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.
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
Photos of the Award winners at this year’s Fall Art Show, courtesy of Deb Newman and Dori Sullivan. Thank you!
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. 12th 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 13th 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.
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.
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.
Press Release by Dori Sullivan
December 2023
Jerome Chesley’s collection of paintings, from his years of work, showcases a variety of subject matter including florals, still life, architectural and land/seascapes. His watercolor paintings, giclees and mixed media set the stage for surrounding oneself in a rich indulgence with a range of subtle to bold color.
Jerome is a signature member and 2018 President of the Florida Watercolor Society, Master Signature Member and past president of the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society and instructor at the renowned Chautauqua Institution summer program. He has won numerous awards for his paintings, many of which are in private collections. He has been twice selected as the Artist in Residence at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota where he has had a body of his work exhibited in two exhibitions.
Are you excited about having a workshop with an outstanding artist? Why not share the experience and invite a friend to join you? That would be a unique Holiday gift for someone special.
Looking ahead, in January 2024, Lionel Sanchez will present a demonstration of his very special landscape and marine painting techniques followed by a one day workshop at Whispering Pines. Along with Lionel’s demo on January 12, we’ll have an “Artist of the Month” competition open to all members and the opportunity to see the exciting line-up of presenters we have scheduled for the rest of 2024. We’re starting off the New Year with vibrant colors, designs and composition in watercolor. Beginners are welcome – there is always something you take away from a workshop that adds to your personal style. Lionel’s demo is the highlight of that Friday meeting followed by a fun workshop that is very popular, so sign up soon. (Contact: Signian McGreary at [email protected] for details).
Citrus Watercolor Society meets on the second Friday of the month at the First Christian Church in the Friendship Hall. Our “Meet and Greet” time begins at 11:15 with light refreshments with a short business meeting at noon. The monthly demo follows the meeting. Guests are welcome and are asked for a $5 donation. Workshop fees vary with members having a significant discount. Annual membership is $35. Our website at www.citrustwatercolorsociety.org has membership details and all the benefits of being a part of the “friendliest watercolor society” around.
Until next time, my very best wishes for a Blessed Holiday Season, wishing you Peace and Joy in the New Year.
Dori Sullivan
Press Release by Dori Sullivan
“Color Strategies in Abstract Design” and “Abstract Landscapes” by Bev Yankwitt brought to you by Citrus Watercolor Society.
It’s a busy month for Citrus Watercolor members and friends. Read all about it!
It’s not too late to sign up for Bev Yankwitt’s two-day workshop presented by the Citrus Watercolor Society, November 11th and 12th at the Whispering Pines Recreational Building. Our members’ workshop fee is $120 and non-members are welcome to attend for $150 (cash or checks payable to CWS). A complete supply list will be sent to you at the time of registration. Contact Signian Mcgeary at [email protected] for more information.
On Friday, Nov. 10th CWS will meet in the Family Center at the First Christian Church at 2018 Colonade Street in Inverness. On the agenda is light refreshments and “meet and greet” with members and guests at 11:15 until our regular monthly business meeting at noon. Following the meeting, Bev Yankwitt will present a demonstration of some of the techniques she will be using at her workshop. The demo is free to members and a $5 donation is asked from guests.
Bev’s striking paintings show all the basic components of art – value, perspective, design and color – lots of vibrant color with textures as well as surprise elements that bring excitement to every painting. She is an excellent teacher with a style that makes artists, both beginners and longtime painters, comfortable with their work. Please join us. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the workshop.
We are delighted to announce that the members of CWS will be having a juried Show and Sale at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on Highway 19 in Homosassa Saturday Nov. 18 from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday Nov. 19 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. “Art in the Wildlife Park” will offer original watercolor paintings and greeting cards created by our members. A portion of the proceeds from our sales will be donated to the Park. Admission to the Show and Sale is free!
Members are welcome to bring one of their paintings to our meeting for the “Artist of the Month” competition. Please have your paintings matted or framed. It is a “Viewer’s Choice” vote and certificates are awarded to the first and second place entries.
The weather is becoming simply wonderful for painting “on site” and CWS offers monthly outings to local parks and other sites for plein air experiences. You will enjoy visiting the location Joyce Cusick has selected and after painting, have lunch together at a local restaurant. Outings are scheduled on the Tuesday following our meeting at 9:30 AM. CWS members and guests meet and spend the day guided by Joyce, painting the images brought to you by beautiful Citrus County Florida.
In December we celebrate the Holidays with a luncheon and special guest at the Citrus Hills Golf and Country Club. Reservations must be made in November, so be sure to come to our monthly meeting where you can RSVP, make your menu choice and learn about our guest artist, Jerome Chesley.
CWS offers many opportunities to its members to enhance their watercolor techniques through our monthly workshops and demonstrations. Sharing the time and talents of our members is a fun experience and there always seems to be something new that makes our paintings better than ever. Annual membership is $35 and a membership form is on our website at citruswatercolorsociety.org. We look forward to meeting you soon.
In the meantime, stay well, and keep those paintbrushes wet!
Dori
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
Press Release by Dori Sullivan
Yes! It’s September and on Friday the 8th, Citrus Watercolor Society will host their membership’s annual “Show and Tell” which includes the CWS Founder’s Award. It’s been a long, hot summer and we’re excited about seeing your latest paintings.
You did spend time in air conditioned places painting, didn’t you? Please bring a single piece of your artwork to our meeting by 11:30 AM so they can be displayed and sign-in if you wish to share a bit about your work. We’d love to know about your techniques and inspirations. We’ll meet in the Family Life Center at the First Christian Church at 2018 Colonade, Inverness. Light refreshments will be served as you enjoy seeing the paintings and mingling with the artists.
The competition for Best in Show, Second and Third place are awarded by “viewer’s choice” so please be sure to vote for your favorite. The Founder’s Award is a cash prize and certificates are awarded to the runners up. Please bring your original watercolor or water medium on paper, no prints.
Our membership is growing and we invite our readers to think about joining the “friendliest watercolor society” in Central Florida. Annual dues are $35 payable to CWS and, in addition to seeing free demonstrations throughout the year, you receive a members’ discount for our workshops. We have an exciting line-up of artists who will be providing a variety of techniques during our busy months in 2023 and 2024. Some names may be familiar to you – Sue Primeau, Jerome Chesley, Darla Goldberg, Lionel Sanchez, Libit Jones, Bev Yankwitt and more. All are talented and fun workshop leaders. Our workshops follow our regular monthly meeting on the second Friday of the month, either for one or two days at the Whispering Pines Recreational Building. Workshops are a fun weekend spent with artists like you!
In September, the Florida Watercolor Society will be having their 42nd Annual Convention in nearby Ocala. We’re pleased to announce that three of our members, Kim Shields, Judith Callison and Polly Boston have been accepted into the Convention’s Exhibit. For more information about the FWS Convention, please explore their website: http://FloridaWatercolorSocity.org for details.
Congratulations to Judi Miller who won the Artist of the Month award for August. Her striking watercolor floral painting was determined winner by popular vote at our recent meeting.
Looking ahead, we have some big news. In November, CWS members will present a Show and Sale at the Homosassa Wildlife Park. The show will be judged and 20% of the artist’s sales is donated to the wildlife park. So, tell your friends about our fund raiser for the State Park, home to many Florida birds and animals. It’s always a great time to visit and November 18th and 19th a great place to shop for the Holidays.
Please check out our website https://CitrusWatercolorSociety.org for all the latest updates as well as membership and workshop details.
Thank you readers, we appreciate your continued support.
Dori
