TCAA 29th Annual Open Art Show

The South Windsor Library was all abuzz on Sunday, Nov. 4. The TCAA had its reception for the 29th annual art show, and many came out to see the artwork, for many the first time. There were 69 art pieces on display and as always, the art was top notch.

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas

A few of our drawing entries for the Doug
Gillette award

                                                                                     

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas - Some of the pastel work

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas - some of the drawing work

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas -  some of the watercolor work

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas - some of the oil and acrylic work

Those who participated dropped their work off on Oct. 31, and then our volunteers set to work to hang the works. There were three categories of work - Watercolor, Oil and Acrylic, and All Other Media. Then there was a special award this year just for drawing. Drawing falls into the category of All Other Media, but artist Doug Gillette donated funds specifically for drawing, in order to encourage all artists to draw.

Our judge for this year was Barbara Jenkins. She always felt that art was the path for her, starting her art studies in high school and then going on to receive a BFA and a Master’s Degree in Art. Having completed her own education, she began teaching art at Central Connecticut State University, as well as many art courses through various art associations. She worked as Assistant Curator at the La Jolla Art Center and as a staff member at the New Britain Museum of American Art, devoting herself to sharing her appreciation of fine art with others. Barbara has been a member of Glastonbury Arts Assoc. for 40 years. 

Barbara spent a good 2 or 3 hours perusing all the fine work this year, stating she wished she had more awards to give. She somehow whittled it down to the ribbon winners, and I think we can  agree with her choices. 

Many volunteered their prowess to offer a wonderful table of goodies and beverages. A hardy thankyou to all who helped provide refreshments for the crowds on Sunday. A very festive table awaited all who sampled the fare. It was lovely and shows the continued hospitality of the TCAA. We hope the participants who are not members of the TCAA felt welcomed by the warm smiles of 
                                                                                         our volunteers.

                                                                        

                                                                                             

We were also treated to special music, something new for the TCAA. Rich LaCoss, son of TCAA member Lynn LaCoss, played some lovely guitar compositions along with his daughter. If someone can send her name, I can change this paragraph to mention her name and age. She played the violin, and the harmony between the guitar and violin was delightful and soothing. 

Our Best of Show was won by Doug Gillette, for his "Amish Farm." The painting was done in silverpoint and casein. Doug explained a little of how the painting was done. The barn had a number of old vehicles and tractors around it, and Doug saw the farm in the fall. He removed all the ground clutter, and turned it into a winter scene. 






He began by first sketching the lines with silverpoint, which is a very old technique used by artists such as Rembrandt. After his sketch, he added casein paint, which is a milk based paint. Then he highlighted many of the branches on top of the casein with more silverpoint. This gave the scene a shiny glow, as if you were looking at icy branches on a winter morning. The silverpoint may be buffed to bring back the shine of the original strokes.

Awesome piece, Doug. Thanks for sharing it with the show. It is a beautiful testament to old fashioned techniques used in a very modern and contemporary looking piece. 

Each category had six ribbons given out. They were first, second, third and three honorable mentions. For a full list of all the winners, please send and email to Ronnie Klukas at cyanronnie@aol.com. For this update, I am only including the first place winners. All are important and worth mentioning, but then this entry would be a great deal longer. Keep it short and sweet.

Our first place winner in watercolor was Carolyn Emerson for her painting entitled "Ode to Mindy."
Her use of brilliant and bold colors make this piece very special. The wonderful execution of the highlights in this painting make it a real winner. Thanks to Carolyn for sharing her wonderful vision. 

Ode To Mindy - Carolyn Emerson

  Our first place winner in oil and acrylic was Scott Rhoades with his oil rendition entitled "My Grandfather's Glove." The incredible detail, right down to the Babe Ruth signature was amazing. The worn leather on the glove was depicted as if you could touch it. You could almost smell the old leather. Scott will be on the Artists Open Studio tour Nov. 23, 24, 25, and Dec. 1 and 2. I have been to Scott's home studio. It is a must see and very inspiring. Thanks Scott for joining our open show this year.

  
   

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas

Our first place winner for all other media was Helen Davis with her pastel entitled "Golden Light." It breathes with autumn light. It is as if you were taking a walk on a crisp autumn day. She used lovely earth tones for her painting, which enhanced the entire sense of a fall day during Indian summer. Thanks Helen for your inspiring piece. 

Our special awards winners are always a pleasure to talk to. The Beth and Doug Gillette award for drawing was given to Judith Goldstein for her colored pencil sketch called "Elias the Wonderful." Well, the portrait was wonderful. It is amazing what you can create with colored pencils. Thanks Judith. The award was well deserved.

The Peg Winther Award for most original was given to Adrianna Young for her collage entitled "Sunrise Hill." There was no paint on this piece. It was made up primarily of cut shapes taken     primarily from National Geographic magazines. The color choices harmonize very well, and to see the piece is a real treat. If you head to the library to take in the show, definitely look at this one and puzzle over how this was created. I am still stumped. Thankyou Adrianna for sharing your very creative artwork.











The June Linton Award for most expressive was given to Lorraine Funk for her oil entitled "Daisy."
When you look at the painting, you can see why it was chosen as most expressive. Lorraine captured an abstract look with her strokes and color choice. There are details which are obviously that of a cow, yet the almost cubist appearance gives it a very modern look. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous painting Lorraine.

Courtesy of Ronnie Klukas

Last but not least, the Victor J. Antanaitis Memorial Award was given to Bonnie Massey for her oil entitled "Lunch With a View." The memorial award is given every year as a memory of past TCAA members who have gone on their spirtitual journey. Bonnie's piece smacks of a relaxing view of a lake through the trees. One can enjoy this piece with a cup of coffee and just imagine they are there looking at this lovely lake. Thanks Bonnie. I am sure Victor would be pleased that you won this award in his name. 

Please stop in at the South Windsor Library to view all the hard work of our artists. The show will be up until the last week of November. It is worth seeing for sure. Enjoy, and we hope to see some of you at our annual Christmas dinner coming up in December. Details have not been released yet, but sharing our love of this time of year with each other is just a great way to personalize, reach out, and just meet those who support us artists at home. It is always a great time. 

P.S. I will be adding the gallery of works at the end of this blog as I edit them. Then you can see many of the other winners of the 2018 TCAA open show. Maybe by December they will all be up.