Barbara Fife – Citrus Watercolor Society

Simple Stencils, Dramatic Effects by Darla Goldberg – October 13, 2023

Press release by Dori Sullivan
September 2023

Back by popular demand … Artist Darla Goldberg will present a demo on the use of stencils to enhance your painting as well as a one-day workshop to make unique stencils and create the promised “Dramatic Effects” in your painting. The demo will be held immediately after the Citrus Watercolor Society meeting at noon on Friday, Oct. 13 at the First Christian Church of Inverness at 2018 Colonade, Inverness. The workshop will be held at Whispering Pines Recreation Building Sat. Oct. 14 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The cost is $95 for members, non-members fee is $115. The demo is free to members and a $5.00 donation is appreciated from guests. is an award winning artist and I’ve enjoyed her presentations and workshops immensely. She is a fun instructor who works closely with those in her classes. All levels are welcome. Darla’s specialty is photo realistic eyes based on her professional history as an oculist who designed prosthetic eyes. Her artwork has been enhanced with unique techniques and “painterly” ways of creating beautiful backgrounds to make her work (and yours) “pop”. It’s been my observation that textures, enhanced colors and other striking additions to your artwork is the way to go. When you visit local galleries and art centers, look closely at what paintings attract you. Today, an addition of a variety of techniques has become popular and adds to the excitement of modern paintings. With all of CWS workshops, there are many new techniques you can learn to give your painting the spark it may need.

CWS offers its members opportunities to learn not only at our workshops and through our demonstrations, but by interacting with our artist/members during our pre-meeting “social hour” that begins at about 11:15 in the Family Center at First Christian Church. Light refreshments are provided and individuals who wish to bring in their painting for an “Artist of the Month” competition are asked to bring their work by 11:30 for the viewer’s choice vote. We have both beginners and longtime artists within our membership and we provide helpful hints just for the asking. Our library is crammed full of resources, both books and DVDs that are available for your use. We also have those important plastic “sleeves” for matted paintings and cards for sale.

Looking ahead, we will once again host Art in the Wildlife Park Show and Sale at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Wildlife Park, Saturday and Sunday, November 18th and 19th ,2023. Admission to the show is free and a percentage of the artist’s sales are donated to the park. Mark your calendars now and come to the show and sale, just in time for holiday gifts.

In September, it was my privilege to present the CWS Founder’s Award to Darla Goldberg for her stunning watercolor painting of a blooming cactus flower. We want to thank the following for participating in the competition and sharing their inspirations and techniques used in their work. They are Gingi Martin, Jeanneine (Cole) Chesnul, Polly Boston, Darla Goldberg, Dori Sullivan, Signian McGeary, Judy Snow, Aileen Croly, Yvonne Brunelle, Judy Miller, Heather Doherty, and Ellen Hines.

Be sure and check out our website at www.citruswatercolorsociety.org for all the latest news about our activities. Annual dues are only $35 and the benefits are many. We’d love to have you become a member of the “friendliest little watercolor club anywhere”! Until next month, stay well and enjoy the inspirations that drive you to painting.

Dori Sullivan

Getting Your Painting Ready to Show- August, 2023

Getting Your Painting Ready to Show!

On Friday, August 11, Citrus Watercolor Society will present two noted local artists, Curt Bond and Kim Shields, to demonstrate what is needed to make your artwork ready for exhibit. Our CWS business meeting, as well as the demo, will be held in the Family Life Center at the First Christian Church of Inverness at 2018 Colonade, Inverness. Light refreshments and opportunities to vote on the monthly “Artist of the Month” paintings begin at 11:15. The meeting and demo (Getting Your Painting Ready to Show) begins at noon.

Both artists have vast experience in showing their work. Curt is a watercolorist whose work is mostly birds – beautiful water fowl and birds of all shapes and sizes. You can usually see his work at the “Art in the Wildlife Park” show and sale held at the Homosassa Wildlife State Park. He is past president of CWS and involved with Nature Coast Painters (Beverly Hills).

Kim is known for his plein air paintings done on site from the Inverness area to points South such as Tarpon Springs. Kim also served as president of CWS as well as president of the Florida Watercolor Society. Besides an award-winning watercolorist, Kim works in Pastels as well. And I’ve heard they are both entertaining with their presentations. You certainly don’t want to miss this CWS demo. There is no charge for CWS members, and a $5 donation is appreciated from guests. All are welcome.

Interested in learning more about Citrus Watercolor Society, check out our website: http://citruswatercolorsociety.org and be sure and look at the gallery.

We meet the second Friday of the month, except for July (no meeting) and May and December when we have luncheons at local restaurants. Our meetings begin at Noon, but come at 11:15 AM to meet and greet other members/artists, enjoy light refreshments and see some of our work on display.

Until next month, stay safe and keep your images bright.

Dori Sullivan

June 2023 – Paint-Around

Note from President Dori Sullivan:

Thank you all for your participation and support of our Annual Paint Around in June. Our wonderful artists worked together in a quick competition with every painting definitely a winner. We really appreciate your time and talents – all of you – for making this event such a success. (You can see photos on the CWS website) Thank you again, Curt Bond, Deb Newman, Ellen Hines, Darla Goldberg, Polly Boston, Lionel Sanchez and Barbara Kerr. Signian McGeary and her volunteers also did a fine job having the tables ready for the Paint Around, helpers for the artists as well as ticket sales and a matting team ready to add the finishing touches for our raffle. It was an impressive lineup of fine paintings and volunteers! I also want to thank Dick Carlton for putting together the room layout according to our specific needs.
Here is the link to the video created by Kim Shields.

Additional photos of the event are below.

July 2023 News

CWS Takes a Short Summer Break!
News Release by Dori Sullivan
Summer is here! And along with many of you, the membership of Citrus Watercolor Society is taking a break. There will not be a meeting on the second Friday in July, however, look for us in August. We’ll be hosting a demonstration on how to “Get Ready to Show” (matting and framing) with Curt Bond and Kim Shields. This will be valuable to all of our artists who enter competitions or hang their art at various venues. It’s always stunning what a good mat and frame will do for your work

Generally, CWS meets the second Friday of the month in the Family Life Center of First Christian Church of Inverness for most of the year. We do have two social luncheons, one in May and the other at the December holidays and July is our “vacation”. After our regular meetings, we present a demonstration by well-known artists who may follow the demo with a one or two day workshop. Keep reading this column to learn more about our upcoming programs.
I started exploring fine arts around 2008 with basic drawing. CWS artists Ellen Hines and Kim Shields were my first “drawing instructors”. Ellen’s saying “the more you see, the more you draw” or better yet, “the more you draw, the more you see” certainly is a truism as you become an artist. I thoroughly enjoyed drawing and then moved on to watercolor painting. Whoa … what a difference. With drawing everything was “black and white” (pun intended) then layering watercolor, watching it ebb and flow on a wet surface and making startling colors and shapes … well, it was an eye opener. Not the control of drawing, but amazing results that made me fall in love with watercolor.

As part of my “what I’m doing this summer” is a project to go back and look at my old drawings – with a bit of a critical eye. What I see is that most drawings were a “#5” if you used a value scale with the lightest being white and “#10” as the darkest hue. That was not good; artwork without distinct values can be boring. I had lost something that I want to regain in order to add the needed “punch” to my watercolor paintings. As an exercise, I’m recruiting the help of fellow artists to play at taking a second look and maybe re-thinking a drawing and/or a painting. Maybe there will be a breakthrough for me that will help improve my artwork. At least I’ll have fun trying plus enjoying the company of friends and artists. If you’re new to painting or an old hand who’s been painting for years, sharing your work with others has many benefits. A suggestion or two here, or a different approach there, can brighten your work so it suddenly comes alive.

Talk about interacting with other artists, I hope you enjoyed our June “Paint Around” where seven Citrus Watercolor artists started with their individual drawing, painted for 10 minutes then passed the work on to the next artist who added his or her special techniques. The end results were truly beautiful! Lucky winners got to take home a unique painting. If you missed it this year – keep following CWS and be sure to put this event on your calendar next year.

We look forward to seeing all of our members again at the August meeting. Guests are always welcome at our meetings. If you’re not already a CWS member, consider joining us in August when we have a regular meeting and demonstration planned. Annual dues are $35 and the benefits of membership are many. Check us out on our website www.citruswatercolorsociety.org. You won’t be disappointed.

Until next time, stay cool and enjoy your art. Dori Sullivan

Paint-A-Round, June 9, 2023

CWS Presents “Paint-A-Round- in June

Something “old” and something new! No, not a wedding … but a repeat of one of my favorite CWS activities … the “Paint -A-Round”! In addition, there’s something “new” – the Installation of new Officers for the Citrus Watercolor Society 2023-2024 Board. Read on … and put the date on your calendars!

Our monthly meeting will be Friday, June 9th at noon in the Family Center at the First Christian Church of Inverness, 2018 Colonade St., Inverness. Guests are always welcome and we know all will enjoy this fun Paint A-Round event. Besides watching our outstanding artists work, you’ll have the opportunity to bid on the finished paintings! Members are free and a $5 donation is requested from guests.
What’s a Paint A-Round? This year seven artists come prepared with a concept, paper and supplies to setup at the appointed hour. They start their painting and after ten minutes, their work is passed on to the next artist who adds his/her special touches … and so it goes until all have added color, textures, perspectives on each painting and the artwork finishes the cycle and returns to the original artist. Those finished paintings are signed by all artists, matted and displayed. Tickets are sold and then drawings are held to determine the winners of each of the seven finished paintings. Proceeds fund CWS activities. The artists have all donated their time and talents.
Thank you to: Curt Bond, Barbara Kerr, Darla Goldberg, Ellen Hines, Lionel Sanchez, Deborah Newman and Polly Boston. Each of these artists has their own particular style and preferences for their work. From birds, to animals, landscapes, flowers and more, imagine how the individual additions to each other’s work are going to add magic to the finished paintings. CWS members and guests watch the action from start to finish, mingling and seeing the fabulous paintings evolve in less than 90 minutes. Don’t miss it!

The 2023-24 Installation of the CWS Board of Directors was held at our May luncheon. It was a beautiful time of good food, an outstanding presentation by Mindy Lighthipe and the installation conducted by Barbara Kerr. New officers include: Aileen Croly (Member Delegate), Marjorie Bannish (Ambassador and Past President) Richard Carlton (Facilities Coordinator) Gingi Martin (Corresponding Secretary), Deborah Newman (Recording Secretary) Jan Kuukari (2nd V.P. Membership), Signian McGeary (1st V. P. Programs) and Dori Sullivan (President) … now that’s a familiar name …! Thank you CWS members and friends for giving me the privilege to serve as our next President. As the members of the board and I were installed, we became a team who has close ties to our watercolor artists/members and all look forward to continuing as the “friendliest watercolor society in Florida” with many opportunities for our members in the coming year.

In addition to the officers, CWS has a long list of wonderful volunteers who make sure that all the needs of the society are met, and many hands make light work of what makes our society so successful. Think about joining us – our annual dues are $35 and due this month. Check out our website at citruswatercolorsociety.org for details.

Until the next time, stay well and continue to reflect the beauty around you in your artwork. Dori Sullivan.

CWS June 2023 Chronicle Article

May Luncheon -2023

Celebrating 42 Years as the Friendliest Watercolor Society in Florida

There will not be a regular meeting nor a workshop held in Inverness on the second Friday in May. The membership will be enjoying a Spring Luncheon at the Citrus Hills Country Club on Friday May 12th. On the program, besides a delicious lunch, will be the Installation of the Officers of CWS for 2023-24.

Retiring officers have served CWS faithfully for their time in office and we want to thank them for all they have done. During the year of Covid and the following months, while we’ve been taking time to get our lives back together, these loyal men and women did their utmost to bring new life and enthusiasm into our organization. “Thank you” just doesn’t seem enough. There is a large Board of Officers and Directors that together pitched in and made those very big jobs relatively simple. Sharing the load, under the leadership of Marjorie Bannish, they worked and we’re happy to say our membership is growing again and we have some exciting workshops planned for the coming year.

Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month, August- June. Meetings are held at The Family Center of the 1st Christian Church of Inverness, 2018 Colonade Street, Inverness, FL. Our May and December Luncheons are held elsewhere. Check the Calendar page of our website for location and directions. There is no meeting in July. Annual dues of $35 are payable to CWS in May.

The Executive Meeting begins at 10:30 AM. Light refreshments are available during Social “Hour” 11:15 am-12:00 pm. Painting of the Month Competition begins at 11:30 am. Please join us so you can get to know our friendly members and artists. The Members’ Business Meeting is at 12 pm, followed by a special Demonstration of about an hour.

A very special guest artist, Mindy Lighthipe, will present a demo on her amazing botanical and nature paintings at our Spring Luncheon. For more information about the May 12th luncheon and demo, please look to our website at www.citruswatercolorsociety.org or contact Ellen Hines at [email protected].

Until next time, stay well and think about taking an active part with a great group of men and women artists at Citrus Watercolor Society. Dori

Polly Boston – April 14, 2023

Press Release by Dori Sullivan

Painting underwater is a whole lot different than painting any above water scenes but with Polly’s techniques your Clownfish will be swimming along, happy to be in the deep blue sea. The demo is free to CWS members ($5 donation is appreciated from guests) and the workshop is $95 for members, $115 for non-members. Registration and checks made payable to Citrus Watercolor Society may be mailed to CWS, PO Box 2464, Inverness FL 34451-2464. Polly told us “you will have a lot of fun, because you can’t really do anything very wrong in this class”… and she doesn’t give demerits! One and all come and have a fun day with the friendliest art group around. You can make a splash!

Polly’s career centered around music, but when she retired and moved to Florida she took classes in painting and loved it. A student of Anne Abgott, she was persuaded to enter the Florida Watercolor Society exhibition where her work was accepted for three years in a row. She’s acquired “Signature” status within FWS. Polly specializes in commission work, painting many different subjects. Her style is colorful and realistic. Her personality is delightful. You can see her work at the Rainbow Springs Art Gallery in Dunnellon.

Artist of the Month: During the CWS monthly meetings, members bring in their latest artwork and attendees vote on their favorite. This month Susan Holley’s painting of Hollyhocks came in first place and Polly Boston’s monochromatic painting of wine glasses came in second. Congratulations to you both. Thank you all for sharing your latest artwork. We love seeing your paintings!

Annual Spring Luncheon: There will not be a regular meeting nor a workshop held in Inverness on the second Friday in May. The membership will be enjoying a Spring Luncheon at the Citrus Hills Country Club on Friday May 12. On the program, besides a delicious lunch, will be the installation of the Officers of CWS for 2023-24. A very special guest artist, Mindy Lighthipe, will present a demo on her amazing botanical and nature paintings. For more information about the May luncheon and demo, please look to our website at www.citruswatercolorsociety.org or contact Ellen Hines at [email protected]. Seating is limited and the deadline for menu choices and reservations is May 5th.

I’m enjoying the exciting days of Spring in Florida and hope you are too. There is much to see and paint. Bright colors, changing light and inspirations are everywhere.

“Colour is my day long obsession, joy and torment” Claude Monet

Stay well. Dori

Polly Boston Demonstration

“Under the Sea” Workshop

Darla Goldberg – March 10, 2023

Citrus Watercolor Society Paints
with Brusho

Please join us for another Citrus Watercolor Society demonstration and workshop with artist Darla Goldberg.

Darla will present a short demonstration on using Brusho Friday, March 10 followed by a one day workshop on Saturday March 11 from 9 AM to 4 PM. The demo will be in the Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church of Inverness (2018 Colonade St.) at noon and the workshop will be in the Whispering Pines City Park recreation building. The workshop fee is $95 for CWS members and $115 for non-members. A registration form and supply list is posted on our website www.citruswatercolorsociety.org .The demo is free to members but a $5 donation is appreciated from guests. For additional information, contact Vicki Pritchard at [email protected].

Darla is a recognized Florida artist who creates amazing animal and bird paintings known for their realistic looking eyes. Her professional history as an oculist transfers to the most fascinating eyes in her artwork. And now she has incorporated the use of Brusho to add color and textures to her paintings.

Have you ever heard of using “Brusho” in your watercolor painting? Well, leave it to the CWS artists to find something new (to most of us) to create striking watercolor artwork. Darla Goldberg will show us step by step how to use Brusho to make the magic happen in our paintings. She will have a small set of Brusho for sale at the workshop for $6.00. I’ve seen the brilliant colors and interesting results of this technique and can’t wait to give it a try. I hope to see you there.

What is it? Brusho is crystallized dry pigment. It comes in small plastic containers or “pots”. The crystals can be applied to wet paper or applied to dry paper then sprayed with water. You can also mix the crystal in a well or pan space on your palette. Mix a tiny bit (yes, just a tiny bit) of water and you have a wonderful inky paint. The colors and effects achieved with this product are really interesting and present many possibilities.

Artist of the Month for February

Congratulations to Jeanneine Cole, first place winner in the Viewer’s Choice Painting of the Month contest and to Terry Carter for his second place win. Every month CWS artists show their recent paintings and the membership votes for their favorites. Beautiful paintings!

Three of CWS members entered and were accepted in the Florida Watercolor Society annual “on-line” show and competition. Congratulations to Heather Doherty, Barbara Fife and Judith Callison. Your paintings are outstanding.

Great things happen to the artists of Citrus Watercolor Society as a result of their membership. First, you always learn something from our demos and workshops. Secondly you have the opportunity to be with other artists “of all stripes” from both beginners and experienced who want to meet you and “talk art”. There is nothing better than experiencing a workshop with fellow artists in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Yes, there are challenges, but we’re there to help each other – we learn from each other and we are always happy to share tips and techniques. Besides our monthly meetings (on the second Friday of the month) there are two special lunches with special guest artists and opportunities to exhibit your art at the annual “Art in the Wildlife Park” show and sale at Homosassa State Park. Our membership is growing and so is the enthusiasm for our society and its members. Annual dues are only $35 and due in May. Check out our website for more information at www.citruswatercolorsociet.org .

Thank you readers, for you kind words and interest in Citrus Watercolor Society, I really appreciate it. Until next month, stay well and enjoy the beauty and colors of the Florida we call home.
Dori Sullivan

Darla Goldberg
“Brusho” Demo
March 10, 2023

Darla Goldberg
“Brusho”Workshop
March 11, 2023

Photos contributed by Dori Sullivan

Bev Yankwitt – February 10-13, 2023

A Unique Walk from Figurative to Abstract Painting with Beverly Yankwitt

Citrus Watercolor Society is inviting you to take this journey during a two-day workshop with nationally known artist, Beverly Yankwitt. For a preview of the two-day workshop, join us on Friday February 10th at the First Christian Church Family Center, 2018 Colonade, Inverness at 11:15 for light refreshments, followed by a short business meeting at noon.

After the business meeting enjoy a demonstration by Beverly about her abstract paintings. Her two-day workshop follows on Saturday Feb. 11 and Sunday Feb 12th from 9AM to 4PM in the Whispering Pines Park recreation building. The cost is $115 for CWS members, $145 for non-members. The demo is free, but a $5 donation from guests is appreciated.

Whether you are new to abstract or not, you will learn some creative new techniques as Bev guides you through the intuitive process of making an abstract painting. It’s a freeing experience that employs the traditional elements of design, perspectives and values, but expresses a whole new insight into the subject. You may use collage, stamping and other methods with your watercolors or acrylic paints.

Beverly’s profile states “I love doing abstract art. To take a quote from Forrest Gump “you never know what you’re going to get”. I usually don’t have a particular idea in mind when I start a painting. I decide on a composition and then begin to add paint. I work mostly in acrylics or watercolor adding texture by gluing on torn tissue paper, watercolor paper, rice paper or various other papers as well as molding pastes. My inspiration comes from designs and texture found in nature. I have learned to look at things around me with an abstract eye. I believe that abstract art is all about color combinations, texture and interesting shapes.”

At the 2022 Florida Watercolor Society convention, I had the privilege of sitting in at Bev’s demonstration and was fascinated with the process and how abstract paintings can draw you in to the emotions and images you see in the artwork. I’m looking forward to the class and hope you will join us. Contact Judith Callison at [email protected] for more information, registration and a supply list.
I’d like to remind you that membership benefits in CWS are many. Even though it’s pretty chilly as I write this column, our hearty plein air painters are joining Joyce Cusick for an outing to the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park in Homosassa. If it’s too cold to be outside, Joyce offers a hack of how to paint in less than perfect weather. Simply park your car across from the site and use your steering wheel as an easel, supplies on the front seat and you’re set to go enjoying your inspiration through the windshield. OK – maybe not, but as soon as the weather warms, rest assured Joyce and her painters will be seen all around our beautiful Citrus County creating wonderful paintings.

We also have a wonderful library of art books, magazines and videos that will make a wonderful addition to your reading and research materials. Members may borrow the books but when we have a sale the prices are amazing!

CWS schedules a variety of guest artists from all over Florida who share their talents with our members and guests. Meetings and demos are usually held the second Friday of the month. Annual dues are only $35 (payable to CWS) and on our website (www.citruswatercolorsociety.org ) you can view past workshops as well as finding a membership form and registration for the upcoming classes.

Lionel Sanchez – January 13, 2023

“Bold Lines” Drive Lionel Sanchez’s Paintings

Press Release by Dori Sullivan

Citrus Watercolor Society welcomes back artist Lionel Sanchez to our January 13, 2023 meeting as our demonstrator and workshop leader. Please join us at 11:30 at the Family Center in the First Christian Church of Inverness, 2018 Colonade St., Inverness for refreshments and a brief business meeting followed by Lionel’s demonstration on how his loose style, brilliant colors and clever design create unforgettable watercolor paintings. The demo is free for CWS members and a $5 donation is appreciated from guests.

Lionel’s style and fun workshops have inspired me and I’m really looking forward to being there – what a great way to kick off 2023! For more information and if you’re interested in the workshop, contact Susan Strawbridge at [email protected] or look for a registration form on our website www.citruswatercolorsociety.org . The fee for the two day workshop is $110 for members, $140 for non-members and will be held at Whispering Pines Recreation Building on Jan. 14th and Jan. 15th.

Lionel writes “My passion for drawing and painting drives who I am as an artist and how I view the world around us. My life experiences and challenges are evidenced in my paintings. For over 30 years, I was a draftsman and project manager. Now that I’m retired, I’m a full-time artist and teach watercolor workshops throughout Florida.”

“My mediums are graphite, acrylic, pen and ink, and watercolor with watercolor as my primary medium. I prefer to paint en plein air with photography (and, of course, imagination) as studio reference. Employing the elements and principles of design, I strive for good composition. When viewing my work, you will see sketches with the utilization of abstract shapes. This is the process of my work. My goal is to spark an interest in my art, perhaps the same sense of the wonderment that I feel when I complete what I deem to be a successful piece. I am always eager to share and discuss my paintings with others in hopes that each piece will elicit an emotional response and a desire to investigate the painting further. An emotional connection opens a dialogue between artist and viewer.”

We want to thank you, our friends of CWS, for supporting our “Art in the Wildlife Park” show and sale. What a great turn out of viewers and buyers. A percentage of the artwork sales was donated to the Friends of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. We were pleased to write a check for over $900 to the park. We are looking forward to another “Art in the Wildlife Park” show and sale in the early Spring of 2023.

The show included judging of a number of our members’ paintings and the following were winners. Best of Show – Curt Bond, 1st Place – Helene Lancaster, 2nd Place Susan Jane Donohoe, 3rd Place Art Estrella, Honorable Mention, Aileen Croly, Honorable Mention, Chuck Chesnul and President’s Choice Award, Helene Lancaster. Congratulations all! Many of the paintings reflected the birds and animals of Florida as well as landscape scenes. Joyce Cusick provided us with painting one of her plein air scenes during the show. All in all it was a wonderful event.

At our recent Holiday Lunch with Tom Jones, a fun time was enjoyed by all. As the year has wound down, CWS presented Barbara Fife, artist and the talent behind our website, with a Lifetime Membership Award. Thank you Barbara for all that you do!

Workshop Memories

Saturday was a value study … burnt sienna only. Sunday was full bloom color. A fun class and Dick Carlton won the drawing for Lionel’s demo painting. I don’t know everyone’s name because name tags were scarce. Everybody was bundled up* I loved the class! Dori

*Florida has had record cold temperatures this weekend!

Dori Sullivan, Judi Snow, Kim Shields, Richard Carlton, Jeannine Cole, Geri Santor, Susan Siwek and Nancy Fisher were scheduled to attend the workshop, plus more!