Mailing Address: PO Box 3061 Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1 Street Address: 590 Broadmoor Blvd, S. Park artsoc@telus.net www.artstrathcona.com Ph: 780 449 4443

FEBRUARY 2021 NEWSLETTER

Thank you for joining in on Zoom! Next General Meeting will be February 9, at 7 pm, via Zoom!

Hope you will join in.

Have a Happy Valentines Day !! ❤

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President’s Message:

I do hope you are “running away” – with your thoughts, your brushes, your future plans – while staying at home! We all know that things will improve – and we must all be prepared to handle it!! We will be so excited! So we must prepare ourselves – so we know how to drive, talk to people, eat out, show off our artwork!

Volunteer hours recorded in 2020 were down of course because of the pandemic. Recorded at 1518 hours (down from 3500 plus). This figure will be included in the Alberta Foundation for the Arts grant that is submitted annually – let’s hope they are impressed!

It takes all members working to present our Society in a good light to the world. Hopefully each member will participate in some way as the Society is growing and becoming more known to the art world – in a good light! This is your Society – and it can only continue to succeed if each member is proud of the organization and spreads the word to other artists...about the workshops being offered, the Loft Gallery and Gift Shop, and the camaraderie that surrounds the membership. Thanks to you as a member for doing your part.

My thanks to Michele Telford for all her work in organizing workshops (and rescheduling!) throughout the coming year which assist members to learn and expand their knowledge in the various media – let’s hope that the Centre can be opened for all of them!!

Don’t forget about the Loft Gallery! Spread the word to your friends that the Gallery is open in February Mondays and Wednesdays 12 to 4 pm. The Gallery is always in need of art and artists. Members can sign up for shifts even if they don’t have art in the Gallery!! There are many opportunities to be a part of the art world through this Society. Deadline for the March/April show is February 1. Email asscgallery@gmail.com

Your Board is seeking a way to improve art sales and any ideas coming from the membership would be most welcome. We, as artists, must continue to educate the public on the beauty of “original art”.

Paint up a storm!! Registration for the Spring Show (traditional and/or online) will begin in February. Watch for dates.

Stay safe. Regards, Sonja

Members’ Section:

February 1 Deadline to enter the March/April Show - Loft Gallery and Gift Shop

February 2 Board meeting via Zoom, 6:30

February 9 General meeting via Zoom 7 pm

February 15 Deadline to enter inventory for March/April Show – Loft Gallery

March 1 11 am – Intake of Gift Gallery items

1 pm – Taking out of Feature Artist items

March 2 12 noon – Intake of Feature Artists items (Photography Group)

1 pm – Take out of Loft Gallery artwork

1:30 – Intake of new Loft Gallery artwork

2 pm – Hanging of new Loft Gallery artwork

March 8 6:30 pm – New Members’ Information Evening (tentative)

Loft Gallery and Gift Shop

Open Saturday and Sunday 12:00- 4:00 For the months of January and February, the Loft Gallery will be open 12:00- 4:00 Mondays and Wednesday. Starting March 6, we go back to our regular hours of Saturday and Sunday 12:00- 4:00 with new works of art in the Loft Gallery and Gift Gallery. This show will run from March 6 to April 25. Our artists have been busy creating while COVID restrictions kept us homebound. All COVID protocols will be in place and we welcome you to come and view our Gallery safely. It is such a joy to get out of the house and see some exciting art!

LIBRARY UPDATE

Hi All, We have been busy with the ASSC Library inventory, a new one will be uploaded to the ASSC Members site shortly. We have ordered some new books, some new DVDs, and replaced some missing items. Here is a list of new art books and DVDs with a brief description of each that we have recently acquired for the ASSC library: - A complete reference on watercolor tips and techniques with examples that you can use to get great results when painting the human form. For every watercolour artist! “Abstract Painting: The Elements of Visual Language” by Jane Davies - How to look at your work in terms of basic visual elements and develop understanding of line, shape, colour, pattern and depth. Mechanics of Composition are explained which are not the same as Rules of Composition. Great techniques for any artist! “How to Paint Fast, Loose & Bold” by Patti Mollica - A great book with exercises and demos from start to finish getting you motivated to have the confidence to take on bolder pieces and enjoy the process! “Contemporary Landscapes in Mixed Media” by Soraya French - She reveals the secrets to her fabulous landscape art with tips on composition, technique, colour, and texture including using unusual materials in her pieces. Both practical and inspirational! “Show Your Work” by Austin Kleon - Another creative book from Austin whom you may remember also gave us the book “Steal like an Artist” which we also have in the library. This new book is full of ideas on how to get your art out there and be noticed by the public. An excellent resource(Thanks Judy)! New DVDs (we are currently waiting for the new DVDs to arrive): “Abstract Watercolors: Expressions in Blue” by Sterling Edwards – - Sterling explains his approach to developing an abstract painting. He'll show you how he finds the ideas for his abstract paintings and a multitude of watercolor techniques. “Positive Results with Negative Painting” by Sterling Edwards – - Sterling shows you how to construct a painting from large washes of color that are later transformed in to specific shapes by way of negative painting.

“Loosen Up Techniques” by Robert Burridge - Bob demonstrates using acrylic paints, glue, gesso and paper bits to smear, scrape, and draw all over his canvas before getting down to business. It is about playtime to get the juices flowing. “The Abstract Expressionist Mind” by Joe DiGiulio - Joe takes you through an in depth journey of composition, colour, and paint that reflects how his abstract mind works. For everyone interested in Abstracts this is a great DVD. “Collage Therapy” by Sharon DiGuilio – - Sharon teaches you the elements that go into a collage series so you can learn to create collages on your own. Collage Therapy will help you relax and enjoy your inner creative spirit. “Zentangle” by Suzanne McNeill -This DVD is filled with inspiring, beautiful art work, stories of Zentangles origins and its creators, and plenty of instructions. If you wondered about getting into Zentangles or just want some new ideas then this is for you. We have also replaced these popular books and a DVD that have gone missing: DVD: Courageous Watercolour by Eleanor Lowden Pidgeon “Strokes of Genius 5: The Best of Drawing” by Rachel Rubin Wolf “The Acrylic Painter” by James van Patten “Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often” by Carol Marine As always, if you have ideas for books that you think would be a good addition to our library please send us an email. Hopefully we will be able to open the library up soon so you may peruse the new (and of course the existing) books and DVDs! Regards, Brian Litwin (blitwin@technology55.net)

Art Society of Strathcona County

WORKSHOP Newsletter January 2021 Registrations will be taken online beginning

February 15, 2021 (barring any further Centre restrictions)

APRIL 2021 Oils,Creative Approach to florals – with Margaret Klappstein April 1,8,22, May 6,13,20 , 1-4 pm Cost: $110 ACRYLIC ABSTRACTION – with Sheila Schaetzle April 10 and 11, 9:30-4 pm Cost: $125

MAY 2021 Lessons in Pastel with Joyce Boyer, May 5, 12, 19, 26 – 7pm to 9:30 pm Cost $110 PAVERPOL SCULPTING, with Lorelei Kozsan May 8 and 9, 9:30 t 4 pm Cost: $110, plus $30 for paverpol mix

Volunteers will be needed for each Workshop. Email minirose@telus.net Note: Hours to claim – A one day workshop 2-2.5 hours. A two day workshop 4-4.5 hours 6 week session – 8 hours The hours can vary, depending on class size, workshop extended, etc. please use your discretion.

MARCH 2021 On Black Gesso, with Willie Wong, March 6 and 13 – 9:30 to 4 pm. Cost: $135 Still Life,, Landscapes in WC, with Willie Wong March 15 – April 26, 9:30 – 12:30 pm Cost: $135 Pushing the Limited, Acrylics with Joyce Boyer, March 27 and 28, 9:30 to 4 pm Cost: $110

INTRODUCING SOME NEWER MEMBERS OF THE ASSC!! Welcome!! JULIE PASCA of Edmonton Residence: Northeast Edmonton. Work Experience: I am currently an X-ray Technologist, CPR Instructor and online instructor for NAIT. Special Interests: Hobbies- During the pandemic I took a leap and started a website for my art and began selling my paintings! Passions- Learning (I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in early 2020), reading and travelling. Art Interest: On a whim, I competed in Art Battle in the fall of 2019- competitive acrylic painting! Then I took a Willie Wong Class and rediscovered watercolor. Watercolor has been my focus since then and I love improving with every painting.

IRENE MAZURENKO, of Sherwood Park Work Experience: Retired, was public health nurse, project manager Hobbies: Genealogy, Wheat Weaving Mediums: Acrylics, Mixed Media

GLORIA VAN SCHAIK, of Sherwood Park Work Experience: My career stems back several decades as an Executive Recruiter (aka. Head Hunter), specializing in the recruitment of Sales, Marketing, and Management professionals. My husband and I owned our own company, Van Schaik Personnel Services, for over 20 years. I have been semi-retired for the past 10 years, but as of this year, I am now fully retired and am now more focused on my art. Special Interests: Since I began my artistic journey, I have worked in many different mediums. I initially started with oil painting, spent many years honing my skills with pastels, and then in 2017, I ventured into alcohol inks, which I absolutely love. I have been creating in that medium for the last few years, with the odd mixed media piece added in just for fun. My passion is definitely painting on glass. Ink has a mind of it’s own that you have to tame. Over the years I have had the pleasure to learn from some well-established artists throughout the U.S. and Canada. I continue to take additional classes to learn, improve and experience creativity in new forms. Passions: My #1 passion is spending time with our three beautiful granddaughters. We have two wonderful daughters, and are blessed that we all live in Sherwood Park. My other passions stem from art of any form. I love to look at it, create it, and read about it. I work in many mediums, and I love the whole creative process. Being retired allows me the time to freely create. I love creating movement through color and texture in my pieces. My newest venture is painting vintage photos; bringing them back to life so to speak. I call them “Picture in Painting”. I have participated in Art/Craft sales in Sherwood Park and Art Shows in Arizona.

I enjoy being part of the ASSC. It is great to connect with others that have a similar passion and the sharing of information is wonderful.

LOOKING BACK …

VOLUNTEER HOURS: Please continue to record your volunteer hours in the book located in the drawer to the left of the kitchen sink (or at home and insert them into the binder before you enter a show and at year end) These hours will enable you to show your artwork and they are also part of the application for the ASSC’s annual AFA grant.

“LIKE” the ASSC on Facebook and please pass the message around!!!

Please UPDATE YOUR ARTWORK regularly on the ASSC website!

A “SHOUT-OUT” TO ALL MEMBERS!

Sometimes, the best advice comes from the experiences and learned lessons of others! Sometimes, it’s as simple as sharing a good quote, a comical joke, words of wisdom, or a big mistake. We’re open to
anything - suggestions, questions, ideas - whatever you have...

Email “THE MAIL BAG”

minirose@telusplanet.net We look forward to hearing from each and every one of you - NOT ALL AT ONCE - OF COURSE!

Editor’s Message It would be very much appreciated if all submissions for the Newsletter could be sent by the 22nd of each month. And if you possibly can, please use ‘Arial’ font for your submissions, (it just makes life easier for the editor.) Members

If you are having a show or an art event, please send your information to Anita Skubleny, Newsletter Editor, at askubleny@yahoo.ca for inclusion in the Newsletter!

YOUR ASSC PROFILE ON THE WEBSITE!

Please take some time to refresh your Profile on the ASSC website! Click on View Profile, and upload some of your new artwork! You never know who might be checking the site.

FACEBOOK ART For those who don’t know, Lorraine Nagle (our former Office administrator) set up a Facebook art group for ASSC members! We thank Lorraine and welcome Mianna Laugesen as the new Administrator of the Group ☺ If you would like to join the group, view what the members are creating these days, read the comments or insert your own comments on the works in progress, please email: freyjaloki@icould.com and ask to join the Group!