CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE GALLERY

This is becoming such a fun event. We began by inviting ten artists (in addition to our co-op arists) to contribute small works of art for this occasion and were amazed by the beautiful things that came in. Our Christmas Celebration party is this Thursday, December 3, starting at 6:30. Friends, family, customers, everyone has been invited....and, so are you. Come and have a glass of champagne with us and nibble on marvelous, tasty, scrumptious chocolate creations.
You will find special gifts for those special people on your list. We have gift items starting at $4.
There are hand made ornaments.....each a piece of art, cards, christmas jewelry, dichroic glass pieces, pottery, small paintings, and many other items. We hope you will be here....we are saving some chocolate for you.

A Fresh New Look

Don't worry, you haven't come to the wrong site! We've just decided to give Water Street Art Gallery's Website and Blog a face lift and freshen things up a bit. The "painted" heading reflects our artistic flare and warm color scheme the inviting nature of our gallery and artists.

The website is designed to be easier to navigate with straight forward information about our artists, events and classes.

We hope you'll take the opportunity to peruse its pages and visit our blog and website often!

Silk Degrees Trunk Show

Don't miss your chance to meet Jan Thomas and Nancy Cowden of Silk Degrees and purchase one-of-a-kind handmade dichroic glass jewelry at the Trunk Show at Water Street Art Gallery. The show is one day only, Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at 16 S. Water Street, Sapulpa, Oklahoma. A map to the gallery is on the Contact Page on our website: www.waterstreetartgallery.com

Jan and Nancy were thrilled to be chosen to create this year's Philbrook Museum Festival of Trees Commemorative Pins.

More Painting Tips from the Gallery Girls

No matter the subject, from landscape to still life to portraiture, the very best way to grow is to paint from life. And it's been said that the foundation of a good painting is a strong composition. When painting from life, carefully plan your composition using a small viewfinder. These are readily available at art supply stores like Hobby Lobby for about $10 (well worth the cost) and are powerful tools for working out a strong composition. They have a sliding section with various painting sizes marked on the side (8 x 10, 9 x 12, etc.) so that you can work out the comp based on the size of your canvas. And, some are a mid-grey color with a small hole in the side so that you can look through it and judge the dark and light values of your scene.

As you look through the viewfinder, move around, squinting along the way so that you simplify the shapes into dark and light objects with a pleasing comp. Decide on a dominant focal point and position that off-center both vertically and horizontally (rule of thirds). Make sure that you don't divide your painting surface directly in half with your horizon line, table surface, etc. It will make for a more interesting composition when segments aren't equally sized. Choose to omit details that detract from or are unnecessary to tell the story of the scene. That's called "creative license".

When planning the view you'd like to paint, learn how to see with your eyes, not your mind. Ask yourself "Do these shapes work together? Is there enough variety in darks and lights to add drama to the painting?" Abstraction simplifies shapes into masses varying in color and value and adds cohesiveness to the scene.

Careful planning before you start your painting will enhance your success and satisfaction.

Posted by Celeste Vaught

Julie Miller to be Featured at the Oklahoma State Capitol

The artists of Water Street are thrilled to know that one of their own, Julie Miller will be featured in the Governor's Gallery at the Oklahoma State Capitol from February 8 - April 4, 2010.

The Oklahoma Arts Council maintains three galleries inside the Oklahoma State Capitol. The East and North Galleries are located on the first floor and are accessible seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Governor's Gallery is located on the second floor of the Capitol and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information please visit the Oklahoma Arts Council's website: www.arts.ok.gov

Congratulations Julie!

Brushstrokes

Our lesson in painting class this week was about brushstrokes. Following is a favorite quote: "Strokes carry a message whether you will it or not. The stroke is just like the artist at the time he makes it. All the certainties, all the uncertainties, all the bigness of his spirit and all the littlenesses are in it." Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

And from Celeste Vaught's workshop, always ask yourself, "Do I need this brushstroke to tell the story?"

WSAG Gallery Artists at the Gilcrease

Thursday, November 5th was a very special day for 180 nationally known fine artists. Gilcrease Museum hosted their "American Art in Miniature Show 2009" Reception and Silent Auction last night. Included among the group were three of Water Street's artists: Gail Booth, Gail Rogers and Celeste Vaught. Gail Booth enjoyed the privilege of having her rich, dramatic painting "Pitcher with an Attitude" included in the printed invitation!

Hundreds of entries from around the country were submitted and whittled down to just under 200 works of art included. Dr. Duane King remarked "to make the cut the first year is quite an accomplishment".

The day began with a tour of the museum's current exhibits and of course a "sneak peak" at the show. Included in the afternoon's roster was an art lecture by Tulsa's Mary Russell, an accomplished artist and passionate instructor. Russell discussed with a PowerPoint presentation her painting process and how she sets up and develops her still life paintings. All present carried away practical tips to improve our own works of art.

The evening reception was grand. Hundreds attended and enjoyed the festive atmosphere with the musicians, fine food and drink, and of course the gorgeous art work!

Recognized were all the men and women who worked tirelessly to make the event a rousing success and ensure the continued support of a world class museum right here in our own community.

And what about Water Street's artists in the show? Happily all three of their paintings had red dots at the end of the evening and now enjoy new homes by happy collectors!

PAINTING TIP FROM THE GALLERY GIRLS

Applying oil paint thickly and liberally so that it stands out from the painting surface and maintains the mark of the brush is called impasto. The paint can be applied with a brush or palette knife. The paint should have a buttery consistency and is usually used without medium. If using a brush, the bristle brush will work best because it holds more paint much as the palette knife will. Applying paint in this manner makes it more light reflective and makes a pleasing, tactile surface.

The impasto method is often used by plein air painters. It allows you to cover the canvas more quickly and allows the painter to easily produce an impressionistic, more"painterly" painting.
Knife painting is a versatile and expressive way to create a richly textured surface.

At first, painting with a knife is a bit trickier than painting with a brush but with a little practice you will get the hang of it.

.....and then, "HEIDI WENT TO TAOS"

Water Street Art Gallery artist, Heidi de Contrereas, has just returned from a highly successful trip to Taos. She and Ana Stukenborg visited there at the invitation of Brian Lipperd. Brian previously had a studio in Sapulpa and gave portrait demonstrations at our gallery. He has since moved to Taos and established the Lipperd School of Art. Ana will be returning to Taos in January to begin a six month internship with Brian. This is a remarkable opportunity for her.



Heidi, while in Taos, visited a few galleries and was immediately snapped up by the Firenze gallery. They kept one of her paintings and commissioned more work from her. Heidi will be returning to Taos at intervals to deliver new work. We are so happy for her. Congratulations, Heidi!!



We will continue to blog about her success and progress.

WATER STREET ART GALLERY INSTRUCTOR, EVELYN PETROSKI, HONORED.

Woolaroc Museum, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, has chosen Evelyn Petroski to paint a miniature portrait of former President George W. Bush. This portrait is one of a series of portraits of U.S. presidents to be displayed at Woolaroc. Each miniature is 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 and framed in a gold oval frame. The Bush portrait has been completed and delivered to Woolaroc where it is being framed and prepared for display.

Evelyn is again being honored having been chosen to paint the portrait in miniature of President Barack Obama.

Congratulations, Evelyn.