2015 is well under way

Another year has come and gone and here we are at the beginning of a new one.  We hope that you all have a wonderful 2015 – happy, healthy and safe. Now that the “Silly Season” is over we can all get back to normal and, for those who haven’t picked up a paintbrush or pencil in weeks, start producing fabulous works of art again.

During January our thoughts inevitably turn to the AGM which is scheduled for the fourth Wednesday in February (25^th). The present committee is standing down to give members the opportunity to nominate people whom they would like to see elected, and who they can CONFIRM have AGREED to stand, if elected. This means that anyone, including the past committee, is eligible for election and it is hoped that this will encourage members with new ideas and enthusiasm to come forward. A nomination paper is at the end of the newsletter and should be handed to a member of committee on or before the evening of the 25th February.

The AGM evening will start with a talk from Jackie Clayton on “The Glories of Florence”. Many of your have heard Jackie speak before and know how very enjoyable her talks are. Definitely not to be missed.

After tea, during which time the nominations will have been sorted, the meeting will continue with the AGM and election of the new committee. We are hopeful that as many members as possible will attend and support the Society.

There was a disappointingly poor turnout for the mini exhibition we held at the Garden of Remembrance in December.  The Friday was, in all honesty, not the nicest day to put up paintings outdoors but most of us braved the chilly and strong wind until lunchtime and Alex Johnston managed to sell three paintings that day in spite of the weather.  Saturday was a good day weather-wise, but again, very few of you either came to visit or put up art work. Di Breeze, always a stalwart, sold five of her beautiful pen and wash paintings.  The selling however, while hugely satisfying, is not the main purpose of an exhibition, which is to get together with people of a like mind and be given the opportunity showcase one’s work.

Please - it is your Society: it is 60 years old: we want to keep it going and improving so it is up to every member, where possible to support it.

Friendly Reminder that your subs are due by the end of this month

We are keeping the subs at R 100 for this year and will discuss an increase at the AGM.  The Society tries hard to find interesting speakers, and experienced artists, to run workshops and do demos.  There is a wide variety of talks and workshops being offered for the rest of the year so please come along, bring a friend or two and enjoy some interesting hours with others who share the same interest.  We also have a wide variety of books and DVDs that you can borrow at the end of each monthly meeting.

If possible make an EFT deposit – banking details below – or cash to our Treasurer at any of our events.

Fish Hoek Art Society

Standard Bank – Fish Hoek

Branch code:  036 009

Account no: 072 099 127

The Alma Byng Trophy Competition was very well attended and the lively atmosphere and friendly chatting going on before and after the judging was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.  Thank you to all the members who exhibited, and attended. You made the evening the success it was.

  

Here are the winners with their artwork.  Well done to you all.

 

Abstract                                    Roz Hoek

Buildings                                  Clive Tyler

Wildlife animals and birds        Ann Zwets (see photo below)

Flowers                                    Margi White

Portraits/people                       Tim Johnson

Seascapes                               Doug James

Landscapes                             Roz Hoek

Miniatures                                Ann Zwets

Winner of the Alma Byng Trophy – Roz Hoek

  

 As usual, Di Breeze provided the wonderful hand written certificates.

We are working on the events calendar and attached is what has been planned up to the end of March.  There are several interesting events in the pipeline after that but they have to be confirmed and we will let you have details as soon as we have them.

Franziska, our hard working events coordinator, has returned to Germany.  We shall miss her, and we wish her all the best in her new life.

CAS ART EXHIBITION

Constantiaberg Art Society will be holding its Summer Exhibition in the Sanlam Hall at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens from Friday 16 January until Sunday 25 January between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm.

You are welcome to go and join them at this wonderful venue and see what talented local artists have created. Entrance is free but the usual Kirstenbosch entrance fee applies. Remember Tuesdays are free for pensioners.

FISH HOEK ART SOCIETY – 2015 EVENTS CALENDAR

	Workshops	Paint outs	Evening Meetings
February	10th John Strickland to run a workshop on wet into dry watercolor painting	17th Ohio Farm Noordhoek (John Strickland)	25th AGM Jackie Clayton on “The Glories of Florence"
March	10th Morag Noffke Art as a healer 021 761-8264	17th Silvermine (John  Strickland)	25th Cyril Coetzee Portraits tbc
April			22nd Christine Scheid Image making in black and white

Please note that the dates for events are the same as in previous years i.e.

Workshops              2^nd Tuesday of the month at 2 pm

Paint Outs               3^rd Tuesday of the month at 9.30 am

Evening meetings  4^th Wednesday of the month at 7 pm

A BIG thank you to ROBERT McALPINE for his photos.

Alma Byng Competition

This year's Alma Byng competition was well supported with 31 members present and nine guests joining in.

There was a total of 78 entries (thanks for the support Club Members) and these were deemed of a high standard by the two guest judges, Annamarie Renaud and Lyn Northam.


Lyn Northam, caught in a reflective moment.

The overall winner this year was Ros Hoek - who also won the abstract prize.

Other winners were Ann Zwets, our FHAS Secretary, for her entries in animal life and for her miniature.

Doug James won the category for seascapes boats and harbours.

   

Clive Tyler (looking slightly bashful) won the prize for townscapes and buildings.

Tim Johnston won the portrait category.

And Marg White bagged the still life and flowers.

A rather overwhelmed Marg ... and with her beautiful hibiscus.

Once again, Di Breeze, penned the beautiful certificates in her impeccable calligraphy and Robert McAlpine provided this excellent photographic record.

We enjoyed wine and snacks and were delighted to have the chance of looking closely at all the entries.

Thanks Rob McAlpine for the pix!

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

I am not sure what has happened to the past few months – they have just flown past.  But here we are again in November and planning our end of year activities.  Please see the calendar for details.

Past Events: 

The Christmas card making afternoon was great fun and some really pretty cards were the result.  The cards were donated to Nerina Gardens.

The outing to Little Stream was very well supported and everyone voted this venue as one of the best we have had this year. There is so much to inspire one there – trees, plants, running water and at the end of the morning a good cup of coffee and a slice of cake !

Sadly we have been unable to find a suitable venue for an exhibition thus far.  We are still looking and one never knows what might come up at the last moment.

In the meantime we are going to have another “Art in the Park” at the Garden of Remembrance in Fish Hoek some time in December.  As we will need to keep an eye on the weather it will have to be a Friday and Saturday when the wind is not howling.  You would only need to bring whatever artwork you would like to show, easels, a small table if needed, a chair and some refreshments, so a last minute expo shouldn’t be a problem.  We will keep you informed of the dates closer to the time but we are looking at the 12^th and 13^th of December.

The creative workshop on November 11th was fun though it took the few participants a while to get the hang of the exercise. The 'props' used included paper clips, crisps, chips, wool - proving that anything can inspire the creative mind.

The paint-out this month on Tuesday 18^th November is at Die Oog in Bergvliet – address on the calendar.  If anyone would like a lift, or to follow us there, please give me a call on 021 782-6297 or 083 503 7269.

The most important event this month is the  ALMA BYNG COMPETITION  and end of year function on Wednesday 26th November at 7 pm. Please support this evening.  New members – don’t be shy or intimidated at the thought of entering a competition – it’s something to work towards and even if you don’t win a category or the trophy it does give you a chance to show what you can do. Could all those attending Please bring a small plate of snacks.  The Society will provide wine and fruit juice. The Rules of the Alma Byng Trophy Competition 1            The annual trophy with its cash prize is awarded to the artist deemed by the invited judges to have produced the best individual art work on show. 2            The award may not be given to the same artist for a second or third consecutive year. 3            Previous winners may enter paintings in categories other than the one in which they won their prize. 4            It is customary for the Committee to award certificates to the exhibitor of the work deemed to be the best in each category other than the category from which the trophy winner was chosen. 5            The painting may be entered in any category of the member’s choice.  This is made known to the hanging committee on entry 6            The name of the artist must be suitably obscured.  It may be displayed after the awards have been made. 7            All artwork is to be submitted to the hanging committee members between 4.00 and 5.30 p.m. on the day of the exhibition. No late entries will be accepted.  Viewing of the exhibits commences at 7pm. The categories are: A            Landscape B            Townscape or buildings C            People portraits life studies and groups D            Seascapes, boats and harbours E            Interiors F            Still life, flowers and botanical studies G            Animal life, Wild Life H            Abstract and experimental I            Miniatures J            Sculpture    (3-D sculpture in the round or in the flat, in any suitable medium.) K           Digital                     Miniatures:  The Miniature Society of South Africa gives the following guidelines: The dimensions of the work including the frame or mount must be no more than 170mm x170mm. The subject must be no more than one sixth of life size (A human head would be 38 mm or less). The “spirit” of a miniature should be intimate and delicate with fine brush strokes. The colour may be intense and vibrant. The signature should be neat and very small. Digital Works:   This category covers original works which show artistic skill and creativity and are produced by the use of computers. Works in this category may be awarded the Best Digital Work Certificate but are not eligible for the Alma Byng trophy, as this art form was not envisaged in the Bequest. Some account of the method of its production will be helpful. Franziska Bichlmaier who has worked tirelessly for the Society over the past few years is going back to Germany on Monday.  We would like to thank her for her efforts and wish her everything of the best. Workshops – The second Tuesday afternoon of the month at 2 pm. Unless told otherwise, please supply your own materials and paints, etc. Paint-outs –The third Tuesday morning of the month at 9.30 am Evening Meetings – The 4th Wednesday of the month at 7pm unless otherwise indicated in the newsletter. Workshops and monthly meetings are held at Nerina Gardens Hall, Recreation Road, Fish Hoek. To reiterate - Fiona Nichols continues to put in a lot of work running the blog for us.  Please look at it from time to time as eventually it will replace a paper newsletter.  There are always quite a few art exhibitions, or art inspired events, going on in Cape Town.  For those who have access to internet “What’s on in Cape Town” is a good site to Google. FISH HOEK ART SOCIETY – 2014/15 EVENTS CALENDAR ============================================== WORKSHOPS 2 pm PAINT-OUTS 9.30 am EVENING MEETS 7 pm NOVEMBER  11th  ------------------------------ Fun afternoon using various object as ideas for quick sketches (think what you can do with cauliflower florets for instance) 18th -------------------------  Die Oog Cnr Lakewood and Midwood Aves Bergvleit 26th --------------------------------- Alma Byng Trophy END OF YEAR FUNCTION DECEMBER ===========================================================  Christmas and holiday time =========================================================== JANUARY No workshop 20th Cape Point Vinyards 29th A DVD will be shown The last part of Karen Symmons flowers and Pamela Kay oils -------------------------------- FEBRUARY 10th John Strickland to run a workshop on wet into dry watercolour painting 17th Ohio Farm Noordhoek 25th AGM =============================================================  Activities for March onwards to be confirmed in January 2015

October paint out

A glorious spring day - perfect for painting and ten members of FHAS were smart enough to make the short journey up to the Little Steam in Constantia.

Welcome to the two new members who joined in. Above Clive Tyler in a shady spot.

It is a delightful - and popular - spot and members settled down to enjoy the warm sunshine and gorgeous greenery.
Below Secretary Ann and President Cindy opt for a sunny position.
All photos by Alex Johnston.

LONGBEACH - ARTISTS IN ACTION

Longbeach Mall invited creative artists, especially those members of FHAS - to attend a week of exhibitions and on the spot painting.

Overcoming the usual reluctance to work in public, FHAS members valiantly put paint to paper (canvas) and showed interested shoppers what a varied range of subjects we are capable of.
Here are some candid shots taken by FHAS member, Robert McAlpine.

HUGH MURDOCH COMPETITION

Thanks to FHAS members Robert McAlpine and Alex Johnston for the photo record.



The annual Hugh Murdoch trophy competition took place on the evening of 27th August and although the entrants were fewer than hoped, it proved an interesting evening.






Among the competitors illustrating the theme, WINDOWS, were some artists with unusual ideas - and that always catches the eye.

The winners were:
First prize and Trophy: Sue Green with a pastel entry.



Second place: Rodney Sleep, with an oil painting framed in a window.



Third place: Alex Johnston, with a watercolour of professional window cleaners.

 

Chairman Cindy, and fellow committee members, Franziska and Alex.

Teatime before the final results.

Chairman Cindy congratulates the winner of thrid place, Rodney.