The "First Ever Virtual Show" committee would appreciate your feedback and opinions concerning the online show. I believe we all agree that a "real, in-person" show is everyone's preference. However, we are in the midst of a global pandemic. Please fill out the survey by March 15 to allow us time to make adjustments based on your feedback for the next show.
We appreciate your responses!
Thank you to Troy Muller for judging the show and to all who participated in Omaha Artists Inc.'s First Virtual Show! Go to the Art Show Gallery to see the winning entries.
Last Wednesday, our club held its first Zoom meeting because Omaha Public Schools canceled in-person school. Our club follows OPS’s weather guidelines and since they were meeting remotely, we did too!
I am always looking for silver linings. In this case 29 people joined us to listen to Sarah McWilliams’ inspirational and motivation lecture. If the club would have met in-person, only fifteen members had reserved a spot for the luncheon. In other words, almost twice as many club members were able to hear our club news at the general meeting and listen to Sarah’s talk!
Ms. McWilliams suggested a memory exercise in which we were asked to search back ten years ago to a memory we loved. It could be a fun experience, spending time with a loved one, or something else. Her example was attending an Easter egg hunt with a beloved child. She suggested we think of the sky color, the flowers that were blooming that day, and the animals we noticed in the yard/park. Then...she suggested a painting about that experience: paint butterflies, the child’s movements, the daffodils blooming, etc.
It is my hope that you try this exercise and allow yourself to paint some happiness this next month.
With love,
Barbara Egr
President
Contact
-Thomas Merton
Did you know that one of the many lovely perks of being an Omaha Artist, Inc member is you get to have your own “gallery page” hooked onto the Omaha Artists, Inc. web page? However, many of you have not taken advantage of this gem because you do not feel knowledgeable knowing how to “Photograph your Artwork in High Resolution.
”Well...good news! We have Steve Reese, professional photographer and proprietor of Mervin Reese Photography, as our guest speaker at our next luncheon. Many of our members took advantage of Steve’s professionalism as he shot high resolution photos for OAI’s First Ever Virtual Art Show! He will be teaching us how to photograph our artwork in high resolution to obtain the results we desire!
February 24th
11:00 board meeting
12:00 luncheon and guest speaker
Famous Dave’s, 2015 Pratt Ave. in Bellevue
(near Menards on Cornhusker.)
Order from menu, separate checks, masks & social distancing
RSVP to Linda Guynn by Fri., Feb. 19.
Space is limited due to high social standards and distancing. Therefore, we will accept reservations on a first come, first serve basis. Hope to see YOU there! It is going to be fun and you can get your gallery page up and running with GREAT quality photographs you shot yourself.
February is the month for love... love of self, love for others, love of art.
Lutheran Church of the Master – 2617 South 114th Street, Omaha, NE
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
$4.00 members/$5.00 non-members
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Monday, February 15th to Shirley Schmidt.
Mask wearing and social distancing will be followed. While we will not be furnishing coffee or refreshments, you may bring your own drink. Please join us and welcome Jasmine Buller for a fun morning of learning a new technique using acrylic paints.
Jasmine Lillian Buller: "My story starts very close to many artists. I have been an artist since I was 12 years old. I started out with drawing with graphite and colored pencils. As a teenager I was always hard on myself. I never thought that I could create the visions I saw in my head. My perfectionism got the best of me and often times I gave up on my drawings. On top of my own self criticism, growing up I was told that being an artist professionally was not a viable career choice.
Fast forward to 2017. I was working for my family’s accounting business for a good 6 years. The job was literally draining me and I felt depressed. I meditated quite a bit on what I really wanted to do in this world. What is going to make my time on this planet worthwhile. I was drawn back to my art. I am so glad that I dedicated my time to honing my skill to get where I am today. I used every inch of free time I had to practice. Painting is what really saved me and my inner critic. Paint can have a mind of its own sometimes and allows me to be more free with my creating. I became comfortable with making mistakes to grow from them. Since then, I've started instructing acrylic painting.
I always wanted to give back through teaching. I was also blessed by becoming a member of The Passageway Gallery. I am now a full time artist and instructor. I am still in the beginning stages of my journey. Every year I sell more and more of my artwork and gain more commissions. I can’t wait to see what the future holds."
What better way to learn vibrancy than with galaxies! I wanted to stick to the “fun”shop theme and paint something that allows for playfulness and happy accidents. During this fun shop we will go through layering with acrylics. I will go over a few different brush techniques to create nebulas and galaxy clusters. Be prepared to get messy.
Brushes:
Canvas:
Misc Supplies:
Paint:
You do not need every color onthis list - this is your own painting so pick a color scheme you love!
Canvas size can be changed also, I will be using a 16” x 20” canvas. My paint brand of choice is Liquitex Basics. I use Michaels half inch thick canvases for practice. You canget a 2 pack of 16 x 20” for about $4.
Omaha Artists Inc. is including the cookbook page in this newsletter. We still need a few more recipes to make this the greatest cookbook. Thank you all in advance.
Submit your recipes.Your cookbook committee,
Jo Anne Nielsen, Susan Stevens and Katie Johnson.
Our friend and OAI Member, BarbaraMitchell, passed away on April 17, 2020.
Barbara’s family recognized the joy andcontributions this dear artist added toour club. Therefore, they have authorized and agreed to the creation of a memorial fund, in Barbara Mitchell’s honor, funding a watercolor workshop next year. We have collected thus far a total of $397.00 – not enough yet for expenses.
Therefore, we are advising we will continue the collection of memorial monies – this will also keep the cost down for the workshop we will host. Thank you!
See newsletter for information on where to send your contribution.
ANAC membership Dues must be paid by February 28th to qualify for entry in the ANAC 2021 Art Show . Due to the fact that the Host Club has withdrawn, this year the conference will be Virtual. More information to follow.
Make check for $12.00 payable to Omaha Artist, Inc.
Send to: postmark before FEBRUARY 28th.
See newsletter for more information on where to send the check.
Members listed below have already paid for the 2021 ANAC year. So if you are not sure if you have joined, please see list below to see if you are listed. March will have all the information about the selection show in the newsletter. Any questions please contact: Jo Anne Nielsen.
Tell us about you?
I was born in Sylacauga, Alabama – the Home of Jim Nabors who played Gomer Pyleon TV! It is a beautiful little town located between Birmingham and Montgomery. My Dad was the artist in our family. His trade was being a butcher but many nights at home, he loved to paint wildlife scenes in oil. He painted at our dining room table, told me not to touch anything but I could sit and watch. I would sit for an hour or more, in fascination, watching him paint. It was truly his “get away” from the everyday world. After Dad passed away when I was 10, art went out of my life until Iwas in Jr. High. I had a very special teacher who sparked my interest in art again, as well as nurturing my soul and my talent. I knew by high school I wanted to teach art, to empower and encourage others the way I had been helped at a time when I needed it most. I had to work part-time during high school and had 3 part-time jobs to make enough money to pay my way through college. It took me 7 years to complete my degree with Honors from Auburn University in Art Education with a minor in Art History. I taught art in grades K-12 for about 30 years, private lessons, and workshops for children and adults. I retired from teaching in 2015 and started Sherry Reese Fine Art. I also had my own photography business on the side in the 1980s, which is how I met my husband, Steve. After Steve and I were married, I worked with him and his family at Mervin Reese Photographers on and off for many years. Steve and I have had almost 38 wonderful years together, two amazing sons (Alex and Adam) and a beautiful granddaughter, Haley.
Tell us about your history with Omaha Artists Inc?
Once I retired from teaching, I started taking painting classes at Joslyn Art Museum. I wondered why I had waited so long to do this! I loved the comradery with others as well as learning new skills. I realized I needed an art group to belong with. So, I started researching different groups in the Omaha area. Being older, I was looking for diversity in ages and regular daytime meetings. Meeting Barbara Egr at a Manglesen’s art event, she suggested I come to an OAI lunch. Omaha Artists, Inc. fit the bill to a tee! I loved the structure and warmness of this group from the first time I came. I joined in 2018 and it felt like being with lifelong friends. I love the fun shops and being with other artists, finding out their story and seeing their varied and wonderful talents! I am enjoying the position of Vice President of OAI. I believe we should all get involved in whatever way we can to help OAI survive and thrive…help on a committee, get to know all the members you can, ask to be on the board. You will find helpful and supportive artists and friends. Put your fears behind you so you won’t be asking the question, “Why did I wait so long?”
How did you get involved in art?
As a teacher of art in public schools, you become a jack of all trades in art. You must know the subject to be able to teach it! That WAS fun! Experimentation helps you to learn a lot! COLOR has always been my inspiration! For about 30 years, my personal art was colored pencils and ink – sold some of my work through family and friends. Then, my eyesight started changing and I could not see those sharp details I was accustomed to doing. I then turned to acrylics as my new outlet.
Bright, colorful, quick-drying…thick, thin, mixed media; I do love what I can do with acrylics! I have been the Artist of the Month at Mangelsen’s and Blick Art. I also sell my work on my website sherryreesefineart.com.
What is a little-known fact about you?
I loved roller skating! I helped teach beginners and coach roller hockey in the 1990’s-early 2000s.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
PAINTING!!! I love all kinds of music and setting the mood for painting – from Classical to Smooth Jazz, Paul McCartney to Slash, synthesizer to the acoustic guitar – I have quite a variety. For the past 5 years (not 2020), I’ve gone out of state to weeklong workshops with different artists specializing in acrylics – Jan Sitts, David Kessler, and Robert Burridge. It is arelaxing and renewing experience!
Tell us about a couple of your favorite books you have read (name and author)?
I have read all the books (except for the most recent) of Stephen King and all of the late Michael Crichton. Can’t pick a favorite. I also like the book “First, We Have Coffee” by Margaret Jensen.
What are your travel experiences?
I have traveled all over the U.S. One of my most exciting trips was when I was 18. For three weeks, some friends and I traveled by motorcycle through the Appalachian Mountains, backpacking, hiking, and canoeing. I’ve also bicycled through Germany and Austria on a 2-week tour along the Danube River in2000.
What are you known for?
My Chocolate Chip Muffins!
What skills would you like to learn?
I am open to whatever might come along.
Has anything or anyone changed your life?
My husband, Steve. He has always been My Gift from God.
What is your favorite quote or saying?
“It is said Master and Student walk the path side by side. They share their destiny until their paths go separate ways.”
Artist Spotlight Member Column submitted by Reporter, Katie Johnson
Dear Omaha Area Artists,
First of all Happy New Year! This is the first time we can literally say, “Hindsight is 2020.” Personally, I am totally ready to put that year in the can and move on. However, I learned a few lessons from last year. A few of my life lessons:
To Try – Our Omaha Artists, Inc Board discussed the idea of a virtual art show for several months before we were willing to take the leap and try. We reasoned that “something would be better than no art show at all.” Guess what? Many of you agreed. As a matter of fact, 35 of you signed up for the show!
To Strengthen my “art of living” muscle – When I felt lonely, I tried to call someone who was staying home due to health reasons. I taught myself some new songs for the piano. I helped others – family & friends – with food when they had the virus. When I felt defeated (our Christmas trip was canceled and I missed my granddaughter so badly) I painted. Art has always been my therapy.
To Find Joy – The only real control, in life, I hold is what can fit in my own personal hula hoop- my attitude, actions, and words. It’s up to me to find and complete fulfilling activities. For me, simple pleasures truly are the best – spending time with a child...even Facetime! Being present and enjoying a sunset. Finding the beauty in winter fog.
I realize for some, 2020 was total devastation...loss of loved ones, health, or a job. The above mentioned items are just the lessons I learned. I hope you will ponder the idea of what you gleaned from 2020. I would love you to share your epiphanies with me, if you so desire. Until then...
Warmly,
Barbara Egr
Henry Moore