PITTSBURGH SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS NEWS AND EVENTS www.pittsburghillustrators.org May, 2009 My Spot by Anni Matsick News Flashes From Our Members If you’re reading Pieces in Place this you’re Hot off the cutting already press is Jim Mellett’s aware of latest piece of puzzle our exciting art, Country Music. “In new web- addition to Country site, where Music coming on the you clicked market I have four to download this month’s newslet- puzzles now on the ter. It’s a landmark issue, the first to shelves at Wal-Mart,” be made available beyond the PSI Jim reports. “White membership. It’s now easy for anyone Mountain Puzzles who is interested to stay current on has made two dif- what’s happening with PSI or catch up ferent 3-puzzle box through back issues. The website and sets specifically for newsletter will work in tandem toward Wal-Mart. I have two that goal. puzzles in each set of three.” Puzzle fans will For those who have questions or a be happy to hear that particular topic of interest, the PSI Jim’s next project in the series has him aired April 23 on WQED-TV. The proj- webboard link is suited for open, researching the subject of Comedy. ect, produced by AIP instructor Andrew ongoing discussion. Once regis- Maietta and AIP graduate Janet Whitney, tered, members can participate in the Project Airs records in witnesses’ oral accounts the exchange. These convenient online 1948 smog disaster in Donora. The film Mark Bender created this piece for offerings substantially upgrade the covers one of the worst environmental Rumor of Blue Sky, a documentary that opportunity for communication and tragedies in U.S. history and the town’s awareness among our members. dramatic contribution to clean air legis- lation. According to Mark, “My original We owe enormous thanks to Cathy sketches went out the window and I had Klingler who dedicated her time and to pick up my game when I was given professional expertise for four years that poetic title.” More about the produc- in building and maintaining our tion at: www.artinstitutes.edu/pittsburgh/ website. Taking over the controls is NewsAndEvents/rumor_of_blue_sky.aspx Zach Beresh, who introduces himself on page 3. On Exhibit In this issue, we’ve given lots of room Members have been successful in plac- to showcasing submissions so our ing their work in various spring and sum- ever popular “eye candy” is even mer gallery shows in western and central more enticing. Thanks to all who Pennsylvania. helped make each page inviting, we’re now sharing it with a lot more viewers! A book created by June Edwards from some of her images of the High Level Editor: Anni Matsick Bridge was accepted into the 86th Design/Production: Ron Magnes Annual Erie Art Museum Spring Show. All images within this publication are copyrighted Wendell Castle was the juror. The exhibit by the artists and may not be used without their will be on display through June 14. written permission. continued on page 2 1 NEWS FLASHES continued Pittsburgh’s North Side, that opened May a room plus all meals in the Inn’s won- 8 and runs through June 19. derful dining room. Cambridge Springs is 2-hours north of Pittsburgh. More Nora Thompson had a painting information about this workshop and the accepted into Images 2009, the Central hotel can be found on Bill’s website at Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts annual www.billvrscak.com or call him direct at juried show. She also had two paintings 412-761-3759. accepted into the Westmoreland Art Nationals. This is the third consecutive year that at least one of her paintings or Ahoy, Mates! drawings has been accepted into both Open Book Gala: Celebrating 25 Years of Great Books for Great Kids. Thursday, May 21 Hunt Armory, Shadyside 7–10 pm “Under the High Level Bridge” is 15.5”h x 10”w x 2.5”d and was created out of A lucky bid- archival digital prints on paper and mixed der will get media. Each page is double-sided, and his or her dubloons’ is cut through so that parts of the entire of these shows. One of her drawings worth book are visible at all times. The binding won Images’ William D. Davis Award with John is cloth, and the spine allows for a flex- in Drawing in 2007. “The Song Came Manders’ ible arrangement of the seven panels. and Went” is her lavishly 2009 entry. The Jack Puglisi painted show will hang won First pirate theme from June 10 to Prize at the bookcase July 12 on Penn Upper St. at the Beginning with State’s University Clair League Books 25th Anniversary and Auction, for the Arts where it will be offered along with 11 spring show more done by other artists. Progressive with “The photos of John’s work can be seen at: Flutist.” The www.flickr.com/photos/johnmanders/sets/ picture is 22” 72157617325312983/ x 24” and was drawn The event will offer food, drinks in the pointillist method with a #00 sized Park campus. and live and silent auctions technical pen. The show was held at the “Eleven” and along with special sur- Galleria in Mount Lebanon the last week “Twelve” are prises and entertain- of April. the two pieces ment. Guest emcee accepted into is WTAE Anchor John Hinderliter has two paintings the Westmoreland Art Nationals. They Sally Wiggin. included in Think About It, a show at were completed digitally and printed as the Fein Gallery, 519 East Ohio Street in Giclee prints. The show will hang July 2-5 Former Allegheny during the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage County Chief Festival in Greensburg. Executive Jim Roddey will be the guest auc- Watercolor Weekend tioneer. Proceeds Bill Vrscak is teaching a watercolor will benefit weekend workshop May 15-17 at the Beginning with Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs, PA. Books Center The class is geared toward intermediate for Early Literacy to advanced painters. Emphasis will be programs. For more on helping students present the subject information or to pur- matter in a simple, direct way. chase tickets: www.beginningwithbooks. org/events/open-book-gala-celebrating Everyone will work from his or her own source material. The Riverside Inn is a 120-year-old country hotel, which still maintains its turn-of-the-20th century charm. Price of the workshop includes 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS Influenced by The Beatles Center Hotel at 1001 Liberty Avenue. Enter through the Westin lobby on 10th June Show opportunity Street and go through the glass doors Personals into the concourse. For more information, Nora Thompson got a new job as a call: 412-288-4320 tour guide at Fallingwater. She says, “I’ve lived in Fayette County for most of my life (38 years of it), and I had never KA-BLAM! A party to given a second thought to our little benefit the ToonSeum. house in the woods. Now when I tell Join in the excite- people what my job is, I’m surprised 3G Gallery is looking for 2D and 3D art ment Friday June by how jealous they are. It’s great!” 5, 7-11 pm, at or video that conveys creative ideas Leda Miller would like to announce Influenced by The Beatles. This could be Verno Studios on the South the birth of her third grandchild, interpretations of Beatle lyrics, ideas and Lydia Eve Miller, born April 19. philosophies generated by one or all of Side to support the Beatles or art that creatively shows the ToonSeum, the impact the Beatles had on youth, Pittsburgh’s Museum music, or pop culture. of Cartoon Art. Enjoy live music by the Whips, DJ Raw-Z, Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art The show will hang in 3G Gallery during School, live cartooning, the opportunity the month of June. The entry fee is $20 to bid on one of a kind cartoon art and for one or two pieces. The pieces will unique experiences, free comics and be chosen by jury selection. The size much more! Tickets are $35 online at limitation is 32” on any side and they brownpapertickets.com must be ready to hang. Bring the art for Jim Mellett and his wife, Jan, cel- jurying and a check for $20 made out One of Kind Auction Items include: Original art from Dan Piraro (Bizarro), ebrated their 18th wedding anniver- to 3G Gallery on Friday, May 29, 9-11 sary on May 4. am. Include an entry form with name, Molly Crabapple, Mike Peters address, email and phone number and (MotherGoose and Grimm), Wayno, Rob a short bio. Give entry title, medium and Rogers and many others; production art price. To request a pdf of official entry from popular shows including Sesame form, write to: [email protected]. A Street, Dragon Tales, and Yogi Bear; best of show award will be presented at unique experiences including dinner for the opening night event on June 5, 5-7 pm. six at Gypsy Cafe with filmmaker and Pittsburgh icon Rick Sebak; cartooning 3G Gallery is located downtown in the workshop for ten people and lots more Museum of Bad concourse of the Westin Convention one of a kind opportunities and items. Art (MOBA) http://www.museumofbadart.org/ Many of you might not know who I am. (No, I’m not kidding). It’s that love of what Hopefully within the next few months of I do during my “daily grind” that I want to Volunteer taking over the reins of the PSI website, extend to you, the members of PSI.