Blog – Citrus Watercolor Society

Spring Luncheon and New Officers

Press Release by Dori Sullivan
May 2024
Citrus County Chronicle

Citrus Watercolor Society Plans Spring Luncheon and Installation of Officers

This month the members of Citrus Watercolor Society are celebrating the start of our calendar year. Our dues are being paid and the schedule of activities and workshops is lined up thru the end of 2024 and into 2025. Most importantly is the installation of our Board of Directors on Friday May 10^th at our annual Spring Luncheon. We (especially me) are thrilled with the fact that our 2023-24 Board members have all signed on for another year! The board has been a super supportive team and we’re so excited about the coming months. Apparently so is our membership – we were all voted in unanimously!

Our 2024-25 CWS Board includes Angela McMurray; Facilities, Gingi Martin; Corresponding Secretary, Deborah Newman; Recording Secretary, Aileen Croly; Treasurer, Jan Kuukari; Second Vice President and Membership, Signian Mcgeary; First Vice President and Programs; and Dori Sullivan; President. The luncheon gala will be held at the Citrus Hills Golf and Country Club. There may still be spaces left and if you can join us, contact Jan Kuukari at [email protected].

We’ve invited artist Jackii Molsick to present a demonstration for our luncheon guests. Jackii will show us how to use watercolors on masa papers creating unique results. As a well-known Florida artist and instructor, Jackii served as President of the Florida Watercolor Society in 2023 and we’re delighted she found the time to show us the “how to” of painting on a different base.

Summer is now showing its sunny face and many of our members and friends are taking vacations or traveling to their homes “up North”. We want to wish you safe travels but have a thought we’d like to send with you. Along the routes from Florida across our country there are some exciting art museums and galleries. I’ve been fortunate to have visited many and urge you to take a break and visit those special places in the big cities or the galleries in the smaller towns along your way. I can’t think of a better “break” than to get off the busy main highways and visit a gallery or museum. Take a bit of time to immerse the artist in you into the beautiful art created by the Masters or local artists like you and me.

When visiting St. Louis a couple of years ago I was stunned by the magnificent exhibit of Monet paintings at their wonderful art museum. You come out of the time spent contemplating the paintings both refreshed and inspired. Off the beaten path is always an adventure and thru your eyes, who knows what wonders you’ll see to paint when you reach your destination. Don’t forget your sketch book!

Citrus Watercolor Society welcomes new water medium painters as well as long time artists. Guests are always welcome to view the demonstrations (we ask a $5 donation). We meet once a month on the second Friday in the Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church, 2018 Colonade Street in Inverness. Our workshops are held at Whispering Pines Park, in Inverness. Annual dues are $35 that entitles you to free demos and significant discounts on our workshops and all our other activities. We have a website that keeps our members informed. Check it out: www.citruswatercolorsociety.org . Come and see what we’re all about.

Sue Primeau demo and workshop

There is always something new to learn, especially when it comes to our watercolor art. Who hasn’t looked at a finished (?) painting and said it needs something. But what? Sometimes it goes in the closet or under the bed, only to be pulled out periodically and mused over. Sue Primeau has a plethora of ideas of how to revisit those oldies but goodies and put some life in them. Maybe it’s cutting out the best parts and reusing them on a new work, or lifting out problem areas, or darkening others, or using watercolor ground to work over a whole area with something new. You could see the lightbulbs going off as the audience soaked up her many ideas. A number of lucky people had the foresight to sign up for her one-day workshop to hear more. Congratulations to our artists of the month. CJ Westrick and Jeanneine Cole who were voted first and second place.

Spring Art Show at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park- March 2023

We had another successful show at the Homosassa wildlife park. Attendance was good and we had a great response from our participating members. Congratulations to our winning artists.

Sue Primeau Workshop

Press Release by Dori Sullivan
March 2024
Citrus County Chronicle

Have you ever struggled to determine when your painting is really finished? CWS invites you to a one day workshop with Sue Primeau on Saturday March 9^th – we may help you with your struggle.

But first, I want to remind you that we have our regular CWS monthly Business Meeting on Friday, March 8^th where Sue Primeau will share a demo with our members and guests entitled “How to Salvage A Painting”. Following the Friday demo, we will present her one day workshop on Saturday, March 9^th. Sue will show us how to add the “spark” that will make your painting stand out and cause the viewers to take a second look. Maybe even a third look!

Over the past months, we’ve provided several workshops to our members that taught new techniques, challenging approaches to our paintings and much more. Hopefully, you’ve returned to your studio and proceeded to include what you’ve seen and heard with CWS into your newest “masterpiece”. But wait? Not exactly what you expected? Not luring you into the scene, showing the depth of feeling or the story you wanted your painting to tell? This workshop will help you and you’ll love the results.

Sue Primeau is a well-known watercolorist and instructor in Florida, Minnesota and beyond. Her travel trips to Europe are excursions we artists dream of taking. She considers her work “abstract realism” and enhances simple still life or plein air images into unique concepts of reality that boldly tell their stories. It’s been my privilege to take several classes with Sue and I guarantee you’ll be amazed at what you can learn from her. Her enthusiasm is infectious. For more information or to sign-up today visit https://citruswatercolorsociety.org or contact Signian Mcgeary, CWS Program Coordinator at email [email protected].

CWS monthly Business Meetings are held at noon on the second Friday of the month in the Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church in Inverness on 2018 Colonade Street. Our demonstration follows our meeting and is free to CWS members but we ask a $5 donation from visitors. Light refreshments are served at 11:30 during our “meet and greet” social time. Our workshops are held at the recreation building in the Whispering Pines Park. Workshops are from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (set-up is at 8:30).

“Art in the Wildlife Park”! Once again the artist/members of Citrus Watercolor Society are contributing their time and talents to the Wildlife Park in Homosassa. March 2^nd and 3^rd during park hours you can view and purchase original art by our members, in addition to notecards and prints of past work. A percentage of sales is returned directly to the Friends of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The show is juried and members may enter up to two paintings for judging. The rules for this Show and Sale are available at our website or by contacting Jeanne Conrad at [email protected]

The show is held in the Park’s Visitor Center on Hwy 19 in Homosassa Springs. No admission is charged to the Art Show. Come and see what wonderful art we have to offer you.

One last note – in April, CWS will offer a one day workshop with Mindy Lighthipe. Mindy is well known for her botanical and wildlife watercolor paintings as well as her children’s book illustrations. Look for details in my next column. In the meantime, stay healthy, enjoy the beauty surrounding you and keep your paintbrushes wet. Dori Sullivan

Lionel Sanchez Inspires

If you ever wondered what you might do to have fun, get inspired and learn something new–all at the same time, here’s your answer: Attend a Lionel Sanchez workshop. Creativity was unleashed at this January workshop. The proof is in the photos.

Libit Jones Workshop

Press Release by Dori Sullivan
February 2024
Citrus County Chronicle

We invite you “To be Audacious” with artist Libit Jones.

From Webster’s New World Dictionary (Fourth Edition) audacious (o da’shes) adj. 1. Bold or daring; fearless 2. Not restrained.

Libit Jones knows all the tricks to help you go where you’ve never gone before with vibrant color, exciting design and extraordinary perspectives. Citrus Watercolor Society invites you to see a demonstration of Libit’s abstract artwork at our monthly meeting, Friday Feb. 9th at 11:30 AM at the First Christian Church on Colonade in Inverness. The demo is free to members, and a $5 donation is appreciated from guests.

Following her demo, Libit will present a one day workshop at Whispering Pines Recreation Building on Sat. Feb. 10th from 9:00 to 4:00 PM. The cost is $120 for CWS members, $150 for non-members. Contact Signian McGeary at [email protected] to register. A supply list will be sent to you following your registration.

Artist Statement: Art, like life, gives us plenty of opportunities to learn and to grow. I say, let’s take them.

All about Libit: “The last 20 plus years have been devoted to exploring water media and its many possibilities. I’ve gone from using only transparent watercolors, to rolling on gouache, from watercolor to fluid acrylic and back to watercolor, and from hating Yupo to loving it. As a teacher, I am continually learning new things and am inspired with new ideas from my students. That is why I love teaching as much as I love painting.”

“This workshop is for you IF you ever feel timid, anxious or scared in your art or any endeavor for that matter. If you are fearless, this workshop is for you. Stretching and challenging yourself in a welcoming environment is what this is all about. In this workshop you will explore and experiment! No pressure to complete a masterpiece. “What if?”, “Why not?”, and “Let’s do it!” will be our mantra. We will experience the abandonment of mingling, running and splattering paint. We will explore mark making with tools found around your home, garage and in nature.”

Show and Sale is coming up! CWS will have an “Art in the Wildlife Park” show and sale in Homosassa the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Visitor Center on Hwy. 19. Admission to the art show is free and 20% of the proceeds from art sales go to the “Friends of ESHSWSP”. The art show is juried and cash prizes and ribbons are awarded to the winning paintings. For more information contact Jeanne Conrad at [email protected].

At our January meeting of CWS, the members voted for the Painting of the Month. Winners were: First Place: Pauline Boston (a watercolor painting of her cat and dog on the sofa), Second Place: Judy Miller who showed her beautiful Magnolias. Both are wonderful paintings.

If you love art and want to meet others who share your passion for water medium painting, come to our next meeting to look us over. Beginners are welcome. Members often share techniques and you can share yours. Annual dues are $35 and payable in May. We offer exciting demonstrations, outstanding workshops and friendly people. Learn more about Citrus Watercolor Society at our website: citruswatercolorsociety.org .

Until next time, stay well and do a little drawing every day! It’s fun!! Dori Sullivan

Fall Art Show at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park- Nov 2023

Photos of the Award winners at this year’s Fall Art Show, courtesy of Deb Newman and Dori Sullivan. Thank you!

Lionel Sanchez Workshop

Press release by Dori Sullivan
January 2024
Citrus County Chronicle

Happy New Year and Happy Painting with Lionel Sanchez!!

Here’s wishing you a very Happy New Year from the artists and members of Citrus Watercolor Society. We’re starting off the year with a “bang” and hope you will join us Friday, Jan. 12^th at the First Christian Church at 2018 Colonade, Inverness for our monthly business meeting and demonstration by Lionel Sanchez.

Lionel is one of our favorite landscape and marine watercolor artists who will conduct a one day workshop, Saturday January 13^th at the Whispering Pines Recreational Building from 9 AM until 4 PM. Lionel’s subject will be from a selection of landscape or marine scenes that he will use to guide us, step by step thru the process, until we have a completed painting. It’s fun and yes, even a relaxing day spent with a fun artist who has a wealth of information and techniques to share with you. Please join us!

The workshop fee for members is $95 and for non-members, $125 payable to CWS. To register for the workshop, please go to our website http://www:citruswatercolorsociety.org . There is a registration form on the site as well as membership information. Guests are always welcome to attend our monthly Business Meetings. The demo is free to our members and we ask a $5 donation from non-members. Come and see what we’re all about.

Our regular Business Meetings are held monthly except for May, July and December in the Fellowship Hall at First Christian Church. Doors open at 11:15 and light refreshments will be served. Our library will be open and an amazing selection of books and DVDs are available for you to borrow. There are also plastic sleeves for sale that are so important for those finished pieces of art you want to display or sell.

Speaking of displaying your artwork – members are welcome to bring in one of your latest paintings for our “Painting of the Month” contest. Certificates will be awarded to the first and second place winners. The popular vote by our members and guests determines the winners. We need at least five paintings to hold the competition.

Looking ahead, we’re planning another “Art in the Wildlife Park” show and sale in a few months. Look for the date and details on our website or our Facebook page. This two day weekend show and sale includes a juried competition with awards for Best in Show, First, Second and Third Place, two Honorable Mention awards and the President’s Choice award. Entry into the show is for members only and a percentage of our sales is donated to the Wildlife Park in Homosassa.

Until next time, stay well, paint and dip your brush into even brighter colors.

Dori
“Creativity takes courage” Henri Matisse.

Jerome Chesley Workshop

What better way to spend a December day than to immerse yourself in flowers. Jerome Chesley gave his usual informative and entertaining workshop guiding our members through the ins and outs of blending colors on the paper and capturing the subtle beauty of the perfect flower. The results speak for themselves.

2023 Holiday Luncheon

The 2023 Holiday Luncheon at Citrus Hills Golf Club was a great success. Our members all turned out dressed to celebrate the season. Good food, lots of door prizes and an excellent and entertaining demonstration by our guest artist Jerome Chesley all made the event a success. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to provide us with an enjoyable fun afternoon.