ART GROUP – JOIN or START one
Looking back to my art successes — both personal triumphs and award recognition — some credit goes to my art groups.
Getting feedback on my work from other artists is SO valuable. I consider it to be my single most effective resource for inspiring and improving my work.
WHAT A GROUP CAN DO FOR YOU…
Some groups create an incentive to produce art — after all, you’ll want to have something to show at the meetings! Plus, after a few hours of talking art you’ll be wanting to paint.
Some groups get together to paint. My fall 2015 bird class at Village Gallery decided to meet on their own to paint after the classes ended. Here they are with their paintings – some are in progress.
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| Ronna, Mary Lou, Gail, Robin & Meg (JoAnn was painting with me at the Kauai workshop) |
Some groups offer an art critique. Cultivate a culture of respect and trust and you will have access to a wide range of ideas and possibilities. There are times when we get stuck with a painting and can’t figure out what it needs! Feedback from others is SO valuable.
Most groups create friendships and a cross pollination of ideas. You might be introduced to the work of other artists or where to go to print greeting cards or how to set up a studio.
MY GROUPS
I belong to a total of six different art groups now and they all have something unique and valuable to offer!
I joined Westside Critique group 7 years ago. Through their camaraderie and support I have flourished! In working with this group I’ve discovered many of the techniques I use in my art today. We meet once a month and paint together each August at the coast.
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| WESTSIDE CRITIQUE GROUP PAINTING AT JUDI WYGANT’S BEACH HOUSE |
Two large and well established groups — Painters Showcase and Lake Area Artists — pool resources to put on art shows and sales.
The very first travel workshop I led in Tuscany formed an art group of their own, The Melogranos. I am an honorary member and love being connected with them.
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| THE ORIGINAL MELOGRANOS with LINDA & CAROL |
The other two groups started in 2015. They are both intensionally quite small. The Moas, forming out of the momentum of an exploratory trip to France, offers camaraderie, inspiration and a strong emotional connection.
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Critical Mass has just 4 members but is a powerful “teaching” group that helps focus my art career. It began when Liz Walker asked if I would get together with her to critique our work. The next month we asked Geoffrey McCormack and Chris Stubbs to join us. We talk about contests, inspiration and sometimes the “business” of art.
I very much recommend finding a group to join or starting one of your own.
TO START A GROUP…
What’s a good group for people who are just starting this journey?
Start anywhere! Start large. Many large art groups are happy to take on new members. Oregon Society of Artists in Portland is a good local group. For statewide, there’s Watercolor Society of Oregon. Southwest Washington Watercolor Society is a group based in Vancouver WA. These groups can be your gateway to smaller and more intimate groups. Other groups are Women of Watercolor and Oregon Botanical Artists. Start joining and see what is a good fit for you.