January Newsletter

As we look back on 2009, we fondly remember our past President, Sue Sutton. She had a vision to keep the Art League open and offer many classes to the public. She put together a team of 6 instructors who started teaching regular weekly classes at the League. She recognized that we needed to participate and become more involved in the Lake County Arts and specifically in downtown Clermont activities. In addition to participating in many downtown events such as the Sidewalk Chalk event and a couple of Arts and Crafts events, last January, she put together a Fabric and Art Show at Jenkins in conjunction with the Clermont Sewing Shop. She worked hard to make the Clermont 125^th Art Shows a success. It was Sue’s idea to renovate the gallery, and she inspired the members/volunteers to donate their time or money to make the gallery what it is today. She worked very hard to make sure the renovations were completed in a timely manner. When her husband’s health took a turn for the worst, she had to resign her post as President and move back to Michigan to be near her family. But, Sue is still a member and she is on the South Lake Art League advisory board.

I just wanted to take the time to thank you, Sue Sutton, for being an inspiration to us all. You started the ball rolling and helped to make the South Lake Art League what it is today. As the current President, I will follow your lead and continue to make sure that we participate fully in Lake County Arts, that we offer many quality art classes and exhibits to the public, and that Art League is a place that the members are proud to utilize as their own gallery. …………Kathie Camara, President.

Great news. South Lake Art League now has a second location. Beginning the first week of January, the Cagan Crossings location will be ready for art exhibits and classes. This new location will have space for a gallery in the front and a classroom in the back. It is handicap accessible and has an accessible bathroom. About a dozen SLAL volunteers helped clean and paint the interior and hang the ceiling hooks and chains that will hang the art on the walls, and it looks good. Our first show will exhibit the art of the members who volunteered their time to make the gallery happen.

Here are the directions to SoLake Art at Cagan: Go south on SR 27 toward 192. After you see a sign saying “Disney exit 192 - 1 mile” keep to the right. You’ll see a sign saying “Cagan Crossins Boulevard, next signal” At the traffic signal, take a right into Cagan Crossings, go 1/2 way around the roundabout and take your second right, which is still Cagan Crossings Blvd. On your left will be Cohen's Deli and our storefront is to the right of it. The Sprint store and Grandmas's Bakery are on the right of us. You can park on the street or go around back, past the stores, to the left. The rear door says 304 on it.

We are asking for donations from members of folding chairs, 6’ or 8’ folding tables, a 6’ step ladder, a TV, a dvd and/or video player, bookcases or metal shelving or anything we can use to display items such as prints, notecards, coasters, mousepads, etc. This is a very large space and we want to fully utilize it for classes and exhibits and sales of art and art related material.

Remember, as a member of the South Lake Art League, you can use either location to exhibit and sell your art. Please treat the galleries as your own art studio. Help us make it work to your advantage. If any member wishes to teach or to book the new gallery for a solo exhibit, please contact me. We have already been contacted by some new instructors who wish to teach some new classes such as Stained Glass and Fused Glass Jewelry.

Our January meeting will be the second Saturday, January 9th, so we won’t interfere with the New Year holiday. We will have a photography demonstration at our members meeting. Carroll Dickerson, who is president of the Kings Ridge Photography Club and one of the judges for our Photography show, will be showing you how to take better pictures. He will also be showing you how to do some simple corrections to your pictures using Photoshop Elements software. We will have the January meeting at our new location at Cagan Crossings so that everyone can see our new space. However, we don’t have enough chairs, so it has been suggested to BYOC (bring your own chair). Directions to Cagan are above, in the paragraph for New Storefront Location.

On March 6^th, we will have something a little different. Chroma paints will be presenting a workshop using the new Atelier Interactive acrylics. You will bring your brushes, a water basin, your palette (either disposable palette paper, or a wet palette) and your surface (canvas, or w/c paper, etc). Chroma will bring the paints, and you will be able to try out all of the colors and mediums. The workshop will run from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm and we will have to limit the number of participants, as we need to set up tables and chairs for attendees. Registration fee is $10. Checks should be made out to: South Lake Art League and mailed to Kathie Camara, 4208 Greenwich Court, Clermont, FL 34711. A Registration Form can be downloaded from the website or click here: www.ButterflyKissesStudio.com/RegistrationAtelierInteractiveWorkshop.pdf

On April 3^rd, we may have a presentation by one of the judges of our Fall Art Show. I’m talking with Jennifer Kirton about giving a talk about What Judges Look For when judging your art. She can also offer critiques of your art, so you may be asked to bring a piece that you would like to have constructively critiqued. It is quite a good learning experience. Here’s a link to an article about Jennifer: http://epaper.orlandosentinel.com/OS/OS/2009/12/13/ArticleHtmls/13_12_2009_429_002.shtml

One-Day Sunday Workshops in January: . January 10, 2010 from 10 am - 2 pm the South Lake Art League will have a Treasure Box Painting Party. You will paint a Treasure Box for the chronically ill kids at the Shriners Hospital. All paint, brushes, patterns, boxes, etc. are supplied. Donation $5. PreRegistration please, so we'll have enough supplies. 352 241-6407 This class occurs monthly, so watch the website for more dates. If you have a group (Red Hats, Church group, etc) who would like to paint boxes, just contact Kathie Camara and I’ll arrange a special Paint Party for your group.

January 14 – 16, 2010 from 9 am to 3:30 pm each day. Spend 3 days with international watercolor painter Tom Jones – 2 days in the studio and the third day you will be painting en plein air at Clermont’s Waterfront Park. Tom’s workshop sold out last year. Don’t miss out. All paint and paper is provided. Each student attending the workshop will receive a Tom Jones watercolor print and Tom will have a drawing for an original watercolor painting that one person at the class can win. Fee $230 non-member/ $210 member. Location: Downtown Clermont

Starting January 22, we will be having a 6-week Colored Pencil class on Friday mornings from 10 - 12. Mary Beth Lesko, a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and a snowbird who has returned to Clermont for the winter will be teaching. Here is a link to her gallery page at Pennsylpoints, a PA gallery http://www.cpsa115.org/mblgallerypage.htm If you are interested in attending the Colored Pencil classes, contact Mary Beth at (570) 594-4045 or mbl4cp@verizon.net

January 23 & 24, 2010 from 10 – 4 Paint Your Pet in oils with popular portrait artist Kathie Camara. All paints and mediums are supplied. Bring a photo of your pet. Supply list provided upon registration. Check out Kathie’s website: http://www.butterflykissesstudio.com Fee: $135 non-member/ $120 member.

January 30 & 31, 2010 from 10 – 3 on Saturday, 10 – 4 on Sunday. By popular demand, Roger is back. Spend 2 days with award winning watercolor painter Roger Pierce. Supply list provided. Check out Roger’s website: http://www.rpierceartist.com/ Fee: $135 non-member/ $120 member.

Feb. 13 – 16, 2010 4-day Oil Portrait Workshop taught by California portrait artist, Valerie Stewart. (See www.ValerieStewartPortraits.com). Students will paint 2 complete full face portraits in the 4 days. Satisfaction guaranteed. Cost for the workshop is $450. ($200 deposit required to hold your seat) All Chroma oil paints and mediums are supplied. This workshop always sells out. Location: Cagan Crossings

March 20 & 21, 2010 Marjorie Harris Clark will teach Roses, Roses, Roses. Check out pictures 11 – 27 at this site: http://imageevent.com/harrisclarkroses/seminarinformation;jsessionid=idt2l3j941.rabbit_s Come and learn to paint her beautiful Victorian roses on a suitcase or other surface of your choice using double and triple loading of the brush. All paints and mediums provided. Fee: $200. ($100 deposit required to hold your seat) Location: Cagan Crossings

May 3 - 7, 2010 5-day Color Boot Camp & Artist Retreat by California equine artist, Elin Pendleton. (See www.elinart.com ) Learn Elin’s innovative and simple color system to depict six separate and distinct times of day. You will be painting in the studio and en plein air on the beautiful grounds of the 400 acre horse farm, Florida Carriage Museum and Resort (See www.fcmr.org ) Cost for the workshop is $450. Double occupancy accommodations are $240 per person. Location: Weirsdale (Lady Lake) This workshop sold out last year and there was a waiting list. Returning boot campers get first pick.

August 27 – 29, 2010 Brenda Harris will be here to teach a 3-day workshop in her paint-along Acrylic method popular on PBS television. Check: http://www.brendaharrisart.com/ Fee: $250 ($100 deposit required to hold your seat) Location: Cagan Crossings

If you would like to see photos and more information about these workshops, please visit www.SouthLakeArtLeague.com and look at the class info and registration forms or contact SouthLakeArt@yahoo.com. If you have a favorite artist that you’d like to see offering a workshop at SLAL, give me their name and I’ll make contact.

glass jewelry, is talking to me about becoming a SLAL instructor. If you’d like to see some of her work, check out her website at www.stainedglassdesign.net or check out this video showing her talking about her stained glass http://growingbolder.com/media/entertainment/arts/adding-color-to-your-life-236811.html

Our Student/Teacher Art Show will run January 7th to the 17^th, This is a chance for teachers to promote their classes and for the students to show off their art. We’d like to exhibit work from all of the classes. Art doesn’t have to be framed, but it needs to be wired for hanging. Art can be brought to the gallery anytime before January 6^th for hanging. You can pick up your artwork following the show on Sunday, January 17th between 10 am and 2 pm.

We had a cancellation for the next solo exhibit, so if members want to exhibit, feel free to do so from January 18^th until January 30^th. . Rico Maschino and Jose Diaz (Rami) will be having an exhibit from January 31^st to February 8^th.

February 13^th through the 28^th will be the Annual Photography Show. Downloadable entry forms are available on the website. Entry Deadline: February 6^th. Drop off your photographs Feb. 11^th 9 – 1 and 6 – 7. Photos to be picked up Feb. 28^th between 10 and 2. Reception Feb. 20^th 5 – 8 pm. . March 3^rd through the 24^th Members Spring Art Show. Entry forms will be online shortly.

Did you see the article about Roger Pierce’s art being exhibited in Regions Bank? Please note that Roger will be offering watercolor classes with the first workshop in January. If you missed it, here’s the link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/os-lk-art-events-120709-20091206,0,5011534.story

I hope everyone got to see the great article that was in the Orlando Sentinel on Brenna Mazzoni’s exhibit. If not, here is the link to the online version: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-lk-south-lake-art-show-brenna-mazzoni-20091209,0,1963698.story

Remember, if you have won an award, brag about it. If you are participating in an art show, send me your information so that I can put it in our newsletter so our members can attend. If you have taken a great class, let others know. Send me stuff for the newsletter southlakeart@yahoo.com Keep Painting!

I received the following email from the lady who is running the Artists portion of this event. If anyone is interested, it sounds like it might be fun. This year the Winter Garden street fair (a 2-day event April 10+11) will be featuring an artist component. Each of the two days we would like to invite 10 artists to en plein air paint on the streets of Winter Garden during the show. This is the first year that the committee has tried anything quite like this. We are hoping for a good turn out. Part of the responsibility I have taken on is publicity and advertising for the artist part of the show. Over the summer, the committee and I designed an application form for artist who might like to participate.We decided the best way would be to put this application online at the Website for the event. The application is now online at http://www.springfeveringarden.com/ Go to "Watch Art Happen".