Cheryl Finfrock has a new workshop!

Social Media Marketing for Artists: Facebook Pinterest Mash Up Take advantage of visual marketing! Presented by Artist and Teacher Cheryl Finfrock www.CherylFinfrock.com (512) 426-9217 Social media marketing is a low-cost method to promote your artwork. But with so many avenues out there, it can be overwhelming! Join me at Jerry's Artarama for a brand new career development workshop for artists on Tuesday, July 31st from 7 to 9:30 pm. Jerry's Artarama 6010 North I H 35, Austin, TX 78752 Get the Early Registration Deal for $40 by July 25th. *Discover how visual marketing can work for you *Get invited to & use Pinterest, a new fast growing visual social network that's perfect for artists! *See how easy it is to organize your gallery research on Pinterest *Learn the basics to build your Art Facebook Page and how to use the mysterious new Time Line *Discover useful methods to use social media without becoming overwhelmed Sign up here!!!

July Framer's Gallery Report

Ahh, sultry July.  However, the heat abated some for Georgetown's First Friday celebration and lots of people came through to view the new art at the Framer's Gallery located at 610 S. Main in Georgetown, Texas. 

The following WCAG artists are displaying their art from now through August 1st:  Julie Arnold, Andrew Corbin, Kay Dimitri, Gretchen Hecht (GretchenArt), Holly Moore, Wes Odell, Joan L. McShane and Alexis Templeton.

As is the tradition on First Friday, gallery visitors voted for their favorite WCAG piece of art to determine the People's Choice Award.  Congratulations goes to Julie Arnold for her oil painting, "Lone Wolf." 

WCAG artists who would like to participate in August's show should contact the gallery chair, Connie Hartsfield at charts303@yahoo.com to make space reservations.

Georgetown Art Center Renovation Budget Approved Search for Managing Organization Begins On May 22, after working for two months with several City departments and the City Manager's office to explore and address all issues involved in renovating Old Fire Station #1, Eric Lashley, library director and staff liaison to the Arts and Culture Board, brought the $400,000 budget to Council. This budget includes widening the sidewalks and redeveloping the pocket park adjacent to the building. The total amount was far more money than the Arts and Culture Board had ever imagined they would spend for a fledgling art center, but it is a realistic budget that will preserve and enhance the building's historic status and its desirability for any number of uses. Council approved not only the budget but the draft management agreement that will be executed with the organization that is selected to run the art center. Legal notice of the opportunity to submit proposals for managing the art center will appear in the June 3 and June 10 editions of the Williamson County Sun. The deadline for submitting proposals is June 15.

June Framer's Gallery Report

June bugs are hoppin' and so is the art at the Framer's Gallery, located at 610 S. Main (one block off the square) in Georgetown, Texas.  This month the following WCAG artists are displaying their works: Linda Figg, Connie Hartsfield, GretchenArt (Gretchen Hecht), Lynn Kessel, Joan L. McShane, Holly Moore, Kim Pierce, Roger Pierce and Alexis Templeton.  It is a varied display so, go by and "see what's hanging."  I think you will enjoy what you see!  The art will be there until July 3rd.

There was a landslide victory for People's Choice Award this month.  Congratulations goes to Holly Moore for her photograph, "Indian Blankets."  It is pictured above.

All WCAG artists are welcome to display their work at the Framer's Gallery.  Contact the gallery chair, Connie Hartsfield, at charts303@yahoo.com for details.

Attention Artists: Do you need help finding the right gallery?

The subject of applying to galleries is frequent among artists. Much information about how to organize and submit a portfolio is available, but how do you know where to apply? What do you look for in a gallery? How do you find reasonable matches for the type of artwork you do? If this subject is of interest, I’m teaching a workshop June 26th at JERRY’S ARTARAMA in Austin. Drop me an email for workshop registration info at Cheryl@CherylFinfrock.com

Round Top Pottery

Hi friends!  Just finished this 5x7 painting of a small pottery jug nestled in front of two much larger pieces I found on a visit to Round Top, Texas - mecca for antique shoppers!   The pot is set off by a really cool turquoise stained wood table which has been weathered by much sun exposure - love the wood grain!

5x7

linen on panel

Painting will be on display at 

Gallery Off The Square beginning May 31st

ART CENTER is approved

Howdy! I must confess that I was disappointed that not that many artists showed up to the City Council meeting last night! The good news is that City Council has given the okay for the Art Center pilot program. The next step is to name the non-profit that will be managing the art center... This is a huge step that has been years in the making! It's very exciting news for the arts community.

May Framer's Gallery Report

Good morning art enthusiasts!  WCAG members are displaying 25 very nice works at the Framer's Gallery, located one block off the square (610 S. Main) in Georgetown, TX.  Participating artists this month are: Lowana Carter, R Castro, Marianne DeRiggi, Kay Dimitri, GretchenArt (Gretchen Hecht), Ann Koziell, Gregory Heflin, Lynn Kessel, JoRene C. Newton, Virginia Headly Masserang, Joan McShane, Holly Moore, Betty Stinson, Alexis Templeton and Kerry Whitfill. 

During the First Friday's People's Choice vote, Lynn Kessel's two paintings were in a neck and neck race with each other for first place.  At the end of the night "Watchful Eyes" won the People's Choice Award.  Congratulations Lynn!

Any WCAG members who wish to display their art at the Framer's Gallery in June should email the gallery chair, Connie Hartsfield, at charts303@yahoo.com.

Artist America Martin returns to Austin for a solo exhibition at Wally Workman Gallery

BY MICHAEL GRAUPMANN 05.05.12 | 03:00 pm French artist Paul Cezanne once remarked, "One does not replace the past; one only provides a further link to it." A revolutionary figure in the art world during the early 20th Century, Cezanne knew a thing or two about respecting the great Impressionists who influenced him while still forging ahead with his unique style that paved the way for Modernism. Taking a look around the enjoyable new solo exhibition of Los Angeles-based artist America Martin at Wally Workman Gallery, you'll see a similar unapologetic homage to the confident contemporary artist's influential teachers like Gauguin, Rothko, Picasso and, yes, Cezanne. To read the full article, please visit the Culture Map website. I just ran into this story, and never heard of the artist, but I can tell you that I am going to be going to this show. Maybe I'll see you there... Nick

This past week Amy Guadagnoli, who makes wood block prints, spoke at the
Williamson County Art Guild meeting. She cuts her blocks, and prints each one by
hand, making a mono-print. I was so inspired that I decided to make my own print, on a much smaller
scale, using the Staedtler Master Carving Block. I cut a piece 31/2 X 61/2 and drew on the design.
These blocks are so easy to carve; it's like cutting butter! Having never carved anything quite this size,
it was a little challenging. I did not want it to be too perfect, but more organic looking, so I think it
worked out pretty well. I tend to make circles and curves when I make marks; this is what happened.
The connecting circles depict how everything is connected in the universe. The dove of peace flies in
the spiral sky above the rising sun, and the wheel is a sign of moving forward. I used some screen
printing inks on rice paper (this is the bright one). Lumiere paints were used on the black paper,
and black on the white rice paper. I'm sure I will be doing more of these because I love the unexpected, the surprises, that you get with the whole process.

The Blue Dove

Sonia, from Stinger Studio, has been leading some of us in different ways of doing things.
The dove was started with a very colorful background on heavy watercolor paper.
I then outlined the dove and painted white around it to leave the negative space of the dove.
It looked too white for me, so I sanded the background with sand paper until some of the background color
was peaking through. I like it better this way. 

Salon International 2012

Hi Friends.  This last weekend was AMAZING!  I had the opportunity to meet some of the top artist from around the country.  The Greenhouse Gallery hosts the Salon International, a Project of The International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art.   If you have a chance to go to San Antonio to see the exhibit (going until May 5th) you won't be disappointed.  It is amazing!   I was truly humbled by the quality of work on exhibit.   (www.greenhousegallery.com ).    There are four large rooms of art.  Here is a pic of one the walls.

April Framer's Gallery Report

April is a very busy month at the Framer's Gallery, located at 610 S. Main. There are 12 WCAG members exhibiting 22 works of art. Exhibiting members are: Sandy Archer, Kay Dimitri, Jennifer Gunn, GretchenArt (Gretchen Hecht), Gregory Heflin, Mary Jones, Pricilla Jones, Virginia Masserang, E. Holly Moore, Betty Stinson, Alexis Templeton and Kerry Whitfill. Works will be on display until May 2nd.

With so much great art there was some major competition for the People Choice Award. During each First Friday event visitors to the gallery get to vote for their favorite art piecet being presented by WCAG members. Throughout most of the evening there was a 3 way tie for 1st place and a 4 way tie for 2nd place (actually it would be 4th place). Anyway, at the end of the evening one piece was chosen as the winner. Congratulations goes to Gretchen Art (Gretchen Hecht) for her painting, "Poppy Days are Here Again."

Members who would like to participate in May need to email the gallery chair, Connie Hartsfield at charts303@yahoo.com and make a reservation.

Gallery Tour- Call For Entries!

Georgetown Arts Alliance
Call for Entries – Gallery Georgetown Tour Promotional Artwork
April 3, 2012

Dear Artist:
The Georgetown Arts Alliance Promotions Committee is requesting submissions of artwork to be used in the promotion of the Gallery Georgetown 2012 tour, tentatively scheduled for 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, November 3. The artwork selected will be featured in a poster and other possible promotional materials for the tour.
Gallery Georgetown will be an evening to appreciate and shop for local art by touring participating local galleries around Georgetown while tasting wines and appetizers and enjoying live music.
This will be the inaugural year of the event, and the committee wants to incorporate art in the promotional materials from the get go. The Arts Alliance Promotions Committee will select the winning art to be used for the official Gallery Georgetown 2012 poster.
Artwork must be original and communicate/interpret the artist’s depictions of what the Gallery Georgetown tour could be. Traditional, contemporary, impressionist, abstract, photos and digital two-dimensional works of art are welcome.
There will be approximately 150 posters of the selected artwork printed. The posters will be used to promote the event, as well as be offered for sale. The artist will retain all rights to the original artwork but will give permission to the City of Georgetown and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce to use for promotional materials.
All entries must be submitted on a labeled CD using JPEG (.jpg) files only. Please note that we will not be accepting actual pieces of work. Entries must be dropped off at the Main Street Program office in Economic Development on the second floor of 816 S. Main Street (or postmarked) no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2012.
Artist selected will be notified by Monday, July 16, 2012.

Next Months Speaker Amy Guadagnoli

Austin based printmaker, Amy Guadagnoli, is our featured guest and speaker for the Art Guild meeting. Amy wraps this year's guests, but we are already lining up artists for next year. For more information about Amy, you can visit her website.

Patricia Lyle Interview

Check out Patricia Lyle's interview!

Pinterest.com and copyright infringement

Pinterest.com is a website that created a place for you to share your stuff. Unfortunately it's a place where everybody else can share your stuff too. Without your knowledge or consent. And when that happens, you've lost control over your art. There's been a lot of controversy about Pinterest with regard to copyright infringement.

Click here to read more about it.
But it's good that there's been controversy about it, because now Pinterest.com has created the code that will allow you to protect your art from someone who may want to ... uh ... "borrow" it from a blog. That code has been installed on this blog and the artwork you've posted here is now protected from being "pinned" on Pinterest by anyone, except you if you choose to do that.
For those of you who have your own blog, and would like to protect your art, it's a simple easy fix. Just copy and paste the code into your blog's template. If you're not sure how to do that, just follow these instructions.

1. Copy (hi-lite it and [control-c]) the following line of code
<meta content='nopin' name='pinterest'/>

If any of the following images are too small for you to see
what's going on, just click on them to enlarge them.

2. Go to your blog's dashboard and click "Design".




3. In the top left click "Edit HTML".







4. Now Look for <HEAD> and place your cursor right behind it and hit "enter" to add a blank line. Then paste [control-v] that line of code you copied from above into the blank line.








5. Click the "Save Template" button and you're done! And your artwork is safe from being pinned on Pinterest.

Golden Paints explain the difference in Acrylic Paints

If you are like me... you often get confused when it comes to technicalities involved with the different kinds of agrylic paints... Check out this video!

Hero

A very interesting video about drawing....

New Constitution and By Laws for WCAG

To Members of the Williamson County Art Guild
From the ByLaws Amendment Committee and the Board
The Guild's Constitution and By-Laws have been re-written and are being brought to your attention for approval in the form of an Amendment. The current ByLaws require that the members be given a thirty day notice before an Amendment can be voted upon.

The Board now plans to bring this Amendment to a vote at the May 1, 2012 General Meeting.
Please take a few minutes and read the documents. The Board voted at its March 13th meeting to recommend that the members approve this Amendment. Approval will require two-thirds of those voting to approve the Motion.

If you have questions, please contact Wes Odell, By Laws Amendment Committee.
wesodell@gmail.com

Click here to read the documents.

March Framer's Gallery Report

March First Friday in Georgetown was a day of great art, great weather and lots of people.  WCAG artists exhibiting at the Framer's Gallery (located one block off the square on Main Street) are: Sigi Field, Linda Figg, Alexis Templeton, Joanne McShane, Holly Moore, Gretchen Hecht, Anne Throop, Ruby Pecot, Marianne DeRiggi and Greg Heflin.   They have provided some amazing art and it can be viewed through April 3rd.

The voting for the People's Choice Award was close.  The final two voters of the evening sealed the win for Alexis Templeton's acrylic painting "Blue Ridge."  Congratulations Alexis!

There have been numerous sales from the Framer's Gallery in the past few months.  This reminds me to let our artists know that if one of your paintings sells, you can bring another one (of a similar size) to hang in the empty spot!

Jennifer Balkan's new show

Jennifer Balkan is currently being featured in the March 2012 American Art Collector Magazine... and has anew exhibit opening at the Wally Workman gallery in Austin this weekend....I think it will be worth your time to go there and check it out.

Call for Landscape Art - ArtSpace (Round Rock)

The 'Call for Art' - Landscapes, is on the website at www.roundrockarts.org.  The Round Rock Arts Council needs entries in by Sunday, Feb 26th at 5 pm.

St David's Hospital holds reception for WCAG Artists

The St. David's Hospital in Georgetown hosted a "thank you" reception for the Williamson County Art Guild on Thursday evening, February 9th. It was a lovely event and a good time was had by all in attendance.
Click here to read more and see photos.

WCAG February Framer's Gallery Report

There is some very nice art being displayed by WCAG members at the Framer's Gallery during the month of February. Participating artists include Maggie Allen, Kay Dimitri, Marianne DeRiggi, Gretchen Hecht (GretchenArt), Gregorty Heflin, Priscilla Jones, Holly Moore, Wes Odell, Ruby Pecot, Alexis Templeton and Kerry Whitfill.  The art will hang until Febuary 29th. 

 

Our People's Choice winner is Alexis Templeton's acrylic "Moon Phases."  Congratulations!

 

The Framer's Gallery is located at 610 S Main in Georgetown, TX.  Have some fun. Go by and take a look at our member's art!

Stinger Studio Feb 4th - March 30 Exhibit

All artists have new work...we welcome you to the Opening Reception on Saturday, Feb. 11th, 6pm to 9pm.

Salado Show

Salado Wine Sellers has a beautiful venue for showing art. I was invited by the gals from Taylor to exhibit with them. The reception is tonight, Jan 20th from 5-8. It is all about the sea, and everything in it, including mermaids.

The weather is beautiful; come join us in Salaldo, 814 N Main.

12 Art World Habits to ditch in 2012

An interesting read...take your own conclusions.
Read Matt Gleason's story in the Huffington Post.

East Austin Studio Tour This Weekend!

Join me and Scott Gordon, a talented photographer, at 2023 E. Cesar Chavez during the East Austin Studio Tours.  We will exhibit work in the future home of our shared studio space.  10-5pm.  Rain Showers Over Flowers is a new painting on display. 40 x 30 x 1.5 | mixed media and acrylic

Austin City Hall - The People's Gallery - Call for Entries!

Howdy Everyone! This is a great way to get exposure beyond Georgetown and Round Rock!

Call for Artwork: People's Gallery 2012
Deadline: December 5, 2011, midnight
The City of Austin is now accepting applications for the 2012 Austin City Hall People's Gallery Exhibition. The Exhibition will run from February 2012 through January 2013. Applications must be made through the online application system ASAPP! by midnight on Dec. 5, 2011.

Download the complete Call

An Artist Information Meeting to explain the application process will be held November 22, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Austin City Hall, room 1029 (301 W. 2nd Street).

WCAG November Framer's Gallery Report

The art at the Framer's Gallery just keeps getting better and more and more people come to the gallery during Georgetown's First Friday Celebration.  This month WCAG artist, Pat Langley, won the People's Choice Award for her giclee, "Geisha."  Congratulations, Pat!  Pat says the original was created using hand painted and stamped papers.  Pat also carved the stamp she used in the background.  "Giesha" is approximately 15" x 29".  Pat has a blog which can be found at http://patlangley.blogspot.com.

Take a class with Jennifer Balkan

Howdy! The great Jennifer Balkan...our guest artist for last month, just announced that she's putting together a new class. If you are interested, please read below! Thanks!

New class!!
We'll spend the first two classes sketching the figure in charcoal with our goals being (1) to see the figure as an abstract composite of dark and light shapes (values) in order to create a a strong value statement; (2) to get a proportionally accurate figure; both of which will contribute to a (3) compelling composition and statement of light and shadow.
The third and fourth classes, we'll paint using white and umber oil paint and create rich monochromatic figure compositions.

This class is designed for people who have some painting and drawing experience but are new to the figure.

Class meets Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 11/30-12/21.
Class size is limited to four.
Cost is $250 plus $45 model fee.
Class meets at my studio at 3109 Lafayette Avenue in East Austin.

Let me know if you're interested!

Cheers,
Jennifer




www.jenniferbalkan.net

How to MAKE COMMENTS on this blog

For those of you who might be new to blogging, we wanted to take some of the mystery out of how you can make comments about what you're reading here, so we thought some instructions might be a good idea. It's actually very easy, but there is one simple requirement; you need to be set up with any one of the six following types of accounts.

Google Gmail | LiveJournal | WordPress | TypePad | AIM | OpenID
If you already have one of these you're ready to start, just jump to the instructions below in "making your comment". If not, click on Google Gmail, LiveJournal, WordPress or OpenID above, (which are all free by the way), to either get an account or learn more about them. We suggest using Google Gmail because that's probably the easiest account to set up AND you won't have to enter another id and password when you want to make a comment. You don't have to use your Gmail account for your everyday email, you just need it to make comments on this (or any other) blog. (But it's always good to have a second email address anyway.) We also suggest that once you log into your new Google account, that you don't ever log out. It will automatically reopen whenever you start your computer and that way you will always be ready to comment here. And that's a good thing!

Making Your CommentOnce you have your account created, look for the word "comments" with a number in front of it near the bottom of the posting. The number is how many comments have already been made. If it's 0, that means you get to be first!

Just click on the "comments" link to open the box where you type your comment. When you've "had your say" look below for the place to choose your account type (the one of the six above that you created). If you're using a Google account it's probably already selected for you. Then click on "Post Comment" or "Preview"; either takes you to the next step.

If you want to change anything in your comment before you send it, click on "Edit" in the box, make your changes and "Preview" again.



When you're ready, look in "Word verification" for a group of letters that you will need to type into the little window right below them. (If this step gives you trouble, don't worry, there are unlimited "do overs" here.)

Click the "Post Comment" button AND YOU'RE DONE! :)

Now that didn't hurt much, did it? :)

Elements Art Reception

Please join me and wonderful artists at Austin Details Art + Photo on Saturday, October 22nd.  Space, design, color, and light unite in this exhibit.  1-3pm.  106 E 8th Street. Featured artists include Rebecca Bennett, Sharon Keshishian, Carol Lyon, Cheryl Rae, Thomas Jack Hilton, and Jann Alexander.  My 3D work will be on display and I would love to share it with the WCAG.

WCAG October Framer's Gallery Report

Wow, another one of our brand new members won the People's Choice Award. Congratulations goes to Kay Dimitri for her oil painting, "The Door." This painting and the art of other WCAG members will be on display at The Framer's Gallery, located at 610 S. Main in Georgetown, TX until November 2nd, 2011. So be sure to go by and take a look at the great art there!

Art Hop 2011

Howdy! I just wanted to remind everyone that Art Hop starts tonight with a reception from 6pm to 8 pm at the Georgetown Public Library. Make sure that you check out the exhibit. Have a great weekend!

Origin Magazine Party and Art Exhibit tonight!

Good morning!  Tonight is Origin Magazine's Party and Art Exhibit at Quattro Gallery (Audi Dealership on Pond Springs).  It's open to the public.  I would love for some WCAG members to come!  There will be food, drinks and various artists.  The event will go until late.  DJ Spooky will be spinning and signing his book at 11pm.  I hope it's a big hit!  This is one of my paintings featured in the show.  Off the Hook | 36 x 24 x 1.5 | 2011 | acrylic on canvas

Chadwick and Spector at Jerry's Artarama

Okay... I just got an email from Jerry's Artarama that they are having Chadwick and Spector talking about their art this Saturday, October 1st from 12-2pm. This should be great and I am sure that a lot of people are going to be there. Unfortunately, I won't be able to be... but go and tell me all about it!

George Brainard Photography

Howdy! Last year, we had the honor to have George Brainard come and speak to the Art Guild about his Race Fans pictures taken in the dragway... He was a great speaker and had so many great stories to tell. While working on this year's banner project, I found this little video. So, if you did not make it to that meeting, this is a great way to recap... or see actual film footage of George hard at work.

e-Suggestion Box

The WCAG has a new Suggestion Box!
Click here to check it out.

David Ball - Banner Project Participant

Postcards from the Unconscious- David Ball from Colin M Day on Vimeo.

One of the things that I love about curating the Banner Project is all the art that I get to admire... all the things that I get to learn. It's an opportunity to make new connections and re-kindle some old ones. There's so much great art out there and not enough time to appreciate it. I met David Ball over 20 years ago back in my Boston Days. Our paths crossed again recently and when I saw his work, I had to invite him to participate in the banner project. In this video, he talks about "Postcards from the Unconscious", his latest body of work.

You can also check out his website

STINGER STUDIO "Studio Clean-Out" SALE

On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th, Stinger Studio is sponsoring a  SALE for those of us who have too much art accumulating.    I'm bringing about 25 pieces so come one and come all if you would like a Sue Nosler Gray at 50 to 80% off.    I guess we should call if  "Help us make more space"  sale.   That would work!  Thanks Sonia!

Painting as sculpture

I thought that this was quite interesting... Margie Livingstone thinks out of the box, or shall we say out of the tube. I thought that it's very creative!

Meeting Reminder

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick reminder that the Williamson County Art Guild's monthly meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, September 6th at the Windberg Art Center, 7100 N IH 35. Social time starts at 6:30 and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. We are excited to have Robbie Ortiz as our guest speaker to kick off our 2011-2012 season.

Hope to see you there!

Cindy Tauer-Eckart

Publicity Chair

WCAG First Friday Report

September’s First Friday was a huge success despite the summer’s unrelenting heat. Several long standing members and several new members are displaying their art at the Framer’s Gallery located at 610 S. Main in Georgetown, TX. During the First Friday event, viewers cast votes for their favorite art piece. New member, Janelle Cox, won the People’s Choice Award with her oil painting, “This is the Life.” Congratulations, Janelle!

Participating member’s art will be on display at the Framer’s Gallery until October 5th, 2011.

Members who would like more information about showing their art at the Framer’s Gallery should click here to visit the Guild's website and then click on the “Info for Members” tab.

Membership Meeting - Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Greetings Fellow Artists and Art Aficionados:

Thankfully the end of the long, hot, memorable summer of 2011 is drawing to a close, and that means that the Williamson County Art Guild's monthly membership meetings will commence starting in September!

Nick, our Program Chair has put together a fabulous line up of guest speakers for the 2011/2012 season, so please mark your calendars for next Tuesday, September 6th when our guest speaker will be Robbie Ortiz. Robbie Ortiz is a cubist artist based in Austin, TX. Robbie participated in the 2009 edition of the banner project. For a preview you can check out his website.

The WCAG Board is very excited about the coming year in art, and we hope to see you at 6:30 p.m. on September 6th for social mingling and chit chat, and then the program and short business meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. The challenge for this meeting is "Tools."

Hope to see you there!

Cindy Tauer-Eckart

WCAG Publicity Chair

Personal Choices - A WCAG Members Exhibit

We are just about a week away from the start of the new year... Even before we start our monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 6th. the annual WCAG members exhibit at the Library opens next Friday, September 1st. We would like to remind everyone, that the drop off date is this upcoming Wednesday, August 31st. It should be a great show. Thanks Marianne for all of your hard work. I am attaching the poster art for the upcoming exhibit.

Finally!

Ok, I am finally posting! With all my health issues and busy schedule I just haven't had time or felt like getting on the computer. I finally figured out how to post so here it goes. These are two paintings that I put in the Central Texas Pastel Society's Annual Competition and Exhibit. I won the Merit Award for Still life's for "The Little Mexican Hats"

I also won People Choice Award for "Ponderin' CowPoke". They are both pastel. The cowboy was from a photo I took at Up the Chisholm Trail Drive. They had a chuck wagon cook off and this cowboy won about 8 awards. I took many pictures of him as he waited to see who would win the next award. I thought his face was very fascinating. Each time his name was called his grin got bigger and bigger. Each time in between awards he waited with anticipation.

Walt Whitman, pencil drawing by Kirk Witmer

Pencil portrait - 9x12" on 100lb Bristol
American poet Walt Whitman (1819–92) Author of "Leaves of Grass"
I posted last month that I'd taken up pencil drawing. I've done five portraits so far, with this being my fourth. If you'd like to see the others they're posted on my blog.
The source photo for this is known to be one of several taken of Whitman at the time, but he chose this pose as his favorite.

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Visit Kirk Witmer Fine Art

Email the artist at: khwitmer@juno.com

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Click here to see more comments about this work from artists world-wide.

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If you'd like to get advance notice of my upcoming works before
they're even listed at auction, click here to submit your email.

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May 2012 - Guest Speaker

Okay! So, we only have a couple of weeks before our 2011-2012 year stars. I am happy to announce that artist and printmaker Amy Guadagnoli will be our guest artist for our meeting for the month of may next year. Amy is an Austin based artist and currently serves on the board for Georgetown Art Works. May might seem like a long time from now, but this year we are making a bigger effort to be organized, so that our members can plan in advance for our meetings and invite others to attend. We want to make the guild more exciting and make it grow in 2011-2012. To check out Amy's work, you can visit her website.

Nan Brown and Sue Gray @ North Hills Gallery

Mix'N'Mash

Mix ‘N’ Mash 2011 Exhibition
December 2, 2011 - January 3, 2012
Contact: Claudia Zapata, Mexic-Arte Museum
Tel: (512) 480-9373 x83, exhibitions@mexic-artemuseum.org
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, August 31, 2011


Dear Artist,

Mexic-Arte Museum is pleased to invite you to participate in our Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit and Art Sale, which will open on Friday, December 2, 2011. This festive fundraising event fosters Mexic-Arte Museum’s goals to increase awareness of art collecting in the community, in addition to raising much needed funds for the Museum’s 2011-2012 Season of exhibitions and education programs.

We are inviting over 200 local and regional artists to create and donate works of art on 12” x 12” eco-friendly and archival quality Gessoboards generously donated by Ampersand of Austin, Texas

You may create a work in any style (figurative, conceptual, abstract, surreal, folkloric, etc.) and media (sculptural/relief, painting, printmaking, photography, and more) on one Gessoboard. The Gessoboards can be picked at the Mexic-Arte Museum Store during regular business hours (Monday – Thursday 10 AM-6 PM, Friday and Saturday 10 AM-5 PM, and Sunday noon-5 PM) as early as August 22, 2011. We ask that all completed submissions be delivered or mailed to the Museum by Saturday, October 15, 2011.

As a participating artist, you will receive a one-year membership to Mexic-Arte Museum. Membership benefits include free admission to all exhibitions and select events, invitations to Member Preview opening receptions, subscription to the Museum E-Newsletter, and 10% off Museum Store purchases. You will also receive 2 complimentary tickets to the opening night festivity on Friday, December 2, from 6:00 – 10:00 PM (there will be a $25 admission fee for the public). Art works will continue to be sold through January 2, 2012.

We hope that you will agree to participate! The Mix ‘n’ Mash Exhibit and Art Sale project is an exciting event that will make art accessible to the community, promote the artists, encourage art collecting, raise funds for Mexic-Arte Museum, and create a special evening of holiday festivities!

Thank you for considering this unique collaborative opportunity, and please fill out the registration sheet with your contact information and send to exhibitions@mexic-artemuseum if you are interested in participating (please let us know by August 31, 2011). Feel free to contact with any further questions at (512) 480-9373 x83. If you live out of town (no international mailings) and are interested in participating, we may mail you a Gessoboard.

Sincerely,



Claudia Zapata Sylvia Orozco

Director of Programs Executive Director

Georgetown Friends of the Arts - City Council Presentation

Last night, at the City Council meeting, the Georgetown Friends of the Arts, made a presentation last night at the City Council Meeting. Georgetown Friends of the arts is a grass root, community group that is working on getting the City of Georgetown to agree to turn the current Police Station into a Cultural Art Center. We need all of the artists to participate, to write their City Council Repsl and so on. Please check out this video of the presentation. Thanks!

February 2012 - Guest Artist

Peggy Weiss calls herself a digital collage artist... You just might have to take a double look at her work, in order to really figure out everything that is going on in her artwork. Photography, mixed media and a lot of technology at work. All very creative and quite wonderful! Please check out her website for more information.

April 2012 - Guest Artist

I found Barbara Lugge's hand-stitched portraits and landscapes quite innovative, but yet very traditional. It's all very fascinating, how she manipulates thread to create such beautiful art. She'll be presenting her work at our Tuesday, April 3rd meeting. You can check her website to learn more about her.

November 2011 - Guest Artist

The programs for the upcoming year is lining up quite nicely! Denise Fulton, an Austin Artist and member of the Austin Art Garage Collective, will be joining us for the November meeting. Where she'll talk about her work and inspirations. To take a sneak peak, or to learn more about her, you can visit her website.

March 2012 - Guest Speaker

I hope that I am not overwhelming our members, but I am working very hard on lining up all of our guest artists for our 2011-2012 year. I think that it will be a great one. I am happy to announce that Sarah Wilson has just confirmed that she'll be coming to our March 2012 meeting. I know that it sounds far away, but it will be hear before we know it.

Here's her brief bio that appears on her website:

Photographer Sarah Wilson explores issues of community and culture through environmental portraiture. After nine years of studying and working in New York City, Wilson has returned to her hometown of Austin, Texas. Using Austin as home base, she works regionally as an editorial photographer for magazines such as The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Time, The Atlantic Monthly, Marie Claire, Texas Monthly, Mother Jones, and others. Work from Wilson’s personal projects has been acquired by the permanent collections at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas, and the Lishui Photography Museum of China

So mark your calendars everyone and tell your photographer friends that they should not miss her talk.

To learn more about this great photographer, please visit her website.

Jennifer Balkan Video

I thought that it would be great to share this little video about Jennifer Balkan. It was filmed during the E.A.S.T tours in Austin.
I am sure that it will be a very exciting presentation!

October Guest Speaker

I am very excited to announce that Jennifer Balkan, one of my favorite Austin Artists has agreed to come out and speak to the Guild for our October 4th meeting. Personally, I am very intrigued by the characters and the stories behind her artwork. She's represented by the Wally Workman Gallery in Austin. To learn more about Jennifer Balkan, you can check out her website.

ART HOP 2011 - Deadline Extended

Hello Everyone!
I just want to let you know that the deadline to submit artwork for the Art Hop 2011 has been extended to August 15th, 2011.
For more information, please visit the Georgetown Art Works website.

Art Exhibition

Everyone is invited to come and see the latest "Spiritual Series Paintings" by Micheal Hammons of Round Rock. His artwork is hanging at The Daily Grind Coffee Shop - 16238 Ranch Road 620 - in Round Rock (Brushy Creek area) for the month of August. Please come on in and enjoy!! The painting "Twelve Disciples" is one of the paintings.