Painting with Gouache was the workshop led by Jeni Neale on 21st August 2016 and the subject – ‘Glorious Garlic’. This was a well attended meeting. Lovely images were produced despite painting using gouache and onto coloured mount board being new to many of the members. There are images on our Facebook page.

This autumn the society will participate in two ‘Big Draw’ events and have a stand at Art Materials Live at the NEC in November, further information to follow.

Thank you to Jenny Major for the workshop on July 24th entitled “The Devil is in the Detail”. Jenny went through how to take a critical look at a piece of work to see if it is really finished and how to rectify any issues identified. Also covered were what checks to do if you wish to exhibit your work.

There are a number of exhibitions to see this summer.

• Hanbury Hall, Droitwich Spa WR9 7EA – some of our members are exhibiting at the Birmingham Watercolour Society Exhibition which is on until the 1st September 2016.
• Maria Merian’s butterflies – Queens Gallery, London until 19th October 2016.
• National Gallery – Dutch Flowers, showing the evolution of Dutch Flower painting over two centuries – until 29th August 2016.
• Tate Modern – Exhibition of paintings by Georgia O’Keefe, until the 30th October 2016

A well attended AGM, changes to the Societies constitution were outlined and unanimously accepted. Following the AGM Sheila Smith led a workshop on ‘Book binding for beginners’. A pack with notes, different papers and instructions on the binding was provided. Sheila led us through each stage of making this reference book which was finished with hand made paper, thread and beads. This technique is useful for combining colour charts and painting preparatory work as well as cards or scrap books.

Members of BSBA will be exhibiting at the Birmingham Watercolour Society Exhibition at Hanbury Hall from 23rd July – 1st September in the Long Gallery.

The AGM  of the society will be held at Stirchley Baths Community Centre on 26th June 2016. Our members opinions and votes are important to the society. Please attend.

Our next meeting on 17th April 2016 will be at the new venue which is Stirchley Baths Community Centre, B30 2JT. Travel directions are on the website.

This is a painting day the theme is tulips, but if you would prefer to bring a current project to work on then please do this.

A reminder that The Society of Botanical Artists exhibition at Central Hall Westminster begins on 15th April until 23rd April 2016.