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Important Dates in March 2025
March 1: (Sat) Deliver paintings for members exhibit, Canoa Hills 10:00 – 11:00
March 4: (Tue) Reception for members show. Canoa Hills 6:00 -8:00
March 5: Mini workshop: Using Cafe to enter competitions (online sign up required)
March 6: New Member Orientation 2:00, SRAL studio
March 6: Mix and Mingle 3:00 - 5:00, SRAL studio
March 8: (Sat) Art 101 Oil Painting for beginners (online sign up required)
March 8: (Sat) Field trip to Tucson Museum of art (online sign up required)
March 13: Monthly demonstration meeting 1:00 Anza room
March 17: Mini workshop: Watercolor Weaving (online sign up required)
March 20: (Thu) Field trip to Tucson Museum of Art (online sign up required)
March 22: Assemblage for beginners (online sign up required)
March 29: (Sat) Cold Wax and Oil for beginners (online sign up required)
March 31: (Mon) Pick up artwork from Canoa Hills member show 10:00 – 11:00
March 31: (Mon) Pick up artwork from West Center master’s show, 10:00 – 11:00
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CO-PRESIDENTS' Message
March 2025
A warm hello from your co-Presidents.
In the last three months SRAL has filled the walls of all major Green Valley recreation centers and CPAC, with the exciting artwork created by this club. The month of March will continue to bring more exhibits with The Masters Show at the West Center and 2025 Members' Annual Judged Exhibit at Canoa Hills. What a dynamic presence our club has in this community!
In the studio, we are offering a variety of exciting, fun-filled Art 101 classes, some new experiences with the Mini Workshops, and inspiring field trips to the Tucson Museum of Art! Thanks again, all these events are possible because of our many amazing, enthusiastic, and committed members. Please check our website to sign up for the events.
As co-presidents, we are proud to be a part of this artistic journey for yet another year. Your willingness to support one another, to teach one another, and volunteer both time and resources makes this a remarkable club to represent. We appreciate you, our members. Enjoy the club benefits and keep painting!
Jeani Gustafsen & Arlene Szypulski
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Mix and Mingle
Date: Thursday, March 6, 3:00 - 5:00
Santa Rita Art League Studio
March theme is Spring. Bring artwork that reflects the idea of renewal, spring growth and warmth.
Artwork for Mix and Mingle is shared to initiate conversation and learn from one another.
If you choose, bring a snack to share and preferred beverages.
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Artist Demo
OIL RUB OUT DEMONSTRATION
1:00 March 13, 2025, 1:00 Anza Room
Lisa Lesch (Morrow)
The 'Oil Rub-Out' demonstration will teach the grid technique on panel board. The grid method places a grid on an oil primed panel and duplicates the grid on the photo image. This allows the image to be used as a guide to "rub-out" the highlights and reveal the image on the panel. No prior painting experience is required.
A gesso board is primed with linseed oil and a mix of several oil colors (typically red iron oxide and ultramarine blue) are brushed onto the board. A grid is etched onto the painted panel and the same grid (in proportion) is placed on a reference photo. Focusing on the gridded photo guides the rub-out in line with the various values in the image. The method teaches not only value levels but allows for learning depth ratios and shapes.
No prior painting experience is required to learn the oil rub-out technique, and minimal tools/oils are needed.
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Lisa Lesch (Morrow)
Artist Statement
Lisa retired from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and now lives in both Macomb IL (in the warm months) and Tubac, AZ. For over thirty years Lisa’s avocation was pottery – specializing in thrown and hand-built porcelain. She transitioned to painting 9 years ago, studying with Leslie Miller at the Tubac School of Fine Art. During this time her work has appeared in juried shows and exhibits, including a two person show at StartaArta Gallery in New York City, and recognized with several awards: Ursula Seuss Abstract Award, Tubac Center for the Arts (2022).
Lisa’s work focuses mainly on oil. She learned the oil rub-out technique from Leslie and taught classes for several years at the Tubac School of Fine Arts. Her current work focuses on abstract painting with oil and cold wax. Layers are built up and taken away - typically up to 8-10 layers of oil and cold wax are applied (some with an underlying oil rub-out) and a final coat of wax is buffed to add a polished patina. The images are created intuitively and often, but not always, interpreted from her background as a researcher in the neurobehavior sciences
“You don’t follow your passion; your passion follows you.”
412-613-2123 – email: morrowla53@gmail.com
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Special Note to All Members about
Upcoming Art Exhibits
All the upcoming exhibits (to date) have been listed on the bottom of the ART EXHIBITS webpage. To zip over to check out the coming shows, Click Here.
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The 2025 Masters show
is now on display in the lobby at the West Center.
The show will be up until march 31st. Drop by to see some great work by your fellow SRAL members!
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Art Shows You May Want to Enter: | |
DISPLAY OPPORTUNITIES
GVR is looking for artists to display their art. If you would like to put together a show of your work or show with a group of friends, you can reserve through GVR by contacting Jodyc@gvrec.org.
The available centers and times are as follows:
Las Campanas: April, September, and October
Canoa Hills: April and October
East Center: September
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Oil Painting for Beginners
Instructor: Jean Hanson
This class is an introduction to Oil Painting. Jean will go over and explain the nature of Oil Painting. In addition, she will describe oil paints, materials, and tools to use so that students can take home a finished painting. Participants will learn how to mix colors; learn the difference between opaque and transparent colors; learn how to know what brushes to use; and learn how to
use a pallet knife.
The subject of this class is a simple Elephant Head landscape. To start, students will sketch the scene with pencils on paper, next they will block out their painting on a prepared canvas and then go to work painting. When finished students will learn how to sign their painting and “Abracadabra”
an oil painting artist is born.
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Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Students: 20
Material Cost: $10.00 collected at the beginning of class
Students to provide: A pencil and a pen.
Incorporating Personal Elements in
Assemblage Art
Instructors: Sue Bolig, Cheryl Jackson-Schaeffer,
Loralee Makela and Trena Stewart
Explore the art of assemblage in this hands-on workshop where students will create a 3-dimensional artwork using recycled materials and personal objects. Participants will learn how to select and arrange materials and experiment with adhesives and fasteners. This class is open to all skill levels.
Please join us for a new, imaginative art experience.
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Date: March 22, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Students: 15
Cost: $10 collected at the beginning of class
Students to provide: A small collection of personal mementos to use in your composition. An apron and thin rubber gloves if desired.
CLICK HERE for more information and to register on the SRAL website
MINI WORKSHOP
Artist Guide to CaFÉ
The Web-Based Software Used for Entering
Artwork at Tubac Center of the Arts
Presenters: Jared Netwon - Exhibitions Manager,
(exhibitionsmanager@tubacarts.org) and Sarah Vickery – Operations
Manager (operationsmanager@tubacarts.org)
Navigating the world of art competitions and exhibitions can be a rewarding experience for artists seeking to showcase their work and expand their network. Responding to a "Call for Entry" can open doors to new opportunities and recognition within the art community. Remember, each experience is
a steppingstone in your artistic journey.
Tubac Center of the Arts features 7 “calls” a season. Don’t miss your opportunity to have your artwork displayed at TCA. This presentation will explain how to submit work via Call for Entry (CaFÉ). We will answer all your questions about navigating this web-based program.
Date: March 5, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Students:
Supply List: Paper and pen/pencil for taking notes.
Watercolor Weaving
Adventures in Rhythm on Paper
Instructor: Judy Brandt
Nancy Maas, nmaas.com, is the originator of this innovative and adventurous process I ran across some time ago. She says it began with the excitement of just-burst Trillium and a desire to paint them with watercolor, but the result looked flat, so she cut the painting up!
The idea of this technique is to coax a happy mess of scraps and strips into paper weavings that have more rhythm and movement than original paintings. The strips of textures and color are all part of the
puzzle. A wild challenge...are you up to it?
Using their own reference material, workshop participants will incorporate the following design elements: direction, color, texture, size and shape into a rhythmic pattern. A quick value sketch is produced into which a focal point and strong darks are stressed. Two similar paintings are then completed, dried and cut, one vertically and one horizontally. The painted puzzle pieces now cut into
strips, are woven, pieced and pulled into place and pasted together allowing the matboard colors to pop through.
This could add something new and refreshing for those who enjoy watercolor paintings, or it may be a new departure for some to pursue further. A new direction, perhaps. In any event, it is sure to be FUN!
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Date: March 17, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Students: 20
Supply List:
- Watercolor Paint, palette, brushes, etc... your usual painting equipment
- Watercolor Paper, 2 sheets. If 140 lb., stretch it, if 300# stretching not necessary 10" x 13" or
- 15" x 18" or similar, both pieces exactly the same size.
- Photo reference, any photos, sketches, etc., which show movement, motion, will work best:
- Example: water, boats on water, goldfish/koi, flying, flowers or leaves in the wind, birds in flight, etc.
- Yes Paste, (it’s archival)
- A piece of mat board, any color, 3 inches or so larger than the watercolor paper
- Sketch paper and/or tracing paper
- Hair dryer (Optional)
Click here for more information and to register.
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Field Trip to
Tucson Museum of Art
March 8 or March 20, 2025
The trip includes a one-hour docent tour of two exhibits:
- 1. Rafael Collazo: The Search for Expression (abstract)
- 2. Art of the American West:
At the conclusion of the tour, we will linger at the museum to enjoy other exhibits and lunch at the cafe. Each car will determine their return departure time. We recommend exchanging phone numbers so that the driver can locate their passengers when it is time to return home.
Rafael Collazo: The Search for Expression (abstract)
Puerto Rico born artist, Raphael Collazo (1943-1990), created abstract works inspired by art traditions, philosophy, and natural and ethereal worlds. His work is recognized for impasto, or thick paint, as well as distinct color combinations and shapes inspired by Abstract Expressionism, Italian Renaissance painters, and 18th-century French painters. Collazo’s paintings express his ongoing fascinations with real and imagined realms, harmony and healing, the creation of life, and spiritual awakening.
Art of the American West:
The West embodies diverse cultures, traditions, and histories that can be traced through many art forms. Although styles have changed over time, Indigenous cultures, cowboy life, and landscapes continue to resonate in realistic or imaginative ways.
Some artists represent idealized and romantic views of the West,
while others seek to convey images as truthful as possible. As art
of the West evolves, universal subjects remain steadfast but are
revitalized and transformed.
Dates and Times:
- 1. March 8th tour time 10:30 am - Depart West Center parking lot at 9:30 am; registration cutoff date is March 1, 2025
- 2. March 20th tour time 11:00 am - Depart West Center parking lot at 10:00 am; registration cutoff date is March 15, 2025
Museum Admission Fee:
$15 per person, $12 for seniors, Free for active and retired military and Museum members. Please bring exact change in dollars for collection at West Center parking lot to be paid to the woman wearing a pink cowgirl hat.
Drivers will be Needed: Signup when you register.
Detailed information and Registration at https://santaritaart.org/field-trips/. Be sure to register for the correct date.
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Educational Opportunities at the
Community Performance & Art Center (CPAC)
CPAC has expanded their adult education program to include a variety of workshops. Various media, traditional and new techniques, as well as classes for personal growth are all offered.
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Adult Workshops at CPAC
Sonsoles (Sunny) Shack: Create Beautiful Landscapes with Pastels and Pan Pastels
March 18 – 19, 2025
Leslie Berry: Oil Painting for Beginners
March 25 - 26, 2025
Susan Ettl: Gelli Printing Extravaganza
April 8 – 9, 2025
For more information about the CPAC workshops, CLICK HERE.
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SRAL LOCKERS AND SLOTS FOR RENT
Lockers and slots for storing art supplies, canvases, etc., are available for rental in the SRAL studio. Yearly fee for a locker is $20, and $15 for a slot.
There are a limited number of lockers and slots. If all are rented, a waiting list will be kept and filled as available.
Fees can be paid by filling out a rental application (available in the studio or on the website by clicking here) to include with your cash or check payment; both should be left with the studio monitor.
“If you currently rent a locker/slot, fees will be due soon for 2025 rentals.” Fees can be paid… (as already written). “If you will no longer wish to rent your locker/slot for 2025, please contact Valerie to let her know, and remove your supplies by the end of the year.”
You can contact Valerie St. Marie by clicking here --> Just Click Here
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SRAL New Member Orientation
If you are new member of Santa Rita Art League, or just want to be brought up to “speed” on how to benefit from your membership and how you can participate/volunteer, please attend our New Member Orientation on Thursday, March 6, at 2:00 pm at the SRAL Studio. Questions? RSVP? Contact Sally Bryan, New Member Liason, SallyB@santaritaart.org
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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs)
There are 10 Special Interest Groups and all of them are open to the members of the Art League.
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- ABSTRACT BRIGGade
- ASSEMBLAGE
- COLLAGE/MIXED MEDIA and ACRYLIC
- FIGURE DRAWING
- OIL PAINTING & PASTEL
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- OPEN STUDIO
- PLEIN AIR
- PORTRAIT
- PRINTMAKERS GUILD
- WATERCOLOR
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ABSTRACT BRIGGade
There are no special skills required to join in with this friendly group. Attendees always find artist support, often with live demos, workshops, and critiques.
Our next meeting is
Monday March 10, 10:00 am in the studio.
We need you!
For more information on the SRAL website, CLICK HERE
ASSEMBLAGE
Assemblage Art combines mundane objects in new and surprising ways, requiring the viewer to question their relation to the world of objects around them. Sometimes used as social critique or as an exploration of the fantastical and dream worlds, Assemblage Art gives objects new meanings, makes creative connections between disparate elements, and elevates non-art materials into the realm of art.
This is currently an informal group meeting for all who are interested in creating three dimensional artworks and is open to all SRAL members.
The Assemblage Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in the SRAL Studio.
COLLAGE/MIXED MEDIA and ACRYLIC
Next meeting is on Wednesday, March 5th in the SRAL studio from 1-3 pm.
You can contact Janet Johnson by Clicking Here.
All Art League members are invited to participate in this SIG.
Get ready for a terrific year.
We will continue with our experiments in composition:
Compositional Design: Pyramid
Art Principle: Unity
Element: Form
Again, it is not necessary for you to participate in our challenges to attend the meeting. Bring something to share or work on, resources to share etc.
We love hearing new ideas and seeing new techniques.
FIGURE DRAWING
The next Figure Drawing session will be held on Saturday, March 1st, 9 AM to Noon. PLEASE ARRIVE 10-15 MINUTES EARLY TO SET UP. Jenna will be our model. The fee per participant is $5 and tips are welcome. Hope to see you there.
The model will hold ten different poses. The warm up poses are three to ten minutes each and then we progress to twenty and thirty minute poses. Occasionally we will do a forty five minute pose if time permits. There is a ten minute break every half hour. We listen to “New Age” music during the longer poses. All SRAL members are welcome.
OIL/PASTEL
This group meets every Monday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
We are a friendly, supportive, and informal group that allows our members a scheduled time to paint, share ideas, and techniques. We welcome both beginner and accomplished artists alike!
PLEIN AIR PAINT OUTINGS
We will meet every Thursday from November through April.
The Plein Air Group has been meeting since November 1 at various
places around Southern Arizona. We paint landscapes, lakes and
interesting structures. Two weeks ago we painted at Christopher Columbus
Park, a new venue for us, and enjoyed the setting, the fishermen and
boaters.
Next week we go to San Xavier de Bac. This is to give members
the type of places we like to paint. Since mornings have been so cold
we may have some afternoon paint outs.
An email with the month's schedule is sent out to our email list the last week of the previous month. The schedule is posted at the studio on the bulletin board as well. It is great to paint with others and enjoy the outdoors in places you may have never been to before. Consider joining us as we meet at GVR recreation centers to form carpools. All information is on the schedule.
If you would like to join us send an e-mail to Nanci Sheppard.
Click Here
PRINTMAKERS GUILD
Coordinators: Karen Keim and John McGraw
In January through May, we return to our monthly schedule of meetings on the second Wednesday and the fourth Thursday.
We hope interested members will join us to make art for our Print Show at Desert Hills in the month of April. All interested SRAL members are welcome to join us in Room A of the SRAL Studio.
WATERCOLOR
The Watercolor Group normally meets year-round in the SRAL studio on Fridays from 9am - noon.
We are an informal, social group working on our own watercolor projects, while sharing ideas and support. All levels are welcome from beginners to those who have painted for years. The SRAL library also has many books on watercolors for your reference.
To contact Valerie St. Marie Click Here
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