University Art

The Community Artist

University Art Newsletter Vol. 5 Issue 5, May 2006

ART ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT

This month The Community Artist takes a quick run up to Roseville

to visit with the Pastel Society of the West Coast. The P.S.W.C. meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Roseville Art Center, 424 Oak Street, Roseville, Ca. 95678. This club boasts some of the very finest pastel artists in the Western United States. Traditionally an Open Show is held once a year our most local one recently was held at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara. For more information on meetings, programs, memberships and signature memberships call Kat Higley at (530) 885-3253 or try online at the

following: www.pswc.ws or fretchen@psyber.com

COMING SOON

Terry Madden Watercolor Workshop

5/23,24,25- University Art Center San Jose call 1(800) 377-2012 to register. You Can Do It !!

Open Studios : First three weekends in May!! Maps and catalogues available at University Art center and other local businesses.

Support our local artists and check out Open Studios this year!

Mountain Art Guild Annual Show 6/10&6/11

25140 Highland Way,

Los Gatos at Radonich Ranch. For details check on line at

www.mountainartguild.org

TRIVIA AND STUFF JUST FOR FUN

Did you know that another name for the common June Bug is the “May Beetle” and that it is a member of the scarab family of beetles.

“The Second of May, 1808” and “The Third of May, 1808” are the titles of two famous paintings by Francisco Goya both painted in1814. John Frankenheimer directed the classic film” “Seven Days in May” about a power struggle between a Pentagon General and the President of the U.S. He would also go on to direct another classic political/military thriller “The Manchurian Candidate”. May used to be the third month of the year on the old Roman Calendar. Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and May Day are all celebrated in May in U.S.

ASK BRAMSCHANDOZ

Q: On the Rembrandt Pastels, what do the decimal numbers mean?

A: The Dutch Company Talens’ numbering system for pastels is a bit tricky but essentially goes something like this. The .5 decimal after any number refers to the pure tint or saturation of that color. As the decimal number goes up (.6.7.8 etc.) more and more white is added to the pure color so a .9 would be the lightest tint of the original. Going the other way (.2,.3,.4) black is added to the original color resulting in the darkest value at .2. The amount of white and black is done by percentage incrementally so that in the case of the low numbers .2 is 60%, .3 is 40% and .4 is 20% saturation of black added to the pure color. The percentages are similar for the high number “whites”.

JEFF'S TIPS

This month’s tip falls under the category of sage advice.

One of the most important skills to cultivate as an artist is a teachable spirit. With this in mind, have your artwork evaluated or critiqued from time to time by another art professional.

Sometimes a new set of eyes can give us fresh insights into our work and help us overcome difficulties we might be having. Be prepared to hear the answer, and remain teachable in attitude. Their input may be something you need to hear but don’t want to hear!

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