Member News

Gary Sohl reports that he was the intended target for an internet fraud scheme that has been circling the globe for several years. An email is received from someone with a phony American sounding name expressing interest in purchasing some artwork they saw on your website. After a series of emails which are intended to gain your trust, they promise you will shortly receive a check and instructions regarding shipping of the paintings and asking you to email them when you receive the check.

When the check arrives it is for a sum significantly higher than the agreed upon amount. They explain that the third party which issued the check owes them that sum, and that they instructed the third party to send you the check. They ask you to please send a check to them for the difference. They are hoping you will send the difference before you discover that their check is worthless.

In Gary's case he fortunately researched the internet for art frauds midway through the process. These innocent sounding emails with terrible English and grammar originate somewhere in the Eastern hemisphere.

Gloria Walter (on the right) and Gloria Weber (on the left) are amazing alike, Both are accomplished watercolorists who have won many prizes between them. Gloria Weber was Artist of the Year in 2009, and Gloria Walter has shown in the Laguna Art Festival and been represented at Esther Wells Gallery in Laguna. They are friends...in fact..rode together to the February meeting where they both won first places in their field: Gloria Weber in Watercolor and Gloria Walter in Mixed Media.

Dave Rollins sold one framed photo (“Preening Pelican,” an HBAL award-winning photo a few years ago) during his exhibition at the Civic Center Gallery in January and March. Considering that there is no charge for exhibiting here for two months, Dave feels that it was worthwhile; one sale and very good exposure that could lead to future sales of more photo prints and his photo note cards.