Colors of Art, Westchase Artists Society

"Colors of Art” to Grace the UTB Library

The Westchase Artists Society would like to invite the entire Tampa Bay community to experience the “Colors of Art” as its members exhibit their work during September and October at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library. The show’s opening reception will be held on Thursday, September 6 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM and will provide an opportunity to meet the artists whose works include painting, sculpture, mosaics, and photography. If you miss out on the fun and excitement of opening night, “Colors of Art” will continue to be on display for your enjoyment during normal library hours through the end of October. For more information please visit http://www.westchaseartists.com/

Also we have a discussion group were you can read more about the group. http://groups.google.com/group/westchase-artists

The Westchase Artist Society Continues to Flourish!!!

Westchase Artists society celebrates one year aniversary

The Westchase Artists Society has one year under its belt and what a year it’s been! In the past 12 months the society has accomplished quite a few goals. Finding a permanent home at our local library was one of the first. Creating a Web presence with a blog and an online monthly newsletter was another biggie.

We’ve been featured in a couple of local publications and have had one very successful show with another one planned for next month. We’ve been invited to participate in various Westchase projects and we’ve met many accomplished individuals and made many new friends.

More importantly, the Westchase Artists Society has been embraced by the people of our community, who’ve supported and encouraged us every step of the way. That’s the biggest hope and goal for any fledgling group!

You’re all invited to our next exhibition, Colors of Art, at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, with a reception Thursday evening, Sept. 6, from 6-8 p.m. Please drop in and enjoy beautiful works of art along with good food and fascinating company.

As an artist, how do you measure success?

Since the show at the library is coming up September 6, 2007, I
thought this will be a good questions to ask artists in general.

Today I was talking to my friends and inviting them to the library
show reception. As they were leaving, they said, "We will see
you there and we hope the show is a success." And that is when all
this questioning that I am going to share with you came about.

So how do you measure success for a show?
Do you measure success by how many people come to a show?
Do you measure success by how many people bought or sold artwork?
Do you measure success by how many people participated in the show?
Do you measure success by how the show was arranged?
Do you measure success by the food that was served at the reception?
Do you measure success by the type of people that came to the show?
Do you measure success by what someone told you about the show?
Do you measure success by having the best picture in the show?
Do you measure success by having an article written in a magazine or
newspaper?
Do you measure success by reviews?
Do you measure success by just being part of the show and enjoying the
entire event?
Do you measure success by how many people you met and how you network
on a show?

Now. Wouldn't all these questions also apply to your art by itself? How
will you measure success as an artist? Do you measure it by setting
goals and achieving them or by seeing your name somewhere? Or perhaps
making a living as an artist?

We are accustomed to measure things in this world by meter,
centimeter, failures, success, happiness, sadness and so on. And we
even have levels for them: first place, second place, etc. Not
everyone measure the same things the same way that each of us do
because we are all different and we all come from different
background. So what for one person will be a success, for another
person will be an okay and for another person will be a failure. It
is in the eyes of the beholder that the levels of measuring truly
stands. And if that is the case, wouldn't be easier to measure things
if we could understand what are we measuring with (meter, gallons,
level of success, etc) before we try to understand how others measure
our art or shows?

So may be we should be prepared because some day you might find
yourself answering the question of how was your show or how are you
doing as an artist? And you will say...

Best
VM

Westchase Artists Society Website

The Westchase Artist Society website is updated every month. We are adding a gallery section for the artist, galleries in the area and a call for artist were we will be posting great opportunity for artist. Also we are posting our seminar and newsletters.

Our goal is to create a site that will become a great resource for the artists in the group and elsewhere.

Westchase Artists Society Sharing with the Westchase Community

A couple of months ago, the Westchase Artist Society was invited to
participate in the 7th Annual Art Festival at the Westchase
Elementary. Cynthia, who had participated in the event in the precious
years and a member of the Westchase Artist Society, recommended the
event. So, following Cynthia's recommendation, I went ahead and
volunteered. I saw it as a great opportunity to share what I do with
the young kids in our community and also to promote the Westchase
Artist Society.
Well, today was the 7th Annual Art Festival and it was great. When I
arrived early in the morning, my table was set. A green table cloth
covered the table; my name and the name of the westchase artist tag
were hanging on the wall. They even had a set of beautiful flowers
next to the table, which later were given to the artist.

I went ahead and set up my drawings, a couple of portraits, animal
drawings, Westchase sketches and four examples of my drawing process.
Next to all this, I placed the materials I used for drawing and my
drawing pad. As I was finishing arraigning everything, the first group
of kids surrounded me and from then on it didn't stop until 1:30pm.
One group after another and I only had 5 to 8 minutes for each group.

To all the groups, I explained the process I use to draw and show them
the materials I use. However, when it came to drawing, I decided to
become creative and interact with the kids. If the kids were in
kindergarten or first grade, I will draw numbers and then ask them
what can that number transform into. For example, "..a 1 could become
an arrow or a 2 a swan or snake", I said to the kids. They love it and
most of them wanted to participate by saying the next number and what
could transform into.

On the other hand, if the kids were in second to fifth grade, then I
will show them how to draw a still life in less than 2 minutes and
then allow one kid in the group to try to draw the same. The still
life was composed of two apples, which by the end of the event I could
draw even with my eyes close since I had draw it so many time. The
kids were all interested and all wanted to try it. They asked
questions and the once that had the opportunity to draw, got to
experience the benefit of drawing with charcoal, conte and pastel.
Plus the lucky kid in the group who got to draw, also got to take the
drawing I drew and their drawing home. How the kids said:"COOL."

The organization of the event was excellent. The organizers were
really helpful and nice. The kids interacted, asked questions and
enjoyed. I even got people asking me for my business cards so I could
teach their kids and themselves how to draw or draw a portrait for
them.

I had a blast and I definitely recommend the event. Good organization,
great exposure of your art and most important you get to share with
your community.

Best,

Vanessa M

Car and Art show

On March 24th, 2007, The Auto Legend and The Westchase Artists Society presented "CARS & ART" Art show . It combined the artistry of the exotic automobile with a vibrant exhibit of fine art by various Westchase area artists. Usual event that attracted a people interested in art as well as the beutiful exotic cars, such as Ferraris and Alfa Romeos. Twelve artists took place in this event. Mike Gaudet, Joose Hadley, Sharon Harrison, Ann Henson, Jennifer Jones, Leah Mondino, Vanessa Montenegro, Jeremy Ramos,Tara Riley, Olga, Patricia Smith and Anne Tate.

Call For Entries: The Cars and Art Show

Call For Entries Cars and Art
Deadline Febuary 15th 2007

Put your creative hats on an enter our upcoming show entitled Cars And Art to be held at The Auto Legend in Oldsmar. On March 24th. Deadline is Febuary 15th. Check out their website at www.TheAutoLegend.com and check out our website www.West ChaseArtists.com for all the details and entry forms