News

January Fun Shop: Fused Glass with Sarah

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Sat. Jan 9, 2021

Note Change of Time & Venue – Pre-Registration Required

Fused Glass With Sarah
January 20th, 2021 - 10:30 am
Rainbow Artistic Glass
3709 South 138th St (138th & "B" St) Omaha

Pre-Register by Monday, January 18th. Send email to Shirley Schmidt.

We open our 2021 Fun Shop schedule with a "field trip" to Rainbow Artistic Glass where Sarah Stieren will guide our class in creating a fused glass art piece. Class size will be limited so you must pre-register. If we exceed a safe "social distancing" morning session number, we can add a 1:30 pm afternoon class.

Sarah will demonstrate and guide us in making a fused glass piece; these art pieces can range from a 4x4 glass tile, to a 6" slumped (dish) tile, picture frame, garden stake, and other larger pieces if desired. Prices will range from $12 to $35-$40 (depending on your selection). Payment is to be made the day of class and it usually takes about 2 weeks for the pieces to be fired, and ready to be picked up. If you get a chance to stop in beforehand, you can get an idea of what is available. Please call ahead to be sure they will be open (402-330-7676) .

Safety glasses will be provided, however you may bring your own. If people wear regular glasses, that could be sufficient. Masks are of course required. I've taken several classes and it is a fun activity with a beautiful piece of art as a result. I look forward to seeing you there and to a year of fun classes. Happy 2021!!!

Shirley Schmidt

Fun Shops Chair

November Fun Shop

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Wed. Nov 11, 2020

Fun Shop Committee: Shirley Schmidt, Neva Cozine, Sheila Scarborough, Barb Mathewson 

WHAT: Designing Cards - No Potluck 

WHERE: Lutheran Church of the Master - 114th & Center Streets (enter at North Door - look for balloon) 

WHEN: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Wednesday, November 18th - $4.00 members / $5.00 non-members 

Email Shirley Schmidt to pre-register by Monday, November 16th.

We will be closing out our somewhat unusual Fun Shop year with our annual card designing class. Barb Mathewson (our Courtesy Chair) will supply the cards. She sends these beautiful cards out to members throughout the year. (We do not send out Christmas or other holiday cards.) Unfortunately, due to the current Coronavirus restrictions, we will NOT be having our usual potluck. You may bring your own drinks. 

You will need to pre-register as we are still restricted to 3 people to a table, so we want to be sure to have enough tables set up for everyone. 

In addition to your creativity, please bring the art supplies that you intend to use, i.e., watercolors (container for water), colored pencils, markers, mixed media.... whatever items you like to work with. We will not have an instructor for this class. 

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not be having a General/Board Meeting the end of November. Instead, the Board will meet at 11:30 during Fun Shop. 

Hopefully 2021 will bring a more open format and we can again enjoy each other's company and all our scheduled classes. And just as a heads up, in January we will be holding our first 2021 Fun Shop at Rainbow Glass (near Oakview). Details will be in the January newsletter. 

Look forward to seeing you in November. 

Shirley Schmidt

Fun Shops Chair

The October Fun Shop Has Been Cancelled

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Tue. Oct 20, 2020

Tomorrow, October 21, was scheduled for a Plein Air with Sue Lloyd as our instructor – at Zorinsky Park! Thank you, Shirley Schmidt for creating another learning experience. Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating! Please psss the word.

Fun Shop: Plein Air - Acrylic/Watercolor/Oil with Sue Loyd

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Sat. Oct 10, 2020

The Fun Shop has been cancelled due to the weather conditions.

PLEASE NOTE, NEW VENUE FOR OCTOBER CLASS 

WHAT: Plein Air with Sue Loyd
WHERE: Zorinsky Park (Directions Below)
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Wednesday, October 21st
COST: $4.00 members/$5.00 non-member 

Pre-Register to Shirley Schmidt.

Due to health restrictions because of COVID, Jean Barban is unable to present her Rock Painting class in October. 

Sue Loyd

OAI member Sue Loyd has graciously accepted to do a class for us on Plein Air – Acrylic/Watercolor/Oil. Sue attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, majored in Fine Art, and married before completing her Bachelor's degree. In addition to family life, Sue was active in Midwest Photo Company (her family's photo lab) until the lab closed. She then worked at Omaha Public Schools. At that time, she began painting with plein air artists locally. Upon retiring in 2018, Sue stepped up her painting, sought out artistic communities, and participated in juried and organizational art shows. Sue is a new member of the Artists' Cooperative Gallery this year, is active in Omaha Artists, Inc., (where she has won a first place award in a showing), has work on display at the Hoff Family Arts and Cultural Center in Council Bluffs, and is a member of Nebraska Women's Caucus for Art. She is married to David Loyd, who is also a member of the Artists' Cooperative Gallery. 

We will meet at Zorinsky Park using the East entrance off 168th Street. The entrance is the first east turn into the park south of Center Street (look for the balloons at the entrance sign). There is a covered pavilion and restroom facilities are at this location. 

Supply List: 

• Easel or flat work surface for watercolors 
• Stretched canvas or canvas board for oil or acrylic. Small sizes work well because of the short time span 
• Watercolor paper. (Dick Blick and Strathmore have watercolor pads that work well as surface also; Cold 
• Press is rougher and Hot Press is smoother. 
• Artists' tape 
• Paint Smock 
• Folding chair or stool (unless you prefer to stand) 
• Paints, the fewer the better. I bring a color wheel too for reference 
• Water for cleaning brushes 
• Water, solvents, and mediums as needed for mixing paints. Squeeze bottles or spray bottles work well. 
• Brushes 
• Palette knives (acrylic or oil) 
• Palette(s) 
• Paper towels or rags and bag to put trash in & clip to attach bag to worksurface or easel 

Optional

• Pencil to make preliminary sketch 
• Camera to take reference photo 
• Frisket for watercolors 
• Compact easel sets available from artist supply stores 
• Backpack to make it easier to carry supplies 
• Small, wheeled tote box (available at office supply stores/Walmart) 
• Umbrella 
• Good walking shoes 
• Sunhat 
• Cotton gloves 

Shirley Schmidt

Fun Shops Chair

Fun Shops

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Tue. Sep 15, 2020

Welcome Back fellow artists to our Fun shops. It has been since February when we all gathered last for a workshop and some changes have been made in our procedures: 

• The church would like us to limit our tables to only 3 people to maintain social distancing. 
• Only twenty artists will be allowed to attend our Fun Shop, due to COVID. I will be taking your RSVP to attend, so we do not go over the limited number of participants. 
• Because of this required limited number, we will not be able to accommodate any non-member guests to this workshop. This number may be adjusted at a later date. 
• You will be allowed to bring in your own drink, however the church is NOT allowing any food to be brought in.....so we will not have any treats. 
• Any supplies you bring in cannot be shared with anyone else. 
• Wearing a mask is mandated. 

You will need to RSVP for the workshop by sending me an email.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Master - 2617 South 114th Street - Omaha, NE
Members - $4.00 Please bring your own drink. No Food due to COVID 

Painting Houses with Watercolor Instructor: Judy Freeman 

Judy is a retired kindergarten teacher in the Westside School district. She graduated from Kansas University. She started out wanting an elementary degree with an art minor. However, KU's association with Hallmark did not allow a minor in art, so she put her art away until she retired. She joined Omaha Artists about 10 years ago with her dear teacher cohorts and they have attended several classes from instructors at Hot Shops and several classes offered at Hobby Lobby. Judy has also served as our organization's secretary. 

Judy will show us tips on how to paint a favorite childhood home or lake cabin or a unique house in a small town, without any architectural design skills needed. 

Materials to bring: 

• One sheet of 10x14 watercolor paper 
• One sheet of tracing paper 
• Sharpened pencil 
• Watercolor or acrylic paint supplies 
• Brushes, container for water 

Looking forward to seeing you there!!

Shirley Schmidt

Fun Shops Chair

Fun Shop Notes

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Thu. Jun 11, 2020

The Lutheran Church of the Master advised the family center, our meeting room is still under construction. Therefore, coupled with the COVID restrictions and the unavailability of the area of the church, we will not be enjoying a Fun Shop in June. We will begin our art season in September as planned. Any questions, concerns or instructor ideas or volunteers, please contact Chairperson Shirley Schmidt. 

POSTPONED - Fun Shop: All the Same (materials), All Different (results) with Peg Watkins

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Sat. Mar 7, 2020

The March 18th Fun Shop with Peg Watkins has been postponed.

Lutheran Church of the Master
2617 South 114th Street - Omaha, NE
Members $4 / Non-Members $5 – Invite a friend to join in the fun!

Bring a snack to share – coffee/water is proviided.

Title: “ALL THE SAME (materials) ALL DIFFERENT (results)”
Instructor: Margaret (Peg) Watkins

By using the same colors and supplies letʼs see what this creative group can develop. Lesson will be based on abstract painting with an emphasis on color, line and texture. So leave your landscape, portrait and floral brains at home!

Every Painting Begins With a Great Abstract .... Bob Burridge

Supplies to Bring:

• 4-5 painting surfaces at least 8”x8”. TO DO BEFORE CLASS: Gesso each piece with a base coat on the painting surfaces; let dry. Then paint each piece with one of the colors allowed (purple, red, lime, white or black). Each piece can be the same or a different color.
• 1” paint brush: NO OTHER BRUSHES (howʼs that for messing with your comfort level)
• 1” flat end putty knife (bent handle is best, but any kind will work)
• 1 additional palette knife or popsicle sticks for mixing paint
• Brayers: 1 soft, 1 harder
• Squeegee: (old plastic gift/credit card works)
• Thin kitchen sponge (4”x5”) cut in half, NOT ones with a scratchy side
• Heavy/soft paper towels (I prefer the blue workshop ones)
• Two medium sized water bowls
• Something to mix paint on
• Hair dryer to help dry paint between layers

*Acrylic Paints to Bring: NO OTHER COLORS ALLOWED

• white
• black
• purple
• turquoise
• lime green
• red

About Peg Watkins

Peg Watkins holds undergraduate degrees in Fine Arts (thesis work in ceramics) and K-12 Education. She also earned a Masters Degree in Management. She has taught all areas of art in a school setting, as well as a recreational setting and worked for the Omaha Parks & Recreation Department for 27 years before retiring in 2007 to devote her efforts to her art.

Read more ...

Fun Shop: Painting Cabochons with Linda Guynn

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Sun. Feb 9, 2020

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 

Lutheran Church of the Master
2716 South 114th, Omaha, NE
Members $4.00 – Non-Members $5.00

Bring a snack to share – coffee and water are provided

Omaha Artist Inc Member and Newsletter Chair, Artist Linda Guynn will teach painting on glass cabochons with acrylic pours and show how to put a cabochon into a setting. This procedure is very messy – do not wear your fancy clothes! Please contact Linda either by calling or texting 402-618-0347 and advising your name and your intention of attending the class so she has enough jewelry making materials for the class. 

When asked about herself, Linda told us: 

I have loved art all my life. My mother encouraged me to experience all kinds of artist crafts. Sewing was one as well as embroidery, knitting, crochet, and needle work on fabric. I loved my high school art classes. In 1999, I started being a clown which helped me through a depression. It was very therapeutic and I soon learned I loved face painting. Kids loved it, too! Children’s face painting gave me experience and encouragement to learn more and more. People seemed to enjoy the clown in me. Finally, I became brave enough to begin painting on canvas. Around 2010 I painted a few landscapes. These were donated to our church for a fundraiser. Then, during a scenic drive in 2014, I noticed an old barn. It really caught my attention! I HAD to paint it and I have been painting ever since! 

As a board member of Omaha Artists Inc since 2016, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our five children, and our many grandchildren. My purpose for my art is to hopefully share a bit of peacefulness and serenity with others which I have found in a world of chaos. 

Supplies

• Small canvases (5x6 to 9x13 in size) 
• Aluminum Cookie Sheet (can be purchased at the Dollar Tree)
• Card junk mail (that you would throw away) 
• Mini bathroom drinking cups (Dollar Tree) 
• Paper towels 
• $5.00 each to be paid to Linda Guynn for jewelry pieces and paints and medium she is providing for the class. 

Shirley Schmidt

Fun Shop Co-chair

Funshop: Potluck and Courtesy Card Making

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Wed. Nov 6, 2019

When: Wednesday, November 20, 2019 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (and after to enjoy our feast) 

Where: Lutheran Church of the Master, 2716 South 114th Street, Omaha, NE 

Please join us for an enjoyable morning creating greeting cards followed by a potluck meal.

Join in with a dish to share! If your name starts with:

A thru F – bring a salad
G thru L – bring an entree
M thru Z – bring a dessert 

Tea and water will be provided along with table service..... 

This is a once-a-year gathering where we have no instruction, no teacher...... only our imagination to create beautiful greeting cards (sympathy, get well wishes,and blank cards) that are then used to send to our members throughout the year. Please bring whatever media you would like to work with, whether it be acrylics,watercolor, alcohol ink, mixed media, colored pencil, ribbons, pictures, sayings or anything else you feel inclined to use for decoration purposes. Barbara Mathewson, our Courtesy Chair will provide the cards for our use and any further instructions. 

As Thanksgiving approaches and we embrace an attitude of gratitude for blessings we enjoy each day, we request donations (supplies- specifically mat board of any size, gift cards, or monies) to support OAI's continued support of our community's Art Reach and Art Bridge outreach programs. 

This will be our last get together before we meet again in January, 2020. We thank you for your generosity, friendship and support. See you Wednesday, November 20! 

Note: there will be a brief board meeting at 11:00 am / no general meeting this month! 

----Signed, Barbara Egr, Program Chair-Vice President, Barbara Mathewson-Courtesy Chair, Patti Kounkel-Event Coordinator, Shirley Schmidt-Fun Shop Chair, Neva Cozine and Sheila Scarborough, Fun Shop Co-Chairs 

Fun Shop: Watercolor on Gesso with Marilyn Beig

Details

Category: Fun Shops

Published: Wed. Oct 9, 2019

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 / 9:00 am-12:00 pm (students may stay until 1:30 to continue painting)

Lutheran Church of the Master – 2716 South 114th 114th & Center Omaha,NE
Members $4.00 – Non-Members $5.00

Coffee/tea provided. Please bring snacks to share!
…and invite a guest!

Watercolor on Gesso by OAI Member and Artist Marilyn Beig. Gesso is an acrylic-based paint - Did you know you can paint watercolor on Gesso? It can be used to create a toned underpainting and to add a bit of texture to your watercolor painting. You can buy Gesso at any art store.

Our instructor, Ms. Beig became a member of OAI in the 60’s. She was secretary 2 terms, Vice President in 1972, President 1973 and 1974…Fun Shop Chair for several years and Co-Chair of the artwork hanging committee. Marilyn won the Joy Long Memorial Award in May 2017 for Best Use of Light and Atmosphere for a painting (approx. 24x30) of a Native American riding a Pinto Horse with buffalo in the background. She donated the painting to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She has been a member of ANAC for years and won the travel award three times! ...and has shown her art in Nebraska, Wyoming, Iowa and Sedona!

Let’s learn this new idea from this phenomenal instructor! Are you a new artist, or a wanna-be? Come to our workshops and learn…even if you just watch to learn. We encourage newcomers!

Supplies:

• bring Pictures or something with a good contrast for inspiration to paint …or draw a design with pencil (this
  might save time!).
• gesso an old watercolor painting you always thought needed help or the wastebasket or paint the Gesso on
  a sheet of watercolor paper.
• watercolors
• brushes
• watercolor supplies (you know, water container, paper towels etc)
• gessoed watercolor paper (if you do not have gesso, bring old watercolor painting or watercolor paper and Marilyn will allow you to use her gesso and hairdryer).

Shirley Schmidt

Fun Shop Co-chair