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October Newsletter Westchase Artists Society Focuses on CreativityThe September meeting of the Westchase Artists Society got underway with a brief discussion about some of the upcoming art shows the group will be holding during the coming year. The discussion then moved onto how to establish a healthy balance between handling business and encouraging artistic pursuits at the group meetings. To allow more time for artistic activities at meetings, Judy Freeman stepped up and agreed to help with the plans and arrangements for monthly meetings while Mara Gessele offered to assist with finding art opportunities for members which will be posted on the group website www.westchaseartists.com. New to the group was artist Anne Marie Blankenship whose work includes painting, mosaics, and graphics. She uses her art to raise awareness on human trafficking and is beginning to explore spiritual art. Creativity Project
Mara Gessele, Sonya Whipple, and Angela Trusch share the results of their creativity project with others during the September meeting. The creativity project for this meeting involved working with a template of a very basic house shape — a square with a triangle on top. Artists who participated used that outline to create statements about themselves and their work. Sonya Whipple built a birdhouse using junk mail postcards — an unexpected material that she found inspiring while working in the kitchen. Angela Trusch, with the help of her children, assembled a house of Legos featuring colors of the flags from countries where they lived before moving to the USA and Westchase. Pamel Roehm illustrated her house with the principles of Feng Shui, while Mara Gessele fashioned a house using metal, a medium she often works in. October Members Show The Westchase Artists Society Fall 2008 Members Show was featured at Great Art & Frame Gallery in West Park Village during the month of October. Friends, family, and art lovers shared in the opening reception held the evening of Friday, October 3, 2008 where participating artists were available to discuss their work. November Meeting The next meeting of the Westchase Artists Society will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. The guest speaker will be artist Gainor E. Roberts who will be discussing “How to Catalog Your Work.” (Roberts was originally scheduled to speak at the August meeting which was canceled due to threatening weather.) For additional information about Roberts and her work, please visit her website at www.gainor.biz. The art project for this meeting will be to create a journal that reflects your individual signature. Use the journal to brainstorm on ways that you can help get your creativityInterior Designer Visits With The Westchase Artists Society Janet Niekamp from Interiors by Decorating Den was the guest speaker at the July meeting of the Westchase Artists Society. She shared a great deal of valuable information about her decorating business and how she would like to make original artwork by local artists available to her clients. After meeting the artists in attendance and reviewing their portfolios, Janet left armed with business cards and a new awareness of some of the talented artists from the Westchase area. Niekamp’s visit also kindled interest in creating a group portfolio to use in promoting the work of the group as a whole and to assist in lining up future shows. A volunteer is needed to help organize this project and interested members are asked to contact info@westchaseartists.com. Society Business Jeremy Ramos then presented the group with an opportunity from his company SignGraphics Techniques. They have agreed to make available free ad time on their digital signage that appears throughout the Westchase and Upper Tampa Bay area. Ramos will provide artists with a working template to assist artists in creating their individual ads. A very special thank you to SignGraphics for their generosity in promoting Westchase artists! A proposal was made to add advertising to the Westchase Artists Society website as a way to defray some of the group’s expenses. Further discussion about this will take place at a later Board meeting. With time running out, the “Still Life” art project originally scheduled for the July meeting was postponed until a later time. Check out www.WestchaseArtists.com for further information about art activities during upcoming meetings. Figure Drawing Sessions The group’s first figure drawing session took place on Saturday, August 19 at the home of Vanessa Montenegro and proved to be great fun for those who participated. Artists took turns posing for each other in 20-minute sessions followed by mini 5-minute and 1-minute sessions as well. Artists worked in pencil, charcoal and graphite while classical music played in the background. Be sure to check out the group website if you are interested in participating in the next workshop. September Meeting The next meeting of the Westchase Artists Society will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is invited to drop in at our next meeting. Meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. Hope to see you there! Teresa Trubilla Westchase Artists Society Secretary
Protecting The Environment Through Art A video presentation of “Create,” one of the episodes of Big Ideas for a Small Planet, Season 1, kicked off the Westchase Artists Society meeting on Tuesday, June 24. The show focused on how several artists use their work to address environmental issues such as capturing the effects of global warming on the Artic through photography or weaving “playable” fabric from cassette tapes. While art has the potential to rejuvenate the environmental movement, environmentalism also has the potential to stimulate artists. After the video presentation, conversation enthusiastically moved on to the upcoming environmental art show that the Westchase Artists Society is planning. Possible ideas for themes as well as using a traveling show to provide resources and recycling information were discussed. Artists interested in participating in this show are asked to check out www.westchaseartists.com for details about the smaller group meetings to organize this event. Society Business The meeting continued with a brief wrap-up about the successful “Art at the Speed of Life” show and opening reception at the Jacey Gallery. Nancy Jacey, artist and gallery owner, shared (via e-mail) that “One comment that has been mentioned several times was that the group is full of talented artists and that the show featured such a variety of different styles, subject matter, and media in the same show.” With time running out, a brief rundown of upcoming shows and activities were presented. These events will be discussed further at upcoming meetings.
August Meeting The next meeting of the Westchase Artists Society will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. (Please note that due to a scheduling conflict, this is a change from the usual meeting date of the fourth Tuesday of the month.) Guest speaker at the August meeting will be artist Gainor E. Roberts who will be discussing “How to Catalog Your Work.” For additional information about Roberts and her work, please visit her website at www.gainor.biz. The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is invited to drop in at our next meeting. Meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. Hope to see you there! Teresa Trubilla
Gallery Show Marks Artist Society Milestone Newsletter Gall
The evening of Friday, June 6 proved to be an exciting one for nine members of the Westchase Artists Society as “Art at the Speed of Life” opened at the Jacey Gallery on Gunn Highway. This was the first group show at an art gallery outside of the Westchase area and the opening reception drew a large crowd of friends, family, and art lovers from around the Tampa Bay area.
The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is invited to drop in at our next meeting. Meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. Teresa Trubilla May Newsletter
The Westchase Artists Society meeting on Tuesday, May 27 got underway with an educational and inspirational presentation by the evening’s guest speaker, master sculptor and Westchase resident, Joseph Rotella. At 70 years of age, Rotella shared with the group his philosophy and passion about the craftsmanship involved in sculpting 3-D imagery for both the artist and the audience to enjoy. He reminded the artists present that they must do their art out of love and that they will need to develop a thick skin in order to weather the opinion and criticism of others. While still in his 20’s, Rotella studied sculpting in studios of Pietrasanta in the Carrara region of Italy where he received a rigorous and demanding classical training which established the foundation for his approach to creating. Today, his works are done in rare and valuable marble, onyx, and alabaster quarried from all over the world. His bronze works, like his stone sculptures, feature smooth curves and rounded lines with a fluidity that seems to defy the very materials he so carefully selects. While one of his works is on display as part of the art collection at the Vatican Palace, Rotella also has some pieces available at the Great Art and Frame Gallery in West Park Village. More information about the artist and his work can be found on his website at www.JosephRotella.com. Rotella continued his presentation with a video showing the techniques used to harvest marble from the quarries of Italy as well as information about the criteria for selecting stone for carving. He concluded with a question and answer session where he shared some of his personal adventures during his years as a working artist. Society Business The meeting continued with a brief discussion of business matters. Election of the new Board of Directors was moved from the June meeting to July due to a scheduling conflict. Information about submitting nominations can be found below. Last minute details about the opening reception for the show at Jacey Gallery were finalized. Plans for upcoming group workshops including a figure study class were discussed and interested members are asked to contact Joose Hadley at greatartandframe@verizon.net to find out further details. July Meeting The next meeting of the Westchase Artists Society will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. The first item on the agenda for the evening will be the election of the new Board of Directors. Members are asked to e-mail their nominations for President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer to info@westchaseartists.com by July 10 in order for them to officially appear on the ballot. Voting will be followed by a still life drawing lesson presented by Vanessa Montenegro. Bring paper, pencils, charcoal, sticks, ink or your drawing medium of choice and join in the fun and creativity. The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is invited to drop in at our next meeting. Meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. Hope to see you there! Teresa Trubilla April Newsletter Practicing Safe Art The April meeting of the Westchase Artists Society got under way with a brief discussion of the upcoming group show “Art at the Speed of Life” being held at the Jacey Gallery during June and July. A special thank you to Joose Hadley and Sonya Whipple who graciously agreed to step up and co-chair this event. The opening gala reception will be held June 6 from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM and is open to the public. Plans for a fall art show at the Great Art & Frame Gallery to possibly coordinate with the Great West Chase were also discussed. Artists were reminded to take down their artwork from the Library art show on Friday, April 25. Hazards and Dangerous Materials The main focus of the April meeting of the Westchase Artists Society was a presentation on hazardous materials given by Vanessa Montenegro who shared with the group how doing the work we love so much can make us sick… if we do not pay attention to our materials and work environment. The presentation reviewed the three main ways we can be exposed — inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact — and how symptoms can appear rapidly or after chronic accumulation. Vanessa reminded the artists about paying attention to the warning signs of exposure and that one’s age can affect tolerance and susceptibility to chemicals and toxins. An important part of preventing injury and illness is to know your materials and read labels carefully. Vanessa shared several website links where artists can go to find out additional information about the safety of the materials they use and how they can create a healthier environment when working on their art. When concluding her presentation, Vanessa reminded the group about a few “Safe Art” practices:
Please visit the group’s website at www.westchaseartists.com for further information about this presentation. June Meeting The next meeting of the Westchase Artists Society will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. The first item on the agenda for the evening will be the election of a new Board of Directors to replace the temporary Board that was put in place in January. After the elections, there will be a video presentation on Environmental Art followed by a discussion on how artists can make an impact on the world around them. Plans for holding an environmental art show will also be presented. The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is invited to drop in at our next meeting. Meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Westchase Swim & Tennis Center. Hope to see you there! Teresa Trubilla March Newsletter
After calling the meeting to order, President Jeremy Ramos got things underway as members briefly introduced themselves. In attendance were two artists interested in becoming members of the Westchase Artists Society. Judy B. Freeman, who has worked in clay for over 30 years, shared some pictures of her “funky yet functional” pieces that feature whimsical cats, butterflies and fish. Frida Vazquez brought several of her large oil paintings to share with the group. Her work featured colors and subjects from her native Bolivia. With introductions complete, the discussion moved onto a brief review of the opening reception for the “Expressions of Westchase” exhibit at the Upper Tampa Bay Library. Members expressed their pleasure with the turnout as well as their gratitude for the community support they received.
The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is invited to drop in at our next meeting. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center. We hope to see you there! February Newsletter Artist Advisory Committee Visits The Westchase Artists Society The first few minutes of the February meeting of the Westchase Artists Society were a flurry of activity with membership application forms being filled out and annual dues and art show fees being collected, but the floor was quickly turned over to the evening’s guest speakers — Gianna Russo and John Henne of the Artist Advisory Committee. Russo discussed how the Artist Advisory Council (AAC) acts as the voice of area artists to the Arts Council of Hillsborough County. Herself a poet and writer, she explained that the AAC is made up of working artists who volunteer their time to help other artists in the community and to further the arts in general. The ACC is currently looking for volunteers to handle film and theater specialties. Fellow Westchase Artists Society member Vanessa Montenegro recently joined the AAC and will bring information from the Council to upcoming meetings. Henne, also a member of the AAC, presented information about the North Tampa Arts League (NTAL), a neighborhood association of artists much like the Westchase Artists Society, but with a five-year history and an established reputation. He discussed some of their group’s growing pains and offered pointers on setting up a post office box, opening a checking account, and creating a LLC. The NTAL has over sixty dues-paying members and meets the fourth Tuesday of every month in Tampa Palms. In addition to inviting members of the Westchase Artists Society to attend one of their group’s monthly meetings, he also offered ideas on art slams and adding art to public places. With the guest presentations complete, the meeting continued with business and discussions. Westchase Artists Society Business “Expressions of Westchase,” the upcoming exhibit of work by the Westchase Artists Society, is being held at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library during March and April. Show set-up will take place on Saturday, March 1 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. The public is invited to join the artists at the opening reception on Thursday, March 6 from 6:00 until 7:30 PM.
Membership application forms and dues were collected. Artists who were not in attendance and are interested in becoming official members should please see the group website (www.westchaseartists.com) for an application and further information.
The Five S’s of Lean Manufacturing Jeremy Ramos, Westchase Artists Society President, gave a brief presentation on “The Five S’s of Lean Manufacturing.” During a discussion at last month’s meeting, he briefly described the concept as a means for an artist to keep their workspace organized and functional. In response to questions and interest from other artists, he provided more details this month. Briefly, the Five S’s as they pertain to artists are as follows: The “Found Art” Project Results
Jeremy Ramos brought in a science project he had helped his daughter with that involved water mixed with die and oil mixed with paint that provided a great visual on color mixing. Angela Trusch’s children also helped in her artwork as they enthusiastically gathered materials for her collage. Discarded computer cables were used by Vanessa Montenegro to create a plaque. Debbie Nixon created a dried bonsai sculpture with a found tree branch and sea sponge. Sandie Bennett glued bark and dried grasses onto an old canvas to create a picture. A Great Blue Heron was the subject of a sculpture by Teresa Trubilla done with palm tree bark, peat moss, and seashells. Following the “Found Art” projects, Joose Hadley displayed an as yet untitled painting in progress and asked for feedback from her fellow artists. The intricate work encouraged a lot of discussion and possible title ideas. Debbie Nixon also presented a watercolor painting and asked for advice from others with more experience in that medium. New member Janet Gutin sought assistance with her current sculpture as the meeting came to a close. The Westchase Artists Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is welcome to drop in at our next meeting. We hope to see you there! Teresa Trubilla
January Newsletter New Year Brings New Members to the Westchase Artist Society The meeting continued with a quick review of the finalized Westchase Artist Society's bylaws and an introduction of its board of directors: Jeremy Ramos, president, and Teresa Trubilla, secretary. Also introduced were the chairpersons of the various standing committees: The final items of business that were discussed were membership dues ($25, due by Feb. 15) and the upcoming Westchase Artist Society show being held at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library in March and April. The show, titled Expressions of Westchase, will feature works dealing with and about all things Westchase. More about the opening reception for this exhibit will appear in the March issue of World of Westchase. Artists who wish to participate in the show must submit their registration form and fee by the February Westchase Artist Society meeting. Please see the group's Web site, www.westchaseartists.com, for an application and further information.
Jeremy Ramos used a collection of headshots from various forms of old IDs to develop a metamorphosis, while Angela Trusch used a photograph of peeling, crumbling paint to illustrate texture and create a card. Sandie Bennett reinterpreted a collage of photos into a painting and Teresa Trubilla photographed the journey of a Great Blue Heron as it consumed a large fish. Sonya Whipple used a photograph to create a scene in a shadow box featuring items from her Pez dispenser collection. She actually incorporated her digital camera and a watch to sculpt a statement about how time constraints can limit artistic expression. Vanessa Montenegro documented her journey to the meeting, while Tara Riley proudly shared a photo of the results of the special journey that has kept her from recent Westchase Artist Society activities the birth of her son. This Months Project Found Art will be the subject of this months art project. Members are encouraged to create a piece of art using only items that they find. Nothing is to be purchased for the project except glue and/or rope. Members are free to interpret this assignment as they see fit and are encouraged to bring their results to the February meeting to share with others. Upcoming Meeting The next meeting of the Westchase Artist Society will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. in the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library. This is a change to the normal meeting time of the second Thursday of the month due to Valentine's Day. Members of the Artist Advisory Committee (AAC), which acts as a liaison to the Art Council of Hillsborough County, will be guest speakers at the meeting. In addition to or instead of the Found Art project, members are invited to bring a piece of work for a critique session to gather feedback or assistance on something with which they are struggling. The Westchase Artist Society is open to all types of visual artists and art lovers from the Upper Tampa Bay area. Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is welcome to join us at our next meeting. We hope to see you there! By Teresa Trubilla, Westchase Artist Society member
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( On the left) Visiting the group for the first time was jewelry artist Mara Gessele who shared some samples of her work and expressed interest in becoming involved as a member of the Westchase Artists Society.
ery Show Marks Artist Society Milestone
The exhibit consists of work — painting, sculpture and photography — by the group of artists from the Upper Tampa Bay area whose artistic passion leads them to create art even while working, running businesses, caring for families, and volunteering in the community. The show will continue to be on display through the end of July during normal gallery hours. 
Working in Stone 
Westchase Artists Celebrate New Members and New Activities 
Congratulations to Westchase Artists Society member Pamela Roehm. Her painting “La Pietra” placed fourth in Kirkland’s Next Great American Artist 2007 competition!
Members shared with each other the results of their work on the “Found Art” project which involved creating a piece of art using only found materials. Nothing could be purchased except glue or rope. The resulting creations were varied and interesting. 
