Following a brief Members Meeting we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by immensely popular Minnesota watercolor artist Andy Evansen.

This will be a Zoom event, held at  4 pm  on Thursday, March 16th. A Zoom link will be sent by email to all NFWS Members on the Monday before the Thursday evening Meeting.   

Andy Evansen’s interest in art started in childhood, and he can’t recall a time when he wasn’t drawing. Once he began painting, he found himself attempting to capture the landscape with an economy of brushstroke evident in the work of the British watercolor artists he admired.  In addition, he was impressed with the way those artists seemed to capture everyday scenes in such a way that revealed a hidden beauty, subjects that many would simply pass by.

“When I decided to begin painting 30 years ago, there was never any question in my mind what medium I would choose.  Watercolor has always fascinated me; the effects of pigment and water mixing on the paper are so unique and challenging and the results so beautiful.  It is also the perfect medium for capturing those fleeting moments and light effects when working on location.”

He has been featured in many publications and is a sought-after workshop instructor who paints and teaches internationally.  He became a signature member of the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) in 2012 and served as their President from 2015-2017.  In 2022 he was selected as the only international member of England’s Pure Watercolour Society.

His paintings have won numerous awards, including the Bronze and High Winds Medals from the American Watercolor Society in New York.

“While learning, I painted strictly from photographs and am glad I took that route.  Watercolor is challenging, as it relies on timely washes that can be affected by the weather and a large amount of confidence due to its unforgiving nature.  I now paint ‘en plein air’ as well, which has reinforced my efforts toward choosing strong, simple subjects and working quickly to capture the essence of the scene.”

His love of painting on location also led to him being included in the 2017 Qingdao International Masters Watercolor Plein Air Event.

You can view his work at www.EvansenArtStudio.com.