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

Members Show & Tell- September 8, 2023

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


Announcement, September 2023

President Dori Sullivan presented the Founders Award to Darla Goldberg for her stunning cactus flower painting.

Paint-Around June 14, 2019

Press Release by Norm Freyer

Something new is about to happen at the June 14th meeting of the Citrus Watercolor Society (CWS). Something in the art world that, quite probably, you have never seen before. You are going to have to see this! The activity that will occur is a fun, and fast-paced event. The event is what is called a “Paint Around”.  A Paint-Around is an event where a number of artists each “paint-around” to create paintings. 

Artists participating have limited time to contribute to the paintings, with each member taking timed turns. Those artists who will be painting include Barbara Kerr, Suzanne Mahr, Nancy Fisher, Darla Goldberg and Wanda Boyd. These folks qualified for the Paint-Around by placing first in the CWS “Painting of the Month” contest during the past year.

These five artists ll bring a painting concept already drawn off, with a reference, ready to paint on paper for a finished painting of 12”x16”.  Each artist starts on her own painting and paints for 10 minutes.  At the end of this time, volunteers help move the paintings to the next easel and each artist has 10 minutes to paint on that painting.  This continues until the artists have painted on each painting. The last rotation allows the artist 10 minutes on their own painting and this concludes the paint-around.

Each painting will be signed by all 5 artists and raffled off as a fundraiser for CWS. Tickets will be sold, $1.00 each, or 6 for $5.00. Tickets to be used by dropping tickets in any of the provided containers bearing the artist’s name/numbered painting.  Tickets can be used any time up until drawing for paintings. The CWS President will announce raffle winners. The paintings will be presented to each individual winner at that time. So come, watch this fun activity as the CWS artists take turns putting their unique spin on a painting!