Meeting: 03.14.08

Robayre's dyed and spun yarn and multimedia mandalas.

Pejnolan's copper wire tree.

This week we discussed Robyn's move and just miscellaneous stuff.

Meeting: 03.07.08

• We discussed the symbolism from the movie, What Dreams May Come"

• Al brought Helen Merrit's book after attending her lecture this past week.

• SHOW: Professor Emitris, Reception 1-4pm on Sunday, March 16.08 at the DeKalb Gallery.

• The recent show at the DeKalb Area Women's Center (DAWC), NIU Women, was discussed

• The upcoming election and the candidates were discussed pro and con.

• The Field Museum in Chicago hosts "Art in the Field" the THIRD Saturday of the month from 11am - 2 pm. This program allows artists to use the exhibits as reference material for creating works at the museum. Artists at The Field: Bring your pencils and your brushes and get tips from professional artists throughout the museum as they study, weave, draw, paint and sculpt. 3rd Saturday of the Month11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free with Museum admission.

• CALL FOR ENTRIES: 2008 Rockford Midwestern Deadline is April 13th(?). $2000 Purchase Prize, $1000 Best in Show award. Reception is July 11 from 5:30-8:00. Awards presentation is at 7:30.

• The Egyptian Theatre will be showing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) at noon and 3pm and A Hard Day's Night at 6 and 9pm on Saturday, April 5th. Write it on your calendars!

• As always, if I've missed anything, please feel free to edit my post. Thank you.

Natalie is beginning another silver bird (YAY!) and showed us her wax cast in its earliest stages. The wax was very hard and Al suggested that that type of wax could be used in block form for printing. Natalie explained the technique she is going to use and how her technique has changed from her first bird. She said this type of wax may be found at Rio Grande or Hauser-Miller.

Al brought many of his reference photos taken both in California and Illinois. This printout of a lily used enhanced contrast and sharpening effects.
Pejnolan brought in her work in progress and explained her plan. Al suggested using a glaze to suggest leafy shadows throught the entire painting
Robyn brought in some of her hand-spun yarn and showed use how to weave on a small loom.

Meeting Notes: 02.29.08

• Connie would like to let everyone know that the Printmakers Unite! "Inky Sound" print exchange deadline has been extended until March 2nd (this Sunday). Use this link above and email the moderator requesting to participate. Sign up NOW!
• "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is being shown at the Egyptian Theatre Saturday, March 1st from 6-9pm. Everyone is invited to attend. Elinor and Erin will be there!
• The Kishwaukee Valley Art Meeting will be held this THURSDAY, March 6th at 7:30 pm. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church (Corner of 4th & Locust). This week's presenter is Carolyn McKee-Freese who will be showcasing oil pastels. Membership is $15 for the year.
• Helen Merritt, Professor Emerita, NIU will be giving a lecture entitled, "Japanese Pots and Prints in the Twentieth Century" on Tuesday, March 4, 5-6pm at the Visual Arts Building, NIU, room 100. This lecture is free and open to the public. Part of a series sponsored by the Art History Division at NIU and funded by Elizabeth Allen Visiting Lectures in Art history and Northern Illinois University School of Art Visiting Artists and Scholars Fund.
• The DeKalb Area Women's Center (DAWC) at 1021 State Street, DeKalb will be hosting a show March 1-28 entitled "NIU Women Artists" with a reception THURSDAY, March 6, 4-6pm.
• Besides all that information, Al explained the different techniques used when engraving on wood verses cutting a wood-block to be used for a print. He showed us the plank side and the endcap. (Please feel free to edit this post if I'm not explaining it correctly.) He also spoke about the qualities of different types of wood and why one kind might be better than another for the different uses. As usual we poured over the art, craft and strange stories magazines for inspiration. Erin brought her "Crappie Art" painting to show as a work-in-progress along with a 3-1/2" by 2-1/2" "Sea Monkey" painting at which time she (meaning me) announced that all the Sea Monkeys had passed away due to the white crud.