Impressions Newsletter 2008

Impressions Newsletter

January 2008

Happy New Year! I hope you have managed to take at least a few days break and are feeling refreshed. Lewis & I had a few days camping with friends in Kaikoura which was a good change from our usual daily lives. I did manage to start one quick pastel painting. Now it needs some work done on it to complete the scene and liven up the colours.

The year ahead is full of promise. With our extensions completed, (there are just a few odds and ends of touching up to complete, that had to be put on hold with the demands of Christmas trading) we are now looking ahead to the upgrade of Croucher Street. This is due to commence in February and will no doubt cause some disruption for the months that the upgrade will take to complete. However, once it is completed, we will be sited in what promises to be a very attractive streetscape that will form the hub of the Richmond Town Centre. The area will be much more pedestrian-friendly and may well become a place where you will choose to take time out from the hurly-burly of shopping. Fulton Hogan has won the contract to complete the upgrade. I have spoken to the site supervisor who says that at any time during the upgrade, 25 parking spaces will be retained in front of our block of shops.. That is not a lot – but they cannot rip up parking areas without displacing car parks in the short-term. However, what you may not be aware of is that parking is available behind our building. To access the car park, drive in to the Petrie car park, off McGlashen Avenue, behind the Redwood Stable Tavern. There will shortly be car parks there marked for 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 120 minutes parking. There is a walkway through to the front of our building between Copper Frog and Classique Beauty Salon.

Art Tuition

Are you looking to extend your knowledge and skills in art? Have you made this a goal for 2008? If so, and you are looking for a way to achieve that, check out our Art Class Directory on-line at www.impressionsnelson.co.nz/directory.htm . Be aware that classes fill rapidly and get in early. If you are a member of any classes included in the directory, you will qualify for our student discount on all your art supplies and materials while the class is in progress.

New Products

Use over colour to create an impressive shine

The Derwent Burnisher is a hard colourless pencil which when used over layers of pigment provides a rich polished finish. Burnishing pushes the pigment into the paper and leaves a very well blended, photo like finish. It makes the colours look brighter and can give an image a polished or reflective look by sealing it with a heavy layer of colourless wax.

Our Price: $2.00 each

Artist’s Tote BagThis versatile soft carry bag has removable partitions, external pockets and a strap for carrying the bag on your shoulder. It is roomy enough to pack plenty of supplies for travelling, plein air painting or heading off to art class. If you don’t have a studio, it could also be used to store your art supplies.

Our Price $63.25

Hints & Tips For watercolour artists

· Use a tissue or damp brush to lift out paint to create feathered effects (as in clouds) or to correct mistakes.·

Try limiting your palette of colours which may help you to achieve more uniform colour throughout a whole painting. Select your base colour and alter to ratio of the mix slightly to create a range of hues

.· Pay particular attention to shadow areas. These give depth to a painting and are full of colours and varied tones. Ultramarine blue mixed with the subject colour is an effective colour mix for shadows

.· Change your jar of water and rinse out your brushes between any major colour changes.

Exhibitions

"Cafe in the Vineyard at Waimea Estates, "Summer Memories" An exhibition of landscapes in acrylic by Vivienne Chandler from 22nd December to 11th February 2008."

The 5^th Annual Tapawera VAST (Visual Arts Society Tapawera) exhibition is being held from 26 January to 3 February at Shedwood Hall, Tapawera. Opening times are 10 am – 8 pm Saturday 26 January, and 10 am – 5 pm other days. The opening will be held on Friday 25 January from 7 pm. Admission is free. There will be a wide range of works by local artists on display and for sale. This is a great destination for a drive on a summer’s day.

Art Group Nelson - Display in Queens Gardens

Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th January from 10am - 4pm.

Pastel Art Exhibition Coming

The Nelson Area PANZ (Pastel Artists of New Zealand) are planning their next Pastel Art Exhibition at the Village Hall, Mapua for late February. PANZ invites all Nelson and Marlborough members to submit entries for exhibition and sale. Entries close 5 pm 8^th February. Entry and PANZ membership application forms are available from Impressions or email gmforbes@ts.co.nz . An entry fee of $10.00 per picture applies and up to 3 paintings may be accepted. A People’s Choice Prize sponsored by Impressions will be awarded at the conclusion of the exhibition. PANZ is a very active group of local artists who regularly hold workshops and tutorials for members. I do recommend that if you are working in dry pastels (or would like to do so), that you talk to Glenys Forbes about what the group can offer you. They are very welcoming and have a lot to offer beginners and experienced artists alike.

That brings me to the end of another newsletter. If like me you have set new goals to achieve with your art – best wishes for a successful year ahead. If you have chosen to simply kick back, relax and enjoy your art – have a great time. I hope to somehow achieve both! Whatever happens, I hope that you manage to enjoy the sun that we are experiencing at present.

Best wishes Glenys and the Team