I want to personally thank those members who stepped up to the plate and contributed to the success of our annual Union Station Show.  I have nothing but respect for the people that made this show one of our best yet.   We are invited back to the Union Station next year in July.   We have many new members excited about getting involved and members that have been involved for decades… always there when you need them.  It is very rewarding to be counted as one of you!  Thank you for the opportunity.

          We will be meeting at The Weber State University Art Department August 14^th, at 6:30 p.m.  Kay Chapman, our Historian, will show us the Art Store and the Art Facilities.  All the remaining 2007 Meetings will be at Ogden Arts, 6:30 pm @ 2485 Washington Blvd. Membership Meetings are the second Tuesday of every month.  See you there, and please bring art work that you would like to have critiqued during the social, before the 7 p.m. meeting.

          Here is a bit of info that I have been focusing on lately when I paint.  I wish I could applaud the author, but truth be told…I believe I found this in one of my on line artists newsletters and it is ok to share.

14 Points

Compositional integrity: A composition that knows its edges, balances internally and "works" in the "big picture." The superior creative eye often simplifies and is not distracted by minor elements or extraneous detail.
Sound craftsmanship: No sloppy craftsmanship detected. Artist appears to be grounded in accepted means of application, order, and seems to have knowledge of media chemistry. Work looks like it is not liable to fall apart shortly.
Colour sensitivity: Appears to have understanding of colour choices—complementary, analogous, etc. Often shows colour paucity and attention to sophisticated grays. I hate to use the word "taste," but I will.
Creative interest: Subject is creatively different so that it attracts, leads and holds my attention to the artistic and creative elements within the work. I often become aware of a greater creative mind at work.
Design control: Artist appears to have an understanding of how the eye is managed and led by the design, flow and activation of a work—effectively 'seducing' me. I often have the feeling of a masterful eye managing mine.
Gestural momentum: Brushwork or line-work is often expressive and has bravura, bravado, courage and élan. It often shows variety of stroke and is generous in the "hand made" conveyance of visual energy.
Artistic flair: Artist does something beyond blind representation and/or just moving the materials around in some form of lazy play. Work has style and panache and captivates in its artistry. "Wow, that's artistic!"
Expressive intensity: All stops are pulled to enhance the central idea or general motif. It can be a "look," a mannerism or an illusion, but the intensity convinces me of the presence of a non-jaded, passionate, particular author.
Professional touch: Artist avoids amateur methodology and gives a direct, confident, seasoned look to the work. Some people seem to know what they're doing, others do not. Professionals often, but not always, tend to leave their strokes alone.
Surface quality: Up close and personal the surface is intriguing and a joy to cruise. This may be because of the texture, handling of pigment, or the complexity of surface abstraction, gradation, or other quality—anything that makes the surface fascinating.
Intellectual depth: Artist gives me something to think about. There is an enduring resource here—not just a pretty picture but a thoughtful metaphor or other device that has staying power without retreating to sentiment or kitsch.
Visual distinction: The art has a look of uniqueness, either with style, subject matter or handling. It looks different from what I've seen before, or if similar, arrests the eye with a unique feeling or look that denotes "character."
Technical challenge: Artist has chosen something that requires above average skills or technical ability. Not just something that anybody could do. I love to see artists challenge themselves, take the technical risk, and win.
Artistic audacity: Artist is "in your face" with some element that dazzles—skill, idea, technique, or some other in spades of the above mentioned points that makes me sit up and take notice.

The August meeting will be held at Weber State College in their Liberal Arts Building.  We will have a guided tour of the building.

For the September meeting we will meet at Ogden Art and have the pleasure of a demonstration by Jim Rennert.

Jim was born in 1958, and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. After 10 years of working in business Jim started sculpting in 1990. He had his first bronze sculptures cast by a foundry in Lehi, Utah in 1992. Jim began exhibiting his work in commercial galleries in 1993.
        He is a featured artist in the American Art Collector Magazine for July.

We are going to have a free painting/art video night for those who want to get together.  We'll gather at someone's home (location still pending) around 6:00 p.m. on Aug. 9th, and paint outdoors, eat pot-luck goodies, and
watch a Scott Christensen video.   Contact Lauri Eskelson (731-2464) if you are interested in coming, and I can let you know where the location will be as it gets closer.
Katie Brandt is going to come and do another workshop for us!  Those who have taken her classes in the past have really enjoyed them.  She teaches abstract design and collage, and really gets the creative juices flowing. 
Cost: $100. Dates: August 16, 17, and 18, from 9 to 4.

There will also be an outdoor plein-air workshop class on Sept. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. up in OgdenValley, with George Handrahan as the instructor.  George recently won first place in the Plein-Air competition in Midway, and usually wins awards in the local competitions.  (If he wasn't such a nice guy, we would get a little tired of him winning!)  He is a great instructor, so this $25 session should be a good class for anyone interested in painting outdoors. For any of these classes, contact Lauri Eskelson at 731-2464.

            The excitement of our Annual Union Station show was shattered this year, with the theft of Bert Hamblin’s Lighthouse peppermill set, having a total value of $600.00.

We artists get creative ideas, expand on them, and eventually bring them to a point of completion, and they mean more to us than most of our other possessions. Having one of them stolen, sends one’s mind through a wild array of emotions: disbelief, frustration, anger, even a sense of violation.

We’re sorry this happened. Years ago, when our show was in the MunicipalPark, we had guards there around the clock. This may not be a practical answer for our future shows, but something must be done to minimize the possibility of a recurrence. A small locked display case would be nice for small 3 dimensional items, but where do we get one, and who would be willing to store it? Does anyone have a better idea?

Tom Romcoe and Teresa Zborowskie suggested anchoring the paintings to the grids with plastic cable ties…not fool-proof, but a brilliant deterrent. Teresa, Paulette Johnson and I went down to apply the cable ties.

BEST OF SHOW: Steve Henry, “Beauty”

OGDENBLUE AWARDS:

Reed Loveland: “American Arch”

Mac Stevenson: “Beaver Pond”

Teresa Zborowski: “The Grand Canyon”

LES SHRUM “AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE”:

Mick Humpheys, “Alpine Meadows – Mt.Moran”                                   

2008 DIRECTORY-COVER AWARD:

Ron Harvey, “South Weber Snowstorm”

MASTERS:

1^ST place: Cara Koolmes, “Claim Jumper”

2^nd place:  Mac Stevenson, “Beaver Pond”

3^rd place:  Reed Loveland, “American Arch”

Honorable Mention: Nancy Clark, “Yellow Glow Purple”

ADVANCED:

1^st place: Liz Pierce, “Out of Time”

2^nd place: Roberta Glidden, “Bali Hai”

3^rd place: Ron Harvey, “South Weber Snowstorm”

Honorable Mention: Dorothy Argyle, “Summer in Morgan”

INTERMEDIATE:

1^st place: Judy Johnson, “Fading Star”

2^nd place: Laurie Kopinski, “Mexico Morning”

3^rd place: Thomas Romcoe, “Deep in the Forest”

Honorable Mention: Mick Humphreys: “Alpine Meadows –

                                                    Mt.Moran”

Honorable Mention: Valentina Gatewood, “Hibiscus”

BEGINNERS:

1^st place: Jan Dougherty, “BeusPark in Winter”

2^nd place: Alison Benjamin, “Pieces of the Puzzle”

3^rd place: Karen Van Weird, “The Happy Camel”

THREE DIMENSIONAL:

1^st place: Milt Neeley, “Man Sitting”

2^nd place: Steve Henry, “Verticality”

3^rd place: Bert Hamblin, “Lighthouse”

This is one big quote from our very own Milt Neeley: 

"I am 48, married for the second time and work as a metal artist.  I grew up in Marriott, where I rode horses and did farm work as a youth.  I did all the right things:  was an Eagle Scout, Honor Student, Letterman, etc. In High School received a scholarship for Lizard Tail regeneration.

I graduated from WeberState with a BA in Economics and a minor in Asian studies; developed my own business and have worked for myself most of my
life.  In my business I found a niche where I build whimsical structures for display.  This allows me to travel all over the country and work for places like Disneyland, Sea World, WorldTradeCenter and many other places.  I
have probably sold display items in all 50 states.

At the age of 40 I had my mid-life crisis and went from a conservative to a liberal.  That is when I started drawing for fun, and so I could get through a meeting of any kind, because I hate to sit there doing nothing.

I have been studying acrylics because it is a relatively new medium and I love exploring new things.

I am a non-practicing nudist, but I do not think I could sit as a model, because I can't sit still any longer than 15 seconds.

I have a wife who puts up with me and together we are learning photography.  

I have 4 children, 5 step-children and one grandson (who has about 12 grandparents, if you count great-grand parents).

My life is in constant change and is one big adventure.  My favorite place to visit is the library.  I love to study all kinds of subjects and try new things.  I will try painting anything at least once and my favorite subject
to paint is people".

Now, folks, with all that being said, the author has one comment.......Lizard Tail regeneration???

            We have been advised by Dori Mosher, of Ogden Arts, that space is being made available on the walls of the Ogden Stadium (visible from the Ogden River Parkway and the street which runs parallel to it). The intention is that the artists may apply of their artistic talent, and in the process beautify that area. 

            Each panel on the building is 8 feet by 12 feet, on which the artist may paint a mural or an advertisement. Some of the art materials may be provided by Ogden Arts.

            There are some specific requirements. Please Call Dori Mosher at 393-3866.

            Another Mural painting opportunity has been brought to our attention by Milt Neeley, you can get the details from him at 621-0112.

2^nd Annual

OgdenValley Plein Air Competition & Silent Auction

Held in conjunction with the 13^th Annual Ogden Valley Balloon Festival

Sponsored by Wilkerson Fine Art & Consulting

Saturday, August 18, 2007, HuntsvillePark

·         Paint in The OgdenValley8 AM - 4 PM

·         Exhibit and Sale…HuntsvillePark4:30 PM - 7 PM

·         Awards Announcement 6 PM

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY:

Purchase Prizes    1^ST Place $1,500    2^nd Place $1,000

Cash Awards    3^rd Place $200    Honorable Mention $50

NONPROFESSIONAL CATEGORY:

Purchase Prizes:   1^ST Place $500    2^nd Place $200     Cash Award     Honorable Mention $50

EVENT OUTLINE :

PLEIN AIR Competition, Exhibit and SaleSaturday, August 18^th, 2007 in the OgdenValley.  This event is open to any artist who wishes to participate.     Registration is $10.  Participating artists can register up until 8 AM the day of the event.

For entry information go to the Wilkerson Fine Art website at www.wilkersonfineart.com/events.htm. 

To register send completed form and payment to:
Wilkerson Fine Art, P. O. Box 567, Huntsville, UT84317

Questions? Contact Kris Wilkerson  (801) 745-9557         kris@wilkersonfineart.com