By Donna Caulton Anyone who has ever taken one of Jan Hart’s workshops knows that she is a teacher down to her very bones. In the same way that a watercolor painting, properly executed, shines with light, Jan is in her element in a classroom full of eager students. The more vibrant and involved the students, the more Jan is able to elicit from them. Although she now rarely paints when not teaching, she is none-the-less completely involved in watercolor as “the” art medium. Like so many of us, Jan has traveled many pathways to become who she is today. Although some of those The Northwest Watercolor Society Newsletter July-August 2014 Jan Hart Imparts the Magic of Watercolor to her Students Upcoming Membership Meeting September 23 St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church • 6:45 Social Hour • 7:15 Meeting pathways have been fraught with difficulties, Jan has remained true to herself and to her students. In part she attributes her uncanny ability to, in the face of adversity, make lemonade from lemons, to a father who instilled in her the belief that anything is possible. Jan is no stranger to Seattle. She began her artistic career in a Seattle architectural firm in the late 1980’s. Once she realized that watercolor renderings excited her as much as or more than the design elements of architecture, she gradually found her way into teaching watercolor classes. Master watercolor painter, Deanne Lemley, became her teacher and mentor. During her years in New Mexico and now from the far-away land of Costa Rica, Jan returns to Seattle at least once a year, where she teaches and visits with family members who still reside there. On the eve of leaving New Mexico, following a long history of potentially devastating medical issues, Jan spent two years writing her now famous book, The Watercolor Artist’s Guide to Exceptional Color, published in 2007. Although she was already incredibly knowledgeable about color and pigments, the in-depth research Jan did while writing this book transformed her into an expert. She investigated the behavior of pigments from world-wide manufacturers of watercolor paints, and experimented with each of them to understand their properties. Now when Jan teaches a class she relishes sharing this information with students. Jan is generous with her information and loves to be asked, even from afar, pigment-related questions. Her book has since been translated into German, Italian, French and the English of Great Britain. Jan is not well- known as an artist in her present homeland of Costa Rica. This may, in part, be due to not having a Spanish translation of her book. None- the-less the book drives people to her workshops and she nearly always fills them wherever they are offered. Subsequently the workshops in Costa Rica have begun filling with artists from such far flung places as Denmark and France. Some may attribute this to good marketing. That may bring short term results, but participants from Jan’s workshops say she simply knows how to paint and she knows how to teach. Continued on page 4
Transcript
By Donna Caulton
Anyone who has ever taken one ofJan Hart’s workshops knows that she isa teacher down to her very bones. In thesame way that a watercolor painting,properly executed, shines with light, Janis in her element in a classroom full ofeager students. The more vibrant andinvolved the students, the more Jan isable to elicit from them. Although shenow rarely paints when not teaching,she is none-the-less completelyinvolved in watercolor as “the” artmedium.
Like so many of us, Jan has traveledmany pathways to become who she istoday. Although some of those
The Northwest Watercolor Society Newsletter
July-August 2014
Jan Hart Imparts the Magic of Watercolor to her Students
Upcoming Membership Meeting September 23
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church • 6:45 Social Hour • 7:15 Meeting
pathways have been fraught withdifficulties, Jan has remained true toherself and to her students. In part sheattributes her uncanny ability to, in theface of adversity, make lemonade fromlemons, to a father who instilled in herthe belief that anything is possible.
Jan is no stranger to Seattle. Shebegan her artistic career in a Seattlearchitectural firm in the late 1980’s.Once she realized that watercolorrenderings excited her as much as ormore than the design elements ofarchitecture, she gradually found herway into teaching watercolor classes.Master watercolor painter, DeanneLemley, became her teacher andmentor.
During her years in New Mexicoand now from the far-away land ofCosta Rica, Jan returns to Seattle at leastonce a year, where she teaches andvisits with family members who stillreside there.
On the eve of leaving New Mexico,following a long history of potentiallydevastating medical issues, Jan spenttwo years writing her now famous book,The Watercolor Artist’s Guide toExceptional Color, published in 2007.Although she was already incrediblyknowledgeable about color andpigments, the in-depth research Jan didwhile writing this book transformed herinto an expert. She investigated thebehavior of pigments from world-widemanufacturers of watercolor paints, andexperimented with each of them tounderstand their properties. Now whenJan teaches a class she relishes sharing
this information with students. Jan isgenerous with her information andloves to be asked, even from afar,pigment-related questions.
Her book has since been translatedinto German, Italian, French and theEnglish of Great Britain. Jan is not well-known as an artist in her presenthomeland of Costa Rica. This may, inpart, be due to not having a Spanish translation of her book. None-the-less the book drives people to herworkshops and she nearly always fillsthem wherever they are offered.Subsequently the workshops in CostaRica have begun filling with artists fromsuch far flung places as Denmark andFrance. Some may attribute this to goodmarketing. That may bring short termresults, but participants from Jan’sworkshops say she simply knows how topaint and she knows how to teach.
Please send all bills to:Peggy MeyersP.O. Box 50387
Bellevue, WA 98015-0387
It is an honor to serve as yourPresident this year. Thank you for yourconfidence and faith in me. NWWS isan international, all-volunteer, non-profit corporation, consisting of 900+artists from all corners of the world.Our exhibitions are considered to beamong the best. I would like to thankall of our volunteers who work behindthe scenes to make NWWS run sosmoothly.
Thanks so much to our pastPresident, Molly Murrah, whodedicated many many hours on NWWSbusiness. To name just a few, Mollyworked hours on website upgrades (wecan finally accept membership duesonline) and untold meetings withcommittee heads. She designedcatalogs for both exhibitions, and filledall vacant committee positions. Mollyhas been an inspiration to me andleaves big shoes to fill!
I look forward to this coming year.We have Janet Rogers coming inOctober to juror the Waterworksexhibition. Janet is a very popularworkshop instructor, and JoAnne Millsand Carol Williams have been workinghard. The prospectus is on our website,
and entries are being accepted.Our 75th Anniversary Diamond
Gala celebration is in the planningstages, with Theresa Goesling andCindy Briggs at the helm. A conventionis being planned in Seattle at theConvention Center. Alvaro Castagentand Judy Morris are the jurors for theOpen Exhibition, and will also beconducting workshops. An awardsbanquet will be held on Saturday, July11, 2015 at the Crown Plaza Hotel. ARetrospective Book is in the works andwill be available for pre-sale in 2015.Many other exciting events are beingplanned. Save the dates – July 5 – July12, 2015. Many thanks to Theresa andCindy and all the other volunteers whoare working on this celebration.
I would like to welcome all the newvolunteers who have stepped up andtaken on a committee position. We stillhave a couple of key positions which areunfilled. We currently need an AVTechnician and a VolunteerCoordinator. If you are interestedserving as either one of these, pleasecontact me.
Enjoy this summer, travel if youcan, and take lots of reference photos topaint. We do not have membershipmeetings during the summer months,so we hope to see you in September atSt. Andrews Lutheran Church. In themeantime, paint when you can as muchas you can.
Shirley JordanNWWS President
Congratulations to ourthree new Signature
Members:Margaret Stermer-Cox,Cheryl Schmardebeckand James McFarlane.
July-August 2014· 3
Watercolor AmbassadorI am currently aboard the Viking
Long Ship – “Gullveig” on the RhineRiver. She is 448 feet long and 36 feetwide. Think train. The Gullveig is thelatest addition to the Viking fleet of riverboats and is the height of luxury. Ibrought a watercolor palette and twowatercolor notebooks of different sizes.I included brushes but bought four,Escoda Reserva Kolinsky sable roundsat Sennelier in Paris last week –extravagant but worth every cent. Sableis no longer coming out of Russia andthese may soon not be available. Theyspread paint like melted butter andeven the largest (#14) points so finelythat I can draw the frailest bridgerigging.
I mention all of this to set the scenefor numerous incidents that haveallowed me to promote our mediumand watercolor associations. Working inthe lounge of the longboat, I sketch ascene at each stop along the river andoften of passing cathedrals or otheritems of interest. I’ve already beencommissioned to paint a larger versionof one of the sketches. People arefascinated! They think what we do ismagic. I use the opportunity to insistthat talent has nothing to do with it. It isinformation and time with a brush inyour hand. Information comes fromwatercolor societies like Northwest.Time with a brush in your hand is yourproblem.
Often I will invite them to try. Witha little coaching, many produce
Editorial · Jeff Waters
Letters
surprisingly good paintings. They arethrilled!
They tell me; “I’ve always wanted totry watercolor but was afraid to attemptit. I think I could do this!”
Try this with a child. Take note ofthe one who hangs back to watch youwork. If they seem attentive, offer themyour chair, turn your paper over, helpthem lay in a few pencil basic lines tolocate objects in the landscape thenassist them to paint it. You may changea life.
I did this in Italy while paintingwith Joe Mac Kechnie. A group ofschool children came by and werefascinated with what we were doing. Iencouraged them to try. At first, theywere reluctant but then really got into it.My favorite painting of Italy is one Inever touched. It was painted by thechildren of a small Tuscan, hilltopvillage.
I work hard to dispel the myths thatplague our medium. Everybody knows:1. Watercolor is terribly difficult. No
one should even attempt it.
2. Watercolor is immutable. Once youput down a brush stroke, you cannever change it.
3. Watercolor produces faded, washed-out paintings. You can’t put anystrong colors in them.
4. Watercolors have no commercialvalue. You can’t sell them.
All lies.
I urge you to share your knowledge,passion and materials with theuninitiated.
I promise you that you will receivemore from the transaction than yougive.
On a personal note… MollyMurrah has completed her term aspresident and passed the torch toShirley Jordan, a worthy successor. Youhave no idea of the hours, tears, passionand love Molly poured into thisorganization. NWWS can never repaythe debt we owe this brilliant woman.
Thank you, Molly.
Jeff Waters
Hi Jeff,
I hope it’s you that does thesenewsletters! I just want to thank you forall the work.
The NWWS newsletter is truly oneof the few things I look forward tofinding in my inbox!
It is always loaded with greatinformation, it’s downright inspiringand motivating, really.
Dates, tips, info on what people aredoing...all great and I’m sure it’s a lot ofwork to put together.
Thank you so much.Again, thanks for all the work (and
for printing info about my fellowshipetc. too...!)
Stephanie Bower
NWWS NeedsYour Help For OurRetrospectiveBookFor our 75th Celebration next year,we will be publishing aretrospective book on the history ofNWWS. We are looking forbiographical information for awatercolor artist named John W.MacDonald who was a member ofNWWS beginning in the 1950’s. Weare also trying to locate artworkdone by watercolorist, RudyBundas, so that we may include itin the book.
If you know anything about thesetwo artists and can help us, pleasecontact David Martin at Martin-Zambito Fine Art. You may call himat 206-726-9509 or email him [email protected].
4 · July-August 2014
These two qualities are not routinelyfound in the same artist, but they arethe qualities that produce teachers ofthe highest quality.
Jan’s love of animals comes as nosurprise to anyone who has beenaround her. She left New Mexico withthe supreme task of getting her fourparrots into a land that rarely acceptsbirds from afar, and found a way to getthem all to her new home.
Not only does Costa Rica offer anarray of new plants, colors, light andshadows, but the animal life also is wildand new. From the sloth in her nearbytree to the iguana in this painting, Janhas found fertile ground for life and art.
In Costa Rica, capturing light withwatercolor has presented newchallenges. The hours of high sun arevery few and the foliage is dense. Directand indirect light and shadows danceall around and are not as easy todistinguish as in a high contrast
environment like New Mexico. Theytake on shapes and forms thatseemingly become objects. In the pastJan used many colors when painting.Now she selects a range of four to sixpigments that work for a particularpiece. She mixes all her neutrals fromthe chosen palette, ensuring richnessand continuity. The world around isalive with color. ”Wow”, says Jan, “thecolors in Costa Rica are intense! From
the iridescent butterflies, birds andflowers I can find an excuse to use anyand all of my brightest colors.”
Jan’s new home is a tiny Tico househigh on a hillside with views forever.Her move to Costa Rica and subsequenttransformations of her property into apainting retreat and herself into a more“conscious” being are chronicled in hernew book-in-progress, The Scarlet andJade House. Now she has two cabinasfor housing workshop participants, andrecently began a new type of workshopin conjunction with her husband Frank,whom she married in a surpriseceremony in the midst of her 70thbirthday party. They offered 5-dayIntensive Adventures that incorporated,in accordance with the participants’wishes, painting, writing andsightseeing, with Frank cookingamazing organic meals.
Sadly, Jan and Frank’s happiest ofmarriages ended abruptly in March ofthis year when Frank passed away in hissleep. Their days together remain someof the happiest of Jan’s lifetime and hisinfluence abounds in her Costa Ricanretreat. Jan is establishing similar butnew workshops in Costa Rica and willbe traveling to the US less frequentlythan in the past.
This June, in Seattle, Jan’sworkshop, “Spring into Watercolor,Fearlessly”, filled with eager students ofmany skill levels. It was the first USworkshop since Frank’s passing and Janfound her state to be quite vulnerable.Ever the sterling teacher, Jan found away to share this with students, in turnopening the entire workshop into theprofound experience of students’breaking through emotional barriersthat block progression of painting skills.“I began the workshop by explainingwhere I was emotionally and invited thestudents all into this space ofvulnerability, vowing that we would
make it safe to be there. I watched thestudents rise and move through theirown blocks to a place that surprisedthem. It has been a wonderfulexperience.”
No two of Jan’s workshops are alike.Jan is ever-growing. Each workshop hasa particular focus, but within that focusshe pairs her in-depth knowledge withthe individual needs of her students.The personal growth that studentsexperience under Jan’s tutelage is whystudents travel from all over the worldto take her workshops.
To see what is coming up in thefuture see Jan’s website,www.janhart.com. There are severalways to visit her in Costa Rica and havea richly mixed experience.
Editor’s note: Several years ago, when Iwas just starting to paint, I attended anNWWS workshop with Jan. It was magical –one of those rare occasions when the starsalign and miracles happen. Everyone in theclass, but your humble editor, turned out atleast one fabulous painting. Jan painted hernow-famous “Tree Heart”. She is a veryspecial lady, indeed.
JAN HART | Continued from page 1
The Northwest WatercolorFoundation is pleased to announce thisyear’s winner of the $2000 Gold GrantScholarship and John Ringen Award.Jonathan Matteson is a student atWashington State University, currentlyresiding in Pullman. With a backgroundin commercial art, music andmarketing, he is now looking forward topursuing an MFA and becoming an arteducator. His abstract artwork exhibitsinteresting textural and color usage.Combined with a well-writtenbiography, an artist’s statement and astrong letter of recommendation fromfaculty, Jonathan was chosen to receivethis award by a jury of Signaturemembers of the NWWS. This year’sscholarship was enlarged by theaddition of funds collected in honor ofpast Northwest Watercolor Societypresident John Ringen. The award waspresented at a general meeting of theNWWS, held April 22nd at St. Andrew’sLutheran Church in Bellevue, WA,following an awards dinner held inJonathan’s honor.
The Northwest WatercolorFoundation is a nonprofit arm of the
July-August 2014· 5
2014 Gold Grant Scholarship and John Ringen Award Winner
Established in the early 1990s, theGold Grant Award has been presentedannually to an outstanding andpromising art student. Full-timeundergraduate art majors, includinggraduating college seniors, enrolled in acommunity college or university inWashington, Oregon or Idaho andworking in a variety of two-dimensionalmedia are eligible for the Foundation’sannual Gold Grant Award.
Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS).One of the purposes of the Foundationis to support emerging young visualartists by providing financial awards tocommitted, deserving students.
6 · July-August 2014
Thank You Daniel Smith!On Tuesday, May 27, at our last 2013-2014 NWWS general meeting, I had the great pleasure of publicly thanking our amazing board members and committee chairs for their past year’s commitment to the society. A gift to each board member was presented or mailed as a token of our gratitude.
diligently on the preparations for our 75th Anniversary celebration. Needless to say, none of this could have been accomplished without the hard work of our dedicated board members and committee chairs.
As part of our “Thank You” package, Daniel Smith graciously donated one of their signature brushes for each board member. It was a very generous gesture of their continued support for NWWS, and I personally want to thank Cindy Valdez and Thom Wright at the company for making this happen. Daniel Smith has donated to our exhibitions year after year, will be our signature sponsor for the NWWS 75th Diamond Gala next year, and we simply can’t thank them enough.
On behalf of the Northwest Watercolor Society, THANK YOU Daniel Smith for your continued support! We are so grateful you are NWWS’s partner in its mission to promote and elevate the art of watercolor as a medium and to encourage the growth and creativity of our artist members.
Molly Murrah2013-2014 President, Northwest Watercolor Society
By Kathy Collins, NWWS
Lately I have been experimenting with watercolor andcollage, my thought being “why stop at just using watercolorin my work?” Well, one reason has been that juried showsoften require entries to be solely watercolor, some banningeven opaque paint (gouache). But sometimes it is good toexercise unused artistic muscles and paint just for yourself.But even when working in a whimsical style like my recentwork (‘Feeling of Movement’, watercolor & collage on board,10x8), I try to keep in mind some general principles.
First, I try to keep the head size and the features fairlysmall. The head is only perceived as being large and the eyes,nose, and mouth actually take up only a small part of theface. We are hard-wired to recognize and respond to facesand facial expressions, so it is tempting to sketch them largerthan they actually appear.
Another rule is to draw each side of the body and eacheye differently. This avoids a symmetrical “deer in theheadlights” look to the portrait.
But whatever your style and however you draw yourimage, relax and enjoy the process, and the result is likely tobe a more dynamic characterization of the person.
I recommend branching out. In addition to watercolor,try collage, pastels, charcoal, colored pencil, or anything elsethat strikes your fancy. Who knows—it might lead to all sortsof creativity!
Watercolor and..?
July-August 2014· 7
Member NewsKris Preslan “The Brush Dancers” wasaccepted in the Eau En CouleursInternational Watercolor Biennialexhibit to be held at the Castle ofBourgogne in Estaimbourg, Belgium.There are 75 artists from 21 countries.Show goes from mid-August throughearly September.
Molly LeMaster’s painting titledDriftwood won an award at theTransparent Watercolor Society ofAmerica exhibition Two of mypaintings have been juried into theSnohomish Arts Council exhibitionwhich Is held at the Schack Art Centerin Everett, WA.
Sandy Kay has been invited to exhibitin the Fabriano WatercolourInvitational Exhibition, Fabriano Italy.Meeting of the Board III - Watercolour-15 x 23. This painting was done in theGrisaille method, where a completegrey scale painting is done first, thenlayers of color are applied over that. Inthis case, the underpainting is actually agraphite drawing...this method is verytime consuming. Grisaille paintingscan be found on the frescoed ceilings ofthe Sistine Chapel.www.sandykayart.com.
Roger Whitlock has a show inHonolulu called “Hometown, SeattlePaintings.” “Hometown” opened onJune 27 and will run at the Gallery atWard Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd.,Honolulu, Hawai’i until July 23. It canalso be seen on line at
rogerwhitlock.com. Roger had apainting in the recent NWWS Openshow and was featured on the cover ofthe show’s announcement.
2014 Edmonds ArtsFestival Award WinnersJoe Mac Kechnie - First place award($800) Edmonds Arts Festival. 2nd($500)- Joanne Shellan, 3rd ($300)Jim Matthew and HM($150) BeverlyShaw-Starkovich.
Member Links on theNorthwest Watercolor
Society Website
Add traffic to your website witha link on the NWWS website.Members can publish an image, anartist’s statement plus their websitelink for a $10 initial set up and $25per year fee. An application form isavailable on the NWWS websiteunder Membership/Join select theMember Links option. Renew nowfor July 2014-June 2015. Questions?Please contact Cheri Connell [email protected].
Sandy Kay, Meeting of the Board III
Joe Mac Kechnie, Atonement
Jim Matthew, Reflections
Joanne Shellan, Open
Beverly Shaw-Starkovich, Hi There – Box atthe Beach Series
8 · July-August 2014
Opportunities“DARK” National Juried Exhibition 2014- at Arc Gallery - 1246 FolsomStreet, San Francisco, CA 94103.Deadline: September 4. Juror - NancyToomey: Stephen C. Wagner, ManagingPartner. www.arc-sf.com.
Darla Bostick’s 7th Annual GhostRanch Workshop/Retreat in Abiquiu,NM. October 5-11. Includes digitalphotography, watercolors/acrylics,pencil, incorporating text, mixed mediawork with opportunity for plein airpainting. 7 days/6 nights.Lodging/meals included at GhostRanch property. The Georgia O’KeeffeLandscape Tour takes you where shepainted from the magnificent areascenery. Visit the O’Keeffe studio/homeon tour. Space is limited to 14participants. Bring materials you love towork with (or try something new) andjoin us! $485. Room and board at theRanch are per their rates. Unclaimedrooms will be released September 1.Darla Bostick, 940.320.5660.www.darlabostick.com. [email protected].
Cathe Gill will teach a plein air clinicon four Tuesdays in August at sites to beannounced. Aug 5 - Design inLandscape. Aug 12 - Color/Greens. Aug19 - Space in Landscape (Near, Mid andFar). Aug 26 - Color/Complements. $85per class. Take one or all. 9:30 – 4:[email protected].
Jeffrey L. Waters, Past President andnewsletter editor of NWWS will teach asix-hour seminar entitled “Twenty FiveThings I Wish I Had Known Five YearsAgo”. This class is designed to cut fiveyears off of the watercolor learningcurve. Students will learn basictechniques then move on to advancedprocedures that can take work to anentirely new level. 7/26. 10:00 – 3:00. SiView Community Center – North Bend,WA. (425) 831-1900 to [email protected]
Caroline Buchanan – Orcas Island:Tuesday, July 22, The Knapp Farm -Buckhorn Road, Eastsound, OrcasIsland. 9:30-3:30. $65. Tuesday, July 29,Madronas & Sailboats - Westsound.Emily’s Orchard, Orcas Island. 9:30-
Annual Renton Art Show –Registration - Sunday July 20 from 11 to4. Renton Community Center, 1715Maple Valley Highway. Show hours:Friday and Saturday, July 25, 26 from 10to 6 and Sunday, July 27, from noon to 5p.m. Artists may collect their art after 5p.m. All work must be original, for sale,and not more than two years old. Threedivisions available: Main Show - entriesof all media will be juried for selectionand awarded regardless of professionalor non-professional status. LittleGallery, limited to entries of all mediasmaller than 20”x24” and priced at $300or less and the Student Show limited toentries of all media submitted by artists18 years of age and under. Total awardsof $4000. A Preview Party - July 24, 8p.m, at the Renton Community Centerwith presentation of awards. Twocomplimentary tickets will be mailed toprize winners.www.rentonannualartshow.com.Barbara Nilson, 206-772-5903.
Roger Baker will present an exhibitiontitled ‘Europe in Watercolour’ from7/12/14 – 08/14/14 at the Rick Steve’sTravel Center, Europe through the BackDoor, 130 4th Ave N, Edmonds, WA98020. You are welcome to join him atthe Travel Center on Thursday July 17thfor the Edmonds Art Walk from 5 – 8pm.
Plein Air Washington Artists andartEAST announce an open call for artfor a juried painting exhibition of“Northwest Landscapes Grand andIntimate” as part of artEAST’s 2014 ArtOutside Festival running consecutivelyat two exhibition spaces, the artEASTArt Center and Exhibitions at BlakelyHall, in Issaquah WA. This show inviteslandscape painters to contemplate boththe grand vistas and the more intimatescenes of the Pacific Northwest.Eligibility: Participation is open to alladvanced-level landscape painters in
the Pacific Northwest. Exhibitiondates: July 18 - August 27, 2014.Opening Receptions: Blakely Hall,Friday, July 18, 2014 (5-8pm) artEASTArt Center, Saturday, July 19, 2014 (6-8pm) Submission Deadline: Midnight,May 28, 2014.
s Eileen Sorg will teach a seminar -August 19, 9:00 – 4:00. StanwoodSenior Center, Stanwood, WA. Uponregistration, a supply list will be sent toyou, along with directions to the SeniorCenter. $110.00. Contact MollyLeMaster – 360-387-1265 [email protected].
Jan Hart will teach a class February,2015 in Costa Rica moved here in 2008.When February fills, Jan will add theMarch workshop. $1275/personincludes 7 days, 6 nights, doubleoccupancy at Papas de Paramo or oneof Jan’s cabinas. (Single occupancyavailable at additional cost). Class sizelimited to 8 participants on a first comebasis. Included: Meals all breakfasts andall but 1 lunch (at the beach). Allinstruction, demos including aworkshop booklet with moreinformation, color wheel, etc. Alltransportation during the workshop.Daily morning critique and discussiontime with Jan. Afternoon outings thatcan include the market place, thebeach, an organic farm, the bamboofactory, etc. Free time to explore thevillage of San Ramon, paint, enjoy thepool and the great food and wait staff atPapas de Paramo.
Opportunities continued on page 9
OpportunitiesThe Oregon Department of Fish andWildlife announces an art contest toselect the winning artwork that will befeatured on the 2015 HabitatConservation Stamp and otherpromotional materials. The winningartist will receive $1,000 and 25 artistprints. The contest opened June 10 andcloses 5 p.m. Aug. 29, 2014.www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/habitat_conservation_stamp.asp.Meg Kenagy - ConservationCommunications Coordinator - (503)947-6021. Oregon Department of Fishand Wildlife - 4034 Fairview IndustrialDrive SE - Salem, OR 97302.
July-August 2014· 9
Editor’s Contest – AbstractionPaint an abstraction of a favorite object or scene. It
must be recognizable! Don’t send me scattered blotches ofbilious color labeled “Eternity”.
It can be a landscape, still life or portrait. Take yourfavorite subject and simplify it. Search out the essence ofthe thing. It’s okay if it takes us a minute to identify theobject but it must be there! “Non—objective” pieces willbe immediately eliminated. (I know my bias is showing.)
I confess that this is a whole new direction for youreditor so I will be right in there with the rest of you.
Good luck.
EAFA – Plein Air OpportunitiesSummer 2014August 2
TK Building Pioneer Square. Large ARTS Celebration. Will close a streetfor plein air painters. Coordinated with art walk/galleries, artist studiosand live-in lofts open to the public, street events.
Snoqualmie Railroad Days Celebration. Painting in Snoqualmie’s cityparks & key locations. Venues provided for instructor demonstrations.REGISTRATION: Check in 9:00 am at the Snoqualmie ArtsCommission booth. Booths and painting sales allowed, but artists mustbe working on site throughout the day. No commissions taken frompaintings sold; no city business license required on August 16 forparticipating artists.
REGISTRATION FORM – All Skill Levels Welcome! Judging at 3:00 pmat The Black Dog [Tavern]. Registration forms may be downloaded:www.cityofsnoqualmie.org.
No entry fee!
AWARDS: Grand Prize – Poster for 2014, 2nd – $100 Daniel SmithCertificate, 3rd – $50 Daniel Smith Certificate.
NWWS on FacebookDid you know NWWS hasa Facebook page? Forthose unfamiliar withit, Facebook
is an online advertising andcommunication website. Along withother websites you may use or haveheard about, like Twitter or Instagram,it is considered “social media.” TheFacebook page for NWWS is a greatplace to look for upcoming showopportunities, meeting reminders,member news, current exhibits, andeven new products. It also helps uspromote our patrons & contributors toa wider audience. To find us, log intoFacebook and search for “NorthwestWatercolor Society.” Once there, click“like.” That’s all there is to it! Once youhave done this, NWWS updates will beshared with you through your newsfeed. We hope you will find ourFacebook page a useful way to connectwith the NWWS artists. If you have anyideas of topics, products, or hear ofevents you think the NWWS communitywould enjoy, please let me know! Asyour new Social Media Chair, I lookforward to helping you use Facebook toconnect to one another and the NWWScommunity.
Paint the Costa Brava & Tour BarcelonaWhite-washed villages, dramatic seascapes, and the seductive light of the Spanish Mediterranean await you. Plus you have two artists who are com-mitted to help you build your con�dence and ability in watercolor. In-dulge your creative spirit with a memorable painting holiday in Spain!
Join Iain Stewart and Michael Reardon for a week of painting in Spain. �is is a truly unique opportu-nity to improve your watercolor paint-ing with two award-winning watercolor artists. �e daily input from these two painters will take your watercolors to the next level.
- Workshop includes demonstrations, instruc-tion, guidance and critiques.
- You’ll be inspired to paint craggy cli�s, sandy coves, pristine beaches and quaint Mediterra-nean villages.
- You’ll be treated to a guided tour of Barcelo-na to discover Gaudi’s fascinating architecture, a visit to the surrealistic world of Dali, as well as a breathtaking Flamenco show.
- Lodging, most meals, and ground transporta-tion in a comfortable van with A/C included.
Price starts at $2,990.00 before November 30, 2014 (+$350 for single room). $200.00 discount.
12 · July-August 2014
Editor’s Contest – PortraitsWhen I requested portraits for the Editor’s Contest in the last edition, I was afraid I would receive no entries. Ihave eleven. Oh, ye of little faith. Every one of them is worthy of an award. I have made selections but I would
not argue with anyone who wishes to reverse the order or choose others. This job gets tougher very year.
1st Place: Katherine A Mortensen – brilliantcomposition, use of complimentary color andnegative space. Part of something is often moreinteresting than all of it. This painting hauntsme. I keep coming back to it. Don’t know thelady, featured but I’m in love. Wonderful work.
2nd Place: Bob Hannah – for pureaudacity. This is a daring work that isfull of life. Nice touches of opaquewhite. Excellent use of negative space.Great character in the portrait.
3rd. Place: Molly Murrah –Lovely portrait of a young girl.Interesting use of sunlight.
Lee Allen
Tom Hoffman
Linda Jensen
James McFarlane
Roger Baker
Charlene Collins Freeman
Ruth Handewith
Jackie Zumalt
Honorable Mention
July-August 2014· 13
think the above comment may havebeen what he was thinking of.
Marsh LandSince we are on the subject of
developing your own style, I think itwould be applicable on how just onedoes that.
As mentioned above, one doesneed to try new ideas at the risk ofrejection. However, if we extendourselves too far in trying a new idea ortechnique, there may be muchunnecessary frustration. I think it is bestto challenge ourselves in small bits andpieces.
For example, this morning I choseto paint on location some iris with amore direct style than what I have usedpreviously. In order to do this, I wantedevery stroke to be my last stroke, withvery little layering, and no pencilunderpinning. I only drew with thebrush. The medium I chose to do thiswith was watercolor: I wanted amedium I was very comfortable with.Had I done this with the addedchallenge of a new medium, such as oil,then I am sure to have walked away infrustration. So start with what you arefamiliar with, and tag on a newchallenge.
May you be blessed withcomments, such as “I like what youused to do better!”
Keep your brush wet!
Eric
I hope you have painted longenough in your career to have someone,or preferably, a number of people tellyou this. As painful as this is to hear(can the pointy end of the brush beused as a sword?) this is a good signthat you are perfecting your skills andtrying new ideas and techniques. If youhaven’t heard this comment, it ispossible that you are playing it too safeand need to stretch out a little more.
As I have tried new techniques over
the years, of course I have heard thiscomment. I have found, however,
that as some collectors fail to keep upwith my growth in painting and maystop collecting my work, othersembrace it and are happy to see theprogressive development in my paintingstyle. Simply put, you’ve got to leavesome folks behind in order to pushforward in developing your style. Thiscan be difficult when it comes torelatives (especially a spouse!).
I think all of the best artists have tohave an element of tough skin to forgeahead in this business. Throw in anample amount of courage. The onlyalternative is stifling growth andpossibly pandering to a low commondenominator of sentimentality. We allhave to look at ourselves in the mirroreach morning.
On my last day at the AmericanAcademy of Art in Chicago, I asked my
mentor, Irving Shapiro, for any partingwords of advice. I thought he would saysomething applicable to paintingtechniques, maybe stress something hehas repeated over and over in his class.But he didn’t. He surprised me. He said“You’ve got to have a tough hide”. I
American Watercolor Society2012 Gold Medal of Honor
SCHOOL OF PAINTINGWATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS
July-October 2014 for the Northwest7/14-18, Long Beach, WA— 8/7-10, Sitka, AK 8/25-29,
Long Beach, WA—10/27-31, Long Beach, WA
From the Watercolor Store & School of PaintingJuly Special
Russian Quill Mop-Large &Landscape Theory DVD
August Special Portable Stools in Two Sizes &
Sketching SuppliesSeptember Special
Outside Edge Shapes DVD &Watercolor Free & Easy Book
VISIT OUR WEBSITE!www.ericwiegardt.com and the new ARTISTS’
CONNECTION located under WorkshopsAvailable: DVDs, Books, Art Supplies
Original Paintings, Giclees Prints & Lithographs
I LIKE WHAT YOUUSED TO DO
BETTER
Snoqualmie Arts Commissionpresents
The Sixth AnnualSnoqualmie Plein Air Paint Out
EVENT DATE: Saturday, August 16, 2014. Railroad Days Celebration. Sites: Painting will occur throughout Snoqualmie’scity parks and key locations. Venues will be provided for instructor demonstrations. REGISTRATION: Event check�in will be at9:00 am at the Snoqualmie Arts Commission booth. Booths and painting sales are allowed, but artists must be working on sitethroughout the day. No commission will be taken from paintings sold; no city business license will be required on August 16 for participating artists. INFORMATION: [email protected].
Awards: Grand Prize – Poster for 2014 2nd – $100 Daniel Smith Certificate 3rd – $50 Daniel Smith Certificate
REGISTRATION FORM – All Skill Levels Welcome! Judging at 3:00 at The Black DogAdditional registration forms may be downloaded from the City of Snoqualmie website at www.cityofsnoqualmie.org.
Artist Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Instructor (circle one): Yes No
