Impressions Newsletter

February 2009

Greetings and welcome to our Midsummer newsletter. Hasn’t it been lovely to see some fine warm days? I love having four distinct seasons in the year and so far 2009 bodes well for a great year ahead (recessions don’t count)! As the summery days attract us into the great outdoors, many of us are inspired by our wonderful scenery and the bustle of activity at the multitude of outdoor markets, beaches and the like. So with that in mind Impressions Art Club Members are able to take advantage of a Plein Air Painting Package Special during February. See below for details.

 

Art Tuition

The start of a new year also brings a resolution to try new things and to extend our repertoire of skills. Our 2009 Art Tuition Directory is now available in-store, or you can check out our website http://www.impressionsnelson.co.nz/directory.htm where details of classes are constantly being updated.

 

Our first Impressions Workshop for 2009 “Develop Your Creativity” on 28th February is full so a repeat workshop has been scheduled for Tuesday 17th March. When this class is full, there will be no further repeats this year. Full details are on our website. (http://www.impressionsnelson.co.nz/impressions-art-workshops.htm) This workshop will suit anyone wanting to begin being creative, or wishes to develop their creativity in new directions.

New Etching Workshops in Riwaka   Experience the magic of etching.

These workshops provide a supportive atmosphere in which to learn the skills and techniques of the etching process. The tutor is Jay Linden whose goal is encourage creative exploration and the discovery of one’s own artistic voice using the unique opportunities of the etching medium. The workshops will suit lovers of line and texture and experimentation. For more details of the workshops go to our website http://www.impressionsnelson.co.nz/directory.htm  or go straight to Jay’s w ebsite at www.jaylinden.co.nz.

 All courses have a maximum of 4 participants and will be held in the artist's studio in Riwaka.

Cost: $200 per weekend plus $30 for materials.


Dates: 7th & 8th Feb, 14th & 15th March, 3rd & 4th April, 8th & 9th May

Jay’s Printing Studio

I have been advised that there are still vacancies available in two Waimea College Community Art Classes. These courses usually sell-out for good reason, so if you're wanting to get under way with your drawing skills, or feel like tackling watercolour painting or gouache, phone the College on 544 6099 ASAP to get in on the first week! The classes are: -

Drawing for Absolute Beginners - Wednesdays 7.00 - 9.00pm  Tutor Susan Creedy Fee $80.00

Watercolours and/or Gouache for Beginners - Wednesday 6.30 - 9.00pm  Tutor Jennifer Murphy Fee $60.oo

Artist Tips

Plein Air Painting

With the warmer weather, it is tempting to gather some gear and head out to where the water is fresh and cool, and the sunshine makes the scenery bright. There are three basic approaches you can take to painting outdoors: -

1.     Use the opportunity to make field sketches which you can take back to the studio to develop into completed paintings;

2.     Start and finish your painting on location by  taking a natural and largely unstructured approach to working;

3.     Begin on location, and take the partly worked painting back to the studio, where you continue to draw upon your perception of the subject as you complete the piece.

Checklist for Non-Painting Plein Air Essentials

·        Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat – even overcast days can be glary and cause sunburn;

·        Something to sit on;

·        A drink bottle or thermos;

·        Choose to wear clothing which is not white, which can reflect onto your painting. Dress appropriate to the weather – layers are good so you can add or take off according to the temperature;

·        Insect repellent;

·        A rubbish bag (take only images – leave only footprints...);

·        An emergency rain guard for your artwork such as a large plastic bag;

·        A camera to record the scene if you want to continue working on your painting back in your studio.

Painting Equipment

You will need to carefully evaluate what equipment you need to take – too much and you will be overburdened which may detract from the experience.

·        Choose a limited palette of colours to take as time is likely to be too short to use a wide-ranging one.

·         Basic drawing equipment e.g. a piece of charcoal or pencil if you intend to sketch out your composition.

·        A small plastic bucket for water if using water-based media will mean that you are not constantly replenishing your water – and it is less likely to tip than a jar. This can be used for carrying your paints too.

·        A bottle with clean water for brush cleaning (for water-based paints). 

 ·        Fast-drying mediums.

·        A small folding table, French or sketch easel for supporting your painting. (French box easels are great for their ease of transporting your painting equipment.)

Don’t be surprised if you attract an audience as seeing an artist at work tends to make people inquisitive and prone to giving unwanted opinions. This can be not only unsettling but downright hurtful if the painting isn’t going well. If you don’t wish to chat, be courteously non-responsive along the lines of “I’m sorry I can’t talk right now – I’ve only got limited time to do this.”

Impressions Art Club – Member Special

Plein-Air Painting Package

Throughout February, all customers holding the Impressions Art Club Member Card may take advantage of our Plein Air Painting Package.

The package includes:- 

Buy  one  item  –  Save  15%

Buy any two items – Save 20%

Buy any  three items – Save 25%

Buy  any  four  items  –  Save  30%

Buy  five or more items –  Save 35% 

This offer applies to items in stock only. 

February Art Club Members’ Evening

Our next Impressions Art Club Members' Evening is planned for Wednesday 18th February starting at 5.30pm. There will be a cuppa and snack available to tide you through until tea time.

Our guest artist for the evening will be Janet Marshall. Janet has an impressive record as an artist and specialises in painting birds, but also produces botanical and portrait paintings in gouache, watercolour, acrylic, ink and wash, pencil and pastel. Her art background includes producing paintings for three field guides on New Zealand Birds, a series of 10 definitive postage stamps on NZ Endangered Birds for NZ Post, a book “Images of a Garden” followed in 2004 by her first children’s book. During her career, she has produced bird and flora paintings for such clients as NZ Treasury, NZ Post, NZ Ducks Unlimited, NZ Ornithological Society and NZ Milk Board (America). Art Club Members will shortly receive an email notice about the evening.

If you are not an Impressions Art Club Member and would like to attend, just ask to complete an Application Form when you are next in-store. 

New Books In-Store

We have added a few more book titles to our rack during January. They are:

  1. “Brush with Acrylics – Painting the Easy Way” – Terry Harrison $59.40
  2. “Painting Light & Shade in Watercolour” – Patricia Seligman $69.80
  3. “Line & Wash” – Wendy Jelbert $31.80
  4. “Anatomy for the Artist” - $47.70
  5. “How to use Water-Soluble Pencils and other aquarelle media – Wendy Jelbert $29.80
  6. “Light in Pastel” – Paul Hardy $34.30
  7. “Flowers in Pastel” – Margaret Evans $30.60  

More titles are expected to arrive any day too.

Exhibitions

January has been a lovely month to get out and about. Lewis & I took the opportunity one Sunday to head off to Tapawera and see the exhibition by VAST (Visual Art Society Tapawera.) It was a very hot day and we enjoyed the drive out and back as well as the high standard of visual arts displayed by the group.

While there are not so many exhibitions organised for February, it will be a busy month for new and developing artists settling into a range of art classes – from hobbyists to aspiring professional artists. Whatever you aspire to, I hope that February is a month that sees you settle into a period of development and enjoyment in your art.

Best wishes – we hope to see many Impressions Art Club Members as possible along to the Members’ evening on Wednesday 18th.

Glenys and the Team