July Meeting at The Inn on the Riverwalk

Things are heating up like a summer in South Texas for TexasWax/San Antonio members. We held our July meeting at Inn on the Riverwalk, our lovely retreat in the heart of the city, where we welcomed new members Judith Guerra and Jan Velayas. We decided that we will draw up some goals for the group that will speak to where we would each like to be professionally in one year. We will address those goals in our business meetings, with information on such topics as the packing and shipping of encaustic art, websites, and working with charities. We will try to coordinate our meetings in artists' homes and studios with demos on a certain technique.

Don't forget that jpegs of up to three pieces of work are due Aug. 1 if you want to submit to the Global Swarming show. See TexasWax.com for the Prospectus. We are also encouraged to submit five 10x10x1 1/2 pieces to "Ten," our TexasWax fundraiser in November.

Congratulations to Steve for his great show and selling nine paintings on opening night alone! Congratulations to Hildegard for taking first place in Mixed Media in a Kerr County art show! And best wishes to Michelle on an upcoming show at the Austin airport. Lots of exciting things are happening for our members, and we want you to be part of them. Don't miss out on our next meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 10:30 at the neighboring homes and studios of Debbie Houston and Joyce Howell in Kingsland. Directions will be sent in an e-mail closer to the meeting date.

June Meeting at Michelle Belto's

Our June meeting was held at the beautiful home of Michelle Belto. This was an opportunity to hear the exciting news about the new nonprofit status of TexasWax and to decide overwhelmingly to join officially as TexasWax/San Antonio. This step will protect us all from liability and will give us access to grants, shows, and publications as well as the TexasWax website and all the expertise, experience, and educational opportunities that a larger organization affords. Each of us needs to join TexasWax by paying the $35 yearly dues. Membership is counted by the date of payment. You can pay online through TexasWax.com starting next week or send your check now, payable to TexasWax, to Bay 6 Gallery and Studios, 5305 Bolm Rd. #6, Austin, TX 78721. Paying soon will help us get to the next step of gaining 501C3 status and will allow you access to the website and member discounts at Jerry's and other art supply stores.

We are encouraged to serve the organization on the Executive Board as a Chair of Communications, Development, Education, or Programming. You can also contribute by working on one of those committees. We hope to have representation of all chapters of TexasWax on the Executive Board and to fill those positions by mid-August. Please let Michelle know if you are interested in either chairing or working on one of those committees, and she will forward that information on.

There are several upcoming opportunities to show art. TexasWax/Dallas is sponsoring the show, "Global Swarming," which will debut at the Texas State Fair in September. The show is open to all TexasWax paid members. Artists may submit up to three entries by JPG files by Aug. 1 to Janet Reynolds@imagine.create.enjoy@gmail.com. Artists will be notified of acceptance by Aug. 15. Minimum size is 10"x10" and maximum is 36"x36". See the TexasWax website for the complete Prospectus.

TexasWax is also holding a fundraiser, "10," beginning Nov. 7 at Bay 6 Gallery and Studios in Austin. All paid TexasWax members are invited and encouraged to submit up to five 10"x10" paintings. The art will be sold by silent auction, with bidding starting at $100 per piece and 20% of the proceeds going to TexasWax. The highest bidder of each piece goes home with the artwork.

Be on the lookout for details on a TexasWax/San Antonio show at 1550 Gallery in Kerrville in February, 2010.

Our Round Robin paintings are up for display at StampAntonio. Stop by to see them and also to check out encaustic supplies for sale. Don't be shy about asking them to stock something you need.

In member news, congratulations to Adrian, Jules, and Beth for selling their paintings at the Degrees show in Houston! Congratulations to Michelle in being one of 24 artists to receive the prestigious Creative Capital Grant! And congratulations and best wishes to Steve on his opening and show, "Dance II," at AnArte Gallery & Studio in San Antonio!

Our next meeting will be Sat. July 18 at Inn on the Riverwalk. If you would like to bring work for the goup to critique before submitting to "Global Swarming," you may do so, and you are always welcome to show new work.

We hope to see you there!