News

Letter from the President

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Category: News

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

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

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."

-Thomas Merton

February General Meeting and Luncheon

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Category: News

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

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. 

Fun Shop: Achieving Vibrancy with Jasmine Buller

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Category: Fun Shops

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

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."

Creating Galaxies

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.

Supplies

Brushes:

• 1” scruffy brush (Or crinkled upnapkins)
• ¼” Mop Brush
• ½” Mop Brush
• Teeny tiny detail liner brush
• Old Toothbrush

Canvas:

• 16” x 20” Canvas (or size of yourchoice)

Misc Supplies:

• Cup for Water
• Old Towel
• Blow Dryer (I will bring 2)

Paint:

• Titanium White
• Mars Black
• Ultramarine Blue
• Phthalo Blue
• Phthalo Green
• Magenta
• Cadmium Yellow Medium
• Raw Sienna

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.

Cookbook News

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Category: News

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

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.

Your cookbook committee,
Jo Anne Nielsen, Susan Stevens and Katie Johnson.

Barbara Mitchell Memorial Workshop

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Category: News

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

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 (Association of Nebraska Art Clubs)

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Category: News

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

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.

Member Spotlight: Sherry Reese

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Category: Spotlighted Members

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

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

General OAI Meeting Minutes - January 27, 2021

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Category: Board Meeting Notes

Published: Sat. Feb 13, 2021

President, Barbara Egr called the meeting to order at 1:07 pm with 21 attending (Zoom Meeting).

2. The November 18, 2020 Fun Shop did not include a general meeting-no minutes

3. Treasurer Report, Jo Anne Nielsen-Checking Account Balance: $4,385.49.

Barbara Egr welcomed new member, Kathleen Van Lieu.

Committe Reports:

A.N.A.C. (Association of NE Art Clubs) – Dick Brown, Jo Anne Nielsen, Linda Jones, Karen Lastovica
JoAnne Nielsen reported the June 2021 Conference is canceled. There will possibly be a Virtual Art Show. More information will be in the March newsletter. New members must pay dues of $12 for 2021 membership by February 28. Current members who paidthe 2020 dues will not be charged dues for 2021 due to COVID-19 cancellations of club activities.

Art Shows – Sharon Clawson

Barbara Egr reported the Virtual Art Show will be online and judged on February 1 by Todd Muller. The Virtual reception and judge’s comments will be available on Zoom at 2pm, Saturday, February 6.

Calling – Marilyn Beig
No report.

Cookbook – Katie Johnson, JoAnne Nielsen, Susan Stevens
Katie Johnson will write a newsletter article inviting members to submit more recipes.

Fun Shop – Shirley Schmidt, Sheila Scarborough
Shirley reported 7 artists attended the Rainbow Glass January 20th Fun Shop. On February 17, 9 a.m. at Lutheran Church of the Master - 114th & Center Streets Jasmine Fuller, acrylic artist, will present, “Achieving Vibrancy with Layers in Acrylic.” Reservations, social distancing and masks are required.

Gala – Patti Kounkel, Event Coordinator, Katie Johnson
Katie will announce exciting details in February.

Hostesses/Luncheon/Dinner – Linda Guynn, Sue Loyd
Sue Loyd advised the February 24th 11am Board meeting/Luncheon is at Famous Dave’s, 2015 Pratt Ave., near Menards on Cornhusker. Ordering from the menu, separate checks, masks and social distancing are the procedure. Make reservations with Linda Guynn at 402-618-0347.

Membership – JoAnne Nielsen, Susan Stevens
Susan Stevens reported 110 active members.

Newsletter – Danielle Easdale
Barbara Egr reminded members the February newsletter articles are to be submitted to Danielle on Friday or Saturday, January 29 or 30.

Programs – Barbara Egr, Sherry Reese, Vickey Timperley
Sarah McWilliams spoke about “Discovering Inspiration and Your Personal Style” January 27th Zoom meeting. OPS canceled their “in-person” school therefore the art club did not meet in person. Barbara Egr announced Steve Reese, professional photographer and proprietor of Mervin Reese Photography will present, “Photograph your Artwork in High Resolution.” Wednesday, Feb. 24th. Board meeting – 11:00 Luncheon at Famous Dave’s, 2015 Pratt Ave., near Menards on Cornhusker. Ordering from the menu, separate checks, masks and social distancing are the procedure. Make reservations with Linda Guynn at 402-618-0347.

Publicity – Sharon Clawson, Katie Johnson
Katie reported she is alerting media contacts about the Virtual Art Show and is posting show details on the OAI Facebook page.

Website – Susan Stevens
Susan Stevens reported 94 show entries, 39 of 110 members submitting.

Vice President – Sherry Reese
Sherry reported Steve Reese enjoyed photographing twelve members’ artwork and willhelp with photography needs of members for upcoming virtual shows.

Unfinished Business
Barbara Egr invited contributions to the Barbara Mitchell Memorial Fund to finance a renowned artist to present a future club-sponsored workshop.

New Business
Barbara Egr encouraged members to apply for the Genie Schafer Memorial $400 Scholarship or the Omaha Artists Inc. Memorial $500 Scholarship with March 1 deadlines. Both have the 2-year OAI member requirement. The OAI scholarship recipient will share the expertise learned at a future Fun Shop. The Scholarship Committee will be Katie Johnson, Judy Freeland, and Linda Leary.

Other Announcements or Messages:
Shirley Schmidt invited members to volunteer to help chair the 2022 Fun Shops. The 2021 Fun Shops are established.

Emmett Egr has a show at the Mayor’s Office - access through the Mayor’s receptionist.

Motion to Adjourn – Katie Johnson
Motion Seconded – Peg Watkins
Adjournment – 1:27pm

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Leary
OAI Recording Secretary

A few words from your President…

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Category: News

Published: Sat. Jan 9, 2021

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

"To be an artist is to believe in life."

Henry Moore

Courtesy

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Category: News

Published: Sat. Jan 9, 2021

New Members:

• Tim Guzinski
• Hana Brock
• Patri Slaven (Rejoin)

Celebration:

• Linda Leary - 50th Wedding Anniversary

Barbara Mathewson

Courtesy Chair