Author: Judith Callison

Citrus Watercolor Society presents …”The Beauty of the Mark” with Teresa Kirk

On Friday, February 14^th, CWS welcomes Teresa Kirk as our guest artist for our monthly meeting that is held in the Art Education building of the Art Center of Citrus County (ACCC). There will be light refreshments and “mingling” with members and artists beginning at 12:30 pm. The Business meeting begins at 1:00 pm followed by a demonstration of the watercolor techniques that will be taught during her workshop. The workshop will be held Sat. Feb. 15^th and Sun. Feb. 16^th from 9:00 to 4:00 pm at the same facility. 

ACCC is located at 2644 N. Annapolis Ave., Hernando FL. CWS members’ fee for the workshop is $195, for non-members $225 – checks are payable to CWS and due upon registration. You may sign up for the workshop online at https://citruswatercolorsociety.org or contact Signian McGeary at [email protected]. 

In this two-day workshop, you will learn techniques that help you to make your own unique marks as a surprise element in your watercolor work. You will build upon the mark-making process through negative painting techniques, color mixing, and design elements. You will play with these ideas, along with the many personal discoveries, insights and possibilities that emerge as you work with transparent and opaque watercolor paints, gouache, and several mark-making tools. This workshop nourishes and engages your intuitive creativity so that your voice will be heard. Teresa’s goal in this workshop is to help you develop and cultivate the fullness of your talent as a watercolor artist. Demos, group discussion and constructive critiques, along with painting time, are all part of this exceptional workshop.

During our “meet and greet” hour, you may vote for the CWS Painting of the Month as well as view the artwork by ACCC artists that will be on display thru February 26, 2025. Guests are welcome. We appreciate a donation of $5.00 for the CWS demo. 

In addition to this exciting weekend of art there’s more! We are hosting “Art in the Wildlife Park Show and Sale” at the Homosassa Springs State Park Visitor Center February 22 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday February 23^rd. The Visitor Center is located at 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa. It’s free to come in to see the art show, regular park entrance fees are required if you tour the park. A percentage of our artist’s sales is donated to the park.

Last, but never least, we have two winners from our January “Painting of the Month” viewer’s choice contest. Congratulations to Theo Van Eldik, first place for his watercolor painting of fishermen at dusk and to Curt Bond in second place for his paintings of Florida birdlife. Beautiful work by both!!

Until next time, I look forward to seeing you in February and hope you are well and able to keep warm during this unusual Florida weather. You can always paint what you see through your windows if it’s too cold to wander in our great outdoors. Warm wishes – Dori

Happy New Year! Fill 2025 with Color!! As Citrus Watercolor Society closes out 2024, we want to thank you for your support during a year of challenges. In spite of wild weather and of a multitude of changes, we hosted some amazing workshops and had great times together. We’re looking forward to starting the New Year with Sue Archer and her two day workshop entitled “Commanding Color” (a color theory workshop). Her demo will be held on Friday January 10th at the Art Center Education Building (2644 N. Annapolis Ave., Hernando). Light refreshments begin at 12:30 pm with the monthly CWS Business Meeting beginning at 1:00pm. The demo by Sue Archer will follow the business meeting. Guests are always welcome to attend; a $5 donation is appreciated.

The following weekend Sue’s workshop will be from 9:00 AM to 4:00 on both Sat. and Sun. January 11th & 12th also in the Education Building behind the Art Center of Citrus County theater facility. The cost for CWS members is $195 and for non-members $225. Checks payable CWS. Sue is a studio and plein air artist, national workshop instructor and national juror and judge for watercolor exhibitions. She showed her work in Art Festivals in Florida from 1985-2014 and still shows her work in national watercolor exhibitions. Since Sue began exhibiting her work in 1985, she has won over 200 state and national awards, has received a Florida State Individual Artist Fellowship grant for painting, and has a DVD “Commanding Color”.

“My goal as an instructor is to present you with as much design and color theory information as time allows and encourage you to take advantage of the inherent wet into wet qualities of watercolor. I believe in the power of planning and understanding the basics. The objective is not to change you, but to add to your core of knowledge. Then it is up to you to take this knowledge and apply it to the style and subject matter that suits you.” (Sue Archer)

We hope you will join us for this exciting weekend of design and color theory along with your friends and members of CWS. For more information about this event as well as CWS, please view our website: http://citruswatercolorsociety.org. Annual dues $35. To join, checks should be made payable to CWS and mailed to PO Box 2464, Inverness FL 34451-2464.

Our 2025 Calendar includes exciting artists such as Teresa Kirk, the return of Ann Abgott as well as Lynn Ferris. We hope to host our Annual “Art in the Wildlife Park (a benefit for the Homosassa Wildlife Park) in the Spring and have many fun activities such as our monthly Plein Air outings hosted by Vicki Pritchard. Come and meet us! We’d love to have you become part of our art group – beginners are welcome as are long time artists.

Until next time, stay healthy and be happy … we wish you peace and brilliant art in 2025.

Dori Sullivan. December, 2024