Living in the California hills adjacent to protected open space, wildlife subjects and the complementing light of their environments, provides limitless inspiration for this native Californian. Seeking the unique delicate interactions of inhabitants within their environments. Brought up to see color optically, transparent watercolor most generously represents the effects of light, playing the contrast between opaque and transparent in oils does also so she’s often cavorting an atmospheric expression with wildlife. Signature memberships include AFC - Artists for Conservation Foundation (formerly Worldwide Nature Artists Group), SAA - Society of Animal Artists, NWS - National Watercolor Soc., MCWA - California Watercolor Assoc.(master) & WW - Watercolor West. CAC – California Art Club assoc. member.
An award winning “Plein aire” painter, painting on location is a habit. Transparent Watercolor was initially learned outside on location, where the incomparable sense of “being there” instigates adventurous diversity, and often opportunities to collect exciting new reference. In December of '08 a trip to three locations in Kenya allowed exploration of new light, animals and environments. Weekly life drawing provides continued growth of classic and creative drawing skills, relating to the animal forms, where accurate representation is a valid expectation. Using traditional Art Elements, designing with Significant Contrasts, atmosphere can be created. Manipulating relationships between abstraction and realism engages the imagination into capturing the essence of a place, or subject, now more personal to the viewer. Imaginations are enticed with just enough realism to draw them into, then send beyond, the two dimensional surface.
Currently instructing adult classes and workshops in Transparent Color Theory with watercolor. Ten years, spent at Walnut Creek Civic Arts, also developing and instructing lessons in art principals for Jr. & Sr. High School students in their school services program. Vicenté Martinez High School then hired her as an Art Consultant/Instructor from 2006-2008 to infuse art in their alternative program. Classes, workshops and demonstrations are about handling the wet’n wet medium as brave color relationships, more than about subject matter. The information can apply to any medium.