The Importance of Camaraderie

  We artists can be a quirky and strange breed....most of us are aware of this! Often we march to a different drummer and pay unusual heed to the dictates of society. We spend inordinate amounts of time alone creating art and speculating upon the visions percolating inside our brains. That is why being a part of an artist's group is so essential: it is a safe place for us to carry on with our antics with like minded individuals who understand...or at least pretend to!

My group...Washington Artists Group (or as we like to call ourselves....WAG) have been banding together since 2007 and we all agree our time together is often the highlight of our month. The WAGs meet the first Wednesday of each month over a potluck meal, bringing our quick wits along with our recent paintings for critique. Really we are just a bunch of smart mouthed jokers that love art talk and a good time but it is priceless!

 Last week we had our 4th Christmas party together at the grand home of member Judythe Sherwood and gathered for a group photo. This year was special in that we also celebrated the induction of our guru, Ned Mueller, as a Master of Oil Painters of America....a prestigious and well deserved honor! We are fortunate to have Ned and each other!

Standing in photo: Liana Bennett, Ned Mueller, me, Mark Boyle, Pepper Peterson, Dick Smith
Seated: Patty Forte Linna, Joanne Shellan, Judythe Sherwood