Raritan Valley Arts Association
Newsletter

RARITAN VALLEY ARTS ASSOCIATION est. 1939

Shiver me timbers Greetings!

It may be frigid outside but you'll be happy to warm up and welcome our next demonstrator, Jim Leslie, who will do an oil self-portrait on Monday, March 17th, 7:30 pm at the Somerset County Library. Sure and this is a grand way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! If you want to preview his light-filled paintings, you can go to www.leslieartstudio.com. Jim Leslie's latest work focuses on travel, domestic life, and local landscapes. He teaches in the Art & Design departments of Monmouth University and Brookdale Community College. We're in for a treat! Geri Oldman and Mary Lou Guidadas will do our Hospitality and we thank Geri and Mary Lou.

Those of you at February's meeting were treated to one of Doug Axmann's mixed media demos. Doug started with gesso-coated masonite, applied modeling paste to some parts (rocks), and then did an intriguing waves and rocks and sunrays through the clouds painting in acrylic paint brushed on and color dyes airbrushed on, back and forth, back and forth (between brush and airbrush painting). We were kept in suspense watching as surprising things happened. It was a superb demo! (Incidentally Doug has prints and calendars with his new work and at $10 or so each you might want to order some).

Hooray! Our bus trip to the Big Apple is Saturday, April 12th. Because Debbie Hughes has Saturday classes, Mary Ann Vaccaro has graciously volunteered to be our Trip Coordinator. RVAA thanks Mary Ann very much! Okay, then-- This trip is always fun-first of all, for only a $25. check made out to RVAA you have complete chauffer-type bus service (with a bathroom) to the Metropolitan Museum of Art uptown, and then to the American Watercolor Society Show at the Salmagundi Club downtown (or you can spend the whole day at the Met since the bus will return for you). Keep in mind that round trip train fare to the City is now about $15. and bus and subway fare in the city is a couple of dollars each way, and you know you're saving $ and getting door to door service (you do have to pay for Met entrance and your lunch) We meet at the upper parking lot of the Somerset County Library at 8:15 am on the April 12th (bus leaves 8:30). All that art and all that arty camaraderie, and some snacks on the way home (home about 6). Please mail your check to Mary Ann Vaccaro, 105 Brokaw Court, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. For further info you can call Mary Ann at 908/704-1685. If you wish, go to www.americanwatercolorsociety.org. The annual juried show is there April 1-27. We arrive back in Bridgewater a tad after six pm. You simply must take advantage of this! Guests are welcome! Space is limited!

Three workshops are upcoming! You might be interested in these! Judi Betts will teach a workshop at Somerset Art Association on March 31-April 3. Please call Joan McKinney at 908/722-5140. Also, the Garden State Watercolor Society is sponsoring a workshop with the Pat San Soucie (AWS, NWS, in a watercolor workshop at the Montgomery Center for the Arts (the 1860 House just off RT. 206 S) on four days, May 12th through May 15th. You may phone Joan McKinney at 908/722-5140 for information and registration. Pat is a warm, vibrant person. (your editor knows her and has taken a workshop with her; she used to live in NJ and is now in Washington state). You may view Pat's work at www.patsansoucie.com

Ratindra Das, AWS, NWS, will give "Dynamic Composition in Watercolor" April 21-24, 9:30-3:30, in Mt. Freedom Presbyterian Church Hall, Sussex Turnpike, Randoldph, NJ, cost is $450. "Patterns of flat, colorful shapes form the backbone of his work, which he takes directly from nature. He creates an atmospheric effect by placing complementary colors next to each other. You will learn to simplify, use interesting shapes and calligraphy, and make creative use of photos." You can phone Nina Harlan (a friend of RVAA) at 973-584-3373 or email ninaharlan@verizon.net. His paintings are at RatindraDas.net/

If you want a special day out in the country to warm your wintry heart and bod, why not swing out to Clinton? You are all somewhat familiar with this charming and picturesque town, with the red wood mill (which just happens to be an historic museum) and the old stone grist mill, which just happens to be the Hunterdon Art Museum. This would be a great time to go for the wonderful exhibit "Cuba! Artists Experience Their Country!" is there right this very minute! Even the NY Times art critic gave this a good review (and how often does the Times review NJ?) -an exhibit of great work that few in the USA will be able to see (the exhibit ends March 30 and right now we can't go to Cuba from here). Also on view (and just reviewed beautifully in the COURIER NEWS "Kicks" section today, 2/29) is the extraordinary art of basketry of Nancy Moore Bess of Amherst, Massachusetts. This is part of the museum's expanding program showcasing handiwork that breaches the traditional barrier between crafts and fine art. Her intricately woven containers reflect her knowledge of Japanese culture, and her interest in African and other non-Western art forms.

Bernardsville Library Juried Show-April 1-30 Call Kathy Palmer for forms at 908/766-1576or go online www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/display.htm.

Members in the News

DONNA SOUREN had a one-woman show of her watercolors at the Manville Public Library during the month of January.

PEGGYE TOMBRO has two of her works "Midway" and "The Circus Comes to Town" accepted into Somerset Art Association's juried show "The Greatest Show on Earth". Peg also sold 4 of her works in the group "Students of Diana Patton" Exhibit at the Somerset County Library in January.

Please, please, please, snail mail or email me your news!

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Feb. 2008 newsletter
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