Thursday April 22, 2021 Field Trip

Meet up at 12:30 in the museum cafe for lunch of coffee.

(Covid-safe guidelines will be followed in the museum and cafe. Outdoor dining is available.)

Tickets for the event are sold in 15-minute time slots. A few of us booked our exhibit time at 1:15 pm but you can view it anytime you'd like.

Go to go to deyoungmuseum.org to purchase tickets

Thursday June 24, 2021 Field Trip

On Thursday, June 24th at noon we'll attend the opening of the All-Media Show at the Coastal Arts League Gallery at 300 Main Street in Half Moon Bay. We'll meet for lunch at 1:30pm at Sam's Chowder House on the coast.

Two days later on Saturday, June 26th some of us will attend the reception at the same gallery location. Several LGAA members will be in the show. See https://www.coastsideartists.com/all-media-show-2021.html for information about the All-Media Show and the gallery.

March 2020 meeting is canceled

Rafael DeSoto Jr., originally from Long Island, NY, was son and student of renowned New York artist/illustrator/teacher. Rafael has a degree in commercial art from SUNY and attended The Art Students League of NY and the School of Visual Arts. He's received several California Arts Council grants for special art projects. He has exhibited along the east coast from New Hampshire to Florida before his move to California.

Rafael has been an art director and senior designer for high-tech companies in Silicon Valley for the past 35 years. He is now semi-retired and claims watercolor as his primary medium because of its convenience, quick-drying attribute, and challenge.

Rafael's style is considered representational impressionism. His favorite subjects are landscapes of the American Southwest, still-life of worn objects, florals, and portraits. He enjoys sharing his expertise with others and currently teaches in Redwood City at University Art, at Art Bias, and has private classes in his home studio in San Carlos. Visit his website rafaeldesotojr.com for more information and to see examples of his art.

April 2020 meeting is canceled

A highly-acclaimed bay-area artist, Randall is originally from New England and received a BFA from the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Since moving to San Francisco, he has become an inspiring teacher, workshop presenter, and fine artist whose work has been in diverse collections in the US and abroad. He paints still life, landscapes, and portraits with expressive brushwork.

Randall taught at the San Francisco Academy of Art for ten years. He is a Signature Member of PAPA and has won numerous awards and honors in prestigious juried shows such as the Annual Laguna Plein Air Event, and the Art Festivals in Napa Valley, Telluride, Sedon, Maui, and Carmel.

Randall has been featured in the journals: Southwest Art, American Art Collector, American Artist, Southwest Art, Plein Air, and Workshop. His books and DVD's include Havana and Back and In the Moment. His Brushstrokes With Energy And Style is an instructional DVD. He teaches classes and workshops privately, at Pixar Studios, and at the California College of Art in Oakland. Visit www.rcsexton.com and www.instagram.com/randy_sexton/ for art examples and more information.

January 12, 2020:

Kim Lordier, the juror of LGAA'S Fall Members' Juried Show, will critique members' art. This is a popular event held in January of every year. Members are invited to bring ONE piece of art to be critiqued.

Kim is a Bay Area native and a distinguished plein air pastel landscape artist. Her work is exhibited in prestigious art galleries in the western United States and is in private collections and art museums throughout the country.

Kim received a BFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco in 1989. Her work has been showcased on the cover of Art of the West, Southwest Art, The Pastel Journal, PleinAir Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur. Kim has received recognition at major plein air events, international magazine competitions, national pastel society shows, and museum exhibitions.

Kim is a Signature Member of the California Art Club, the Pastel Society of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and is a Distinguished Pastelist of the Pastel Society of the West Coast. Refer to her website kimfancherlordier.com for more information about her and to see more examples of her work.

February 23, 2020 (note meeting date change):

A Bay Area native, Jordan attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned a BA in Art Studio. He then attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where he studied under Sherrie Sinclair and Oliver Sin, and earned an MFA in Visual Development.

Jordan considers himself to be a visual storyteller. He has transitioned to digital painting and illustration focusing on character design and writing and illustrating graphic novels. He continues to do sketches with graphite and pen and ink.

Prior to teaching, Jordan worked as a Visual Development Artist for several mobile game and entertainment production companies in the Bay Area. He is also a published Colorist, having been the Colorist for the graphic novel Sanctuary, published by Slave Labor Graphics in 2011.

Currently, Jordan teaches in the Art and Graphic Design departments at Foothill College. In the spring of 2020 Jordan will be designing and painting a mural at the Veterans Community Plaza for the City of Los Altos. Visit his website www.monkeyboyillustrations.com to learn more about him and see examples of his work.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Gary Beattie
2nd - Susan Englert
3rd - Scott Holtslander

November 10, 2019:

Marina Goldberg is a Bay Area watercolor artist originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia. She began painting at age six and later studied at the Shtiegletz Art Academy. The noted artist Pavel Kovalevsky was one of her teachers. Marina came to the United States in 1979 and earned a degree in painting at the San Francisco Art Institute.

Painting in an impressionistic style, Marina's subject matter includes sill life, landscapes, and cityscapes. Often her work is done Alla Prima, which translates to mean "all in one session".

Marina has worked as an illustrator, graphic designer, and virtual environment artist. For the last 23 years she was an Art Director of computer games and has been recognized in the industry. She won major awards including EMMA.

Currently Marina participates in local and international art shows, where she has received recognition. Her work can be seen in collections in Russia, Europe, and the United States. She also paints portraits on commission. To learn more about her, visit her web site at marinagoldberg.com, which has an online gallery of her paintings.

December 1, 2019 (note new meeting date):

Our annual holiday party is held in December in lieu of a normal general meeting. This year it is on a different date from our regular second Sunday due to a schedule conflict at Congregation Shir Hadash. There will be a silent auction of items in all categories, not limited to art and art supplies. The proceeds will be donated to Art Docents of Los Gatos (see artdocents.com). The public is invited. Everyone attending is encouraged to bring one or more usable items in good condition to donate to the auction to help raise money for this worthy cause.

Artists of the Month for November:

1st - Christy Tsai (left)
2nd - Gary Beattie (center)
3rd - Rebecca Lillis White (right)

September 8, 2019:

Jared Sines will demonstrate how to paint a still life in oils. Jared has had a long career as a fine, commercial, and decorative artist. At age 8 he began life drawing lessons at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and continued studying there throughout his school years. With a focus on Modern Art, he graduated from San Francisco State College with a degree in fine arts and creative writing. At age 20, while still in college, Jared began showing his intricately detailed still lives in the display windows at Shreve and Co. in San Francisco.

Jared has continued to display and sell his artwork in many fine art venues. Presently his paintings are at the New Masters Gallery in Carmel, the Portola Art Gallery in Menlo Park, Marcela's Village Gallery in Menlo Park, and in occasional art shows at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, where he teaches oil painting.

October 13, 2019:

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Rebecca Lillis White
2nd - John Giannotti
3rd - Sanda Tingalay

July 14, 2019:

May Shei will paint Koi Fish and Lotus in watercolor on rice paper. May is a noted contemporary Chinese watercolor artist who grew up in Hakka, south of Taiwan. She graduated from the Arts and Crafts program at Taiwan University of Technology and the department of Art at Chinese Culture University.

May portrays endangered and protected species and ancient figures from Taiwan's past. Her work combines the natural and abstract and blends Eastern and Western styles in a contemporary way.

May has received numerous awards in San Francisco Bay Area art competitions, and is often featured in local galleries and Museums. She has held solo art shows in Taiwan, China, and the US. She was juried into the 2016-17 Salon d'Automne Paris, in 2017 was the Cupertino distinguished Artist Award winner, and had a Solo Exhibition "Asia Art Now" at the Pacific Art League in Feb. 2019.

May currently teaches art at the Pacific Art League and at the Cupertino Senior Center. Visit her web site at mayshei.com to see more about her and view examples of her work.

August 11, 2019:

Nancy Takaichi will demonstrate painting en plein air and provide useful tips for a successful outing. Nancy is a plein air painter whose medium is oils. She looks for what makes a scene unique - often it is the light that captures her attention. She paints only what is necessary to convey the essence, which gives her paintings a strong compositional design.

Nancy majored in art at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and apprenticed in Manhattan with Jack Beal and Jane Freilicher. She had a 30-year career in high tech marketing and event management for Cypress Semiconductor and returned to painting in 2012. Since then she has studied art with several noted artists including Ray Roberts and Matt Smith.

Nancy has twice won Best of Show in North Lake Tahoe (2016, 2017), First Place and Best of Show in Alameda's Frank Bette Plein Air (2017, 2018), Best of show in the Los Gatos Art Association Members' Fall Juried Show (2018), and was juried into the prestigious Carmel Art Festival and the Los Gatos Plein Air event.

Nancy lives in San Jose and is represented by Gallery 24 in Los Gatos. Visit her website www.nancytakaichi.com/ to read more about her and see examples of her paintings.

Artists of the Month for July:

1st - Iris Lian
2nd - Annie Haines
3rd - Rebecca Lillis White

Artists of the Month for August:

1st - John Giannotti
2nd - Judy Welsh
3rd - Gary Beatti

May 12, 2019:

Realist artist John Robert Peck will draw a portrait using a live model.

John teaches portrait and figure drawing at Stanford University (Continuing Studies) and painting at the Triton Museum of Art. His paintings are shown in galleries in London, Dublin, Florence, Charleston and Santa Fe. His painting and drawing features portraiture.

John graduated from the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. He earned his B.S. in Physics from the University of San Francisco and Master of Architecture from the University of New Mexico.

Refer to John's website at johnpeck.com to see more of his art.

June 9, 2019:

Warren is an acclaimed master artist who will paint a head portrait in oils using a live model.

Born in Monterey, California, Warren Chang is an acclaimed realist artist who is recognized for his realist paintings of biographical interiors and field-workers of the Monterey, California area. Influenced by Masters such as 17th century artist Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), and 19th century artists Jean Francois Millet (1814-1875), and Winslow Homer (1836-1910), among others.

Warren Chang creates subtle narratives that celebrate the human spirit. His work has won many awards and has been profiled many national publications. He was honored with a solo exhibition of his art at the Monterey Museum of Art and the Butler Institute of American Art in Ohio, both in 2014 and currently he has an exhibit of his fieldworker paintings at the New Museum Los Gatos, on exhibit until June 16, 2019. Website: http://www.warrenchang.com

Artists of the Month for May:

1st - Leslie Landers
2nd - Marianne Woosley
3rd - Kathy Kleinsteiber

Artists of the Month for June:

1st - Maralyn Miller
2nd - John Giannotti
3rd - Rebecca White

March 10, 2019:

Jan Silverman will cover the basics on how to photograph your art, what to look for in photo editing software, about image file formats, how to match a print to your original, and other things to know to that could give you an advantage when submitting digital images of your art to juried shows, publishing on web sites, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Jan Silverman holds multiple engineering degrees and had a successful career in hi-tech Marketing. About a decade ago, he found that photo processing labs couldn't match the colors and tones on his monitor. Thus, he created "Artistry Printing", a company whose printing uses calibrated monitors, large format printers, archival pigment inks, and museum grade papers. He also taught courses in digital printing at the Aperture Academy in San Jose, CA.

In addition to his company work, Jan photographs artwork and makes giclee copies for the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, the Woodside Gallery in Woodside, the Peninsula Gallery in San Mateo, the Martha Hewett Gallery in Cincinnati, and for many private customers. He became the printer of fine-art and metal prints for Keeble & Shuchut's in Palo Alto and San Jose Camera & Video. He currently works out of his studio in Los Gatos, CA. Refer to his website artistryprinting.com for more information.

April 14, 2019:

Kim Lordier is a distinguished plein air pastel landscape artist and is a native of the Bay Area. Her work is exhibited in prestigious art galleries in the western United States and is in private collections and in art museums throughout the country. She is a sought-after workshop presenter.

Kim received a BFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco in 1989. Her work has been showcased on the cover of Art of the West, Southwest Art, The Pastel Journal, PleinAir Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur. Acknowledged by jurors and her peers, Kim has received recognition for her landscapes at major plein air events, international magazine competitions, national pastel society shows, and museum exhibitions.

Kim is a Signature Member of the California Art Club, the Pastel Society of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and a Distinguished Pastelist of the Pastel Society of the West Coast. Refer to her website kimfancherlordier.com for more information.

Artists of the Month for April:

1st - Dale Momii
2nd - Elizabeth Parshis
3rd - Elwira Maszara

January 13, 2019:

George Rivera will critique the art of members of the Los Gatos Art Association. Each artist whose membership is current may bring one piece of art.

George Rivera is a well-known and respected local artist and teacher. He received his B.A. and M.A. at San Jose State University, and for 28 years he was the Executive Director and Senior Curator for the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara. LGAA members who bring a piece of their art will have a great opportunity to get George's expert advice.

George also taught art studio, art appreciation, and art history classes in many Bay Area institutions: San Jose State University, San Jose Art League, Pacific Art League, UC Berkeley Extension, DeAnza College, Triton Museum of Art School and continuously at Mission College since 1986. In 2013, he joined Mission College as Associate Faculty Instructor of Art and has also been teaching studio art and art appreciation at Ohlone College since 2014.

February 10, 2019:

Mike will present a demonstration of various design elements using watercolor as the medium. "The Whole is Greater Than All the Parts" is the demo subject.

Mike Bailey is a plein air watercolorist who lives and paints on the coast in Santa Cruz. He is noted for his innovative teaching style, which is energetic, positive, and full of fun and excitement. An experienced teacher with an M.E., he taught design and composition at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1999, and has presented workshops throughout the USA ever since.

Mike's work has been published in Northlight books, and in the magazines Splash, Watercolor, and Watercolor Artist. He has received numerous awards from national and international societies. Mike is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, a signature member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS) and is past president and signature member of the National Watercolor Society (NWS). See www.mebaileyart.com for more information.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Nancy Takaishi - Lower Haight at Sunset
2nd - John Giannotti - Cypress #1
3rd (tie) - Judy Welsh - Reflections
3rd - Cindy Davis - Lace

November 11, 2018:

December 9, 2018:

at the Congregation Shir Hadash
Please bring art related items (supplies, books, artwork, etc.) to be AUCTIONED, the proceeds of which will be donated to a charity to be selected this month.

There will be no Peer Group judging, but the Artist of the Year will be announced.

Bring finger food to share and an unwrapped toy for TOYS FOR TOTS.

September 16, 2018: *

Tonya Zenin is an impressionist painter who began her artistic training at age 10 at an art school in Russia. She received a degree in graphic design and built a successful career as a web designer. In 1996 Tonya moved to Northern California, where she fell in love with the land and scenic coast. This captured her imagination and compelled her to pick up the brushes again.

Tonya often goes to Carmel to paint the coastline, where so many great artists have found inspiration. Her art and sense of color has been greatly influenced by the works of early Californian artists. Although the majority of Tonya's painting is en plein air, she also enjoys painting in her studio.

Tonya is a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society, a Member of OPA and California Art Club, and a founder of California Plein Air Painters. www.tonyazenin.com

*Please Note: Change in September's Meeting Date!

October 14, 2018:

David Savellano is a watercolor artist who paints primarily en plein air. He paints and sketches urban street scenes and nature settings with an appealing loose style punctuated with a bit of controlled detail. He enjoys the challenges of capturing the energy, drama, and mood of unpredictable moments, such as changing light and atmosphere.

David is a native Californian who lives in the Bay Area. His 30 years as a practicing architect gave him the drawing skills needed to beautifully render the scenes he paints and the speed needed to deal with the changing light and weather conditions encountered when painting outdoors.

He studied with contemporary watercolor masters Joseph Zbukvic and Jerry Stitt, who were very influential in his artistic development. He teaches small classes and provides expert instruction to help students improve their artistic skills and knowledge. Refer to www.davidsavellano.com for more information.

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Barbara Lancon - The Concert (Pastel)
2nd - AiWen Chen - Rose (Charcoal)
3rd - Elwira Maszara - Sailing Memories (Watercolor)

Artists of the Month for October:

1st - Claudia Browne - Wind in Her Hair (Oil)
2nd - Judy Welsh - My Creek (Watercolor)
3rd - Kathy Kleinsteiber - The Photoshoot (Acrylic)

July 8, 2018:

Carole Belliveau was raised just outside New York City and attended Parsons School of Design in Manhattan. She crafted original sculptures in doll form for twenty-five years producing her own collection introduced at the International Toy Fair each year to a large following of fans. She also designed for some of the largest toy companies such as Hasbro and Marie Osmond Dolls.

Carole moved from Boston to California in 1997 and was exposed to a whole new environment of unlimited vistas, incandescent color, and an ocean full of drama and light. She was attracted to landscape painting and it changed everything. Carole entered The Academy of Art University and graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in 2008. Carole's passion for art has led to a life filled with possibilities.

Carole Belliveau is a member of The California Art Club, The Portrait Society of America, The Impressionist Society, American Women Artists and the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association. Her prize-winning work can be found in many private and public collections. www.Carolebelliveau.com

August 12, 2018:

A native Californian, Margaret Washington graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Graphic Design. While there, she was a student of N. Eric Obach the imaginative watercolor master. Working as graphic Designer until 1989 she decided to stay home, raise her three daughters and paint in earnest.

Although she paints a variety of subjects, from still life to urban landscapes, light and shadow and strong composition drive her artist interest. A review in Art Bits and Pieces said her "watercolors are like fine china - light, elegant and very pleasing to the eye."

She has won many awards for watercolor in juried shows and has had her work exhibited in national shows, galleries and museums. She is currently an art teacher at Old Orchard School in Campbell, CA, and has private and group lessons and workshops. She is a signature member of California Watercolor Society. She has taken part in the SVOS Tour and Saratoga Rotary Art Show, Naglee Park Open Studio and the Triton Museum Biannual Watercolor Exhibition. "My paintings are about playing with light, bringing out contours and texture and finding the poetry in every day objects and scenes." www.mpwashington.com

Artists of the Month for July:

1st - Rebecca White - Along the Creek (Oil)
2nd - May Shei - Spring Time (Watercolor on rice paper)
3rd - Maralyn Miller - Southward (Oil)

Artists of the Month for August:

1st - Judy Welsh - Across the River (Watercolor)
2nd - Leslie Landers - Bridge at Alum Rock (Oil)
3rd - Elwira Maszara - Girl with Summer Weeds (Mixed media)

May 13, 2018:

Gabriel Coke is an artist and educator whose artistic passion is in the classical style of drawing and painting, his main passion being inspiring the quality of education in his community. He began teaching full time in 2012 in Saratoga in his atelier called Cloud Castle Art Studio. The After School Art Studio which he opened became a meaningful re-invention of a long lost tradition of introducing drawing and oil painting skills to students as soon as possible and filling up the lack of art education in the public school system.

Gabriel was invited by NUMU to create and direct a contemporary classical teaching atelier with his own curriculum for adults and teens. His Visiting Artists Program offers workshops and contacts with artists and art students from the United States and around the world.

Gabriel will share his passion and experience teaching kids and adults, and he will do a "Ceracolors" demo of Liquid Encaustic, a new water-soluble wax paint developed by Rublev.

For more information on Gabriel and his classes, plein air meeting, and events, please visit numulosgatos.org/program-director or gabrielcokeartclass.com.

June 10, 2018:

Kristin Lindseth is known for her intensely felt sculptures of the interior human landscape. She is an internationally exhibiting sculptor, printmaker, and educator. Her sculptures are all cast bronze figurative and symbolic works, and are each one of a kind. She has done her own casting for the past twenty years, which allows for freedom to experiment and evolve.

Her work has been shown in many museums, and she is represented in several galleries throughout California. She's a member of the International Sculpture Society, Pacific Rim Sculptors, and Nordic Five Arts. She has received extensive education here and abroad, and has been an art educator for two decades.

Her sculptures and intaglio prints are in the permanent collections of San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, (NUMU) New Museum of Los Gatos, Morris Graves Museum in Eureka, CA, Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, CA, and Fayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

For more information, visit kristinlindseth.com.

Artists of the Month for May:

1st - Diann Klink - Kindred Spirits (Oil)
2nd - Elwira Maszara - Watch Wolf (Watercolor)
3rd (tied) - Vernon Dittenbir - Grizzly Bear (Oil)

Artists of the Month for June:

1st - Claudia Browne - Helping Hands (Oil)
2nd - Rebecca White - Pescadero Coast (Oil)
3rd - Kathy Kleinsteiber - Up? (Watercolor)

March 11, 2018:

Kevin Courter is a native son of the Bay Area of California who keenly observes the magical quality of the California landscape and the effects that light plays on it at various times of day. He aptly and uniquely renders these observations in his soulful landscape oil paintings.

For these reasons Kevin has captured the hearts of his many collectors throughout the US and abroad, has won numerous prestigious awards, and is in high demand as a gallery artist and workshop presenter. We had the pleasure of having him serve as the juror for the 2017 LGAA Members Juried Show.

See kevincourter.com for more info and to see examples of his work.

April 8, 2018:

Clark Mitchell is a nationally acclaimed landscape artist and workshop instructor based in Northern California. He travels widely to paint pastel and oil landscape, primarily on location.

Designated a Master Pastelist by the Pastel Society of America and a Distinguished Pastelist by the Pastel Society of the West Coast, Clark has received numerous awards in local as well as national competitions. In 2005, he won Best of Show at the Laguna Plein Air Invitational; and in 2011, Best of Show in the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational. His paintings have been on the cover of American Artist, Southwest Art and the Pastel Journal.

You can find a step-by-step demonstration by the artist in the June 2011 issue of The Pastel Journal.

Please go to cgmitchell.com for 2018 workshops and more information about Clark Mitchell.

Artists of the Month for March:

1st - Judy Welsh - Plateau (Watercolor)
2nd - David Chisessi - Camellias (Oil)
3rd - Annie Haines - Afternoon Sunbathing (Watercolor)

Artists of the Month for April:

1st - David Chisessi - Bay Reflection (Oil)
2nd - Claudia Browne - Ashley (Oil)
3rd - Leslie Landers - Pawn Shop Guitars (Watercolor)

January 14, 2018:

George Rivera is a well-known and respected local artist and teacher. He received his B.A. and M.A. at San Jose State University, and for 28 years he was the Executive Director and Senior Curator for the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara. LGAA members who bring a piece of their art will have a great opportunity to get George's expert advice.

George also taught art studio, art appreciation, and art history classes in many Bay Area institutions: San Jose State University, San Jose Art League, Pacific Art League, UC Berkeley Extension, DeAnza College, Triton Museum of Art School and continuously at Mission College since 1986. In 2013, he joined Mission College as Associate Faculty Instructor of Art and has also been teaching studio art and art appreciation at Ohlone College since 2014.

February 11, 2018:

Myrna Wacknov is a practicing artist and workshop instructor specializing in figurative and portrait character studies. She has attained Signature Membership in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, the California Watercolor Society, the San Diego Watercolor Society, and the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia.

She has been featured in numerous magazines including Watercolor Magic, Artist Magazine, Watercolor Artist, and Palette Magazine. The March/April 2017 issue of the Artist Magazine has an article written by Myrna on using digital applications for creating painting inspirations.

See her work as well as her workshop schedule at www.myrnawacknov.com and her online art journal at myrnawacknov.blogspot.com. She maintains studio #21 at the Peninsula Museum of Art (PMA), 1777 California Drive, Burlingame CA 94010.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - John Giannotti - Kitty (Watercolor)
2nd - Vernon Dittenbir - Four Cows (Oil)
3rd - Kathy Kleinsteiber - The Great Escape II - Roadrunner (Oil)

November 11, 2017:

December 9, 2017:

We will have a live Auction! Please bring something to auction off that you think is of value but you no longer need or want. You are welcome to bring a spouse, friend, significant other, etc. The proceeds will go to support the victims of the recents fires in northern California.

There will be no Peer Group judging, but the Artist of the Year will be announced.

Bring finger food to share and an unwrapped toy for TOYS FOR TOTS.

September 9, 2017:

Ron is an award-winning contemporary artist whose media is all water-based. He loves to experiment with patterns and texture and hopes to inspire the emotion one experiences with a work a nature. His art has been shown in "International Contemporary Artists" magazine, the Triton Museum, and in several shows.

Ron has been a research physicist and R & D Executive, and is a member of CWA, SCWV WS. He has served on many boards including Pacific Art League and Silicon Valley Open Studios. Refer to his website ronandrewsart.com for more info and to see examples of his art.

October 14, 2017:

Ellen's goal, working as a plein air painter primarily in oils, is to inspire a sense of calm and peace with her paintings.

Ellen is an award winning artist, a Signature Member of the Society of Western Artists, and a member of NOAP (National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society), Laguna Plein Air Painters, LGAA, American Impressionist Society, Outdoor Painters Society, and the California Art Club. She is represented at Gallery 24 in Los Gatos, CA, Arnould Gallery in Marblehead, MA, and Unleashed Art Gallery in Redwood City, CA. Check out fineartstudioonline.com for more information and to see examples of her work.

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Claudia Browne - Big Surprise (Oil)
2nd - Barbara Lancon - Spanish Dancers (Pastel)
3rd - Annie Haines - Hayes Mansion (Watercolor)

Artists of the Month for October:

1st - Vernon Dittenbir - Baby Elephant (Oil)
2nd - Annie Haines - Point Reyes Lighthouse (Watercolor)
3rd - John Giannotti - Portrait #6 (Watercolor)

July 8, 2017:

Zoya is an abstract artist who grew up in Monterey, California. She received a BA in Studio Art from CSUEB in 1993. She is best known for her work in Watercolors and has shown paintings throughout the U.S. and won numerous awards.

Although most of her paintings feature natural forms - birds, leaves, petals, fruit, landscape, she is primarily a process painter, whose focus is not the end result. Her teaching style includes movement, improv games, and music to enhance learning and creative inspiration. Zoya has taught art for over twenty years, and leads Art for Personal Growth Workshops. See zoyart.com for more information.

August 12, 2017:

Peggy is a Fine Art Illustrator whose medium is Colored Pencils. Her subject matter is portraits of pets, animals, people, and natural science subjects such as botanical illustrations. Her lifelong interest in the natural sciences shows itself in her keen eye for detail and realistic renderings of her subjects.

Peggy studied art at San Jose State University and De Anza Community College. Her experience includes creating illustrations for nature and science journals, magazine covers, advertising and private and commercial commissions. She is a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.

See her blog at https://pmmfa.wordpress.com/about and her website at milovina-meyer.com.

Artists of the Month for July:

1st - Claudia Browne - Sophie (Oil)
2nd - Kathy Kleinsteiber - Allusionist Feather (Oil)
3rd - John Giannotti - Mary #1 (Watercolor)

Artists of the Month for August:

1st - Kathy Kleinsteiber - The Great Escape (Acrylic)
2nd - Claudia Browne - The Rose (Oil)
3rd - Patty Montgomery - The Brushes Know (Mixed Media)

June 10, 2017:

Inna was born in Sergiev Posad, a town near Moscow. She discovered passion for drawing and painting in her early years, supported by her father, an admirer of impressionism.

After extensive training, beginning at the age of 10 at the Sergiev Posad Art School, and 5 years at the Masters Program of Art and Graphics at the Moscow Art University, she ventured into the world of computer arts which eventually brought her to California in 1997 where she worked as a computer game artist but continued painting in her free time

Various workshops such as Ala Prima at the College of San Mateo with Jim Smyth, Plein Air workshop with Brigitte Curt, and study in Idaho in 2007 with American-Armenian artist Ovanes Berberian, have been great sources of inspiration. She continues exploring her impressionist approach to painting and believes that sunny California is the perfect location for this exploration. See inna-art.net

May 13, 2017:

Jim Gleeson will give an abstract figurative watercolor demo where he works from abstract shapes and lets the paint lead him. It is a fun demo that shows how, with abstraction, you have to trust your instincts and take chances.

Jim is a San Francisco based artist and teacher. Known for brightly colored images of San Francisco that are popular with locals and visitors alike, Jim is expanding his visual lexicon. The new work featured on his website is a departure from realism. The work is bold and brightly colored but much more abstract and painterly in nature.

Inspired by artists Richard Deibenkorn, David Park and local artist Henry Jackson, Jim is venturing into the world of Fine Art that is based on developing a personal style. See jimgleeson.com.

Artists of the Month for May:

1st - Elwira Maszara - Maia in Vines (Watercolor)
2nd - John M. Perez - Kacy (Ink and Acrylic)
3rd - Bobby Frederickson - The Bucket List (Oil)

Artists of the Month for June:

1st - Kathy Kleinsteiber - Nevermore (Acrylic)
2nd - Linda Oberquell - Peggy's Cove (Oil)
3rd - Judy Welsh - Red Rock Canyon (Watercolor)

April 8, 2017:

Alvin is an accomplished transparent watercolor painter of still-life and landscape paintings.

He attended the Academy of Art in San Francisco with a full-time scholarship.

Over 35 years in advertising, design, illustration and corporate identities, earned him numerous awards and recognition in the San Francisco Bay Area.

He has accumulated many awards and ribbons since returning to his love of fine art in watercolor paintings after his retirement from Graphic Design in the mid 1990s. He is a signature member of California Watercolor Association.

March 11, 2017:

Although she now works full time as an artist, Julia earned her Ph.D. in microbiology and worked for many years as a research scientist. She said, "My training in science taught me to observe carefully, which is crucial for a painter."

Julia has studied privately and in workshops with Suzanne Welch, Warren Chang, Mary Whyte, Susan Lyon and Rose Frantzen.

She is a member of Oil Painters of America and the California Art Club and lives and paints in San Jose, California.

February 11, 2017:

Colleen will be discussing and demonstrating the steps in the lost wax process of bronze making and the various themes of her work.

Drawing inspiration from the human condition and the various lives we lead, her sculpture reflects a fascination with human diversity and emotions and the various roles we play in society.

One of her sculptural series uses found objects to represent characters' bodies. Her stylized ceramic figures often include quirky characteristics with an amusing backstory.

January 14, 2017:

Paul's 2 great passions have always been sports and wildlife. He began his career as an illustrator, mainly in advertising, and went on to concentrate solely on wildlife illustration.

Painting outdoors has now become a passion and he continues to participate in a number of plein air events annually in California.

He will be part of a show at the Peninsula Museum of Art in Burlingame (Oct. 30th - Jan. 8th) along with 19 nationally known artists from the Bay Area featuring Northern California Impressionism, as noted in the Oct./Nov. issue of PleinAir magazine.

December 10:

We will will have a live Auction! Please bring something to auction off that you think is of value but you no longer need or want.The proceeds will go to the LGAA fund for future shows, awards and expenses.

There will be no Peer Group judging, but the Artist of the Year will be announced.

Bring finger food to share and an unwrapped toy for TOYS FOR TOTS.

November 12:

October 8:

"When painting I look for colors and shapes and how everything interacts. I don't like to give the viewer all the information. I like what a viewer brings to a painting."

Artists of the Month for October:

1st (tie) - John Giannotti - "My Firt Watercolor Portrait"
1st (tie) - Elwira Maszara - "Horned Beauty"
2nd -Edwin Simon - "Jack's Peak, High Above"
3rd - Patricia Montgomery - "Afternoon"

September 10:

Jan Prisco is a pastel and oil painter.  Most of her paintings are begun plein air with an emphasis on simplification and value while capturing vibrant color and light.

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Edwin Simon - "Beautiful Pt. Lobos"
2nd - Claudia Browne - "Maid of Honor"
3rd - Rebecca White - "Wave Watching"

August 13:

The streets around the Center as well as the two adjacent parking lots and the green are closed to traffic during this festival.

July 9:

Central Coast artist Ann McMillan began oil painting in 1997 after studying drawing, science illustration and watercolor painting since childhood. Ann studies the interaction of light and color in the tradition of California Impressionism.

June 11:

Kelly Telfer is a professional artist and has been his entire life. He creates and sells Giclée fine art prints (based on his artwork), original oil & acrylic paintings, commissioned original oil & acrylic paintings, metal sculpture, welded sculpture and found objects sculpture.

Telfer's art features motorsports, auto, car, pets, cats, dogs and people. Telfer is a 3rd generation Californian who lives in San Jose. His art is in collections worldwide.

May 14:

Jeff had to cancel at the last minute and the group watched a DVD of a watercolor portrait demo by southern artist Mary Whyte, as well as British artist Peter Wileman, President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.

Peter demonstrated painting oil landscapes that sing with light, from sketches and photographs.

April 9:

Donna Orme is an experimental artist. She produces collages from acrylic skins and collagraphs on Styrene or Polycarbonate sheets.

Donna studied printmaking at the College of San Mateo and at the Pacific Art League. She has received many national, state and local awards, is a Signature Member of the National Collage Society and her work was selected by VISA for the 2007 Wall Calendar.

Ms. Orme's work is collected nationally and internationally and supports the community by giving demonstrations to groups in the techniques of collagraph and acrylic monotypes.

March 12, 2016:

A native San Fransican, Guy Magallanes is self-taught and has painted since childhood.

His work is published in Splash 9, 10, 15  and is one of 15 Splash artists selected to contribute to "Watercolor Secrets" - All by North Light Books.

Artists of the Month for March:

1st - Claudia Brown - "Portrait of Jayla"
2nd - Nancy Takai - "Capitola"
2nd - Vernon Dittenbir - "Smart Chick"
3rd - Jane Kang - "Ripening"

February 13:

Raymond received his undergraduate and Masters in Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Today Ray's paintings are collected worldwide. He specializes in commissioned portraits and plein air landscapes, and has had numerous one-man shows. He also teaches at the Academy of Art University as well as the Pacific Art League.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Claudia Brown
2nd - Carolyn Larson - "New Brighton Beach"
2nd - Kathy Kleinsteiber - "Tukeko Picnic" 2nd - Irma Longley
2nd - Jayne Kang - "Rain"

January 9, 2016:

Gerald is a representational artist who works in a variety of media including oil, pastel and watercolor.

He has been honored with "Signature Memberships" in both the Society of Western Artists and the Pastel Society of the West Coast.

His considerable experience has put him in demand as a juror for art competitions including twice for the Society of Western Artists Annual Exhibition.

Each member may bring one painting to be critiqued by Gerald and we can all benefit from observing the process.

Be planning what to bring.

December 12:

The Holiday Social and Auction was a huge success! We took 4 huge bags of toys to the Fire Station for Toys for Tots.

2015 Artist of the Year:

November 14:

October 10:

Robert Dvorak has been called "the fastest draw in the west." He has drawn and painted just about everywhere - on cruise ships, sailing yachts, ferry boats, trains, cars, busses, and planes.

His specialty is showing people the joy of being creative - to draw, to paint, to invent and to innovate.

Artists of the Month for October:

1st - Rick Guidace - "Travel Sketches"
2nd - Betty McGuire - "Spring Green"
3rd - Marcia Frederick - "Waiting"

September 12:

Laurie is known for creating still life and figure paintings that are marked by the expressive quality of her brushwork. Her painterly style can be observed in both her oil and watercolor paintings.

Artists of the Month for Sept.:

1st - Fayne Muldooon - "Yellow Sky"
2nd - Thong Le - "Gray"
3rd - Bobbie Frederickson - "Oh Dear"

August 8:

The annual Los Gatos Fiesta de Artes takes over the Lawn and all the parking lots and the street is closed for the duration of the event.

July 11:

A past President of the Society of Western Artists and a signature Member of both the Society of Western Artists (1988) and the California Watercolor Association (2015).

Joyce has been teaching private classes since 1996 and volunteers in the Schools of San Mateo for the Arts.

Artists of the Month for July:

1st - Kathy Kleinsteiber - "Tending the Nest"
2nd - Fayne Muldoon - "Six thirty a.m. at the Java Kai"
3rd - Vernon Dittenbir - "Zebras"

June 13:

Frances specializes in portraits of people, wildlife, nature, and architecture from her travels to more than 60 countries.

She is particularly drawn to scenes that express the beauty, excitement, humor and diversity of our world, whether through a brilliantly colored blossom or a poignant face in the crowd.

Artists of the Month for June:

1st - Thong Le - "A Girl"
2nd - Jeff Chase - "H20"
3rd - Edwin Simon - "Rock Sanctuary" and Kathy Kleinstiber - "Territorial Dispute"

May 9:

Watching him paint, we are tricked by the effortless brush handling, which makes it look so easy.  However, someone who has tried watercolor would know that it is not the case at all - quite the opposite

Artists of the Month for May:

1st - Judy Coffman - "The Hands of a Child"
2nd -Edwin Simon - "The Bird Refuge"
3rd - Rebecca White - "Emerging through the Fog"

April 11:

Well known for her lively, crisp and truthful depictions of people, landscapes, flowers and objects and for her distinctive use of color, she teaches watercolor and pastel painting classes, conducts painting workshops throughout the US, Canada and Europe and frequently serves as a juror for local art shows.

Artists of the Month for April:

1st - Marcia Frederick - "Going West"
2nd - Judy Coffman - "Urban Autumn"
3rd - Dick Zunkel - "Rest Stop"

March 14

Each painting begins as an invitation, proceeds as an adventure, and ends as a gift - whether a joy in itself or a lesson learned, whether just for me or to be shared with others.

Artists of the Month for March:

1st - Iris Liam - "Red Trolly"
2nd - Nancy Takaichi - "First Snow"
3rd - Dee Pali Kapatkar - "Badlands During the Downpour"

February 14:

A lifelong artist and career illustrator, Linda employs both fine art and illustrative techniques in the creation of her pieces.

Join us for an upbeat and informative session on the advantages of adding still life paintings to your repertoire of subjects.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Claudia Browne - "Kian"
2nd - Ron White - "Pescadero"
3rd - Jeff Chase - "Cookie"

January 10:

Jane has taught painting for over 40 years, has won over 200 art awards and is an elected member of the National Watercolor Society, Water West and the Midwest Watercolor Society. She is also listed in "World Who's Who of Women".

Each member may bring one painting to be critiqued by Jane and we can all benefit from observing the process.

December 13:
Annual Holiday Party

2014 Artist of the Year:

The Christmas party was a big success, lots of food, and fun thanks to all those who helped, just to name a few, Elke Groves, Rebecca White, Ron White, Ed Lucey, Jack Quattlebaum, Jeff Owen and Judy Bingman.

A slideshow of the Club's history was presented as a background and a raffle of 5 items valued from $36 to $400 was a hit especially for those who won.

Members brought contributions for the Toys for Tots and Second Harvest campaigns.

2014 Artist of the Year

November 8:
no meeting scheduled

We will be busy with the Members Juried Show all month at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center.

October 11:

Patricia is a national award-winning artist who has received wide acclaim for her watercolor and mixed media work in both impressionistic and abstract form.

She is an instructor, guest lecturer, demonstrator, Juror, writer and workshop presenter for many art groups and organizations, and has been teaching at the Mendocino Art Center for over 19 years.

This demonstration included many watercolor secrets and texture techniques that depend on the paper you choose, salt, scraping, masking, sponges, spatter and many more.

Artists of the Month for October:

1st - Rebecca White - "Autumn Reflections"
2nd - Claudia Browne - "RAVI"
3rd - Laurie Barna - "Still Poms"

September 13:

John provided a wonderful demo using a small mirror to prepare and adjust a drawing prior to painting a still-life scene.

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Laurie Barna - "Kitchen Sunshine"
2nd - Ed Simon - "Showers"
3rd - Thong Le - "Spring"

August 9:
no meeting scheduled

July 12:

Jaya King is a California native based out of San Martin who has been showing, teaching, and demonstrating her work throughout the Bay Area since 2003. 

Her work in encaustic is rooted through her enjoyment of teaching and the pieces she creates are designed to inspire others to explore their own artistic capabilities.

Artists of the Month for July:

1st - Rebecca White - "Quail Hollow Autumn"
2nd - Thong Le - "Actor"
3rd - Marie Cameron - "Tangled Talk"

June 14:

Mark provided a thoughtful and valuable critique for 23 members who brought paintings to the meeting.

Mark's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums including the Smithsonian Institution and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

He holds a BFA from Art Center College. He was also selected into the copyist program at the National Gallery of Art to study directly from the master works in the collection.

The Critique replaced the usual Peer Review, so no Artists of the Month were awarded.

May 10:

Fleur used a slide show to demonstrate her method of work and brought several examples of finished work.

She also demonstrated her technique of adding abstraction using a commissioned work-in-progress

Artists of the Month for May:

1st - Marie Cameron - "Feathers"
2nd - Michael Rogan - "Annakin"
3rd - Patty Montgomery - "Away"

April 12:

An introduction painting with an iPad. A few different painting applications will be demonstrated along with equipment for both indoor and outdoor painting. Then, the artist will do a step-by-step painting demonstration of a still life designed for all level of painters.

Artists of the Month for April:

1st - Wendell Fiock - "Escape"
2nd - Rebecca White - "Sail Boat"
3rd - Patty Montgomery - "Millbrae Glow"

March 8:

Marie Cameron volunteered to sit for Mark, who demonstrated his techniques for painting portraits in a classic style.

Artists of the Month for March:

1st - Bonnie Rokas - "Moon Struck"
2nd - Marie Cameron - "Silk Threads"
3rd (tie) - Betty McGuire - "Jungle River"
3rd (tie) - Bobbie Frederickson - "At Rest"

February 8:

Karen showed how she works in layers, starting with toning the canvas in a warm transparent color to create abstracted shapes of contrast, color and texture."

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Marie Cameron - "Dahlia Days"
2nd - Nancy Takaichi - "Jackson Ranch Crumbling Fence"
3rd - Rebecca White - "Old Barn"

January 11:

Mericia shared tips and tricks to using social media sites like Pinterest, Facebook andYouTube to promote all types of art.

Artists of the Month for January:

1st - Ellen Howard - "Meandering Waters"
2nd - Iris Lian - "Buddies"
3rd - Marie Cameron - "Flourish"

December - Holiday Social

2013 Artist of the Year:

Michael Rogan

November 9:
no meeting scheduled

October 12:

Kay showed us how she paints wet-in-wet paintings, using only 3 paints: Cadmium Lemon, Cobalt Blue and Alizarin Crimson.

Artists of the Month for October:

1st - Michael Rogan - "El Cerdo Amarillo"
2nd - Claudia Browne - "Gabrielle"
3rd - Vernon Dittenbir - "Elephant Walk"

September 14:

Gary showed examples of his landscapes and abstracts, then demonstrated his approach to creating abstracts using oils. He invited attendees to participate in modifying one of his "problem" paintings.

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Michael Rogan - "Don't Forget to Squint"
2nd - Bobbie Frederickson - "Pt Rest #1"
3rd - Rebecca White - "Early Morning Reflection"

August 10:
no meeting scheduled

July 13:

Erika discussed selecting a subject in the landscape and capturing light effects quickly in changing conditions. She also shared her process for asking and answering questions to make decisions in the painting process.

Artists of the Month for July:

1st - Betty Mcguire - "Scrappy"
2nd - Laurie Barna - "Liberty Stars & Stripes"
3rd - Wendell Fiock - "Migration"

June 8:

Roberta LeeWoods is a painter and collage artist inspired by nature and its many layers of color and texture.

Artists of the Month for June:

1st - Olga Kuczer - "The Secret Pleasure"
2nd - Vernon Dittenbir - "Sleep Time"
3rd - Rebecca White - "Point Lobos"

May 11:

Will - a last-minute substitute for Jeff Bramschreiber - provided a wonderful demonstration of his Plein Air painting techniques.

He also brought 3 of his finished paintings to illustrate his demonstration.

Artists of the Month for May:

1st - Wendell Fiock - "Cheetah"
2nd - Rebecca Lillis White - "Breath Taking"
3rd - Scott Holtslander - "Second Growth"

April - no meeting scheduled

March 9, 2013:

Cuong demonstrated his technique and the media he uses (pastel pencils) to create portraits.

Artists of the Month for March:

1st - Olga Kuczer - "Big Sur, Julia Pfiffer St. Park"
2nd - Marie Cameron - "Not Done"
3rd - Ron White - "Boat Works"

February 9, 2013:

Mike Bailey presented a slide show of his 100+ paintings experimenting with a single still life setup, and demonstrated painting "beyond the obvious".

He talked about taking chances, experimenting, and analyzing paintings - as well as his technique of using value studies rather than photograps to guide the development of his paintings.

He also brought 4 paintings illustrating his more traditional work.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Michael Rogan - "Promenade"
2nd - Maralyn Miller - "Shady Road"
3rd - Laurie Barna - "The Face of Liberty"

January 12, 2013:

Kristen demonstrated how she finishes a painting and showed reference photos on her laptop.

Artists of the Month for January:

1st (tie) - Olga Kuczer - "Don't Ever Say Goodbye to The Sun"
1st (tie) - Michael Rogan - "Budda"
2nd - Rebecca White - "Morning at Vasona"
3rd - Nicole Jakaby - "Vietman Taxi Boats"

December - Holiday Party

2012 Artists of the Year:

1st - Bobbie Frederickson
2nd (tie) - Bonnie Rokaw
2nd (tie) - Ron White

November - no meeting scheduled

October 13:

Ed demonstrated how he works with water mixable oils, painting directly and broadly in the beginning, leaving the detail work for later.

Artists of the Month for October:

1st - Ron White - "Aquarius Boat Dock"
2nd - Julie Ferrario - "Made in Japan"
3rd - Bobbi Frederickson - "The Regatta"

September 8:

John shared his techniques for rendering the figure, which he teaches on a regular basis in classes and workshops locally.

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Nancy Atherton Cheadle - "The Antique Pitcher"
2nd - Claudia Browne - "Amanda and Eric"
3rd - Michael Rogan - "Pick a Color"

August 11:

Jim answered framing questions from the members attending this Q&A of framing art.

Artists of the Month for August:

1st - Susan Lawrence - "South American Sunrise"
2nd - Bobbi Frederickson - "Party Boat"
3rd - Michael Rogan - "Small Rooster, Big City"

July - no meeting scheduled

June 9:

Sefla demonstrated her loose and playful approach to painting the figure.

Artists of the Month for June:

1st - Ron White - "Mooring at Aldo's"
2nd (tie) - Tanya Yurgaitis - "Discarded"
2nd (tie) - Bobbi Frederickson - "Wine TIme"
3rd - Patty MOntgomery - "Shopping not so good"

May 12:

Bonni demonstrated her lively approach to drawing, assigning values to shapes, and enthusiastic paint application using Winslow Homer's The Sick Chicken as the basis for her composition.

April - no meeting scheduled

March 10:

Following a brief slide presentation, Wayne created the painting above with rich tones using a limited color palette.

Artists of the Month for March:

1st - H. Momo Zhou - "Female Figure"
2nd - Rebecca Lillis White - "The Seed Co."
3rd (tie) - Bobbie Frederickson - "Wind's Up"
3rd (tie) - Bert Altmann - "Reaching into the Wind"

February 11:

Donna demonstrated the techniques she uses to create monotypes by applying layers of acrylic paint and incorporating the use of soft pastels, oil pastels, watercolor and other drawing materials.

The meeting was well-attended despite the change of venue precipitated by the Los Gatos Library opening celebration.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Karen Loomis - "Winter Pears"
2nd - Bobbie Frederickson - "At Rest"
3rd - Patty Montgomery - "Bike"

January 14, 2012:

Mark shared with us his secrets for creating his wonderful atmospheric landscape paintings.

This was Bonnie Rokas first meeting as President and she introduced John Agg and Mary Ellen Comport, who spoke briefly about the Los Gatos Museum.

Artists of the Month for January:

1st - Leslie Jones - "What's Your Story"
2nd (tie) - Vernon Dittenbir - "Tenderness"
2nd (tie) - Bobbie Frederickson - "L G Theater"
3rd - Patty Montgomery - "A Short Part of a Day"

December 10:

Well-attended - and a good time was had by all! Lots of good food, a barrel of toys for the Toys for Tots drive.

Thanks to Patty Montgomery and all the volunteers who coordinated the event.

A round of applause appreciating the work of Karen Bemis (retiring after 3 years as President) and Judi Snyder (departing Recording Secretary).

Bonnie Rokas was introduced as the President pro-tem and Susan Koga the new Recording Secretary.

2011 Artists of the Year:

1st - Michael Rogan
2nd - Rebecca Lillis White

November 12:

David presented an engaging demonstration and shared a wealth of information with style and humor, from a long career in illustration and portraiture.

Artists of the Month for November:

1st - Rebecca Lillis White - "White Reflection"
2nd - Donna Gemma - "Coffe House"
3rd - Jan Fitzgerald - "Venice"

October - no meeting scheduled

September 10:

Ann McMillan demonstrated her enriched-color palette knife technique in oil, painting from a still-life set up.

She shared with us: the steps to paint cleanliness, how to avoid both chalky and muddy paint, the value of quick compositions, the importance of strong value structure, and the rewards of painting directly from life.

Artists of the Month for September:

1st - Peggy Kent - "Old Tree"
2nd - Nina Bricker - "Jack and the Puppy"
3rd - Michael Rogan - "Yellow Choir"

August 13:

Mark was kind enough to reschedule his demo for our January meeting.

July - no meeting scheduled

June 11:

Judy demonstrated how to extend paint to save money, mix paints with gels to create unique textural surfaces, techniques for using iridescent and metallic paints, and how to use products to make surfaces for watercolors, graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, oil and soft pastels.

Artists of the Month for June:

1st - Rebecca White - "San Juan Batista"
2nd (tie) - Wendell Fiock - "Jack and the Puppy"
2nd (tie) - Jeff Owen - "Palm Desert Beauty"
3rd - Laurie Barna - "When She was 17"

May 14:

Will's program topic question was answered immediately with: "Look at the Darks". Example paintings showed how the dark shapes define the imagery, starting with small thumbnail sketches in charcoal.

Using value gauges to understand different parts of the scene, he emphasized the importance of seeing the actual values isolated from clutter.

Will has graciously allowed us to provide a pdf of his Painting Decisions and Reference Checks handout.

Artists of the Month for May:

1st - Michael Rogan - "Breaker"
2nd - Donna Genna - "Take Five"
3rd - Bob Newick - "Fruitful Is Barn"

March 12:

Susanne showed us some beautiful photographs she made on trips to Mexico's Colonial Heartland and Copper Canyon.

Although she talked about "Travel Photography", her pictures were more about color, shapes, shadows and composition.

The smooth colors of the walls in her pictures were a stark contrast to the highly-detailed doors and windows.

Artists of the Month for March:

1st - Wendell Fiock - "Jonathan's Best"
2nd - Bonnie Rokas - "Peggy's Cove"
3rd - Raja Guha Thakurta - "Inner Light"

February 12:

His watercolor demo over a light pencil sketch, was done in fast color washes building up to a Sargent-like looseness with rich texture and color.

Artists of the Month for February:

1st - Nancy Cheadle - "Sailing the Bay"
2nd - Bonnie Rokas - "Winter afternoon at Fire Creek"
3rd - Vernon Dittenbir - "Mr. Grizzly"

January 8, 2011:

Ray drew a portrait for us from a live model, demonstrating how he makes decisions regarding composition, perspective, proportion, value, pattern and the use of light and shadow.

Artists of the Month for January:

1st - Michael Rogan - "Valley of San Jose"
2nd - Raja Guha Thakurta - "The Monk"
3rd - Bonnie Rokas - "Deep Winter"