January 2021 is here at last. What a year 2020 was. I painted a Hawaiian beach scene on Christmas day – next best thing to being there.
It is great to see how many AAG artists are staying productive through these unique times. Artists are social beings and the AAG provides opportunity for us to work together safely both virtually and in
person. The 6×6 inch painting project is a success & continues through 2/14/21, forty-five paintings sold for 20 dollars each. Check page # 5 of this newsletter. If you have any art stories to share please email them to me at portraitsbyivan@gmail.com. I’m truly interested in what you are doing.

If you are looking for something to pass time that does not cost a lot of money consider pencil art. Many great drawings have been done with graphite, charcoal and conte pencils. Two of my favorite pencil artists are Ksohei Ohmori and D. J. Hillberry. They show us how we can have a lifetime of joy with little more than a few pencils.

We have several exciting workshops coming up. On January 15, Casey Cheuvront will teach pallet knife oil & cold wax painting via ZOOM. On January 22, John Erwin will teach Painting Natural Splendors in watercolor, also via ZOOM. On April 16, John Erwin will teach painting birds, flowers, and seascapes in watercolor in-person at AAG On April 21, Trevor Swanson
will teach painting “Nature: In General” in person at AAG.

Also, there are several demo’s and presentations to look forward to. On January 19, Ashwini Bharathula will be demonstrating her oil painting techniques. On February 16, Sherry Kimmel will demonstrate her version of painting in mixed media.

On March 16, our very own David Bradley will bring something new and exciting to motivate us all. Then on April 27 there will be a presentation by the scholarship recipients. And on May 18, Elaine Waters will show us how to take a ho-hum painting and turn it into something wonderful. Check out the AAG website for all the up and coming demos, workshops and events.

I would like to thank Harold and Joyce Baldwin for their generous contribution of a masterpiece of sculpture. It sold for $1250.00
and the money went to the scholarship fund, a much need source of income for Arizona’s budding fine artists.

It is an honor to welcome Bruce Sink to the AAG Board. He brings professional and artistic experience, leadership and vision to
our team. Presently Bruce is the President of the Arizona Watercolor Association and he is a welcome addition to AAG. He will join David Bradley and Tess Mosko-Scherer as VP of Outreach.

Join us on January 19 for the general meeting on Zoom. You may enter a painting for the critique portion of the meeting. Take advantage of this opportunity to have expert artists discuss your work. There will be a demo by Ashwini Bharathula, a truly accomplished artist. Be sure to register in advance for the Zoom meeting on January 19, 2021 at 5:30PM.

Submission for the Winter Exhibition is now open – see details on page 2. Don’t miss out on this historic event – AAG’s first virtual exhibition juried by Art Smith and Constance McBride and includes $900 in prize money.

This holiday season has found us filled with gratitude and appreciation for the important work the AAG does. It touches so many lives in a profound and meaningful way. Thank you all for being a part of this world class organization.

In closing: As you know life will be different in 2021 and beyond. However, with change comes new and exciting opportunities.
I wish you peace, joy, success and good health in 2021 and beyond.
Take Care. Keep Safe.
Ivan Halvorson