ArtSpeaks by Kay Byfield

I just got back from shipping my painting to the Texas Watercolor Society exhibition in San Antonio from June 4 to July 31. The painting called "Holy Cow" was accepted for display by juror Stephen Zhang and I am so pleased to be included in the show. It will be hung at the University of the Incarnate Word, Kelso Art Center/Semmes & Condo Galleries, 4301 Broadway in San Antonio. If you are down that way, it should be a really good show.

I was gratified that our demo artist for March, Lorraine Watry, selected my painting "Holy Cow" as Painting-of-the-Month for SWS Signature members at our meeting on Tuesday. I finished it two days before the meeting and it is based on some reference photos I took on my trip to India last September. In India I was drawn to the many ways people expressed their profound faith while respecting the faith of others.

Last night I gave the program at the Southwestern Watercolor Society's January meeting. I called it "The Secrets of Color" and had a grand time describing, and then demonstrating, how color works in paintings. The audience was lively and engaged so it was a fun evening. Thank you everyone who came out for the meeting.

I just received the news that my painting, "Beatitude," was accepted to the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies exhibition in April in Lubbock, Texas. I had another piece but it didn't conform to the rules so I ended up painting this one in three days when they extended the deadline. I have never painted so quickly, but I reasonably pleased with how it came out. It is a portrait of a young nun in a village church in Southern India. This acceptance is especially gratifying because it will give me signature status in Western Fed. (The evidence of drips and spatters is not a mistake, in case you are wondering.)😉

I know I told you how much I enjoyed my trip to India but there was one small negative. I wasn't watching where I was going and I tripped on a cobblestone on my way to see a historic church. The wound bled a lot and we worried it might get infected. It healed fine, but the swelling and pain in my hand didn't improve. I finally got it Xrayed. Yep, it's broken. Luckily, my left hand and I am right dominant, so it hasn't slowed me down much. And no surgery (so far). Just a brace for six weeks. My first broken bone. Maybe it is a sign that I should start acting my age.

I haven't taken the time to thank everyone who honored me on Tuesday evening at the Southwestern Watercolor Society monthly meeting by awarding me a lifetime membership in the society. I was blown away. I devote time to the group because it has given me so much personally and it is gratifying to give back. On top of that, I have made amazing friends and learned so much about myself and painting. If you have ever toyed with the idea of getting more involved, I recommend it highly. It is very rewarding.

I just got back from a ten day tour of Portugal and am so glad I went. If you are looking for a country where the climate is temperate, the people are warm and welcoming, the culture is fascinating, and the land is beautiful, I cannot recommend Portugal more highly. It was a great experience.

I didn't go to paint (and I didn't). I went to have an adventure. Here are a few pics. The boats are on the Douro River in Porto and the Roman temple is in Evora. The storks were nesting everywhere we went in central Portugal which I was thrilled to see.

I am so ready to get back in the studio as soon as the jet lag dissipates. I think the break has done me good.

I am honored to be judging the Art Club of McKinney, TX Spring Show this week. The exhibition will be on display on Friday and Saturday March 15th & 16th. The reception and awards ceremony will be held on Friday at 6:30 pm at the Cove, 402 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069. I plan to be there to meet all the artists. And if they would like, I have offered to talk about the selections for awards. Should be fun!!!

What a great group the people are at the Trinity Arts Guild in Bedford! They were so engaging and seemed really interested in the presentation last night. Several told me that there were things we discussed that they had never thought about in that way before. That is music to a teacher's ears. I hope they will consider inviting me back sometime.

I am busy preparing for my presentation tomorrow evening at the Trinity Arts Guild at the Central Arts of Bedford, 2816 Central Drive, Suite 170, Bedford, Texas 76021. I will be talking about MAKING THE BEST OF YOUR DESIGNS. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Bedford. If you can make it, the meeting starts at 6:30 pm.

I just received photos from my presentation at the Plano Art Assn on Tuesday. It was a lively meeting. What a nice group! They asked a lot of great questions and seemed really interested, so it was gratifying to me.

I am the presenter at the Plano Art Association tomorrow night at 6:30 pm at the Sam Johnson Recreation Center, 401 W 16th St, Plano, TX 75075. I will be discussing "USING THE ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN EFFECTIVELY" in artworks of all kinds. We will be talking about why composition is so important to creating engaging artworks. Then we will analyze some pieces to see why those artists made the design choices that they did. Please plan to join us if you can.