Impressions Newsletter

February 2010

 Welcome to the second newsletter for the year. The start of the year is always very busy for us with the start of art classes, and students going back-to-school, filling the items on the class lists. Remember if you are entering an art class this year, to let us know when you buy your art materials. Anyone undertaking a recognised art class is entitled to a 10% discount on their materials. And ask about the Impressions Art Club to learn how those savings and other benefits can last after your classes have finished.

All the Art Groups around the Region either have held their annual summer exhibitions, or the next one is imminent. We have got to as many as we could, but could not make them all regrettably. Lewis & I enjoyed our drive out to the opening of the VAST Annual Exhibition at Tapawera. As guest artist Marc Spijkerbosch commented, per head of population, Tapawera boasts a high number of talented artists.

I must tender an apology to all those people on the Impressions Art Club list who received an erroneous email confirming their listing. I’m afraid that I was to blame as I inadvertently used the wrong link. So I then took time out to check with our web designer in case I made another blunder before my second attempt. Thank you to all who took the time to respond to the email sent in error, as well as the correct one. The email was intended to give Club Members early advice of the workshop as well as the Old Holland Oil Paint demonstration.

Impressions Artist Workshops

The first artist workshop is planned for Sunday 7 March and has been filled by Impressions Art Club Members. A second, repeat workshop is being offered for Sunday 11 April should there be sufficient interest. If you think you may be interested, check the details on our website.

Impressions Art Club February Special

This month, full members holding a discount card, save 20% on all art bags, and portfolios in stock.

Drawing Hint

The following hints are extracted from a past issue of “Leisure Painter” a UK magazine we stock which is a useful resource for artists. In this article, Tim Fisher looks at useful small items for your art bag for drawing with ink.

“I’m a great fan of drawing with ink. I often combine line work with other media to produce sketches and finished paintings. There is a number of instruments that will make a mark, some very cheap or even free!

I start some of my paintings with a large matchstick dipped in Indian ink. It helps if the stick is sharpened to a dull tip as a very sharp point doesn’t perform as well. Dip into the ink and allow to dry, then the instrument is ready for drawing with. When working, I push, pull and twist the stick to create a great variety of lines.

Other drawing instruments can be made from cocktail sticks, especially the large ones provided with club sandwiches. Bamboo can be sharpened into the same shape as a pen nib and makes an excellent mark-making device. And a simple sharpened stick from the hedgerow can produce a variety of interesting marks.

Feathers from large birds are another useful drawing tool. We have large numbers of geese nearby and often come across stray feathers which can be fashioned into nibbed drawing instruments.

As feathers are hollow, the drawing process can be carried out for longer periods of time without re-dipping for ink. Feathers tend to spatter a little whilst working, although this is not always a bad thing and cam often add more interest to a drawing.

Although I’ve only mentioned Indian ink, other writing inks, including acrylics, work perfectly well with these simple tools.”

We stock a range of Ink and are always happy to show you a little of the ways they can be used.

Picture Framing Hint

Often people ask us about picture framing wire, believing that using wire is the strongest option. In fact, nylon braid exceeds the breaking strain of wire by a considerable margin – hence we opt to use nylon braid in our framing operation.

We have just repaired a picture which had been hung using picture framing wire which had subsequently broken. The advantage of picture framing wire over braid lies in the fact that it does not stretch. However, if choosing wire, you must ensure that the breaking strain is suited to the picture being hung. Otherwise we recommend that you play safe, and choose an appropriate weight of nylon braid.

Never, ever use string – as over time that will rot, with disastrous consequences for your picture.

Products New into Stock

Krystal Seal Self-Sealing Art, Print & Photo Bags

Great for the long or short-term protection of your valuable artwork. All you have to do is slip your art into these bags and fold over the flap.  

We now have the full range of sizes available. These are: -

 4x6, 5x7, 9x12, 11x14, 13x19, 16x20, 18x24 and 22x30.

The bags are sold in packs of 25.

Opera in the Park

If you are intending to enjoy a night of Opera in the Park on the 13th, take a look at the works that Leanne Addison will have on display there. Leanne will be promoting her artwork with examples of her portraiture on show, and acrylic paintings for sale. If you’re not going (or even if you are) you can see examples of her work at www.leanneaddison.co.nz and you can make contact with her at Leanne@leanneaddison.co.nz .

Exhibitions

“Nature & Spirit” – a celebration of Elemental Life, in Paintings & Photography until 7 February, at the Nelson Suter Art Society McKee Gallery. Paintings by NgAng and photographs by Lethea Erz

PANZ – Pastel Artists of New Zealand, Nelson Area will be holding their Pastel Art Exhibition   from 26 – 28 February at the Village Hall, Mapua. Impressions is pleased to sponsor the People’s Choice Prize.

Lyn Price’ “A Fusion of Glass and Metal Transformed by Fire” at Art @ 203 until 12 February.

David Ryan presents “Field Site Archive” at Catchment Gallery, 255 Hardy St, Nelson until 6 March.

“Liaison” – new works by Marilyn Andrews, Mc Kee Gallery, The Suter, from 10 – 28 February.

Art Classes

Both Nayland and Waimea Colleges are running art classes as part of the Community Education Courses. But if you want to know more, be quick to contact the Colleges to confirm details. You can easily visit their websites for immediate information on their classes. Classes have historically filled up quickly and there aren’t many options available for evening art classes.

Featured Artist

I would like to profile one artist each month in the coming year in this newsletter.

If you would like a free opportunity to lift your profile within our community of artists, just forward two photos of your work in jpg format, and a brief (about 200 words) written background of who you are, a little about how long you have been painting, what inspires you creatively and how prospective customers can contact you. The photos will have to be kept small in the newsletter, in fairness to those readers who are on dial-up connections. I reserve editorial rights for all script and photos published. Please email me with your contributions to impressions@actrix.co.nz.  Please write Artist Profile in the “subject” line.

Artists Evening

We have arranged for Jack Borland, the Marketing Manager of Art Spectrum in Australia, to present our next in-store Art Club Members’ Evening. This will take place from 5.30pm on Thursday 25 March so mark your calendar now to be sure not to miss out.

Jack has travelled to numerous conventions around the world and will share with you the knowledge and tips that artists have shared with him. Some of the topics he will cover will include information on the making of an artist’s quality range and how to test the quality of materials (tinting, permanence, etc) so artists don’t compromise on quality.

The session will involve a one hour presentation, a question time and time for you to try out the products and to talk with Jack one on one afterwards. Refreshments will be available to keep you going. Full details are posted on the Impressions Art Club page of our website.

Please RSVP by return email (impressions@actrix.co.nz) by 19 March if you are planning to attend, so we can arrange to accommodate as many people as possible.

This concludes another newsletter. Thank you to all those who have forwarded messages of love and best wishes to Charlotte, whose family have been desolated with their son’s disappearance. At the time of writing this newsletter, Leo has still not been found, and we ask that everyone continues to be vigilant – if you see an orange car especially in a position where one should not be, please advise the police immediately. Orange cars are very unusual at present, so it is a point of difference worthy of note. It is a very difficult time for all concerned and our thoughts are with Charlotte and her family and friends.

Kind regards

Glenys and the Team