Its so nice that the days are getting longer; the sun doesn’t set before the start of the evening news. The twilights are getting longer for night photography:-) And it won’t be long until the lawn needs mowing:-(

First, I’d like to thank EJ for all her work putting together the MIVAL Directory for 2013. It looks great!

Spring is fast approaching and our first show of the year “Treasures in Miniature” will open on Thursday, April 4, 2013, at the MIVAL Gallery from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Sandra Parsons has been working very hard promoting this event. It’s a great event for MIVAL and we get to meet artists from the Puget sound area. The deadline for entering is March 20, 2013. For more information and to download the application go here.

MIVAL photographers had their first meeting, it was well attended and everyone had a great time. I’d like to thank Ron Reeder and Judith Roan for hosting the event. All photographers we given 5 minutes to present their work. I appreciated getting to know our fellow photographers. At our next meeting on April 18, 2013, from 6 to 8PM, we will have a workshop on how to photograph jewelry. There is lots of interest on this subject, especially if you a jeweler and have a website.

We are moving forward on building websites. A couple artist have built websites on MIVAL.ORG. Click on the following to see Kevin Au’s site: http://kasculpture.mival.org/

I’ve been thinking about my work and here are some thoughts: As artists our expectations about our art can drift into fantasies. In the book “Art & Fear”, “expectations based on the work itself are the most powerful tools an artist possesses. What you need to know about your next piece is contained in the last piece.” This is where you learn about your materials and your execution. “your work is your guide: a complete, comprehensive, limitless reference book on your work.” … “The lessons you are meant to learn are in your work. To see them, you need only look at the work clearly – without judgement, without need or fear, without wishes or hopes. Without emotional expectations. Ask your work what it needs, not what you need. Then set aside your fears and listen, the way a good parent listens to a child.”

I’m looking forward to seeing you at our next membership meeting on March 7, 2013 at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, from 11:30 to 2 pm.

Ken Claflin