We have started the wind down of another successful year. Our new location at the Art Center of Citrus County is working out well. We had over 40 attendees at the November meeting and a record number of entries into our Painting of the Month competition. Congratulations to our winners. First place: SusanJane Donohoe. Second place: Lionel Sanchez. Thanks to all who entered.
When an unforeseen emergency prevented our scheduled artist from attending Joyce Cusick jumped in to handle the demo at the meeting. Joyce is a life time member of CWS and has had an extensive art and design career. She demonstrated some of the watercolor techniques she uses, especially in her Plein Air work. We are lucky to have her and everyone left a little smarter.
We will end the year in December with our Holiday Luncheon. Tom Jones will once again entertain us with a great, informative Demo. There’s always lots of fun and prizes too. There is still time to sign up. Check out the calendar for details.
Painting of the month entriesFirst Place SusanJane DonohoeSecond Place Lionel Sanchez
We had over 20 entries for Founders Day and Show and Tell on September 13, 2024. The nice article in the Chronicle Newspaper on September 6th, written by Dori likely contributed to such a large turnout. It was all beautiful work. Several people brought items in for Show and Tell. There was a lot of engagement by the members and the table set ups encouraged conversation. Barbara Kerr passed out some of Curt Bond’s paintings for review, Lionel Sanchez spoke about his painting and techniques, and Jeaninne Cole discussed her entries from Kim Shield’s workshop, and her own display of card sized paintings. Nearly all artists who participated addressed the group on their inspiration. We were especially entertained by Theo’s presentation. Everyone was comfortable and really appeared to enjoy themselves. The environment is really a major change and huge improvement over our previous meeting location.
Marjorie Bannish, our Painting of the Month Coordinator, tallied the votes and made the awards. Judi Miller – Founders Day Award for Coconuts Yvonne Brunelle – 1st place for Goose and Duckling Jeannine Cole Chesnul – 2nd place for Nightime Landscape Judith Snow – 3rd place for Iris
The raffle of Kim Shields painting from the workshop raised $115. Gingi will send a thank you to Kim. Our lucky winner was Jan Clark, a guest.
Congratulations to all!
Founders Day Award winner Judi Miller1st Place winner Yvonne Brunelle2nd Place winner Jeanneine Cole Chesnul3rd place winner Judith SnowKim Shields seascape raffle winner Jan Clark
Press Release by Dori Sullivan September 2024 Citrus County Chronicle
Hello September!! It’s time for our annual “Show and Tell” with Viewer’s Choice Awards including our prestigious Founder’s Award. Citrus Watercolor Society members bring their latest and favorite paintings to share with the viewer’s how they achieve such amazing results. Is it a new technique? Or a “happy mistake” that really worked? We can’t wait to hear your story.
Our meeting will be held at the Art Center of Citrus County Education Building located at 2644 N. Annapolis Ave in Hernando on Friday, September 13th. Light refreshments, “Meet and Greet” and a short business meeting will be held at 11:45 with the competition following. All are welcome to come and enjoy the time together.
We will have CWS member’s paintings on display and our viewer’s will vote for their favorite. The Founder’s Award will be presented to the overall winner. Other small cash awards include 1st, 2nd and 3rd, again by popular vote. Past recipients of the Founder’s Award include (but not limited to) Darla Goldberg, Peg LeFevbre, Chuck Chesnul and Mel Rustom. Will this year’s award be presented to you?? Come and see.
The Florida Watercolor Society annual convention is being held this September in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Three CWS artists had entries that were accepted for the convention exhibits. They are Pauline Boston and Kim Shields who are part of the top 100 entries and Heather Doherty who was accepted in the “Online Competition”. Well done!
Signian McGeary, our first Vice President and Program Coordinator, has lined up some very exciting workshop thru 2024 and well in to 2025. New brochures were printed and available at our next meeting. Our members receive a significant discount on the cost of the workshops. Details are available on our website https://citruswatercolorsociety.org . All artist skill levels are welcome.
Volunteer opportunities are always available to our members. You might like to sign-up to be an “assistant” to our guest demonstrator where you will have the chance to be a helper for the artist during his/her workshop. You can help with our refreshments and clean-up after our “Meet and Greet” social hour. Are you a fan of plein air outings? Arranging these day trips might be just the thing for you. Helping to introduce new people to our membership is a fun way to get to know people who, like you, share the love of art. Talk to any CWS board member about your particular area of interest. We’d love to have you be a part of our team.
Thank you all for your continued support of Citrus Watercolor Society. We look forward to seeing you at our September “Show and Tell” program as well as at some of our future workshops and show. In the meantime, add color to your life thru art. Stay well – Dori Sullivan
Award winning artist Kim Shields delivered on his promise of a fun-filled workshop, “Wet & Wild/Fast & Loose” It was the first venture at our new location in the Art Center. All agreed it was a worthwhile event and the new facility is perfect for us.
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.
Aileen and Jeanneine work the deskBest in Show Janet OliverFirst Place Helene Lancaster2nd Place Curt BondThird Place Judith CallisonHonorable Mention Norm FreyerHonorable Mention Heather DohertyPresidents Choice Norm FreyerJoyce Cusick paints and entertains her admirers
What a day it was. We started out horror stricken when we arrived at the church and it wasn’t set up, no lights, no tables, nothing that had been scheduled was laid out. A terrible miscommunication and so instead of a board meeting, we started setting up for our Paint Around and we got things ready just in time. I have so many to thank for putting the event together – I haven’t been at the top of my speed lately and I’m so grateful to all of you for making the job easier.
C. J. Westrick started in the kitchen and laid out the goodies and then even took time to join Marjorie Bannish to review and audit our finances as requested by Aileen Croly. Aileen and Ang McMurray ended up being our super salesmen selling the raffle tickets during the Paint Around until just before we picked the winners. Jill van Eldik (Theo’s wife) volunteered to be timer and using her “teacher’s voice” kept the artists moving. Jeanniene Cole stepped up to help with matting the completed paintings. Gingi Martin welcomed our members and guests at the door and assisted with getting people signed up for Kim Shield’s workshop in August as well as Anne Abgott’s workshop in October. (More about these workshops later!) Donna Swisher and Loretta Bell took pictures and Loretta had them posted on our Facebook page that same day! Wow! Jan Kuukari donated paper for the artists and the mats, backing and sleeves were also donated. Signian kept things rolling and provided the “daisy bags” for our tickets. I had a wonderful opportunity to mingle and talk with our guests, new members and longtime members. Since the atmosphere was casual, everyone seemed to be enjoying the opportunity of looking over the artist’s shoulders as their work progressed. It was the best meet and greet ever!
A special “Thank you” goes to our artists; Curt Bond, Kim Shields, Polly Boston, Vicki Prichard, Jackii Molsick and Loretta Bell. You are the greatest! Your shared time and talents are a great gift to CWS and we love and appreciate you all!!
The following winners of the paintings were; Sherry Bundy for Kim Shields’ plein air scene, Jeanne Conrad won Curt’s painting, Paula Green was a double winner – she walked away with both Polly Boston and Loretta Bell’ paintings, I won Jackii Molsick’s Zen garden and Chris McKinney won Vicki Prichard’s sunset at Fort Island. A total of $370 was made from the drawing for these unique works of art.
Thank you, all our members and friends, for participating and being a part of the 2024 Paint Around.
Remember, we are not meeting in July. Enjoy your days in the sun (or shade) and we’ll see you on August 9th for Kim’s demo, followed by his workshop on the 10th and 11th . I believe we are at the limit with registrations for the workshop, but check our web-site and emails to be sure. Stay well – Dori
Our 2024 Spring luncheon gala was held at the Citrus Hills Golf and Country Club. It kicked off with Installation of our 2024-25 CWS Board which 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.
Following lunch we were treated a demo on how to use watercolors on masa paper by Jackie Molsick. She is a well known Florida artist and instructor. The unique results she achieves are sure to inspire our members to try their hand at the creative techniques she demonstrated.
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 10th 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.
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.
Entries for Artist of the MonthThe winners, on right, first place CJ Westrick and on left Jeanneine Cole, second place
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 9th – 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 8th 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 9th. 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 2nd and 3rd 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
