Tag Archives: Transparent Watercolor

Members Meeting and Demonstration by Andy Evansen! Oh Boy!!

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. 

 

Following a brief Members Meeting we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by Illinois watercolor artist Tom Francesconi. This will be a Zoom event, at 4 pm, on Thursday, February 16th. A Zoom link will be sent by email to all NFWS Members on the Monday before the Thursday afternoon Meeting.

Here is a link to the event page for Tom Francesconi’s 4 pm demonstration:

February 16th Members Meeting and Demonstration by Tom Francesconi

Mary Whyte Workshop The Best of Portrait and Figure in Watercolor

 

We hope everyone who took part in the workshop left exhausted and inspired, and from what we hear that is the case!. Here are some photos from Michele Patti Kasimor and Jennifer koury.

This in-person workshop was held in the spacious sanctuary of the lovely Marienthal Inn, nestled in the rolling picturesque hills of Western New York. For those wishing to stay overnight, the inn offers comfort- able accomodations. Breakfast was included with booking. Stay is separate from the workshop fee. Gourmet deli- cacies – No need to travel. Niagara Falls or Letchworth Park, the Grand Canyon of the East, are 55 minutes driving.

The Best of Portrait and Figure in Watercolor with Mary Whyte will cover all aspects of drawing the figure, mixing flesh tones with watercolor pigments, getting a likeness, creating dynamic compositions, correcting mistakes and creating paintings with emotions. Mary’s round table discussion includes tips on marketing your work with a personal Q and A time, including framing applications.

NFWS Workshop Marienthal Country Inn
5107 Langford Road North Collins, NY 14111
716 – 337 – 0160 marienthalcountryinn.com
May 19 – May 21, 2023
9:00 AM – 4 PM
NFWS Members $750 (US Funds) Nonmembers $800 (US Funds)
Email questions to Jennifer: jennifer@jenniferKouryart.com

 

 

Members February 16, 2023 Zoom Meeting and Demonstration by Tom Francesconi at 4 pm!

Following a brief Members Meeting we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by Illinois watercolor artist Tom Francesconi. This will be a Zoom event, held at  4 pm  on Thursday, February 16th. A Zoom link will be sent by email to all NFWS Members on the Monday before the Thursday evening Meeting. 

ARTIST’S STATEMENT 

My paintings are a visual statement of my love for life. Yet, it is not only the world around me with which I am put in touch, but also the world inside of me. As an artist, I have chosen to express myself through the language of paint. Stirred emotions are the essential beginnings of that language. It is my hope that my paintings will echo that emotional response and the viewer will share in my spirited statements. 

Tom Francesconi, aws, nws, twsa (master) 

Tom Francesconi studied watercolor at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. His paintings have been exhibited in many national exhibitions, which include the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and the 2015 Shenzhen, China International Biennial Exhibition. In 2020, Tom’s painting was selected for inclusion in the NWS: 100 Years Exhibition. He has earned signature membership in numerous watercolor societies, including the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, Rocky Mountain National Watermedia and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, of which he has been honored with ‘Master’ status. Tom has served as president of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Currently, Tom is the executive director of the Illinois Watercolor Society.His work has been published in eight books on American Watercolor. Tom has written articles for Watercolor Artist, Watercolor Magic and Watercolor magazines. 

Tom’s paintings have received many awards in regional and national exhibitions, including the 1st Place Award at the 2011 Watercolor West Exhibition, 3rd Place Awards at the 2019 Houston International Watermedia Exhibition and the 2019 Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition. Tom received an Honorable Mention Award for his painting, “Unleashed”, published in The Best of Watercolor: Winners From the 22nd Annual Splash Competition, June 2021. Tom received the Gordon and Mildred Memorial Award at the 2023 Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors. 

Tom’s paintings are held in the corporate collections of Inland Real Estate Corporation, Oakbrook, IL, CNA Insurance Company, Chicago, IL, Paige Bus Enterprises, Chicago, IL and Morgan Stanley Financial Services Company, Chicago, IL and in many private collections throughout the United States. Along with his weekly classes in Chicago, Tom has conducted watercolor workshops throughout the United States, Canada, France, Italy and Croatia. 

www.tomfrancesconi.com 

 

 

Members Meeting and Demonstration by Graham Berry, Thursday, January 19th at 4 pm.

After a brief Members’ Meeting NFWS will be treated to a demonstration by British Watercolor Artist Graham Berry

Graham Berry Artist statement.

“My paintings are inspired by the effect of light and shadow on our environment, creating dynamic shapes and colours, I especially enjoy painting people going about their everyday lives and I hope to inspire you to see future paintings everywhere you look.

In this demo I will show you how I simplify scenes, to see things just as shapes and colours, eliminate unnecessarydetail and take the fear out of painting people.Share with you my passion for watercolour painting and to pass on the knowledge and skills gained from over 40 years as a professional Illustrator and Artist. At the end of the  2 hour demo i will have a completed paintingthat will inspire you and give you confidence to put people in your own paintings.

Happy painting.”

About me.

   I studied Graphic Design at Blackpool College of Art, and later studied Illustration at Wimbledon College of Art. After graduating in 1971 I was employed as the Illustrator at a small design studio in Soho, London and has gone on to have a very successful illustration career.
  I’ve had to move with the times and all my commercial illustration is now done digitally. It was this fact and the downturn in the economy  in 2010 that allowed me time to concentrate on watercolour painting. I’ve only recently began to consider myself a painter, although I’ve drawn and painted most days for the past 40+ years it was as an illustrator, any painting I did in my spare time was done to promote my illustration career. It as only been since my illustration work was now 100% digital that I could see myself as a fine artist. So I only consider I started my career as a painter 5 or 6 years ago. I finally retired from illustration in early 2017 and now concentrate fully on painting and teaching. I have recently had a studio built in my garden, from where I will teach workshops to small group of students ( 4 max ), there will be lots of one to one tuition. 

  My paintings are inspired by the effect of light and shadow on our environment, creating dynamic shapes and colours, I especially enjoy painting people going about their everyday lives. My experience working as an Illustrator has refined my drawing ability that is the foundation to my work, I believe the ability to draw is fundamental to my painting. I’m always on the look out for images that will make interesting paintings, I try to take my camera with me at all times just in case I see something that appeals. At other times I will go to a specific place or event with the intention of getting material for painting, usually I will do a number of paintings from those photos or sketches, at the moment most of my paintings are studio based.

  After years working as an illustrator, with the restrictions of working to a brief, it feels great to be painting for myself and when a painting is not going as I would like I now have the freedom to rip it up and start afresh. Somedays you feel you’ll never paint anything decent but you’ve just got to work through it, every painting you produce adds to your knowledge of what works or doesn’t work. Painting with watercolour is never easy and every painting provides a fresh challenge, it’s a very exciting medium to work with and when a painting turns out as you would like it’s very satisfying.

  Over the last couple of years I have given demos and workshops to various Art Groups in the UK and in the summers of 2015 & 2016 I taught a 3 day workshops in the South of France for Rochemaure Aquarelle.

 In the spring of 2017 I together with my wife Pauline embarked on a watercolour workshop tour of the USA & Canada. I taught 9 workshops in 9 weeks, three 2 day, five 3 day and one 4 day, a total of 25 days, a lot of preparation! The workshop tour began in Illinois and then on to Texas, South Carolina, Arkansas, Maryland, Edmonton ( Canada ), California and finally Panama City, Florida.

 It was not all work and we did manage to visit some iconic destinations, Dallas, Memphis, New York and San Francisco, it really was a brilliant experience, so much so that we are planning a return workshop tour in 2019!

 

November Zoom Members Meeting and Demonstration by Gord Jones

A Zoom Event, Thursday, November 17, 2022, 7 – 9 pm.

After a brief Members Meeting we will welcome Gord Jones from Algonquin Highlands in Ontario, Canada. (We will send a link to this Zoom event to all members on the Monday before the event.) Join us for an evening of inspiration.

You can see Gord’s demonstration, as recorded, on our Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society YouTube Channel!

Gord is a watercolour artist residing in the Algonquin Highlands where he has his studio, White Pine Studio. He and his family moved from Stoney Creek after cottaging in Hali- burton for 25 years.

Gord is an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters of Watercolour and the Society of Canadian Artists. He is also a member of the ECOAA, IWS, Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, Haliburton Arts Council, and The Rail’s End Gallery in Haliburton. He has participated in the Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands for the past 3 years.

Gord has been drawing and painting for over 35 years. After experiencing many different mediums such as oils, acrylics, even egg tempera, he always returned to his greatest love – transparent watercolour. He is inspired by the surrounding landscape. The scenery in Haliburton has been a great source of inspiration for most of his paintings. His approach is to interpret the essence of his chosen subject rather than producing detailed likenesses of actual places. Watercolour allows Gord to transfer the light and shadow that he photo- graphs in real life to the painting. With a fluidity of colours, Gord combines impressionistic strokes and semi-abstract techniques to elicit memories of place and time in his transpar- ent watercolour landscapes. He paints mainly landscapes, cityscapes, and industrial scenes.

Gord teaches watercolour painting in his studio and at The Haliburton School of Art & De- sign. He also does workshops for art groups throughout Ontario.

www.watercoloursbygordjones.com

         

September 15, 2022 In Person Members Meeting and Demonstration! Sheila Reigh will be our artist demonstrator!

After a brief Members Meeting, we will have our in person demonstration by local artist and beloved teacher, Sheila Reigh.

Sheila Reigh, a WNY native residing in Tonawanda, first joined NFWS in 2007, and is a signature member and former NFWS Secretary.  She has BAs in Elem Ed and Psych, graduating 1st in her class from Mercyhurst University in 1981.  After 12 years of formal school teaching in grades K-8 and H.S. English; and then part-time medical transcriptionist, proofreader, calligraphy teacher, and summer camp art director; she made the switch to full-time self-employment as a professional face painter, artist, and art teacher. She currently teaches watercolor and drawing at the Tonawanda Senior Center, accepts several commissioned projects in various art media each year, and is a premiere face painter at many private and public events in WNY.

“After studying artistic concepts such as composition, perspective, color theory, and realism for several years at Partners in Art in North Tonawanda and elsewhere, I wanted to try a more challenging and surprising medium. So I dove into watercolor!  Under mentors Gail Bille, Jody Ziehm, Margaret Martin, Kathleen Giles, and many others, I have found joy in the fact that I can never duplicate the same result twice.  I love that watercolor can take ME for a ride!”

“I love the surprising blends of colors, the dramatic whites and darks, creating color harmony and balance, and even the challenges of ‘timing’ and ‘how-much-water-how-much-paint’.  In my ‘teacher brain’, I am always striving to better  break down into steps and explain, this wonderful world of watercolor to others.  I continually improve my curriculum so it works best for my students. I love painting from nature best, but I paint many subjects so as to give myself and my students experience with a wide range of forms, color palettes, and textures.  It’s so rewarding to find that all those art concepts finally DO merge together to create a whole, no matter what medium I am working in.  No telling what I will paint next!

We will be together again after a summer break, and what a treat to host Sheila Reigh!

Come and enjoy!

 

March 17th Members Meeting and Demonstration by Kris Parins!

After a brief Members Meeting, Kris Parins will be our artist demonstrator, joining us from Sarasota, Florida.

Delight in nature was instilled in Kris in her childhood, spent at the edge of a lake in northern Wisconsin. That same small lake now provides the view and inspiration from the windows of her summer studio. She spends winters painting in Sarasota, Florida.

A Signature Member of several watercolor societies including AWS, NWS and TWSA, Kris Parins’ award-winning paintings and articles have been featured in Watercolor Artist, International Artist, and American Artist Watercolor magazines, as well as several editions of Splash, the Best of Watercolor. Her work is regularly included in international competitions including Birds in Art at the Woodson Art Museum.

After earning an art degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison she studied graphic design. As an art director and account executive, she enjoyed the occasional opportunity to create watercolor illustrations for her clients’ product graphics. Since 1999, Kris has devoted her creative energy toward fine art. Watercolor’s transparency and vibrancy, combined with an element of surprise, continue to keep her interested in this challenging medium. Frequent travels provide fresh input and continue to inform her way of interpreting the world around her. 

Kris Parins – Artist Statement:

Through my art I strive to communicate my joy of experience, both of observation and of creation. When I succeed, the person who views one of my paintings will see a small part of the world in a new light.

By exaggerating essentials and eliminating detail in my reference photos and sketches, I call attention to the ideas that interest me, resulting in paintings that are more powerful, abstract, and personal.

I continue to love transparent watercolor because I am energized by the randomness and spontaneity it provides. The swirl of color mixing on the paper creates its own nuanced atmosphere and inspires a conversation with the medium, often suggesting new directions.