Welcome! This is Brushstrokes, the periodic newsletter of Bloomington Watercolor Society. Enjoy our story.
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To communicate with the BWS, send email to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org. A number of board members monitor emails sent to this address.
Brushstrokes, SUMMER 2026
Brushstrokes, SUMMER 2026
The First BWS Meeting of Autumn
September 14 6:00
Pillar Arts Gallery at College Mall
Use the Door on the South Side
Look for the BWS Sign
It’s our annual Welcome Back program where members bring their summer paintings to “Show and Share.” No framing necessary! Be prepared to present a very brief talk about your work and what inspired you and also be prepared for compliments!
"Goldfinch," Charlotte Griffin
NEWS and HAPPENINGS
Celebrating 20 Years of BWS
The Birthday Party finally happened! It's a year long saga of broken buildings, schedule problems, and then we celebrated! Patty Uffman headed up the party committee with lots of help from many members. It took place at the June 2026 meeting led by outgoing President Nancy Metz. She introduced the newest and continuing officers and we offer a huge THANK YOU to these folks who have committed to serving for 2026-2027.
President Jaime Gonzalez, 1st VP Meri Reinhold, 2nd VP Julie Boyd, Secretary Marcy La Master, and Treasurer Daniel Goebbert.
We also offer sincerest gratitude to retiring officers, Nancy Metz and Charlotte Griffin, for their countless hours and years serving BWS. (No worries - they won't be too far away!)
Nancy
Officers Marcy, Meri, Julie:
Not shown: Daniel, Jaime
Birthday Treats!
GARDEN WALK 2026
BWS annually participates in the Garden Walk, acting as artists in the garden. Charlotte Griffin acts as the liaison between the two organizations (BWS and the Bloomington Garden Club) and thank you, Charlotte! On both Saturday and Sunday of the Garden Walk, BWS greets the "tourists" and often shares their knowledge of watercolor, demonstrating their talent with small and large paintings. Many of the artists give their work to the garden owners as a gesture of appreciation.
Congratulations to Don Madvig whose painting of Hilltop Gardens sold immediately!
"At Hilltop,"
Don Madvig
"334 S Rogers" by Deborah Rush
"334 S Rogers" by Jaime Gonzalez
From BWS Historian, Linda Branstetter
In July of 2023, BWS collaborated with the Monroe County History Center and showed artwork from the members on the subject of 'We Paint...Historic Bloomington!' The open house was July 7th from 5 to 7pm and had 20 paintings to show at the Monroe County History Center." Here are some samples from that exhibit.
"Banneker School", Susan Savastuk
"Building America,"
Jerry Harste
"Redman Lodge Hall", Andy Roberts
BWS Members Offer Watercolor Classes at CLL
Watercolor classes are offered this autumn by BWS members at Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning. MarySue Schwabb offers two 6-week classes for beginners. Jeanne Dutton is teaching "Watercolor: the Very Basics" and also, a Saturday workshop “The Colors of Autumn.” Don’t delay – these classes fill up FAST!
https://www.ivytech.edu/locations/bloomington/partnerships-special-programs/center-for-lifelong-learning/
BWS Gallery at CSCSCI
Karen Holtzclaw is the current artist exhibiting at the BWS Gallery. Her paintings of swans are enchanting and light hearted. You may have missed the reception, but you definitely will want to stop by and see her show! Now through August 28.
The Gallery is open to the public for viewing by appointment, please.
Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact Emily@cancersupportscin.org or
call 812-233-3286.
1719 W Third St, Bloomington, IN 47404.
https://cancersupportscin.org/gallery-partnership/
Note that all sales support the CSCSCI art programs!
BWS MEMBERS ART
Tim Lewis
"Lockset Lineup" is a 22" x 15" watercolor. We saw this at an architectural salvage shop near where we live. These antique locksets were arranged along a shelf in hopes that they will satisfy some restoration need. They reminded me of books on a book shelf. Painted using QoR watercolors on 300# Arches rough watercolor paper.
“Just Needs A Little Paint” is a 15” x 22” watercolor. One of the storage sheds at an antique salvage business near us. This property was probably a farm at one time and this building most likely was one of the barns. Time, the weather and neglect have taken their toll. Painted using QoR watercolors on 300# Arches rough watercolor paper.
"Lockset Lineup", Tim Lewis
"Just Needs A Little Paint," Tim Lewis
OPPORTUNITIES
And then there's the 38th Annual Great American PAint Out at T.C. Steele.
Learn more at https://www.indianamuseum.org/event/great-outdoor-art-contest/
The 2026 Watercolor Society of Indiana’s annual Juried Exhibition
It opens Aug. 28th in the Waller Gallery at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields and runs through October 25th.
A public reception and awards ceremony is scheduled on August 30th from 2:00 to 4:00 in the DeBoest Lecture Hall at the IMA. Tim’s painting, “Rockin’ It!” was juried into the show.
Happy Painting and We'll See You in September!
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