions from him/her (try not to let the student completely free but rather show them your technique).

You could set up as early as 8:00am. School times: 8:45am till 2:50 pm.

What we can provide: long tables, chairs, a place with electricity if needed, a lunch for the artists, coffee, tea, juice… etc... but we do not have easels nor any paint.
We, unfortunately, can not offer payment for your time but we will contribute toward the materials. Artists should bring their own materials, whichever medium they prefer to work with.... please keep receipts to be reimbursed or please write an invoice (to a maximum of $25.00).

We will call the media that day and advertise the event to parents and the community.
I hope this gives you enough details, if not, please feel free to let me know.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you very much for your help!! The students loved the experience last year!!

Corinne Legrand, teacher École Entre Lacs, Penticton: 250-770 7691
Home: Ph/Fax (250) 494 0269 - corinne_legrand@csf.bc.ca

Choose Your Style
(An informal look at art movements),
HOLD ON, we're almost done…this month is I-N:

Intimisme: (1890 - )

The term Intimisme refers to the small, intimate, domestic interior scenes painted by Pierre Bonnard and Edouard Vuillard in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The style placed emphasis on color and rejected the Naturalism of the Nabis.

Mannerism: (1520 - 1600)

Mannerism was an art style that focused on the human form, depicted in intricate poses and in exaggerated, not always realistic settings. The term Mannerism was derived from the Italian word maniera, translated as "style." It developed in Florence and Rome between 1520 and 1600, as a style that rejected the balance of the Renaissance period in favor of a more emotional and distorted point of view. This art style reflected the tension in Europe at the time of its popularity. The movement eventually gained favor in northern Italy and most of central and northern Europe.

Paintings contained artificial color and unrealistic spatial proportions. Figures were often elongated and exaggerated, positioned in imaginative and complex poses. Works of the movement are often unsettling and strange, probably a result of the time period's upheaval from the Reformation, the plague, and the sack of Rome. In 1600, Mannerists were accused of disrupting the unity of Renaissance classicism. However, in retrospect, the Mannerist movement supplied the link between Renaissance perfection and the emotional Baroque art that later developed in the 17th century.

Minimalism: (1960 - 1975)

Minimalism rejects the need for social comment, self-expression, narrative, or any other allusion to history, politics, or religion. It is based on creating objects of interest and beauty. Minimalists reduced their work to the smallest number of colors, values, shapes, lines, and textures. David Burlyuk first used the term in an exhibition catalogue for John Graham's paintings at the Dudensing Gallery in New York in 1929. The term was later applied to the movement in the 1960's. Other names for the movement include ABC art, minimal art, reductivism, and rejective art. Minimalism was a reaction against the formal overkill and pretentiousness of Abstract Expressionism. It had roots in Pop art, Cubism, and Conceptual art and was also inspired by Russian Suprematists such as Kasimir Malevich.

An American-born movement, Minimalism stemmed mostly from the work of Frank Stella, whose Black Paintings were first exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1959, inspiring many artists to turn away from the expressive art of the past. Although it was never an organized, self-proclaimed movement, Minimalist art became dominant in sculpture and installation work, although there are multiple Minimalist painters. The 1966 exhibition in New York entitled "Primary Structures" was a key event in the history of the movement.

Minimalist art was normally precise and hard-edged. It incorporated geometric forms often in repetitive patterns and solid planes of color, normally cool hues or unmixed colors straight from the tube. Often based on a grid and mathematically composed, the use of industrial materials was common in order to eliminate the evidence of the artist's hand. Minimalist art strived to create an object with presence, something that can be seen at its basic physical appearance and appreciated at face value.

Minimalists wanted their viewer to experience their work without the distractions of composition, theme, and other elements of traditional work. The medium and materials of the work was its reality, and was what Minimalist artists wanted to portray. The basis being on a work's literal presence, the materials used were not intended to symbolize anything else. Color was not used to express feeling or mood, but it simply to delineate space. The work strived to evoke a response from the viewer in terms of the relationship between the various elements of the work. Minimalist artists rejected the idea that art should reflect the personal expression of its creator. There was a lack of emotion and subconscious decision-making in minimalist art, hiding the presence and feelings of the artists. Rather, the artists believed that the viewer's personal reaction to the object was of higher importance, and thus strove to eliminate the presence of the creator in their work.

Minimalism questioned the nature of art and its place in society. Although some deemed Minimalist art to be unapproachable and barren, others saw the revolutionary concept of pure aestheticism and the strong affect that Minimalist theory had on post-modern art.

Modernism: (1890 - 1940)

Modernism is a term used to describe the style and theory of art from the period beginning in late 19th century and lasting into the mid 20th century. The modernist movement is closely associated with the term modern art, both characterized by a departure from emphasis on literal representation. With invention of photography, the realistic approach to painting and sculpture became unnecessary, thus artists began searching for new ways of visualizing and thinking about the nature, materials and function of art.

Modernism rejects tradition and advocated a return to the basic fundamentals of art. Artists embraced their newfound freedom of expression, experimentation, and radicalism. They believed that art should stem from color and form and not from depiction of the natural world. Paul Cezanne is often considered the "Father of Modernism."

Neoclassicism: (1750 - 1830)

The term Neoclassicism refers to the classical revival in European art, architecture, and interior design that lasted from the mid-eighteenth to the early nineteenth century. This period gave rebirth to the art of ancient Rome and Greece and the Renaissance as an opposition to the ostentatious Baroque and Rococo art that preceded the movement. Although the movement spread throughout Western Europe, France and England were the countries that used the style most frequently in their arts and architecture, using the classical elements to express ideas of nationalism, courage, and sacrifice. The movement was inspired by the discovery of ancient Italian artifacts at the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Also influential in the development was the cultural studies of German art historian Johann J. Winckelmann who claimed that the most important elements of classical art were "noble simplicity and calm grandeur."

Neoclassicism emphasized rationality and the resurgence of tradition. Neoclassical artists incorporated classical styles and subjects, including columns, pediments, friezes, and other ornamental schemes in their work. They were inspired by the work of Homer and Plutarch and John Flaxmann's illustrations for the Illiad and Odyssey. Other classic models included Virgil, Raphael, and Poussin among others. Neoclassical painters took extra care to depict the costumes, settings, and details of classical subject matter with as much accuracy as possible. Much of the subject matter was derived from classical history and mythology. The movement emphasized line quality over color, light, and atmosphere. The height of Neoclassicism was displayed in the paintings of Jacques-Louis David and Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.

Neoplasticism: (1920 - 1940)

Founded by Theo van Doesburg, Neo-Plasticism was a Dutch movement in painting and sculpture that strived to produce pure form and color, completely devoid of realism and the artist's emotion. Also called De Stijl, another leading figure of the movement was Piet Mondrian who published the manifesto, Neo-Plasticism in 1920. In 1917, the magazine "The Style" was published as a realm to explain the artists' work and to discuss and spread new ideas of modern art.

The Neo-plastic style is characterized by a reversion to the basic fundamentals of art: color, form, level, and line. Artists used mostly straight horizontal and vertical lines and black, white, gray, and primary colors.

The Neo-Plasticism movement ended in 1931 when van Doesburg founded a new alliance called "Abstraction-Creation." The movement was very influential in the development of the Bauhaus and International Style.

… Thank you to our Sponsors …

~

APRIL 2008 Monthly Newsletter

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS

South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter


113 - 437 Martin Street, Box 154
Penticton, BC V2A 5L1

CONGRATS to our three Co-CHAIRPERSONS -
Dale Matthews, Sharon Snow, Dona Smithson

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

MAY 3rd - GENERAL MEETING @10AM, LEIR HOUSE

There will be permission forms to sign regarding the use of member's images for invitation/poster purposes. Every artist is encouraged to sign these forms as different images will be used for each show.

Program following the Gen. meeting is Dale Matthews- watercolour/drawing demo


JUNE 7th- GENERAL MEETING @10AM, LEIR HOUSE

Dianna Ponting will be here to show the latest Success Slides. These are slides of the paintings of members who have recently attained Signature status.
While she is here, Dianna will also jury any Supporting members to Active status if they wish. For further info on this process contact one of the Executive or check on the FCA website.

JULY 5th- GENERAL MEETING @10AM, LEIR HOUSE

Program will be a video

A REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
Mark your calendars!

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS :

*Please pick up a “New members information booklet” at the next meeting*

The following people have volunteered to be “Mentors” and will help new members navigate the world of the Federation of Canadian Artists

If you think you might like to have a mentor, please contact one of the following volunteers. They look forward to hearing from you.

Marlene Aikins ~ Laila Campbell ~ George Traicheff

Our Library news:

Send your reviews to dianeestabrook@shaw.ca and we'll publish it here, this gives us an opportunity to decide if it has sparked an interest to borrow it. We have a wealth of information available to us, just give Kate a call.

LIST OF BOOKS IN THE FCA resource Library is available just email dianeestabrook@shaw.ca

Upcoming shows in Vancouver FCA gallery

Federation of Canadian Artists - 2008

Exhibition Program

Check due dates carefully

Biennial International Miniature Paint Exhibition (BIMPE)
June 3 - June 22, 2008
* Entry deadline: May 10, 2008
* Paintings due: May 29, 2008

· Original prints of all kinds: intaglio, relief, serigraphs, or hand- pulled lithographs. No giclées or other mass-produced reproductions.

Painting On The Edge
August 19 - September 7, 2008
* Entry deadline: June 5, 2008
* Paintings due: August 14, 2008

· POTE 6th Annual open international juried exhibition - any medium, any subject, open to members and non-members. $8,000 in prizes!!! Full-colour catalogue will accompany the show. Prospectus available on-line or at Federation Gallery.

Opening reception and awards presentation Thursday, August 21 from 6 - 8 p.m. in Federation Gallery

Plein Air Pantings
September 23 - October 5, 2008
* Entry deadline: August 14, 2008
* Paintings due: September 18, 2008

· Paintings and sketches created outside your studio, on location including life drawing. Any subject any medium, Active & Signature members.

Register online at www.artists.ca, by phone at 604-681-8534 or in person at Federation Gallery (Tuesday to Sunday between lOam - 4pm)

2008 - Exhibitions in the valley. - EXHIBITION COMMITTEE

Get your Bio's ready for any show you enter please, SEND THEM TO Sharon Snow! Also, we changed the entry fees for juried shows to $11.00, ($6.00 for the FCA and $5.00 for SOS). Non-juried shows will remain at $5.00

We are having a juried exhibition, "Painting Passions", at Handworks Gallery in Oliver for the full month of July. There is no theme and commission is 45%. Deadline is May 27/08. George Traicheff is going to be available to take photos from 10 am - 3 pm on Monday, May 26th. Picking up of artwork can be arranged for the following day, Tuesday, May 27th.

We will be involved in a show at the Penticton Museum sometime in June (the date to follow) for Centennial paintings. Please give Dianne Korsch the size and number of paintings you have for this show as we need to know how much room we will require. Her email address is dkorsch@hotmail.com or phone 250 496-5100.

Lang's show will run from June 1- October.


Workshop Committee

SUZANNE NORTHCOTT is available early Nov. 8 & 9th/08 to do a LARGE AND LOOSE WORKSHOP IN ACRYLICS

In this workshop you work on 24"x36 or 30" standing upright and learn to use all of your arm to loosen and enliven paintings. Subject matter of our Choice, ranging from representative to abstract. Emphasis will on using color, building beautiful surfaces, brushwork, design and persona expression. In this workshop you can choose to integrate drawing media into our work, be challenged and have fun.
You can read all about it on the e mail She is a signature member of the FCA gives course in Canada and Europe work collected and published internationally. You can view her work at www.suzannenorthcott.ca

KIFF HOLLAND is available May 15,16 & 17, 2009 for a workshop either in watercolour or oils.

He does egg tempera as well. His paintings explore his experience of light, its ability to reveal and conceal to define and colour and to excite and calm. He is a Signature member of the American Watercolour Society, Senior Member of Federation of Canadian Artists,member of the Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists and Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour. He is past president of the Fed. of Canadian Artists he conducts workshops across Canada, U.S. France and Spain. Recently receive first place from Northwest Watercolour Society.
Statement: There is always another way of seeing and another way of interpreting.
Please let Sharon Leonard know if you prefer Oils and watercolour course. We need to pick one fairly quickly.

We would like to book these as soon as possible so an idea of how many would be interested in attending would be helpful.

PLEASE CALL SHARON LEONARD AT 250 495-2019 email saleonard@persona.ca OR GRACE SHAW AT 770-0045 email graceshaw@shaw.ca IF INTERESTED IN THE ABOVE.

Members of the FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS are invited to apply to attend a four-day artist retreat to be held at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre in Bamfield, BC. Dates are January 24 - 27th, 2009.

This is an opportunity for 36 artists on a first come first serve basis. BMSC is a marine sciences research and studies centre for five universities (UVic, UBC, SFU, U of Alberta and U of Calgary). Check it out at www.bms.bc.ca - go to index on left, click on Public Education, then public groups. Contact info - Harold Allanson, 250 247 7930 hallanson@shaw.ca

BITS & PIECES - member news

~ We all enjoyed Irene's demo and words of advice about painting with pastels. Thanks Irene from all of us!

~

&
Kamloops FCA Open Show

~ ~

~

~ Kate Kimberley, Sharon Newton, Barb Hofer and Carol Munro had work accepted for the Thompson-Nicola-Shuswap Chapter of the FCA for their juried show, "Artists Choice" They attended the opening on April 18 at the Old Courthouse Gallkery. The show runs to April 27 in Kamloops at the Old Courthouse Gallery. Artists from across Canada were represented. Kate, Barb and Carol travelled to Kamloops for the opening reception, which was well attended. The actual road trip was memorable as they encountered, hail, snow, sleet and terrible winds. However with three artists in the car it was fun to keep stopping and taking photos of the unusual lighting and spectacular scenery.

Jurors were Janice Robinson(SFCA) and Suzanne Northcott(SFCA), who presented the following awards:

Gold Award of Excellence, Charlene Woodbury, AFCA, 'Homeland'
Silver Award of Excellence, Stephen Cheng, AFCA, 'Little Tibetan Prayer'
Bronze Award of Excellence, Maria Maryniak, 'Swan Lake Respite'
Honourable Mention, Sheila Adams, AFCA, 'Mowich Lake'
Honourable Mention, Michael Jell, 'Common Loon'
Honourable Mention, John Liang, 'Tibetan #2'


~ Kate and Barb attended the Suzanne Northcott demo on Saturday morning. It was very exciting to watch her process. Suzanne took her own photo using a friend as a model. She wasn't afraid to try new things during her demo. In fact she admitted that she had never used decorative papers in this way before. Suzanne painted with a lot of energy on a large wood canvas, painting with acrylic paint, gels and using powdered graphite to achieve some very interesting effects. She worked very quickly, and we sat in awe as the beautiful image of the woman in a silk nightie emerged from the textured background. See photos below..

Demo by Suzanne Northcott

~

~

~

~

Bits & Pieces Cont'd. . . . . .

~ Grace Shaw has 12 paintings on display and for sale in the showhome of Sage Bluff Estates at 3332 South Main St. Penticton. This is a 25 deluxe townhouse project which is now selling.

~ Kate Kimberley, Vicki Rodgers and Carol Munro are going to Vancouver to take part in "Art in the City"---a 3-day Visual Art Show and Sale in Vancouver at the West End Community Centre, May 9-11

~ Here is a site that sells artists supplies for those whom would like another source. They ship all over Canada http://www.deserres.ca/

~ Laila Cambell has had one of her paintings chosen for a book cover. The book is "Good intentions Gone Bad". Laila also has had two more paintings featured by "Artists in Canada".

~ Diane Estabrook had a painting chosen for the cover of a book titled "Cognitive Changes in MS", issued by the MS Society of Canada.

~ An Art Retreat in the Kootenays near Castlegar- Information on our website:
www.fca-sos.ca/Workshops1.htm

If that doesn't work just try googling fca sos chapter and look under workshops!

… Thank you to our Sponsors …

`

~

April 2007 Monthly Newsletter
FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS
South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter
113 - 437 Martin Street, Box 154
Penticton, BC V2A 5L1

Throughout the year, think about chatting with committee members and see if there isn't an area that you could help out and share the work. You might just love it, and we can always use the help! It's our group, let's keep it strong! If you've got an interest, speak up!

Important Dates to Remember (Corrected dates, please check your calendars…

þ your calendar today.

May 5 General meeting @ 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
June 2 General meeting @ 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
July
Aug 11 General meeting @ 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Sept 8 General meeting @ 10:00
Oct 13 General meeting @ 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Nov 3 General meeting @ 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Dec
Jan 5 2008 General meeting @ 10:00 executive meets @ 9am

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

*Please pick up a "New members information booklet" at the next meeting*

The following people have volunteered to be "Mentors" and will help new members navigate the world of the Federation of Canadian Artists
If you think you might like to have a mentor, please contact one of the following volunteers. They look forward to hearing from you.

Marlene Aikins ~ Laila Campbell
Kate Kimberley ~ George Traicheff

S0S FCA Programmes for 2007

May -We have a visit from Dianna Ponting, President, FCA who will show slides of successful candidates for signature standing in the FCA. Any questions you wish to address should first be forwarded to Sharon Newton (b.snewton@telus.net), so she can send them to Dianna beforehand.


June - Jill Leir Salter will give a personal tour of her family home, the Leir House. Bring your paints and a lunch so we can do some plein air painting on the grounds afterward.


EXHIBITION COMMITTEE

2007/08 - Exhibitions in the valley.

Qualifying shows - open to Signature & Active members-

· FCA juried show: Handworks Gallery in Oliver - July 1 - 31st. Title -"Backyard
Surprises. Hanging June 29th and/or 30th. Opening Reception, Saturday June 30th 2-4PM.
Images by end of April or early May.

· FCA juried show, Osoyoos Art Gallery - Oct. 6 - 27. Title "Latitude". Open to Active and
Signature members. 30% commission.
.
Artists of the South Okanagan shows - open to all members - Supporting,
Active, and Signature -

· Mat & Mitre Gallery in Penticton - juried show, Aug. 24 - Sept. 30 then the
paintings will move over to the Can Coffee Co. in the Cannery - Sept. 30 -
Oct. 28. Space may be limited. Title "A Collective".

· Tinhorn Creek Vineyard - Sept. 1 - 15.
For further information on any of the above shows contact Sharon Snow.

George Traicheff has offered to take digital images once a month for upcoming juried art shows, but check at May meeting to how he is feeling.


PUBLICITY - Laila Campbell would appreciate receiving jpeg images for use in the upcoming show invitations. Please email to lailacampbell@shaw.ca


Upcoming shows in Vancouver FCA gallery.

FCA JURIED SHOWS: applications due:

Canvas Unbound II
May 29 - June 10, 2007
· Entry deadline: April 26, 2007
· Paintings due: May 25, 2007
· Paintings on stretched canvas, linen or wooden cradles, no frames, any subject, any appropriate medium, Active & Signature members.

Painting on the Edge
August 21 - September 9, 2007
· Entry deadline: June 1, 2007
· Paintings due: August 17, 2007
· POTE turns 5 ! 5th Annual open, international juried prize exhibition - any medium, any subject, $8,000 in prizes!!! Full colour catalogue will accompany the show. Prospectus available on-line or at the gallery.
· Opening reception and awards presentation
Thursday, August 23
6 - 8 p.m. in Federation Gallery

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE:

The Osoyoos Painters and Potters are having a workshop May 26 & 27 in Osoyoos. PAINTING WITH OILS - INTERMEDIATE - INSTRUCTOR KINDRIE GROVE WILDLIFE ARTIST 2 day workshop 10:00 am to 4:00 pm . call Sharon 250 495-2019 to register.

BITS & PIECES

Dale Matthews Workshop- We had a wonderful weekend at the Naramata Center and learned a lot through Dale's demos and helpful tips and advice. We all gained some expertise painting trees, barns, landscapes, working with perspective and were inspired by all his drawings and paintings.

Barb Hofer sent some great pictures, I just can't figure out how to import them right here! Any ideas and I'll try them!

Special Feature:

"Without a philosophy, or at least an emerging philosophy, it's quite easy to enter the comfort zone, that place where we actually start to become bored with making art, even while living under the (false) pretense or genuine productivity."
C.W.Mundy

Notes from the essay
How to Conquer Mediocrity
International Artist #35

There are 7 Foundational truths to develop as an artist
· Drawing skills
· Squinting
· Positioning the centrality of focus
· Value
· Colour
· Edges
· Paint manipulation

From these basics there are five Building Blocks to help stop the fall into mediocrizty

Avoid the comfort zone (being bored with your work is often the first sign).

· Paint for yourself, not for sale
- paint for fun, take a fresh approach, let loose
· Tap into your passion
-have a love affair with everything you paint.. If you don't feel the passion for the subject, don't paint it!

· Interpret your feelings, don't just copy your subject literally
-Every serious artist needs a solid background in the practice of copying literally the shapes, values, colours and edges. These are stepping stones to mastery of the 7 foundational truths.
A transition occurs when you paint with your feelings of the subject and personalize the painting. There should be more than the beauty of the subject, a total interaction between the spirit, soul and subject. Literal copying parallels the factual while the interpretive births the poetic.

· Experiment with any or all of the 7 foundational truths
-Fine new ways to push the envelope in working with standard element zsuch as value, colour, and paint manipulation. Look at other artists work for new ideas. Go up a notch or two in your values for instance.

· Solve your problems up front so you know how you are going to say what you want to say
-Squint before the brush has touched anything. Find the big shapes, how they relate to each other. Analize your value, establish your darkest dark and lightest light. Remember, decide what this painting is about and figure out how best to achieve that expression.


… Thank you to our Sponsors …

`

~

SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN CHAPTER