Until a few months ago, the salon where I got my hair cut displayed the artwork of some of its clients. I was able to have some of my work there a couple of times. I was pleasantly surprised when several of my black & white prints were purchased. My husband was astonished that people getting a haircut would purchase art. It just goes to show that you never know.
Shortly before the salon closed, a framed print on the wall next to me was crooked. While straightening it, something about the artistic style seemed familiar—even without my glasses. I donned my glasses and checked out the signature, and confirmed that it was a Ricetti! After exclaiming my delight, my stylist told me that Shirl was also a long-time client of the salon.
I’ve appreciated Shirl’s artistry for the few years I’ve known her, and have had the privilege of paging through some of her sketchbooks. You don’t have to spend too much time with her to appreciate her humor and kindness.
When Margo informed the board that Shirl had agreed to lead a workshop on her style of contour drawing and watercolor, I knew I had to sign up. I hoped that at least a couple of members who also couldn’t draw would attend so that I wouldn’t have to sit by myself at the remedial-drawing table.
My goal for the workshop had been simple—come away with something nice enough to hang on the refrigerator. For the first couple of hours, my goal seemed a bit lofty. However, after Shirl put us through a dozen drawing exercises, some members of the class left with some pretty impressive work. Even more amazing was that Shirl was able to coax decent results from the remedial drawers. Refrigerator door, here I come.
At Shirl’s urging, while preparing for my trip to California, I stashed a sketchpad and Sharpie in my luggage. You never know.
WiVLA provided watercolors, paper, and pens for the attendees. These supplies, plus an easel pad of paper were donated to Neighbors in Action.
- Melody -
Tour of the Archive Collection at the Menil
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 11:15 AM
Join your WiVLA friends at the Menil Collection Museum for a tour of the Archives on Wednesday, October 19. The Museum opens at 11:00.
We will meet in the foyer at 11:15. Maybe we will enjoy lunch at the Bistro Menil afterwards https://bistromenil.com/. Register early. Attendance is limited to 15.
Haunted Holidays at the Brazos Bookstore
November 5th, 2022 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Haunted Holidays are right around the corner. Start writing your favorite and scariest story or poem to share on Saturday, November 5th, at the Brazos Bookstore. WiVLA is joining up with the Houston Writers Guild and the Brazos Bookstore to present this event so that our wonderful writers can share with us their favorite goblins, golems and gremlins. The timing for this event is November 5th which means you can write about Halloween, El Dia De Los Muertos, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years Eve, Election Day, and any other holiday event that entertains you. All stories/poetry/essays are limited to 5 minutes in length. The readings will begin at 6:30 p. m. at Brazos Bookstore.
Sign up now to read your work for this fun, frivolous and frightening event.
Bhwahahaha!
WiVLA Field Trip to the Quilt Festival
November 4, 2022 and November 6, 2022
Join WiVLA for a field trip to the Quilt Festival at the George R Brown Convention Center. We will meet at the Silver Street Art Studios and carpool to the festival. The two dates available for this event are Friday morning, November 4th and Sunday afternoon, November 6th. For more information including tickets, click here: https://www.quilts.com/quilt-festival/quilt-festival-houston/
Registration is now open to read your work for the November WiVLA literary event at our member meeting, Tuesday, November 5th. The theme for this year is: What If?
Sunday, December 11, 2022 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Silver Street Studios
Save the Date: Opening Reception for the Reflection Collaboration
Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Lee College in Baytown
Virtual Gallery
Calling all WiVLA members! If you are interested in participating in a virtual exhibition during the 2023 season, you may apply on the WiVLA website. This is an excellent opportunity to add to your CV and is a great marketing tool for your artistic endeavors. This is a free benefit to all WiVLA members. If you are interested in learning more, contact our Visual Co-Chair, Aliza Bejarano at visual@wivla.org. If you would like to reserve a spot for the 2023 season you may do so by clicking the button below.
Harris County Precinct 1 will provide buses to WiVLA events for people 50+ years old. We need at least 2 volunteers to act as a Group Coordinator for events. These volunteers will:
Attend an orientation session each year
Fill out the request for transportation form
Maintain a roster of riders
Who wants a moving experience? Please contact Margo at bboop7@flash.net if you would like additional information.
October Monthly Member Meeting
Alli Villines: Crankie Stories: Creativity on a Roll
Tuesday, October 18, 2022
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Crankies or crankie boxes are an old storytelling art form that involves an illustrated scroll wound onto two spools. The spools are loaded into a box made with a viewing window and then hand-cranked, with the story told through spoken word and/or accompanied by music, and oftentimes enhanced with shadow puppetry. Houston, Texas-based lo-fi puppets & stuff have endeavored to bring to the world its own spin on the crankie box with the YouTube series "Crankies of Curiosity." Executive Whimsist, co-maker, and musician of lo-fi, Alli, is excited to share the world of crankies with you!
Alli Villines is a Houston-based musician, actor, puppeteer, and singer/songwriter. Favorite Houston credits include: Horse Head Theatre’s We’re Gonna Die (Houston Press Theatre Awards Winner 2019--Best Cabaret) and Church; The Catastrophic Theatre’s Speeding Motorcycle & Tamarie Coopers shows; framedance’s Family Mantra, Speak Softly Like Flowers, I Have to Wash My Hair, and METROdances. Alli spent 3 years as a singer and puppeteer at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and was the voice and puppeteer for Gnarly in the Emmy award-winning educational film A Global Economy. Alli received her Masters in Music from Arizona State University and teaches voice and ukulele privately. She is currently involved in TUTS’ Arts in Medicine program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. Alli loves writing original music and working on new works, including Call Me Ann: The Ann Richards Rock Opera and lo-fi puppets’ “Crankies of Curiosities.” Along with Greg Cote, Alli is co-artistic director of lo-fi puppets & stuff. On the InterWebs: ukulalli.com @ukulalli @lofipuppets @callmeannrockopera #sopranoholdingasoprano
Watch your Inbox for an email with the Zoom meeting code.
September Meeting Highlight
Lori Yuill: Peer Feedback through the Framework of Fieldwork
Lori Yuill presented the principals of Fieldworks at the September WiVLA Member Meeting. Fieldworks provides a framework for giving and receiving specific feedback about works of art, both visual and written.
This form of feedback is great for critique groups. Tips for giving feedback include the following:
What struck you, surprised you, distanced you, and/or confused you
The structure and its relationship to the work as a whole
The social, cultural, political, and/or the historical context of the piece
Your emotional response
Your understanding of the work’s intent
After discussing the principals of Fieldworks, the members practiced giving feedback on two pieces of artwork and a section of a dance. People left the meeting with a new way of looking at feedback.
Highlights of The Magic of Contour Drawing
with Shirl Riccetti
Shirl Riccetti took WiVLA members on a journey of contour drawing on Saturday, September 17th. Shirl led the participants through 17 progressive activities culminating in a detailed drawing with watercolor added. In addition to stacks of carefully curated photos, she incorporated all of the 5 senses into the activities, including herbs from her garden. By the end of the workshop, the participants left with a new way to see the world.
Some interesting facts about contour drawing:
Contour drawing involves the outlines of subjects
Focusing on outlines is a left-brain function
In addition to the outlines, one needs to observe air holes or negative spaces
This type of drawing is most enjoyable when the artist is in the zone
Thanks, Shirl for your contribution to WiVLA!
Highlights of the Studio Visit with Gail Siptak
A few photos from the studio and garden visit with Gail Siptak on Saturday, September 24th. A great time was had by all. Just another example of your WiVLA membership at work...
Activities outside of WiVLA
Pixels + Silver Photographic Collective: Light Around the World
Donna E Perkins and Melody Locke are participating in an outdoor photo exhibition by the Pixels + Silver Photographic Collective titled "Light Around the World". This exhibition is part of FotoFest. The outdoor show will be available for viewing anytime through December 10. Over 40 large photographs printed at 3' x 5' on metal will be on display. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd.
Making the Most Out of Your Nanowrimo Experience
Houston Writer's Guild
Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 4:00 pm
In this workshop, Fern Brady will guide participants in strategically setting up to get the most out of their participation in Nanowrimo. Come discover what Nanowrimo is and how to use this time of year to push your work forward. During the session, there will be time for participants to explore the Nanowrimo website, and create a plan of action for their project, so bring your laptops, notebooks, and other writing resources to get ready to Nano!
About The Presenter:
Fern Brady is the founder and CEO of Inklings Publishing [and WiVLA member!]. She holds multiple Masters degrees and several certifications. She began her professional life as a foreign correspondent, taught for 15 years in Alief ISD, and is a full-time Realtor in Houston. She has published numerous short stories, two children's picture books, and a couple of poems. Her debut novel, United Vidden, which is book one in her Thyrein’s Galactic Wall Series, was given a glowing review by Dr. Who Online, the official site of the fandom. She also has volume one of her graphic novel/novella hybrid project, New Beginning. She has returned to the leadership of the Houston Writers Guild, with whom she served as CEO for four years previously. She serves as co-host for two podcasts – Author Talk and The Hot Mess Express. Besides being Municipal Liaison for Nanowrimo Houston, she is also a member of Blood Over Texas, Romance Writers of America, and American Booksellers Association. Follow Fern's writing at: www.fernbrady.com
Margo Stutts Toombs at the Houston Fringe Festival
Sunday, Nov 6, 2022 at 7:30 PM
Margo Stutts Toombs is one of the performers in the Anything Goes night of the Houston Fringe Festival - Sunday, Nov 6. 7:30pm, the MATCH, Matchbox #1. https://matchouston.org/
We'd love to celebrate your good news. If you are interested in sharing, please send your items to newsletter@wivla.org. The deadline for inclusion in the next month's newsletter is the 20th. Thank you.
Until a few months ago, the salon where I got my hair cut displayed the artwork of some of its clients. I was able to have some of my work there a couple of times. I was pleasantly surprised when several of my black & white prints were purchased. My husband was astonished that people getting a haircut would purchase art. It just goes to show that you never know.
My goal for the workshop had been simple—come away with something nice enough to hang on the refrigerator. For the first couple of hours, my goal seemed a bit lofty. However, after Shirl put us through a dozen drawing exercises, some members of the class left with some pretty impressive work. Even more amazing was that Shirl was able to coax decent results from the remedial drawers. Refrigerator door, here I come.
