Coming in October!

SEBASTIAN RIVER ART CLUB

1245 Main Street,Sebastian, Florida

www.SebastianRiverArtClub.org (currently under construction)

For information about SRAC's Art Center, contact Judy Burgarella, Art Center Chairman - 772-581-8281, or email her at judithburgarella@gmail.com
Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays 11:00-3:00.
Open Studio for Members Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:00-3:00
Painting Classes on first and third Tuesdays and Thursdays
      Watercolor with Judy McNamara Tuesdays 9-12:00
      Oil and Acrylics with Judy Burgarella Thursdays 9-12:00

COMING IN OCTOBER! 

 Demonstration by Renowned Artist

FRITZ VAN EDEN!

Fritz van Eden at the Canvas

Renowned international artist Fritz van Eden will be demonstrating his fabulous painting techniques at the Clubhouse on Tuesday, October 1st at 12:30.  Don't miss this one--he's an extraordinary painter and a very entertaining demonstrator.

Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

On Wednesday, October 16th, we have secured permission to enjoy a guided tour of this very special National Wildlife Refuge, and we are also invited to stay and paint at our easels (or sketch, photograph) from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  We have permission to accommodate 15 SRAC members, so it will be a first come, first served basis, and sign-up sheet will be in the Clubhouse.  I have never been there so have no idea what we're in for, but we have permission to set up our easels at the Butterfly Garden and the Centennial Pond.  The following is information I gathered from the internet:
More than 5 miles of foot trails and a boardwalk and observation tower are available for viewing wildlife, photography and interpretive programs.
Accessible from the north end of Jungle Trail
(3.7 miles north of CR 510)
(772) 562-3909  |  www.fws.gov/pelicanisland

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center

"Tranquility" in art

SEBASTIAN RIVER ART CLUB

1245 Main Street

Sebastian, Florida

www.SebastianRiverArtClub.org (currently under construction)

For information about SRAC's Art Center, contact Judy Burgarella, Art Center Chairman - 772-581-8281, or email her at judithburgarella@gmail.com
Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays 11:00-3:00.
Open Studio for Members Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:00-3:00
Painting Classes on first and third Tuesdays and Thursdays
Watercolor with Judy McNamara Tuesdays 9-12:00
Oil and Acrylics with Judy Burgarella Thursdays 9-12:00

September's theme in the Art Center's Gallery Spaces is "Tranquility - Paintings to Calm the Soul."  As member artists complete their tranquil paintings, you may see a calming effect wafting along our gallery walls and hallways.  Be sure to vote for your favorite themed painting - members and guests alike are invited to cast 2 votes each.  Best to vote at the end of the month when most of the paintings will have been completed.  Below is a sample of Terry Pate's watercolor entry, "View from the "Window."

Terry Pate's Watercolor, "View from the Window"

Below is an acrylic by Gail Fayerweather entitled, "Calm Day" which is the epitome of "Tranquility."

"Calm Day" Acrylic by Gail Fayerweather

If you visited the last blog entry here, you would agree that Suse Lavender's painting won First Place Prize, hands down, Below.

Suze Lavender's Oil Painting from "Lord of the Rings"

Second Place Prize went to Wendy White, for collage mixed media - the resolution of the photo I must apologize for, but it surely is a stunning and very interesting painting.

Mixed Media by Wendy White

Third Place Prize went to Marion Alcorn for her beautiful and dreamy "Wand Maker"

"Wand Maker" by Marion Alcorn

Below is just a snapshot of one small section of the Art Center exhibit spaces.  Pictured is pottery and paintings by Connie Roth (Right half), and paintings by Rosemarie Meikeljohn.

Left side: Paintings By Rosemarie Meikeljohn; Right Side: Pottery and Paintings by Connie roth

Well, that's all for now folks.  Drop back again soon and see what's going on in this very active club, whose membership now is over 150!  Growing--Growing--Growing!!

Be sure to stop by SRAC's Art Center for some inspiration!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club

Twelve Months of Masterpieces!

From July through September the Sebastian River Art Club, of Sebastian Florida, will be exhibiting the Themed paintings which were on display throughout the gallery spaces during this past year.  The Hume Gallery has been divided into 12 spaces, with each space displaying the themed works of a single month.  Art Club members who do not have space in the collective exhibit areas are also invited to show a piece in whichever theme they would like.

Below is an example of this month's theme - Fantasy!
 

Oil by Susan Lavendar

 Come see what the Sebastian River Art Club is all about--visit our Art Center at 1245 Main Street, Sebastian, Florida any time Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays, 11:00-3:00.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-3:00 we have open studio just beyond our gallery walls in the Community Room--come chat, watch us paint, have a cup of coffee and just hang out.  We love visitors!

Judy Burgarella, Blogger
VP SRAC
& Chairman of SRAC's Art Center

Wow! What a Banner!

Received this image today from Peni Baker, who has just finished the banner for our July 4th float--and Wow!  What a masterful and professional job she's done!  Just had to share it with our blogger fans.  So beautiful, and so representative of the name of our club, the beautiful and exotic Sebastian River.  Enjoy the view below, but you must see it in person at the 4th of July parade.  Look for me on the float showing off my granddaughter Salem.

The Sebastian River Art Club is proud to be a part of our City's parade, paying homage to the freedoms we all enjoy.  Freedoms which include setting up folding chairs that night at 9:00 along the Indian River Lagoon to see the FABULOUS FIREWORKS the City of Sebastian provides for its residents and visitors.  What a country!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club

Bad News ... Good News

In recent weeks, the Sebastian River Art Club has, sadly, lost two of its members. Kinfolk in color, those who share our love for art will reamain forever in our hearts.

In Memoriam . . .

Bill (William) Marsh - Long-time member and master painter of wildlife--especially birds--passed away May 30th, 2013.  Always a smile on his face, you would never know he was ill for such a long time.  He was a soft-spoken, friendly and jovial gentleman of many talents who will be sorely missed at the Sebastian River Art Club.  Of note, Bill was a WWII Veteran who served in the Pacific Asian Theater.

Carolyn Gribbroek - Although not a long-time member, Carolyn loved art and enjoyed the camraderie of other artists and attended various events of the Club.  The photo posted below is Carolyn holding a painting she had done in art class at the Clubhouse, the quality of which proves her skill as a painter.  Carolyn passed away June 14th, 2013.

Carolyn Gribbroek

And now, on the lighter side . . .

JULY 4TH PARADE
The Sebastian River Art Club will be represented in the July 4th parade in Sebastian.  Member Roy Woodall and his wife have graciously volunteered their big boat, pulled by his truck.  Peni Baker has been diligently working on the banner, and Thelma Koopman has been coordinating things and has donated her beautiful carousel horse which she decorated for the event.  The photo below is just a sampling of things to come!

Thelma Koopman's Carousel Horse

CHILDEN'S SHOW - "SUMMER FUN"
The Children's show, "Summer Fun" comes down the end of June, and the reception was a smashing success.  Many children and their parents and friends showed up, and a good time was had by all.  Our members enjoyed hearing about the children's work and what it meant to them.  Some stories were rather funny, but it was obvious that their artwork was important to them in expressing their impressions of life's events.

COMING IN JULY!

The little Jewels (small paintings) will go back up in the Picasso Gallery, and in the Hume Gallery will be exhibited 12 months of themed paintings.  These paintings will hang through the summer and into September.  New work is being exchanged in the gallery spaces all the time, so be sure to stop in now and then to see what's new.

Ciou!
Judy Burgarella
VP and Art Center Chairman, and
Blogger for the
Sebastian River Art Club
Sebastian, Florida

2 Shows! "Summer Fun" and "Waterways"

Lots happening in the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center.  On view are two exciting shows which will wrap up the end of this month ~

"SUMMER FUN!"

Works on paper by 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Students of the Sebastian Elementary School.  Over 70 masterful works of art will be on view through June.  A cookies-and-punch reception will be held Friday, June 21st, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Art Center, 1245 Main Street, Sebastian, florida.  Public of all ages welcome!  

Children were asked to create works of art depicting what they would like to do during their summer vacation, and the results are fantastic!  This delightful and colorful show will make you smile.

"WATERWAYS SHOW"

Running concurrentlyy with "Summer Fun" is "Waterways," a Member's show focusing on and celebrating our wonderful waterways and the ecosystems within them.  This show is also in support of paddleboarder Justin Riney, who stopped off at Sebastian during his long paddleboard trip to bring awareness to our waterways' fragile ecosystem, as part of Expedition Florida 500.  

Coming in July ~

"A YEAR IN THEMES"

12 Months of themed competitions from Art Center exhibiting members

on Display in the Hume Gallery space through September, including

Award-Winning Entries for the following themes:

2012

July – Still Life

August – Abstract

September – Under the Sea

October – Impressionism

November – Sebastian scenes

December – Seascapes & Boats

2013

January – Animals

February – Birds

March – House Pets

April – Gardens

May – Skies/Clouds/Stormy Weather

June –  Fish/Fishing

Art Center hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Open studio for members to paint and network in the big adjacent Community Room is 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.  

Classes in several mediums taught Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Stop into the Art Center and find out more about what's going on at the Sebastian River Art Club, and see our bulletin board for coming events.

Judy Burgarella, Blogger and

SRAC VP & Art Center Chairman

Thursday May 16 Art Center Happenings

MARK THE DATES!!

Mark your calendars, as of SRAC's last Business Meeting, dates were locked in for the Club's outdoor shows in Sebastian's Riverview Park as follows (Saturdays with one exception): 

October 19

November 16

December 14

January 11

February 15-16 (Sat & Sun)

March 22

April 12.

Mark your calendar also for a demonstration by SRAC member Richard Ramirez, who will be doing something pottery-related.  Date is set for Tuesday, June 11, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.  FREE!
NOTE - Just got more information on this demonstration.  Richard Ramirez, with an impressive resume of over 36 years in the California Public School System specializing in in Art/Ceramics, he will demonstrate the basics of hand-building in clay.  Richard will also be raffling off some ceramic items at the end of the presentation.  Don't miss this one--Richard is a master potter!

Pottery by Richard Ramirez

Another one to mark your calendar for is Joe Miller's woodcarving demonstration, May 30th,  1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  FREE!
For more information about Joe Miller's Woodcarving Demonstration, scroll down on this blog.

Here's another opportunity for members of SRAC - new member Kristen Beck announced at the SRAC Business Meeting that she would love to have some people painting plein air at an oudoor event, "Expedition Florida 500" at the Riverview Park in Sebastian June 5th.  Paddleboarder Justin Riney will be arriving at 4:00, at the Park, as part of his paddleboarding trip to increase awareness of the state of our waterways, primarily Indian River Lagoon.  Since October is "National Wildlife Month," paintings with a wildlife or Lagoon theme will be featured at the Art Center in October.  If you are interested in participating in this plein air event call Kristen.
In March Kristen will facilitate a trip to Pelican Island for SRAC members, a photo-op which will giveus all plenty of pelican images to paint in the future--perhaps leading to a Pelican Exhibition--wouldn't that be just too appropriate for our beloved Sebastian!  Let's do it!

PORTRAITS--OF INTEREST
If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to view this blogger's time-lapse portrait video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLf7ACVaJk&feature=youtu.be

If you attended the multi-media portrait demonstrations at the SRAC in the fall, you will surely appreciate watching this 4-1/2 hour portrait painting demonstration condensed into ONE MINUTE!!
Turn volume up, and to see full screen click on the little square brackets on the lower right corner of the video screen.  A shamelless plug for this blogger's art gallery--The Artists Guild Gallery on 14th Ave, VB, will have a special Self-Portrait show for June, with opening reception June 7, 5-8 pm.

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And now for  May 16th's blog entry . . .

Today this blogger had art class, and it was exciting to see the different artworks, methods and mediums in progress - An acrylic Indian, oil of a tall horse, vivid coleus, a tropical scene, and a stormy night.  It's hard to keep their brush out of my hands because it all looks like such fun.

At the request of a member, I did a water-soluble oil demonstration of a small still life.  Below is how far I got, and it was great fun to see them watch it come to life, and hopefully inspiring them to try this easy-to-use and non-toxic medium.

Unfinished water-soluble oil painting by Judy Burgarella

Member Grace Savage brought her plein air painting which was painted during the SRAC's Celebrate the Arts Paint-out in the park in back of the Clubhouse on april 27th.  Grace struggled with this painting, but having plein-aired with her before I knew it would end up being a knockout.  And it is as you can see below.   Fresh and colorful, with bold strokes and great composition.  She really didn't have much to work with at the  location where she was standing.  Great job Grace!

Woodland Trail View, oil by Grace Savage

The light at the Art Center is great for painting, as is the views out the doors and windows, as you can see with this curious visitor who stayed just long enough for me to snap this shot.  We've had sandhill cranes come to the door a-beggin' also.  Just adds to the lovely day spent at the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center, which was bustling with activity today.  And thanks to Vito for his delicious chicken curry ... and Suzie for the crunchy cake and good coffee.  Stop by some time and we'll pour you a cup.  The Art Center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and most Saturdays 11-3:00, and our Open Studios in the Art Center's Meeting Room is open for painting and hanging out Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-3:00.

A Curious visitor at our door

Oh, and Bon Voyage to Peni and Laurie!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center