The Northwest Watercolor Society Newsletter

November-December 2010

Kay Barnes has been on a questfor artistic expression for themajority of her life. Her first creativestatements were in clay sculptureand textiles, and later through oilsand acrylics. In 1982, shediscovered her true voice andpassion in watercolor and it hasgrown into a lifestyle. Over theyears of perfecting her craft, Kayhas lived in several different regionsof the country, affording her the

opportunity to study and paint with many note-worthyartists, among them: Jane Burnham, Joseph Boler, SkipLawrence, Tom Nicholas, and Mel Stabin. Her art, whileinfluenced by various artists and regional flavors, remainsher own.

Kay is a signature member of the California WatercolorAssociation and also a signature member of the NorthwestWatercolor Society. She is past president of the Eastside

UPCOMING MEMBERSHIP MEETINGNovember 23, 2010

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church6:45 Social Hour • 7:15 MeetingNO MEETING IN DECEMBER

NOVEMBER SPEAKER – KAY BARNES

Continued on page 4

Association of Fine Arts (Bellevue, Washington) and apopular juror for regional art exhibits. She has exhibitedwidely and her works hang in many corporate and privatecollections throughout the United States and abroad.

Many of Kay’s works have been, and continue to be,commissioned paintings. She loves the challenge ofemploying a patron’s prescribed colors to create an artisticfocal point in harmony with its surroundings. Whether it’s aseries to grace the walls of villas in Antigua, or a new pair ofoversized paintings for the entrance of a new Nordstromstore, Kay’s paintings combine creative expressions withgreat empathy.

In 2002 Kay built her teaching studio, Kay Barnes

2 · November-December 2010

“Art is when you hear aknocking from your soul –and you answer. “

–Star Richés

A light rain was softly falling acrossSeattle as the doors swung open toKirsten Gallery revealing the blank,white walls awaiting artwork. Thereceiving tables were all set up. Stepladders, hammers and nails, measuringtapes and double faced tape were inample supply as volunteers scurriedabout readying for the artists of theNorthwest Watercolor Society’s 2010Waterworks Exhibition to beginarriving.

Arrive they did. This Sundaymorning on the tenth day of October,with paintings carefully wrappedagainst the outside elements, seventy-three artists brought in art created whenthey heard that knocking from their soul– and they joyfully answered back!

As evidenced by this exhibition,subject matter is undoubtedly limitlesswhen it comes to what stirs the soul ofthe individual artist. There are paintingsfilled with fountains and steps, boatsand water scenes galore; horses, cats,rats, turkeys, a sheep or two , even ablue dog and a scarecrow inspired afew.

There are buildings in cities,buildings on hillsides, buildings ofstature, old and new - a schoolhouseand Basilica of San Marco, too. Somewere motivated by sweet faced younggirls, women in their prime and thosewise with years - men with attitudes, orthose in touch with their hearts, aviolinist and a courtship for two. Whilefor some, it was Cozumel shells, clams,pelicans, seastacks, marshes, beachesand bays.

Abstracts exploding with color,patterns and designs, turquoise trees,sunsets of sienna and purple,columbines , serene forests, whiteflowers, a sunlit plant, bright patchworkshoes, a gallery café, spools of thread;clear blue spheres and sparkling glassvases found favor, too.

The muse of rushing water falls,cords of firewood, old firetrucks,speeding firetrucks, a Texas windmill,the number 2, quilted stars, stars andstripes, stripes with no stars, laundrydrying on a line and a black Cinni fanwere the sources of genius for a few.

What a fun, extraordinary collectionof watercolors and watermediapaintings are gathered together to formthis 2010 waterworks exhibition!Creative, imaginative, skilled andaccomplished are but some of thewords that come to mind when viewingthis gallery of work composed by thetalented and capable members ofNWWS. Members, this is your

President’s Message

Northwest Watercolor Society

P.O. Box 50387Bellevue, WA 98015-0387

www.nwws.org

President:Lola Deaton206 459 6155

Vice-President:Crickett Crockett

206 325 1897

Corresponding Secretary:Genny Rees206 232 6354

Recording Secretary:Shan Koenig425 424 9356

Treasurer:Shirley Jordan425 643 3123

Newsletter Editor:Jeff Waters

425 396 1940

Newsletter deadline for theJanuary/February edition

is December 10, 2010

Email your items tojeffrey.waters@comcast.net

(Subject line: NWWS or Hot Press)or mail them toJeffrey WatersP.O. Box 50387

Bellevue, WA 98015-0387

Please send newmemberships/changes

of address to:Shirley JordanP.O. Box 50387

Bellevue, WA 98015-0387pjhitchens@mac.com

Please send all bills to:Shirley JordonP.O. Box 50387

Bellevue, WA 98015-0387

Continued on next page

American FrameCorporationWhen you purchase frames and framingsupplies from American FrameCorporation and tell them you are amember of NWWS, they donate 5% ofyour order to us! This rebate funds theAmerican Frame awards given at ourAnnual Open Exhibition and Waterworks.So, the more you buy, the bigger theaward you may win! See their productsat www.americanframe.com or call1-800-537-0944 for their catalog.

November-December 2010 · 3

Not Easy BeingGreen

Green is the most challenging colorfor most watercolorists. Manyinstructors suggest thatyou not even include it inyour palette but mix yourown. Our grade schoolteachers told us that“Yellow and blue makegreen”. But which yellowand which blue are we touse? Try them all fordistinctly different results.

Nothing is moreboring than a green tree ofall one hue and intensity. Toss in someunexpected colors. I have found that asubtle dash of red (compliment ofgreen) animates the color wonderfully.Try laying a base of Aureolin (Cobalt)Yellow or Yellow Ochre or splashes ofeach then glazing with Cobalt orCerulean Blue. Let some of the yellowshow though, particularly at the top ofthe foliage. Try it wet into wet. In herbook, Making Color Sing, Jeanne Dobiehas a wonderful section on greens. Sherecommends an under painting ofAureolin yellow for its transparency.

I recently toned an entire sheet withlavender, then painted the trees over it. Ilike the unifying effect.

I find Sap Green too garish. If youwant to add unusual greens to your

palette, try Daniel Smith’sUndersea Green orPerylene Green. Mix (onthe paper) either of thesewith Quinacridone Gold fora stunning effect. Simplyswirl one through the otheror use Eric Wiegardt’stechnique of dipping eachcorner of the brush in adifferent color.

Tuscany, in the spring,is a patchwork quilt of greens. Talkabout a painting challenge! Workingwith Joe MacKechnie, I discovered thatvirtually every color on the palettecould be employed if the values werecorrect. The trick was not to get toodark in the brilliant sunlight. I alwaysdid.

Stand in front of a grove of trees andreally look. You will discover every colorimaginable. If you don’t see it, add itanyway. Your landscape paintings willcome alive.

Editorial

exhibition; the exhibition that belongssolely to you, the NWWS membership!

With a membership that spreadsthe length and breadth of the USA andCanada, members from Arizona, Idaho,Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana,Oregon, Vermont, Washington andBritish Columbia have their artworkproudly represented here. Thisexhibition confirms that the Society canundeniably claim among itsmembership, some of the very finestartists in all of North America!

I urge you not to miss this 2010Waterworks Exhibition. Take yourfriends and family, linger and absorbthese fabulous works of art, relish thecollective spirit and magic these artistshave created using sheets of whitepaper, tubes of brilliant watercolors orvarious other water-based paints toportray those ‘soul knockings’ each felt,

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, Continued

The awards program for NWWS’annual exhibitions- The OpenExhibition & Waterworks are possiblebecause of the generous and continuingsupport from our outstandingcontributors. Please show yourappreciation and support for themwhen shopping for all your art needs.“Thank you, Patrons!”

• Airfloat Systems, Inc.• Armadillo Art• American Frame• Art in the Mountains Workshops• Artist & Craftsman Supply• Artograph, Inc.• Artpoints Website for Art• Bellevue Art & Frame• Canson Fine Papers• Cheap Joe's Art Stuff• Dakota Art Store• Dale Meyers Cooper• Daniel Smith Artists' Materials• EAFA – Eastside Association of

Fine Arts• Everett Artist’s Supply and Framing• F+W Publications• F/Stop Moments Photography• Frye Art Museum• FrameSmith• Golden Artist Colors, Inc.• H K Holbein, Inc.• Jack Richeson & Co., Inc.• M. Graham & Co.• MIVAL – Mercer Island Visual Arts

League• NWWS Past Presidents• OttLite Technology• Puget Sound Group of Northwest

Painters• Puget Sound Sumi Artists• Salis International, Inc.• Savior-Faire• Scharff Brushes, Inc.• Strathmore Artist Papers• St.Cuthbert's Mill• University Bookstore• Watercolor Artist Magazine• Windsor & Newton• Women Painters of Washington

Locations, addresses, phone numbersfor these companies can be found by‘googling’ each online.

PATRONIZE OURPATRONS!

heard and answered so superbly! Congratulations to Lynnea Mattson,

Waterworks Chair and Nancy Wood,Waterworks Assistant Chair for this trulyspectacular Waterworks Exhibition!Thank you to all the many, manypersons that have worked so hard tomake this exhibition happen; the artists,the NWWS members, Rick Kirsten andjuror, Don Andrews. I close with andecho this statement from juror Don.

“It’s a challenge to make the finalselections, however now that they havebeen made I think you’ll agree that theNWWS Waterworks Show is outstandingindeed.”

Warmest Regards, Lola K Deaton, AWS, NWWSNWWS President

4 · November-December 2010

NOVEMBER MEETING, Continued

Watercolor Studio and The Eden Gallery in Woodinville, WA.Since then, students have shared her passion for watercolor.Kay teaches weekly classes, private lessons, and workshopslocally, nationally, and internationally. Her teaching is ingreat demand throughout the Pacific Northwest at venuesincluding Cascadia Community College, Daniel SmithArtist’s Materials, Pratt Art Center, University of WashingtonWomen’s Center and the Bellevue Art Museum. Thesevenues provide Kay numerous ways to share her knowledgeand support the arts. Her mission statement is to continuethe quest for her personal growth through the medium ofwatercolor and to provide a safe and memorable passage forher students on thesame voyage.

Editor’s Note: Kayis a master teacherwho shares anenormous amount ofinformation in a veryshort time. Classes ather beautiful studio inWoodinville, are wellorganized, cheerfuland hugely informative. Her drop-in program allows painterswith limited time to take advantage of her expertise.

November-December 2010 · 5

s Ruth Armitage,NWS, had paintingsincluded in the CWA 41st NationalExhibition juried by Christopher Shinck,and also in the 2010 Rocky MountainNational Watermedia exhibition inGolden Colorado. Juror Judy Morrisawarded Ruth’s work, Gathering theSwede Johnson Memorial Award. Ruth isalso serving as the juror for theSouthwest Washington WatercolorSociety’s Fall Exhibit.

s Jacqui Beck’s solo exhibit,Connections & Disconnections at CGallery in Seattle (www.cartgallery.net)runs September 28 – October 10.www.jacquibeck.com.

Helen Sherry, NWWS,  earnedsignature membership in the San DiegoWatercolor Society following hersuccessful entry of Quake in the SDWS30th International Exhibition. Thepainting also received the HedekinAward.  In the Alaska Watercolor Society36th Annual Juried Exhibit. Life Force

was awarded first honorable mention.Spring Forwardwas accepted into theInternational Society of Acrylic Paintersannual exhibit. In the July MembersJuried Show of the San Diego WatercolorSociety, Helen was awarded honorablemention for Veiled Promise.

Catherine Gill is featured in abeautiful nine-page article in theDecember 2010 edition of WatercolorArtistmagazine. The section labeledWatercolor Essentials, outlines herlandscape painting techniques and ispacked with stunning photos of herpaintings.

Member NewsJoAnne Mills recently won a giftcertificate to An Artful Touch, at theWine, Art and Chocolate – Satisfy YourSenses! Show at the Columbia Winery.Sponsored by Eastside Association ofFine Arts, the exhibit highlighted severallocal artists. JoAnne’s winning paintingis titled Sea of Contradictions.

Jerry Stittwas awarded the Bud andGretchen Marble Medal and a $750 prizefor his painting, Sausalito Fog by theAmerican Watercolor Society at their143rd annual exhibition. The presen -tation was made April 30 in New York.

Bill Hook had two pieces accepted into the Richeson75 Landscape,Seascape & Architectural 2010 exhibition. He participated in the 5th AnnualPlein Air Painters’ US Open on Whidbey Island and had two pieces accepted.One received Honorable Mention and another painting was sold.

6 · November-December 2010

Important Dates January 16 Entry deadline

February 14 Acceptance/DeclinedNotifications

February 21 High resolution imageEmail/CD deadline (emailpreferred)

March 14 Receipt of shippedpaintings deadline

March 19 Hand delivery ofpaintings, 9am–11am

March 21 Exhibition opens to public

March 24 NWWS Reception andAwards Ceremony, 6pm-8pm

May 13 Exhibition closes

May 13 Pick-up hand-deliveredpaintings, 10am–noon

Shipped paintings will be returnedwithin two weeks

AwardsOver $11,000 in cash and

merchandise awards are anticipated forthis exhibition. Top cash awards are$2,000 for First Place, $1,250 for SecondPlace, and $750 for Third Place.

Each year, NWWS purchases onepainting from those accepted into theExhibition to add to its permanentcollection which hangs in the FredHutchison Cancer Research Center,Seattle, WA. An award of $1,000 is paidin lieu of the stated purchase price,there is no commission deducted fromthis award. A painting may be awardedboth the Purchase Award and anadditional award. If you wish to beconsidered for this award, please

mark the space on the online entryform.

NWWS MembershipIf you are not currently a member,

you are encouraged to join the NWWSas an associate member. Dues of $40per year entitle you to receive amembership roster, online bimonthlynewsletters, access to the NWWSwebsite, and reduced exhibition entryand workshop entry fees for both theAnnual Waterworks Exhibition formembers only and the Annual OpenExhibition. Additionally, there aremonthly program meetings andworkshops by nationally recognizedartist instructors. A membership formis available for downloading at theNWWS website, www.nwws.org, orcontact Shirley Jordan, MembershipChair at 425-850-9289 orShirleylee136@hotmail.com.

Juror: Paul Jackson

A prolific and profound artist, PaulJackson is one of America’s greatestcontemporary watercolorists, in allcategories; landscapes, cityscapes,portraits, architecture, still life.

He was born in Lawrence, Kansas,raised in Starkville, Mississippi, andbegan painting at Mississippi StateUniversity. In 1992 he received a

Master’s in Fine Art from the Universityof Missouri. Since then his artwork hasreceived top honors in national andinternational competitions, and gracedthe covers of dozens of magazines andbooks.

Paul was honored by the AmericanWatercolor Society with signaturemembership at the age of 30. He is alsoa Signature member of the NationalWatercolor Society. Paul was theGrand Prize winner in the “Paint YourWay to Paris” competition and has beenfeatured as one of the Master Painters ofthe World of International ArtistsMagazine.

Jackson’s artwork has been on thecover of the Artist’s magazine four timesin recent years. Other media featuringJackson’s work include: AmericanArtist, Watercolormagazine, WatercolorMagic, Watercolor Artist, ForbesMagazine, The New York Times, TheWall Street Journal, the WashingtonPost, NPR, CBS News, The BaltimoreSun, The St. Louis Post, The Kansas CityStar, and TWA’s Ambassador Magazine.

Many of Paul’s paintings hang inprivate collections but you can also seesome examples on display in museumsand public buildings. He hasdemonstrated an unequaled passion forwatercolor.

WorkshopPaul Jackson will be teaching a

workshop from March 21 – March 25,2011. Tuition is $400 for NWWSmembers, $450 for non-members.Registration will begin in December,2011. If you are interested in attending,more information is available, alongwith a downloadable registration format the NWWS website: www.nwws.org.You may also contact the WorkshopChair, Amy Giese at 425 277-4321 oramygiese@comcast.net.

71st Annual Open Exhibition 2011 ProspectusMarch 21 – May 13, 2011

Mercer View Gallery · 8236 SE 24th St. · Mercer Island, WA 98040

Mercer Island, Washington 98040

H

Conditions and Rules• Artists must be 18 years or older and

residents of the US or Canada.• Entries must be original works of art,

entirely the work of the entrant.Digital images, prints, class work artproduced in a workshop or likenessesof other artists’ work includingphotos, or other published source orreference material not attributable tothe artist will not be permitted.

• Entries must have been executedwithin the last two years and may nothave been exhibited in any previousNWWS show.

• Entries must be water mediapaintings on natural or syntheticpaper or paperboard. No stretchedcanvas or Clayboard will be accepted.Computer generated work will NOTbe accepted. Collage or other mediamay be used, but the aqueousmedium must constitute 80% or moreof the work. All collage materials mustbe original designs executed on watermedia paper.

• Entries must be framed and have aprofessional appearance. Thepainting must be ready for hangingwith wire and protected under eitherglass or plexiglass. Plexiglass isrequired for all shipped paintings.No saw tooth hangers. Paintingsmust be matted with a minimum 2”mat. Mats must be white or off-white.Thin colored liners are acceptable.Framed size cannot be more than44” in either dimension and imagesize cannot be less than 10” in eitherdimension.

• Entries must be for sale and pricedwith the intent to sell. A commissionof 45% will be deducted from sales.

• Any painting sold within 30 daysafter the closing of the exhibit as aresult of having been exhibited inthe 2011 Annual Open Exhibitionmust pay the exhibition commissionof 45% to Mercer View Gallery andNWWS.

• Utmost care will be taken in handlingartwork; NWWS and/or itsrepresentatives will not beresponsible for damage or loss fromany cause. Artists need to carry theirown insurance.

• All accepted paintings that areshipped must be received by thedeadline of March 14, 2011. All

entry form. Then mail in a copy ofyour confirmation email, alongwith a check payable to NWWS.Please MAIL your confirmationemail copy and checkIMMEDIATELY after completingyour online entry.

• Image Dimensions: Maximum imagesize 1024 x 768 pixels, 1000KB total.Minimum image size 768 x 512. Fileformat must be .jpeg or .jpg. [See:Note of Importance below.]

• Label the image file with your: lastname, first name and the title of yourpainting, i.e. (Smith Jane, Sunflowersin the Rain.jpg)

• Check our website for instructions onpreparing your digital photograph.Images can be easily resized atwww.shrinkpictures.com.

• Payment must be received by theNWWS Treasurer, Shirley Jordan,payable to NWWS by midnight,January 26, 2011. See NWWS addressbelow. Entry fees are nonrefundable.

Note of Importance• Artists with accepted artwork will be

required to submit an Email(preferred method) or CD with ahigher resolution image that will beused for the catalog and/oradvertising print work. For printingpurposes, a file size of 5”x7” – 300dpi(approximately 3400 pixels x 2400pixels will be required.Emailing/Mailing instructions forthe CD will be included in theacceptance notification packet.

Artist will be notified by mail andposted online. www.nwws.org PleaseDO NOT call for early notification ofacceptance.

Exhibition ChairSeiko Konya – 206-854-9110seikokonya@gmail.com

Exhibition Data Manager:Joe MacKechnie – 206-930-4101joe@netos.com

Northwest Watercolor SocietyP.O. Box 50387Bellevue, WA 98015-0387www.NWWS.org

accepted paintings that are hand-delivered must be received by thedeadline of March 19. 2011.

Artists may not substitute anotherwork for an accepted work norwithdraw that work once it isaccepted. All paintings will hang forthe duration of the exhibit. Failure tomeet any of these conditions willresult in disqualification of the entryand the artist becomes ineligible toenter any future NWWS exhibitions.

Procedures• Entry fee is $30 for NWWS members,

$40 for non-members.• Entry is limited to one image per

artist.• Entries will be juried from digital

images only. Your image must beuploaded using our convenientonline application system.

• Awards will be judged from theoriginal paintings.

• ALL ACCEPTED paintings beingshipped must be addressed toPhoenix Art Restoration and CustomFraming, 17521 15th Ave NE,Shoreline, WA 98155. Instructionswill be included with your acceptanceletter.

• NWWS reserves the right to refuse,upon arrival, any piece ofunacceptable quality, or damagedpaintings in shipment. Paintings thatdo not match the submitted digitalimage or meet the media and framingcriteria will be refused.

• Permission is assumed by NWWS toreproduce accepted artwork for theexhibition catalog(s) and otherpromotional uses, including theNWWS website.

• All entrants will receive acomplimentary copy of the printedexhibition catalog. Additional printedcatalogs will be available to purchasefor $10. An exhibition catalog on CDwill be available to purchase for $5.

• Digital images of accepted works willbe retained for NWWS archives.

How to Enter• Entries must be submitted by:

1. Uploading your entry image at ourwebsite, completing the onlineentry form and submitting theentry fee using a creditcard/PayPal. See instructions onour website.

2. Uploading your entry image at ourwebsite, completing the online

November-December 2010 · 7

71st Annual Open ExhibitionProspectus, Continued

8 · November-December 2010

Joan Grout passed away September 21after a short battle with leukemia. Joantaught art classes and workshops in herstudio and at the Stillaguamish seniorcenter for many years She also taught arton several cruise ships travelling to Alaskaand the Mediterranean.

Joan specialized in transparentwatercolors inspired by Northwestlandscapes but also did collage andscratchboard.

Joan encouraged all of her students tojoin the Northwest Watercolor Society,Seattle CoArts, and the Northwest CollageSociety. She often drove many of studentsfrom Marysville to the meetings in Seattle.

She was active in the Snohomish andSkagit County art guilds and showedher paintings at the Tulip Festivaleach year.

This spring, the Washington StateUniversity Art department honoredher for her achievements in art eventhough she graduated with a degreein pharmacy. She was also an avidcontest participant and cook. Shewon a trip to Hawaii several years agowith a recipe for pineapple.

In Memorium –Joan Grout

Box 1114 · Ocean Park, WA 98640(360) 665-5976

www.ericwiegardt.comWatercolors@ericwiegardt.com

NWWS member Lee Wexler’senthusiasm for promotingwatercolor in schools and providingscholarships for new artists wasinspirational. His work with theNorthwest Watercolor Foundationwas a major contributor to itssuccess. I gave full demonstrationsin a number of high school artclasses due to his encouragement,and am now serving as Foundationpresident and Gold GrantScholarship chair. The groundworkLee provided will serve this groupwell for years to come. Donationsto a special scholarship in his namecan be sent to:

Lee Wexler Memorial FundNorthwest Watercolor Foundation% Mary Ann Goeppele15943 NE 139th PlaceWoodinville, WA 98072-9017

In the mail this week are 67packets with scholarshipinformation going to colleges anduniversities all over the Northwest.Rebekah Slusher from Tacoma wasour scholarship recipient for 2010.Her beautiful artwork can be seenon the NWWS.org website underthe Foundation link.

In addition to the scholarship,NWWF also offers a limited numberof $50 reimbursement grants for artprojects in the schools. To apply, goto NWWS.org, click on theFoundation link and download theapplication form.

Ann Breckon Fine Art1311 Central Avenue SSuite, EKent, WA 98032-7408

studio: 253-850-7500cell: 425-644-4245

Email: annbreckon@gmail.comWebsite: www.annbreckon.com

Volunteers Needed –

Work FromYour Home

As the NWWS 71st OpenExhibition chair, I need to ask foryour help. Luckily, this can bedone in your own home and onyour own time. I need you to e-mail or call other artsorganizations to get the word outto enter the NWWS 71st AnnualOpen Exhibition held March 21 -May 13, 2010 at Mercer ViewGallery, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

Please contact me if you canhelp out. Seiko Konya - 206-854-9110, seikokonya@gmail.com.

Also on the website and at Wiegardt Studio Gallery are: Essential DesignWorkbook,

Watercolors-Free and Easy Book, Instructional DVDs, Original Paintings, Giclees & Lithographs

School of PaintingWatercolor Workshops

End of 2010, 1st Qtr. 2011 Nov. 1-4, Beauford, SC-Nov. 15-18, Ocean Park, WA-Dec. 6-9, Portland, OR

Jan.17-20, Scottsdale, AZ-Jan. 31-Feb. 4, Ocean Park, WA Feb. 14-17, Springfield, OR-Mar 6-12, San Miguel, MX

Now Available at www.ericwiegardt.com

Eric Wiegardt Signature Brushes

November-December 2010 · 9

Weigardt on Watercolor

From Expressionismto Impressionism

The workings of the artistic mind

are often hard to understand (hencethe jokes). Being a career artist forover twenty five years, I still have adifficult time comprehending thecapriciousness of my artisticjourney.

My mentor, Irving Shapiro,found his muse in photography andencouraged his students to use thisartistic tool. (Photography has beenof valuable assistance to the fine artssince its inception and has played amajor role in expanding artisticexpression. Sound judgment of art isbased on the painting itself, not theprocess). I felt very comfortable withthis teaching as the use ofphotography allowed me themobility of capturing multiplemotifs in print form. Moreimportantly, I was able to bring theimage to my studio and, along withthe photo references, construct myown sense of design,

unencumbered by the vagaries ofplein-air (outdoor painting).

Several times, much encouragedby several of my peers, I had somedegree of success with plein air, yetfound it not satisfying. I felt I waswrestling too much with my subject,almost like it was too commandingof my attention. I couldn’t see theattraction in “copying” the values,and color harmonies in front of me.Why, I would ask, not run with themotif, have fun, and create my ownconceptual sense of colors andshapes in the studio?

As much as I enjoyed viewingImpressionistic paintings and foundinspiration from them, when Ipicked up the brush my mindwanted to go in a different direction.Little did I know I was storing upImpressionistic techniques to usethe future. So, for many years, Ileaned towards Expressionism withsome minimalism thrown in (I lovea simple commanding brushstroke).This process of interpretationprogressed well for years and Ireceived notable recognition as Ianticipated this being my careers’calling. However, a challengeloomed in front of me that I wastruly unprepared for. My artisticmind shifted dramatically.

Looking back, the change in myartistic thinking started unnoticedabout fifteen years ago. I found, attimes, I was becoming increasingly,emotionally drained from painting;as if the excitement of the challengewas slipping away. By introducingnew techniques and papers, I wasable to find inspiration to sustainme for several more years. Yet Ifound the original excitement stillwaning and not as fulfilling as in theearlier years.

If one is in an artistic vocation,then the frustration of going throughthis transition can be appreciated. Ididn’t realize that I was changing.My mountain had been climbed andit was time for a new one. Simplyput, photo references to augmentmy own conceptual designs werewearing me out. What to do? Out ofdesperation I tried plein air paintingone more time, and to myamazement I was ready for it. Allalong, without realizing it, myartistic growth had been inexorablymarching towards Impressionism.

Whereas Expressionismdemands artistic judgment fromwithin, Impressionism demandsfrom without – the power of keenobservation. I found this refreshingas new visual information filled upthe creative well. Plein air painting,whether in acrylic or watercolor,demands quick judgment anddecisiveness to capture fleetingeffects of light. Lucky for me, thissame decisiveness had been a goalin my studio paintings, so thetransition to plein air came quitenaturally. I have also found mybrush handling techniques used inwatercolor are ideal for acrylics –more on that later.

So here I am, in a place I neverexpected to be: an Impressionistfascinated with the effects of light.Photographic references, at least fornow, have been set on the backburner as I tackle the greatoutdoors.

10 · November-December 2010

Sacramento Fine Arts Center – hosts AmericanWatercolor Society Traveling Exhibition. January 7 – 30.Joan.mcmurray@comcast.net. www.SacFineArts.org.

Plein Air Painting in Tuscany, Italy with Joe MacKechnie, Sept 17 – Oct 1, 2011. In 2012, Joe will conduct aworkshop in Venice, Italy. joe@netos.com or 206-930-4101.

Editor’s note: I attended the Tuscany workshop this spring.Joe is a wonderful teacher and the setting is breathtaking.(See Hot Press - July/August 2010.) I heartily endorse thisventure.

Kathy Collins will teach a watercolor workshop atKaewyn Gallery, 10101 Main St, Bothell, $140. SaturdayNov. 20, 10-4. Learn to create intense dark values in animpressionistic style. She will feature water and streetscenes from Venice, painting holiday cards, and more. SeeKathy’s work at www.kathycollinswatercolor.com. Toregister, e-mail kathy.collins2@comcast.net.

Creative Approaches to Drawing and Painting thePortrait, 3-day workshop with Dan Riley and Joe MacKechnie, November 12-14, 9am-4pm, at Cole Gallery indowntown Edmonds WA. $295.00.  Contact Denise Cole at425-697-2787.

OpportunitiesDan Riley and Joe Mac Kechnie, Color, Creativity andMore: a 3-day workshop, October 29-31, 9am-4pm, at ArtsUmbrella Studio, Country Village, Bothell WA. $250.00.Contact Dan Riley to register. rileydk@comcast.net.

Jacqui Beck’s Expressive Acrylic Painting Workshops.www.jacquibeck.com. 206-325-7267. jacqui@jacquibeck.com.

Ann Breckon offers weekly watercolor classes and 2-dayworkshops at the Daniel Smith Art stores in both Bellevue andSeattle.  November:  Christmas Cards, Miniatures and TallShips.  Color mixing, composition and design, technique, awide variety of subjects and a friendly mix of students makethe classes fun and valuable.  For specific details, and the 2011schedule, visit www.annbreckon.com.

Congratulations to our newestSignature Members

Linda McCordElise Meredith Beattie

Joan FreyCheng-Khee Chee

November-December 2010 · 11

Editor’s Contest

1st Place - Roger Baker

HonorableMention -Linda Dunn

2nd Place - Joann Amundson

When Dan Riley suggested this competition, he never toldme it might be nearly impossible to make the choices. Theseare all wonderful! The first and second place paintings couldeasily have been inverted. I kept going back and forth betweenthem, finally giving the nod to Roger on the basis of compo -sition. The longer I looked at it, the more it spoke to me.

Joann beautifully captured the subtleties of my favorite

place in Tuscany. I’d be honored to hang either in my home. Randy’s whimsical approach to the bell tower is delightful.

I would never have thought of distorting it and Linda’s work isalways fun.

1st Place – Roger Baker, 2nd Place - Joann Amundson,3rd Place –Randy Emmons, Honorable Mention –LindaDunn

The Inspiration

3rd Place - Randy Emmons

Late Entry - Charlene Burley

12 · November-December 2010

Editor’s ContestIn the bleakness of winter, let’s celebrate the beauty of summer flowers. Hereare five photos. Select one and interpret it in your own style.

I know we have some wonderfully gifted floral painters in NWWS. Let’s seeentries from these specialists as well as from the rest of us.

Get Help Entering the 71st AnnualOpen Exhibition!

Get help entering online and photographing yourwork between 5:00 – 6:30 pm on November 23 before theMembership Meeting at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.The entry fee is $30, and $10 for photographing yourpainting. We are accepting cash and checks only.

Bring your unframed painting. The title, medium,price, and dimensions of both framed and unframed artare required.

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St. Andrews Lutheran Church

Bellevue

Eastgate

Bellevue Community College

RobinswoodPark

SunsetVillage

Exit 11A Exit 11B

15

6TH

AVE

S.E.

148T

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S.E.145TH PL S.E.

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28TH S.E. ST.

ST. ANDREW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH2650 148th Ave SE · Bellevue, WA 98006

Hot Press Ad PolicyOur rate is $10 per column inch. No exceptions.

Examples• A 1 column x 4 inch ad would measure

2.375" wide x 4" deep and would cost $40.

• A 2 column x 4 inch ad would measure4.75" wide x 4" deep and would cost $80.

FormatPdf files are preferred. Other accepted formats are tiffsand jpegs. Publisher files cannot be opened and must beconverted to pdf.

A Brush with Art

Northwest Watercolor SocietyP.O. Box 50387

Bellevue, WA 98015-0387