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 Norm Freyer
The Citrus Watercolor Society (CWS) continues an active program of popular virtual workshops in place of planned monthly meetings canceled due to the COVIC-19 pandemic. CWS Program Chairperson, Susan Strawbridge, has enlisted Sarasota watercolorist Jerome Chesley to conduct a one-day virtual workshop live via Zoom on Saturday April 10th. Chesley spends his winter in Sarasota and summer in residence in Mayville, N.Y., and is an instructor at the renowned Chautauqua Institution summer program. He is a signature member and 2018 President of the Florida Watercolor Society (FWS). He is Master Signature Member and past president of the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society
Jerome has a degree in art from SUNY College at Buffalo, studied at the University of Art in Siena, Italy, the Scottsdale Art School, and with distinguished teachers throughout the U.S. His background in education at both public school and college levels allows him to incorporate the elements of art including, form, pattern and color in his work. He teaches painting throughout Florida. Jerome worked in the Gloria Plevin gallery and was later the Assistant Director of the Art gallery in the Chautauqua Institute. He was on the VACI Advisory Board and continues to volunteer in many capacities. In addition, he has created multiple art projects benefitting community organizations. He has won numerous awards for his paintings, many of which are in are in private collections throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
Jerome Chesley’s collection of paintings, showcase a variety of subject matter including still-life, floral, architectural and land and seascapes. The watercolor paintings, giclée’s and mixed media set the stage for surrounding oneself in a rich indulgence with a range of subtle to bold color. His style allows the white of the paper to sparkle throughout his work. Much of his subject matter is based on a collection of familiar objects or places he has visited, those which have a special meaning or significance. You can view some of Jerome’s work at the following web site: https://search.aol.com/aol/image;_ylt=AwrE19.KxVRg4QEAViVpCWVH;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?q=jerome+chesley+artist&v_t=wscreen50-bb
Virtual workshops are conducted on Zoom and fill up fast. Class size is limited to facilitate individual attention from the instructor. With Zoom you are in the front row! For workshop cost and more information contact Susan Strawbridge at (352) 212-4378 or by email at [email protected]
Press Release by Norm Freyer
Are you tired of COVID-19 and all it has done to limit our activities as artists? Have you lost some of your desires that require you to open up your box of paints, review your selection of brushes, and your choice of paper? Do you still have the need to take that idea you have in mind and express it artistically? No? Have you lost the urge to get started? You are not alone. It is hard to establish the damage this virus has done to creativity in watercolor art. I have to admit that it has taken its toll on my dedication to creative watercolor painting.
A good part of this misery is what this virus has done to encroach on our regular activities. We miss our monthly Citrus Watercolor Society (CWS) meetings. We miss the monthly demonstrations by visiting artists. We miss the opportunity to interact with our artist friends. We miss the professional critiques of new artwork provided by our member artists. We miss the workshops presented by these talented visiting artists. We miss “Paining of the Month” competition. We miss the CWS Spring Show and Sale that has been cancelled. Let us hope that we can get back to normal soon.
So, let us take a look at the Brightside. We still have the CWS web site that is chock full of info regarding our art and member artists. Take some time and explore the contents of our website. In the Member Gallery you will find an online art show with paintings by twenty CWS members. Let us celebrate with Peg Lefebvre on her First Place Award in the Florida Watercolor Society 2021 Online Show, featuring her painting “New Red Sneakers”. And to Nancy Dias, whose painting “Fantasy Garden” was juried into the 2021 Central Florida Watercolor Society Show at the SOBO Gallery in Winter Garden, FL. Another winner was the CWS virtual workshop on Zoom with Kim Minichiello. This workshop was sold out with a waiting list! Coming in April, Susan Strawbridge has scheduled another virtual workshop live on Zoom with Jerome Chesley, FWS President in 2018. Watch for announcements.
