University Art - Newsletter

The Community Artist

University Art Newsletter Vol. 3 Issue 2, February 2004

ART ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT

This month we are going to continue our look at the Peninsula, by visiting one of the most important organizations there; The Palo Alto Art Center. Serving the Bay Area since 1973, the Center provides classes, workshops and exhibits, as well as a variety of other programs in order to bring art "home" to everyone. More than 64,000 people either visited or took part in the Center's programs just last year! Project Look and Cultural Kaleidoscope are just two of their marquee programs. For more information, on programs, donations, or volunteer Opportunities call (650)329-2366 or (650)329-2370

COMING SOON

Tom Lynch Mini Watercolor Workshops
University Art Center
March 11th Sacramento,
March 12th San Jose,
March 13th Palo Alto.
Two sessions each day, $50.00 per session or $100.00 for both.
Call participating stores for details. (408) 297-4707 or (650) 328-3500.

Flo Oy Wong
the Triton Museum of Art
1/16/04 - 2/29/04
1505 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408)247-3754.

Coloratura Companions
2/2/04 - 2/29/04
1383 Lincoln Ave.
San Jose.
www.cindyblain.com

If you have exhibit info that you want to have posted please e-mail at snjbram@aol.com

TRIVIA AND STUFF JUST FOR FUN

If you are like me, you've always wondered at the origins of what seemed to be our most frivolous holiday, Valentines Day. Believe it or not, it has its origins in the pre-Christian Roman festival of Lupercalia. Centuries later, a priest in Rome named Valentine as legend has it, married lovers in defiance of an edict by then emperor Claudius. Valentine was found out and jailed: where he died on February 14th. A custom during this time was for a young man to draw the name of a maiden from a box on this day, and then to remain her sweetheart for a year. By the 17th century both men and women engaged in this custom of choosing "Valentines".

ASK BRAMSCHANDOZ

Q: I just finished an oil painting and I want to varnish it, what do I use?

A: Oils typically take about a week to dry to the touch, longer if mediums like stand oil have been used or the weather is cold and damp (like now). However, the painting needs to cure before it is varnished and that usually happens in a period of 6-12 months! When the painting is cured, then Damar or Kamar Varnish is used to finish it off. The Damar is available in a spray or brush-on type and either matte or gloss finish. Kamar leaves a kind of satiny finish on the piece.

JEFF'S TIPS

Try using workable fixative in the early stages of a pastel painting. The fixative can "save" an area and allow you to work it again with minimal disruption to that area. Take care not to use too much or the pastel can become gummy. One other advantage workable fix has in the early stages of the painting is that it can be used as a shading medium. You can achieve very subtle "shadow" effects with fix that would be difficult to get by just using the pastels themselves. Give it a try!

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