Tag Archives: demonstration

November 21st Members Meeting and Demonstration by Mick McAndrews

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome Mick McAndrews, an award winning, nationally exhibited watercolor artist from Downington, PA.

Mick’s award winning paintings strive to capture the mood and atmosphere of a subject, combining the magic of watercolor with reverence for the principles of design to create works of sophisticated simplicity. He is a signature member of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society (Crest Award), the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society (Sylvan Grouse Guild) and the Baltimore Watercolor Society. He is also an Artist Member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association.

Mick’s Demonstration: During this watercolor demonstration Mick will focus on working with plenty of water and pigment to exploit the wonder and intrinsic beauty of the medium. He offers – ” I will avoid the pitfalls of noodling with fussy details and instead focus on the importance of good design including interesting shapes, value contrast and variety of edges. With this knowledge we will explore and experience the “magic” that makes watercolor so distinctive.”

Artist’s Statement

I am a passionate painter who believes that time spent painting is precious. My goal is to draw and paint every day and I believe that the fastest way to artistic growth is through the activity of painting. I enjoy painting outside to take advantage of surroundings, natural light, and the sights and sounds that influence each painter’s creative nature. Outside in nature’s studio is where I find the greatest challenge and the greatest reward. I am challenged to capture the moment because light and its effect, reflection and cast shadow changes continuously. I am forced to simplify, to reduce the overwhelming complexity of what’s in front of me into only the most important shapes and values. My nature is to be spontaneous so working loose and impressionistically appeals to me. The magic of watercolor is found in the partnership between artist and medium, of finding a balance between the knowledge, technique and skill of the painter while leaving room for the magic that makes watercolor so distinctive.

Recent Artistic Accomplishments:

Winsor & Newton Award 2019 Wayne Plein Air
Honorable Mention 2019 Parrsboro International Plein Air
Accepted 2018 National Watercolor Society Member Exhibition
Feature Artist 2018 Door County Plein Air Competition
Judge of Awards 2018 Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Member Exhibition
Third Prize 2018 Bucks County Plein Air Competition
Canson Award 2018 Wayne Plein Air Competition
Best Use of Light Award 2018 Mountain Maryland Plein Air Competition
Third Prize 2018 Plein Air Brandywine Valley Competition
Demonstration artist and field painter for the 2017 Plein Air Convention & Expo
17th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists
PWCS Plein Air Award and People’s Choice Award – 2017 On Location: Artists at Brandywine Plein Air Competition

Everyone, member, not yet member and watercolor lover alike, is welcome to join us. We are a group that shares enthusiasm for watercolor and watermedia, welcomes friendship old and new, and enjoys good snacks!!!

October Members Meeting and Demonstration by Iain Stewart

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome our NFWS Fall Workshop Artist Iain Stewart, an award winning watercolor artist and teacher and a signature member of both the American and National Watercolor Societies.His work has received numerous awards in international competitions. Iain’s paintings have been published in Southern Living, Cottage Living, Better Homes and Gardens, The Robb Report, Watercolor ArtistMagazine, Splash 15 16 17, and the French publication Pratique des Arts.

in maintains a studio in Opelika, Alabama, and in addition to working as a fine artist and workshop instructor, he is an architectural illustrator with an international clientele. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture Auburn University.

Iain’s teaching process employs a repeatable process involving carefully planned out steps for painting any subject. His method entails making exploratory sketches and value studies to guide the painting process. According to Iain, there is no other tool at your disposal, other than your sketchbook, better suited for exploring ideas with abandon and a carefree attitude.

Check out his website: stewartwatercolors.com

September Members Meeting and Demonstration by Drayton Jones

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome Drayton Jones, and award winning, nationally exhibited watercolor artist from Fayetteville, NY.

Jones is an active member of the Cazenovia Watercolor Society, participates in local shows including St. David’s and The Dark Isle at Lorenzo and teaches various workshops. Recently he became a Signature member of Watercolor West, a nationally recognized Watercolor Society. He has studied under Nicora Gangi, a full time nationally exhibited, award- winning painter/artist. Gangi says “Drayton Jones’ sensitive style of expression, through the medium of watercolor, poetically captures the drama of natural light on his subject matter, whether it be the soft rolling hills of central New York or the tranquil beauty of our surrounding lakes”. Jones also received acclaim by Syracuse Post writer, Katherine Rushworth, in her article, Sunday June 10^th, 2007 declaring “one of the highlights in the show was discovering the work of Drayton Jones. His style is reminiscent of the great American watercolorist John Marin, but Jones is crisper and less abstract in his approach.” Ms. Rushworth called his work “fluid, bold” and “daring””.

September 18th Members Meeting and Demonstration by Drayton Jones.

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome Drayton Jones, transparent watercolor artist and teacher coming to us from Fayetteville, New York.

Drayton Jones, a Fayetteville, NY resident, is an active member of the Cazenovia Watercolor Society, participates in local shows including St. David’s and The Dark Isle at Lorenzo and teaches various workshops. Recently he became a Signature member of Watercolor West, a nationally recognized Watercolor Society. He has studied under Nicora Gangi, a full time nationally award- winning painter/artist. Gangi says “Drayton Jones’ sensitive style of expression, through the medium of watercolor, poetically captures the drama of natural light on his subject matter, whether it be the soft rolling hills of central New York or the tranquil beauty of our surrounding lakes”. Jones also received acclaim by Syracuse Post writer, Katherine Rushworth, in her article, Sunday June 10^th, 2007 declaring “one of the highlights in the show was discovering the work of Drayton Jones. His style is reminiscent of the great American watercolorist John Marin, but Jones is crisper and less abstract in his approach.” Ms. Rushworth called his work “fluid, bold” and “daring””.

Everyone is welcome to join us. We are a group that shares enthusiasm for watercolor and watermedia, shares friendship and good snacks!!!

April Members Meeting and Demonstration by Bill Mancuso

NOTE: this meeting and demo is the 4th Thursday, April 25th!

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome Bill Mancuso, sketcher, watercolor painter, Plein air enthusiast who joins us from Ohio. Here is his “Bio of Sorts”.

Bill shares: I have drawn for as long as I can remember and since 1998 I’ve shared that interest with students at Ohio Northern University in the flatlands of Ada, OH where I live and work with my wife Melissa, an accomplished artist who also teaches at Northern, our two amazing daughters and a small herd of cats. Before ONU I taught at Thiel College in Greenville, PA for nine years after a year of shuffling between several schools in WNY teaching as an adjunct professor.

I first came to painting as a kid with a local artist, Rose DiCarlo, who taught out of her home and who had us out on the street drawing and painting whenever she could. Later I was extremely fortunate to be taken under wing by Don Grieger and John Hodgins who loved to paint outdoors and this was my real introduction to not just the process, but also thinking about the purpose of the work.

My “official” training came afterwards and consists of an undergraduate degree from SUNY College of Brockport where I was fortunate enough to study painting and drawing with Robert Marx and ceramics with Bill Stewart. My graduate degree is in drawing and painting from the University of Buffalo where the wonderful Harvey Breverman taught. I have also had the opportunity to participate in workshops with Charles Movalli, Andy Evansen, Bill Vrscak, Vladislav Yeliseyev, Eric Michaels and Yuki Hall amongst others.

For myself, drawing and painting is about seeing interconnectedness. By attempting to see, by participating in the process of seeing, I try to be conscious and pay attention. Drawing and painting, for me, is a way to create a trail of my attention to the moment, of being here now. When I consider what Gandhi said when asked about his message, “my life is my message”, perhaps the trail one leaves in art and life is not only our message, but the ultimate form of art?

Everyone is welcome to join us. We are a group that shares enthusiasm for watercolor and watermedia, shares friendship and good snacks!!!

March 2019 Members Meeting and Demonstration by Nancy Lane

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome Nancy Lane, fine artist since 2007, who works in watercolor and other watermedia. She creates her paintings and illustrations in her studio in the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York, and is a member of the Rochester Art Club and the Genesee Valley Plein Air Painters.

“I spent 30 years as an illustrator of more than 24 picture books, as well as book covers and magazine stories. Now I focus my time on my own paintings and commissioned work.

I also enjoy teaching art to individuals and groups, in my home as well as at Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery in Canandaigua, NY. I’ve learned how to explain the intuitive process of creating art so that my students can grow as artists.

When not in the studio, I’m an avid reader. I play piano and love hearing live music. I have two grown children that I’m overly proud of. I enjoy hiking with my husband and our rescued dog in the woods surrounding our log home in New York’s Finger Lakes region.”

Everyone is welcome to join us for an entertaining evening of friendship, learning and inspiration. See you in March!

May 2019 Members Meeting and Demonstration by Pat Dews

Twice a year, in May and October NFWS partners with the Burchfield Penney Art Center to host a demonstration by the NFWS Workshop Artist. Our Spring Workshop Artist is internationally renowned water media artist, Pat Dews.

Pat Dews, a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City is a signature member and Dolphin Fellow of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, National Collage Society and the New Jersey Water Color Society.

Dews creates experimental works in watermedia on paper and canvas. She paints the abstract essence of nature. The shapes and textures of flowers, rocks, water, crumbled walls, rusty objects are translated into richly layered paint surfaces. Collage is often integrated. Dews skillfully juggles organic and geometric forms, transparent and opaque paint – all held together by a basic abstract underlying shape. It is this intricate dance, rendered in strong color and value which produces her award-winning paintings.

Come to the BPAC early, check our the exhibitions, and the gallery shop. All are welcome!

February Members Meeting and Demonstration by Mary Hardegen

A respected watercolor painter, NFWS Signature Member Mary Hardegen will be our demonstrator in February.

Mary shares the following:
“Exposed to watercolor at a young age, I knew that my artistic abilities would ultimately be devoted to it. Watercolor itself offers a lifetime of experimentation to learn its elusive qualities. Intrigued more by what the paint itself displays than the actual subjects I choose, I am inspired by anything that captures light and color, especially landscapes. An expressive medium with unique results every time makes it an exciting medium to share with others through hands on experience, which is why I also enjoy teaching others about watercolor.

My work has been exhibited locally and nationally, receiving awards and being purchased for personal collections.

I have been a member of NFWS for over 12 years, serving as President and in several other roles. I also participate in the Southtowns Watercolor Salon. Centennial Art Center, and Western New York Artists Group.

I have taught classes in a variety of settings. I currently do not have a website but can be contacted through email.”

Join us for an evening of friendship and inspiration. Everyone is welcome!!

January Members Meeting and Demonstration by Vicki O’Reilly

For our January 17th Members Meeting we welcome NFWS Signature Member Vicki O’Reilly whose mastery of luminous florals and keen observation of nature and our surroundings delight lovers of watercolor across the Niagara Frontier.

Vicki has shared the following:

“I have admired watercolor paintings my whole life, but until 15 years ago, I had never worked in watercolor. In 1997, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art and art history from U.B., taking classes part time while I raised my two children. I also studied locally with a studio artist in portraiture and life drawing in oils, pastels and charcoals. I was first introduced to transparent watercolor when I met Denise Sperry at a figure drawing class and was intrigued by the medium in which she worked. Denise told me that she gave classes in technique, and I immediately signed up. From then on, I have never looked back.
I draw inspiration for my paintings from observation of my everyday environment as well as experience gained in my travels. People are often the subjects of my paintings and at other times I find a landscape or cityscape of a place intriguing. Flowers, however, are a special subject for me and often I find myself drawn to them, wherever I may be. I believe that we all sometimes take the beauty around us for granted and I try to paint in a way that makes people take notice. My goal when I paint is to relate my poetic response to my subject. I will frequently zoom in and exaggerate the color or value to intensify the drama, create a sense of mystery and communicate my excitement. Each painting holds a challenge for me both technically and spiritually, as I work to depict visually what I feel emotionally.
I am a signature member of NFWS and have been honored to receive awards for pieces exhibited in their juried shows. I served on the Board of Directors for 3 years and continue to be active in the society. I am also a longtime member of the Williamsville Art Society where I served as past President and chairperson of several committees. I continue to exhibit in their shows as well and have been honored with several awards. In October 2016, I was accepted as an exhibiting member of the Buffalo Society of Artists. I live in Buffalo, New York and have continued my art education by attending numerous workshops both locally and internationally.”

Everyone is welcome to join us for an entertaining evening of friendship, learning and inspiration. See you in January!

November Members Meeting and Demonstration by Katie Turner

Our monthly Members Meetings are brief and open to the public. We welcome everyone interested in watercolor, the regional arts community and learning. There is always a demonstration by remarkable watercolor artist, and snacks are provided!

November’s artist demonstrator is Katie Turner! Love her statement –

“When I paint, I am deeply immersed in watching colors mix. It’s fascinating to play with paint – poking it – leading it – spraying it – coaxing it into walking across the paper. I almost always see shapes from nature, most always flowers.” ~ Katie Turner

Originally from Buffalo, Katie is a watercolor artist who loves working on slick surfaces. Exposed to the art world at an early age by her late mother, a watercolorist from Buffalo, Turner continues to develop her individual style with passion and dedication painting evocative, fresh and intuitive pieces.

Although Turner spent many years in the graphic arts field, writing articles, publishing zines and working with various media, she never strays far from watercolor.

Publications: Creative Genius (Book), NLAPW, April 2018; Stone Canoe: A Journal of Arts, Literature and Social Commentary No. 12, March 2018; Celebrating 120 Years of Pen Women Coloring Book, Jan 2018; NLAPW Magazine, Winter 2017 & Spring 2015; In the Company of Women Book, Jacobs Press, June 2016; & several articles in Somerset Gallery Magazines, Scrap & Stamps & more.

Membership: International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA), National League of American Pen Women (Visual Artist), Signature member of Central New York Watercolor Society, Signature member of Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, and sitting on the Board of the Central New York Art Guild.