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
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
Photos of the Award winners at this year’s Fall Art Show, courtesy of Deb Newman and Dori Sullivan. Thank you!
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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
Announcement, September 2023
President Dori Sullivan presented the Founders Award to Darla Goldberg for her stunning cactus flower painting.
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.
Video of the 2022 PAINT AROUND with Curt Bond, Polly Boston, Darla Goldberg. Barbara Kerr, and Lionel Sanchez
JUNE 1, 2022 Press Release by Dori Sullivan
Citrus Watercolor Society’s monthly meetings will resume on Friday, June 10th at noon at the Family Center in the First Christian Church of Inverness, 2018 Colonade Street in Inverness. Guests are always welcome and I hope you’ll drop by to see what we have in store for CWS members and friends.
Ever hear of a “Paint Around”? Five artists come prepared with a concept, 12 x 16 paper and supplies, to set up at the appointed hour. They start their painting. For the next ten minutes they add color, define shapes and begin painting their individual design. But wait! After 10 minutes, volunteers take their paintings and pass them on to the next artist so he (or she) can add their special touches. Around the room, from one easel to the next, the paintings fly – from one gifted artist to another. Then the magic begins to really show. Details are added, colors are deepened, perspectives become apparent! The artist who has a love for landscapes is suddenly adding their “flare” to a floral arrangement or a still life. After each artist has had a go at every painting, the circle is complete and the initial artwork is returned to the original artist who has the final 10 minute segment to add their final touches.
What’s next? The paintings are signed (by all five artists) and matted. Drawing tickets are sold (this event is a fund raiser for CWS) and one lucky ticket is drawn for each painting. The winners get to take home a unique original watercolor painting.
Our artists this year include: Darla Goldberg, Lionel Sanchez, Curt Bond, Barbara Kerr, and Polly Boston. These amazing artists have tremendous talents and you’ll have a great opportunity to see them create great artwork from beginning to end. I hope you will join us on Friday, June 10th at noon. You’re invited to come a little early (11:30) for light refreshments and to meet your fellow artists and members of CWS.
At the Spring Luncheon and Installation of the 2022-23 Citrus Watercolor Society board, the following members have volunteered to work together to make the “friendliest watercolor society” even better. President: Marjorie Bannish, 1st V. President: Susan Strawbridge, 1st V. President Assistant: Helene Lancaster, 2nd V. President: Jan Kuukari, Treasurer: Aileen Croly, Recording Secretary: Deborah Newman, Corresponding Secretary Gingi Martin; Director, Facilities Coordinator TBD, Assistant Terrance Carter, Director, Ambassador Darla Goldberg and Director, Member Delegate: Ellen Hines. Congratulations all!
For more information about CWS check out our webpage at www.citruswatercolorsociety.org. I hope you will be able to join us June 10th. You’re in for a painting treat! Until the next time, stay well! Dori Sullivan
Thirty five members attended the Annual May Luncheon at Citrus Hills Golf and Country Club on May 13, 2022. Many thanks to those members who contributed to a successful luncheon: Aileen Croly, Susan Strawbridge, Darla Goldberg, Barbara Fife, Sandra Copenhaver, Jackie Cash, Jeanne Conrad, Helene Lancaster, and Terry Carter.
Special thanks to Jackie Cash and Sandra Copenhaver for coordinating luncheon reservations; and Terry Carter for setting up the Demonstration Equipment.
Thank you to Polly Boston for her gracious watercolor demonstration.
Sandra CopenhaverJeanne Conrad, Darla Goldberg, Aileen CrolyNorm Frey, Jan Kiszonak, Curt Bond, Heather DohertyDarla GolbergEllen HinesRaffle- Tom Jones Painting Coming EventsAugust Workshop
Darla Goldberg presented Joyce Cusick with a Certificate of Life Membership for her dedication and invaluable contributions to CWS throughout her long membership.
