THE MARKHAM GROUP OF ARTISTS NEWSLETTER • NOVEMBER 2020
" In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still. " Cynthia Rylant
2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTS ______________________________________________ November 4 WORKSHOP: Portraits with Ruth Toy 7-9pm, Zoom ______________________________________________ November 11 MEMBERS’ DAY: Jill Segal DEMO, 7-9 pm, Zoom ______________________________________________ November 18 'PEERING IN' Virtual Critique 7:30 pm, Zoom ______________________________________________ December 2 'PEERING IN' Virtual Critique, 7:30 pm, Zoom ______________________________________________ December 9 AGM, 6:30-7pm, Zoom DEMO - Sharon Kirsh. 7-9pm, Zoom
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, December 9
We will be hosting the Annual General Meeting December 9th from 6:30-7pm, followed by the Sharon Kirsh demonstration on working with cold wax. At the AGM, members will be receiving an update on MGA's operations and finances, and members will be voting on our new directors: Carmela Casuccio, Linda McIntosh, and Lynda Warne. Members will also be confirming the MGA executive: Robin Potter, President; Carmela Casuccio, Vice President; Pat Durst, Secretary; Lynda Warne, Treasurer; Vera Walton, Program Director. A quorum of 25 members will be required for the vote. If you cannot attend please send a proxy vote to Pat Durst: patdurst@rogers.com
Annual Membership Cards will now be issued in digital format, and you can expect them via email shortly. Simply show the card on your cellphone to receive discounts at DeSerres or at YRAC events.
Learn how to add your photo, images and website link to the MGA roster so others can get to know you and see more of your work —
Log in to the website markhamartists.org Go to MEMBERS INFO — MEMBERS TOOLKIT — WEBSITE SOFTWARE HELP. Scroll down to WEBSITE SOFTWARE TUTORIALS AND HELP to get you started. Three step-by-step videos will show you how to:
Get a photo of yourself on the Roster
Upload images of your artwork to your inventory
Get your website added to the list of Member Websites
For troubleshooting, contact Web Manager Linda McIntosh: linda@ruscio.ca
Welcome to the Team! The MGA is so very pleased to welcome Laurel Martin to our leadership team. Laurel has agreed to assist with communications and social media postings and will be working on website management in the new year.
ART CARDS FOR SENIORS PROJECT
Thank you to the 14 MGA artists who responded to our October Challenge by sending over 80 art cards to the residents of Markhaven Home for Seniors. You have brightened up their day! The world needs kindness, joy and hope now more than ever.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
PORTRAITURE with Ruth Toy (Nov. 4, 7-9 pm) - Learn to draw the human face or practice skills you already have. During this Zoom workshop, we will use proportions to draw the face in realistic representation, cartoons and caricatures. You will need drawing supplies or an IPad/drawing tablet. A mirror and/or photos of people you would like to draw are optional. https://markhamartists.org/courses/view/id/2215
Members: $10 | Non-Members: $15
MEMBERS' DAY: Wednesday, November 11th
Zoom Meeting 7–9 pm DEMO with Jill Segal: Taking the Mystery Out of Acrylic Mediums and Gels
Jill Segal will share information about different types of acrylic mediums and gels and demonstrate some techniques artists can use to create interesting textured effects in acrylic paintings.
More information on the artist can be found on our website homepage: markhamartists.org
All members are invited to submit 2 paintings for our online Winter Art Show and Sale which will be featured on our website, Instagram and Facebook. · Maximum size 12” X 12” · Maximum price $200 · All entries must be for sale · Entry fee: $10 · No commission to MGA SUBMISSIONS
MEMBERS GALLERY
Barbara Ridehalgh
Although I joined the MGA in 1986, retirement from teaching art later offered the opportunity to learn even more through workshops and critiques and to make wonderful friends as a bonus. As a watercolour painter moving into acrylics, I discovered a treasure trove of new techniques to play with.
This summer’s plein air outings have also been a pleasure and has reaffirmed my love for the “happy accidents” of watercolour, in addition to experimenting with my studio acrylics.
I’m particularly fascinated by the dramatic play of light and dark over sky and water. Much of my inspiration comes from travel — I like to sketch quick value studies to capture what intrigues me on location, then work up the sketches into larger paintings in my studio. It’s wonderful when viewers also respond to my interpretation of a memorable time and place.
You can see more of Barbara's work at kingstgallery.com in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Edward has been drawing and painting since his early years at the Montessori school in Malta. He took night art classes at the Malta School of Arts and continued his art education by attending courses and workshops when he moved to Canada in 1982. He paints in watercolour, acrylic and oils and his subject is usually landscapes. He has won several awards, including the Latcham Juried Show, Aurora Juried Show, and at the club shows where he was a member; namely Don Valley Art Club, Independent Artists Assoc., Montreal, Richmond Hill Group of Artists and the Markham Group of Artisits which he joined shortly after moving to Markham in 2001. He has been an ardent supporter of MGA and was Show Convener for a number of years. He has exhibited in many Group and Solo Exhibitions and has run a number of workshops.
TOP: Stiver Mill. Selected to hang in the Markham Mayor's office CENTRE: Vegetation. First prize, Aurora Juried Show BOTTOM: Promise of Spring. First prize, Latcham Juried Show www.edwardabela.com
As one of the winners of Markham Creates! Challenge this past summer, Linda was awarded an MGA membership for the year. She's already been quite active with the group and has attended plenty of Plein Air sessions offered. It certainly paid off; one of her pieces from the sessions won first place in the King City plein air competition. Congratulations, Linda!
Now that Halloween is over and pumpkins are being made into soup, it’s time to think about the holidays. Delight your friends and relatives with a special custom card featuring your artwork. November is the perfect month to think of making something bright and cheerful, maybe white and snowy or red and green and full of glitter. You can personally create individual cards or pick your most successful attempt and have it printed. Here are a few printing options ranging from high-end to low-end for you to consider:
O Long-time member Judy Livingston used Markham Printing for high-quality reproductions of her artwork printed onto cards. The cards come with a crease for easy folding. Envelopes can also be ordered.
File specs:
File Size is 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” File Type is PDF not JPG
Painting Image is 5” x 3 3/4”
Should be CMYK , not RGB
Paper Card Stock, Matte Finish
Leave a white border so you do not have to deal with bleeding
Sample of one of four cards (front and back) from her Woodland Series:
For more info, contact: Linda Tustin , Markham Printing 80 Bullock Dr, Markham, ON Ph: 905-294-5242 ex 110
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O The daughter of member Shirley Turchet has a personalized printables business with Etsy; your artwork can be printed on the front and name on the back. Email her atlovethis@ispiratoprintables.com for a quote. She also does a range of personalized photo Christmas cards.
O Staples and Walmart also offer card printing; more economical but quality is sacrificed.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Morning Glory on the Vine by Joni Mitchell. Book includes early sketches and songs; available to borrow from Markham Public Library.
