FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

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FEBRUARY 2008 Monthly Newsletter

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS

South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter

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

Important Dates to Remember

MARCH 2nd, GENERAL MEETING, SATURDAY @ 10 AM, LEIR HOUSE

- Art swap after AGM - Election of officers for 2008 -

April 3rd- Pastel demo by Irene Gray

May 5th- Dale Mathews- watercolour/drawing demo

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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

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Our Library news:
We received a new book, "My Painting Is Done - Now What Do I Do?" by Suzie Seerey-Lester.

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.

Our first book review:

MY PAINTING IS DONE by Suzie Seerey-Lester

This book is a compilation of all the things we know we should do to be more organized in our life as an artist, but somehow we just don't get around to completing.
"The first step is to produce fine art work, the second, and vital step is to become organized and understand the components of the various aspects of the art business."
Keeping track of paintings:
a) Original Information Sheet - this will help you keep track of the painting during several stages until you are ready to ship it out. Take a photograph of the painting and attach it to the sheet. After it has sold, update the sheet with the purchaser's name and price. Keep in a 3 ring binder.
b) Work completed Book. You should keep a record of the first painting you painted to the one you just finished, numbering them if possible. Using Excel is a good way to enter the data, or if you prefer a written journal.
c) Inventory of Original Paintings- yes, another three ring binder! Let the computer do all the work for you. Detailed instructions are listed in the book.
d) Sold Inventory Sheet.
e) "Where have they been" list, (various galleries and dates).
f) Send a thank you note for each sale after the show has closed.

There is an informative chapter about photographing your work as well as a chapter on Framing your work. One interesting sales tool I thought quite unique was to create a "painting paragraph" for each painting. A short paragraph or story about the painting, pointing out unique things about it that may not be easily seen. Ask the gallery to put this next to the painting. This paragraph might just be the connection with the buyer that makes the sale.
This book is a valuable resource for artists who are submitting art to various galleries.

Book review by Kate Kimberley, book was donated by Sharon Newton.

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

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Upcoming shows in Vancouver FCA gallery

Federation of Canadian Artists - 2008 Exhibition Program

March 8-10, 2008: Federation Gallery will be closed in order to facilitate the annual Board of Governors meeting.

Sunday March 16, 2008: Gallery will be closed for our annual general meeting at 1 pm (all members are welcome)

Works on Paper
April 22 - May 4, 2008
* Entry deadline: March 14, 2008
* Paintings due: April 17, 2008

· Any subject, any medium appropriate to a paper support. Open to Active & Signature members.

Semi-Abstract
May 6 - 18, 2008
* Entry deadline: March 28, 2008
* Paintings due: May 1, 2008

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

Canvas Unbound III
May 20 - June 3, 2008
* Entry deadline: April 10, 2008
* Paintings due: May 15, 2008

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

Biennial International Miniature Paint Exhibition (BIMPE)
June 3 - 22, 2008
* Entry deadline: April 17, 2008
* Paintings due: May 29, 2008

· Open International BIMPE prize exhibition for original prints of all kinds: intaglio, relief, serigraphs, or hand-pulled lithographs (no giclees or mass-produced reproductions); prospectus available online at Federation Gallery or New Leaf Editions.

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

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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

- Exhibition -

o For the show "Art Unlimited" at Leir House we had 36 entries with 23 excepted juried into the show. There were five artists that received seven 'Jurors Choice Awards': Dona Smithson (2), Kate Kimberley (2), Grace Shaw, Marlene Aikins and Dianne Korsch.

o Handworks Gallery wants to hold a juried show from July 1st to 31st 2008. We need a name for this show. Some suggestions were: 'Unchained', 'Red & Gold' and 'Just Imagine'.

Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more."
A. Lou Vickery, contemporary American writer.]

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Workshops:

ACRYLIC WORKSHOP - KEEPING IT SIMPLE
Instructor - Marlene Aikins

Saturdays, April 26 - May 3rd and 10th.........1 - 5 p.m

. AGSO members $100..........non-members $120............maximum of 8
Beginners to Intermediate - should have some experience with acrylics.

-tackling the complex subject of acrylics from photographs.
- the pros and cons of photographs, how NOT to copy by being creative.
- use a limited palette and learn to design a composition, using colours that compliment each other and how to find a centre of interest.
- discover the usefulness of transparents and how to prevent your colours from looking dull.
- the value of soft and hard edges and when to say "stop".

For more information, contact Marlene at 770-8772 or email fmaikins@shaw.ca
Sign-up, material list and course date will be at the Penticton Art Gallery by the end of Feb/08.

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An Invitation for Members of the Federation of Canadian Artists:

The West End Community Centre (Vancouver, BC) will be hosting the 3rd Annual "Art in the City" Visual Art Show and Sale from May 9-11, 2008. If you are looking for a venue to showcase and sell your art, this event may be for you. Last year, over 2500 people attended to view and purchase pieces
from a variety of different artists. The cost to reserve a space (10'x10') is $60 for an individual artist and $80 for groups and organizations sharing a space.

As an FCA artist, we invite you to take part in this event and welcome you take advantage of our advanced VIP registration. Limited spaces for VIP registration remain, so if you are interested please contact me as soon as possible and I can give you further details and information. Deadline for VIP registration is March 14 (or once all the reserved VIP spots are filled). Public registration starts in person at the West End Community Centre on Saturday, March 29 at 10am. Phone in registration will start the following day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me in the meantime. I look forward to hearing from you and hope that you can be a part of Art in the City 2008!

Cheers,
Brenda Tang
Recreation Programmer
West End Community Centre
870 Denman Street
Vancouver, BC V6G 2L8
604-257-8336
brenda.tang@vancouver.ca

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We are pleased to advise you that the Gibsons School of the Arts is again sponsoring six 5-day summer painting workshops.

Should any of your members be interested in participating in these workshops, they can now view the current line-up of instructors and contact information at our website www.gibsonartschool.net

If you would like to receive brochures or posters please email us at
info@gibsonsartschool.net or phone Donnie McAra at 604-886-9349.

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BITS & PIECES - member news

Is there any artists that would be interested in working with people who are incapacitated due to health or age issues? Art relaxation sessions have been proven to be of great benefit not only to the participants but the leaders of such groups. I am looking into getting art relaxation sessions available for this group of people and would encourage others to join in. If anyone is interested please call Lynne Marand at 492-2209 or 487-9113.

· Jill Leir Salter will be having a special show, at the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan, tilted, "For The Love Of Searching - A Retrospective" opening on March 14th 2008.

· The book, "My Painting Is Done - Now What Do I Do?", was donated to our library by Sharon Newton.

· Grace Shaw received a 'Jurors Choice Award' at the opening reception, Feb. 1st, of the "Art Unlimited Show" at Leir House.

· At the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan 'Christmas Show': Dianne Korsch sold 5 paintings, Carol Munro sold 3 paintings, and Sharon Snow sold 2 paintings.

· Carol Munro has a show at the Summerland Art Gallery from March 6th to April 5th 2008. Opening reception will be on March 6th 2008.

· Thea Haubrich has been invited to attend the 'International Arts, Craft and Toy Fair' in New York City, where she will do an Encaustic Demo.

· The Penticton Arts Council paid for the opening reception of the "Art Unlimited Show" on Feb 1st at Leir House where there were about 60 people in attendance. There was also a new band that played Celtic music at the reception. Thea Haubrich and Carol Wellington organized the opening reception. The Arts Council will try to have an art show at Leir House every month.

· We received a request from Laurel Burnham, Co-organizer for the "Women In Agriculture Conference" that will be held March 14th & 15th 2008 at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, asking for women's art work for display purposes. All artwork must come with a stand or easel. Marlene will check with Laurel and get more information. (Fan-out)

· For the Art Show at the Penticton Museum: If you want to paint from old photos and would like a copy of one from the Museum please phone ahead of going there and let them know what you would like to paint. Copies of the 2008 Centennial Calendar, that has old photos of Penticton, are available upstairs at Leir House.

· "Heritage Days" presented by the Penticton Arts Council will be held June 14th, 15th & 16th 2008 in Gyro Park. They require artist to paint in the park and will supply a tent. Paintings can also be sold there. A roster will be established for those who want to participate. More info to follow.

· Diane Estabrook had a painting chosen for the cover of a booklet issued by the MS Society of Canada.

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'Art Unlimited' opening reception on Feb 1 2008 at Leir House

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The Creative Mind

Even at fifty-eight, there are things to learn about being visually literate. That is what I have always called myself: visually literate. I devised this label to describe a significant aspect of my life: I notice things and I have a strong visual memory. My women friends have often told me that they appreciate that I notice whenever they make visual changes to themselves such as change their hairstyle or colour, get new clothes or accessories, or making changes around their home.

I think I am good at spatial design, and I can choose colours for my home in seconds. I can say why I like a painting and why I don't easily, and I love doing it. My favourite "test" when I was dating and meeting someone new, was to propose a walk through an art gallery because I find art provokes such interesting and meaningful conversations. I love the sensate life. I love food, colour, incense, the smell of flowers, trees and the sea; I love the gentle touch of friends with whom I am close. All these things I have known for a long time.

And I have known in a certain way, that I am creative, but I have never labeled myself that way or really even thought of myself that way. Recently, however, I learned something about creativity. I have developed rapid-onset arthritis in my hands that has forced me to change the taps on all my sinks. That led me to do something about my lighting because my failing eyesight requires more light in more areas. And then, well, why not paint everything as well? Suddenly I was renovating my whole place and despite having never done this kind of work before, I still wanted to do as much of the work on my own to save money.

One of the problems that I wanted to address most was the issue of visible "BX wire" all over my walls. It is coiled cable that electrician's use when electrical cable has to go on the surface the walls. It is seriously ugly. I decided that there must be a product that would cover it in some attractive way and I headed off to the nearby big-box hardware store to find some. The very helpful man who served me spent a lot of time calling round to his suppliers to see if they had such a product, but they didn't.

In a section of the store that had stuff for aluminum doors and windows, I found long lengths of extruded metal tubing, including some that was U-shaped and open at the top, looked to me like something that might nicely cover the BX wire, so I took a length of it and went back to where they sold the BX wire to see if it would fit. It did as though it was made for the purpose; it almost clung to the wire. And the man who had served me earlier, saw me and what I was doing. Like me, he found the brass tubing to be ideal for the job.

Two weeks later, I was having glass installed in my bathroom to enclose my shower and show off the brick. In one location, glass met glass for about eight feet close to the shower itself. The man providing the glass had no idea of how to ensure that the seam between the two pieces of glass was watertight. While he worked on installing other pieces, I took some "teflon tape" - ultra, ultra thin tape that you wrap around a pipe fitting to ensure it doesn't leak and I was twirling it into a long twisted thread and stuffing it into the crack between the glass pieces with the blunt end of a needle. The glass man thought I had invented a pretty cool solution and he said so as he left.

But I was not confident in the solution, so I went back to the hardware store, this time to get a long length of half-inch L-shaped, brushed aluminum where I had found the U-shaped brass tube. The L-shaped piece would, I knew, fit perfectly over the glass-to-glass edging and provide an excellent seal if I loaded the inside with silicone. At the check-out, the man who had helped me try to find the BX wire saw me and said, "What problem are you solving this time?" So I told him about the glass-to-glass problem and my solution, and this is what he said: "You know, I have twenty years experience as a tradesman and I have worked here for many years, but I would never have thought of the solutions you have found." He told me that he and I would make a perfect home renovation team. "Experience is a great teacher," he said, "I have that in spades, but you have a creative mind and that is just as valuable as all my experience."

Again, a few weeks went by, and more glass was coming in-this time tabletops. When the tradesman arrived, he checked out what I had done in the bathroom since he had installed the glass. He noticed my metal corner piece and he complimented me on my work and he asked me where I got the L-shaped metal. "Honestly," he said to me when I told him, "I would never have thought of that. You're a really creative guy."

I never before realized how "creative" I was and how practical creative thinking could be. I have "known" it in that way we can know things intellectually but in a way that is shallow compared to experiential understanding. But now I know. It is a valuable and practical asset that we creative people share. I found these very recent experiences to be enlightening and rewarding. I was moved by the generosity of spirit in both men and by the respect they had for creative thinking.

Chris Tyrell
ctyrell@shaw.ca

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… Thank you to our Sponsors …

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February 2007 Monthly Newsletter

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS
South Okanagan-Similkameen Chapter
Box 1704 Oliver, B.C. V0H 1T0

REMINDER - MARCH 3RD MEETING, SATURDAY
@ 10 AM, LEIR HOUSE

AGM ELECTIONS

The March 3rd meeting is our AGM and we will be holding elections. If you have not received a phone call and would be willing to help out on a committee, or be a "helper" on a committee for the 2007 year please call Sharon Newton at 492 3459 as soon as possible.

The nominating committee has tried to contact all members for volunteers for various positions on the different committees. We still need more names to stand:
the executive (First Vice President), for several committees (membership, Programs and Bio Book), and helpers for several other committees.

Here are the COMMITTEES:

Publicity, exhibition, publicity, membership & exhibition, newsletter & e-mail out publicity, workshop (2), secretary, fan out, co-president (2), vice president, publicity, secretary, programs after meeting, exhibition, refreshments (at meeting)

A thousand thank you's to our 2006 Committee members:

Marlene Aikins, , Enid Baker, Laila Campbell, Jeannie Duncan, Diane Estabrook, Barb Hofer, Kate Kimberley, Dianne Korsch, Sharon Leonard, Art Moore, Robert Neal, Sharon Newton, Eunice Purdy, Dona Smithson, Sharon Snow, Edna Woods,

*After the A.G.M. there will be a "Swap & Shop" of artists materials. Please bring any supplies that you would like to swap*.

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!

MENTORING OPPORTUNITY

At our last F.C.A meeting we introduced the idea of a "Mentoring Program" within our Chapter. When new members join the Federation of Canadian Artists it seems a very confusing organization - Juried and non-juried shows, Supportive, Active and Associate members, our chapter and its connections with the National office on Granville Island. All these questions need answers when a new artist joins our organization.

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

Marlene Aikins 770 8772 Laila Campbell 493 8468
Kate Kimberley 492 4481 George Traicheff 497 5667

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

Important Dates to Remember

þ your calendar today.

Mar 3 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Apr 14 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
May 5 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
June 2 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
July
Aug 1 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Sept 1 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Oct 6 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Nov 3 General - 10:00 executive meets @ 9am
Dec

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

*Please pick up a "New members information booklet" at the March 3rd, meeting*

S0S FCA Programmes for 2007

Dona Smithson 493-5737, Eunice Purdy 492-4098

March - AGM - Elections - We will hold a Swap & Shop of artists materials after the elections.

April - Laila Campbell - demo mixed media

May - Jill Leir Salter - personal tour of Leir House

June - Eunice Purdy - watercolour techniques to frame without glass

EXHIBITION COMMITTEE

2007/08 - Exhibitions in the valley.

Qualifying shows - open to Signature & Active members-

1. Handworks Gallery in Oliver - July 1 - 31st. Title - "Backyard
Surprises".
2. Osoyoos Art Gallery - Oct. 6 - 27. Title "Latitude". open to Active and
Signature members.
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*George Traicheff has agreed to take digital images of our entries for these

Artists of the South Okanagan shows - open to all members - Supporting,
Active, and Signature -
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Lang's Vineyard - May 1 - Oct. 31. Title "Vineyards & Valley Views".
Amy, the Manager of the Wine Tasting Room, wants to choose which of our
paintings will be hung. Bring photographs of your entries to the April
meeting. Make sure all the info - eg. Artist, medium, size, etc. is
attached to the photo.

· Mat & Mitre Gallery in Penticton - 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.

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 SHOW:

Human Figure
March 27 - April 8, 2007
· Entry deadline: Feb 22, 2007 Past due - but wait for next months newsletter to see who's in!!
· Paintings due: March 23, 2007
· Images of the human body in whole or in part, Active & Signature members, any medium.

Still Life
April 10 - 22, 2007
· Entry deadline: March 1, 2007
· Paintings due: April 5, 2007
· Purposeful compositions of inanimate objects, Active & Signature members, any medium.

Works on Paper
April 24 - May 13, 2007
· Entry deadline: March 22, 2007
Paintings due: April 20, 2007
· Any subject, any medium appropriate to a paper support, Active & Signature members.

Joan Miro quotes

I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music.
I feel the need of attaining the maximum of intensity with the minimum of means. It is this which has led me to give my painting a character of even greater bareness.

WORKSHOP COMMITTEE first of the year -

George Traicheff - MARKETING FOR THE VISUAL ARTIST

When: Sunday, March 20th, from 9:30 - 4:30 P.M. (lunch break at 12:30)
Price: $10. Leir House, downstairs room, 220 Manor Park Dr.

Designed to enhance and increase the skill levels of visual artists in their sales & marketing abilities such as which methods and materials are needed when soliciting galleries; how to promote a show - pre-during & after; gifting - pro's & cons; advertising - what is good/bad; buyers - taking care of your career, and much more!
George has been a practicing professional artist since 1979. Don't miss this workshop!
Bring examples of current marketing materials, business cards, brochures, bio sheet, etc,

Dale Mathews - April 21st and 22nd at the Naramata Centre, McLaren Hall on 3rd Street. $100 for this 2 day workshop from 9:30 - 4:30. Lunch can be included for $11 per day. Call Barb Hofer at 497 5936 for more information or to register.

BITS & PIECES

Kate Kimberley and Marlene Aikins each have a painting in the "Blossoms & More show" at the Vancouver FCA Gallery.
Grace Shaw had a painting accepted into the Landscapes Show.

Check out these images a www.federationgallery.ca

Online Encyclopedia of Painting says:

The human body has always been a source of inspiration for artists. The shifting moods of a person, his or her reaction to the world are manifest in body language. And the artist attempts to capture this in his work.
All these factors make Figure Painting quite a formidable art form to handle
All these makes Figure painting a Complex Art Form.
· Avoiding Figures that are too upright. To avoid uptight figures while you're painting, check the pose by holding the brush (or a pencil) against the figure across the shoulders, then the hips, and then the spine.
· To get realistic skin tones that really glow, instead of flat, lifeless, and muddy ones, apply the color in thin films and let each dry completely before applying the next
· To make the eyes of the subject to "follow" you as you move, make your model or subject sit with their eyes looking directly at you.
· Make the hair of the subject believably soft, don't paint them strand by strand, make them a composite whole
· If you want to avoid painting hair and ears cover that section with a scarf or a hat
· If you are painting yourself do so using a mirror.

Modigliani quotes

What I am seeking is not the real and not the unreal but rather the unconscious, the mystery of the instinctive in the human race.

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… Thank you to our Sponsors …

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