Sunday, March 24, 2013

Charlotte Watts Fine Art Photographer


Charlotte Watts is one of the Peninsula's premiere fine art photographers. She is especially known for her wildlife photography for which she has won numerous awards. Last year Charlotte was honored to be chosen by Awagami Paper Company (making paper in Japan since 1700) to represent their handmade Bizan paper at Photokina, the world's  leading imaging fair. This fair occurs every 2 years in Cologne, Germany.

Watts has been using Awagami's Unryu 55 for nearly 3 years, and used it exclusively for her series of handmade scrolls "Farewell To Manzanar". You can see her review by going to :  http://www.awagami.com/aijp/review/03.html.

Additionally, Charlotte was one of 40 photographers chosen for Vermont's PhotoPlace Gallery "Birds: Real or Imagined", Jan 2-26, 2013.An exhibition catalog of this work was done and is available through Blurb Books.

The photographer has just returned from a trip to view the birds up in the Skagit Wildlife Reserve and environs. A record year for swans! 

Charlotte Watts

"Snow Geese Descending"
Visit Charlotte this year on the Sequim Arts Studio Tour. You can also view her work at www.charlottewatts.com.


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Janet Beers, Watercolor Artist


Janet Beers, Watercolorist, lives and works in Sequim, Washington. She credits local artists Robert Brown, Carol Janda and Melissa Penic as having been instrumental in strengthening her skills in watercolor. lIn addition she has studied with Tom Lynch in workshops on landscapes which she states have increased her boldness and confidence in using more vibrant colors.  However, it was George Zien and Kim Johnson of Phoenix, Arizona with steering her toward portraiture.

Janet describes her work:  "It is tremendously rewarding to watch a child or adult emerge as I recall their features re-create their likenesses in watercolor.  Pets are equally fun.  The last years have given me tremendous artistic pleasure while realizing the prior years of working with pastel, charcoal, pencil and ink were the base upon which this new experience has grown.  I will continue to strengthen my skills in portraiture while enjoying and exploring landscapes and still life"

Take a peek at Janet's development of a painting below:


"Rudy is slowly coming together on Arches 300# cold press watercolor paper.  I changed his hairline because has has gorgeous flowing white hair.  He gave me an "attitude" that made me smile.

Cadmium Red Light, Gamboge, and a touch of Cobalt Violet were used for skin tones, with touches of Cobalt Violet Deep and Alizarin Crimson for highlights and shadows.

I work at an easel, allowing the watercolors to move easily and often sit back and just let them course through the work.  When they move they create more excitement than I can with a brush."


"After spending hours studying different shots of the Victory motorcycle on a number of web sites, I just decided to go for it left lots of white paper, and used an unending supply of Cobalt, Sepia, Cobalt Violet Deep and Ultra Marine Deep.  

The background was a mixture of several greens, Cerulean, and Cobalt.  I tipped the painting upside down and let the colors flow on the dampened paper. " 





"After clean-up and trial-matting, he looked ready to roll, so I finished the horizon and called it complete."

Visit Janet on the Sequim Arts Studio Tour to see more of her work.






Sunday, March 10, 2013

Premiere Watercolor Painter George Zien will be featured on Studio Tour


A realist, George Zien is one of the Peninsula's most accomplished watercolor artists. A Phoenix resident for many years, George moved to Sequim, WA in 2001. 

His work has been displayed in galleries in Arizona, Washington and Colorado as well as in private shows in Arizona and California.  George's originals are included in private and public collections throughout the country.  Commissioned portraits of people and animals have occupied a great deal of his time but he also enjoys painting structures as well as landscapes.  

George's attendance at Scottsdale Artists’ School and participating in workshops has provided him with fuel to fire his imagination.  He has traveled in Italy and Canada seeking new and unusual subjects for his art.   George invites you to visit his website and to share it with friends.  He is a member of Sequim Arts & Northwest Watercolor Society and facilitates a life drawing group every Tuesday in his studio.  Each summer for the past four years he has taught a four day watercolor workshop with a fellow artist. 

George describes his work and art as a "form of communication". He says, "Although I tend to be a realist, I like a bit of mystery in paintings.  Most everything we see is art, and I find satisfaction using watercolors and paper to record images that are appealing.  Lights, and especially shadows, are intriguing and add dimension to my efforts.  Changes in my style are welcome as I evolve as an artist." 

George's work and studio can be visited on this year's tour. His work can also be viewed on his website at www.zienstudio.com. He may be reached at studiozien@aol.com and (360)5829622 or (360)461-2724. 


"Bison" by George Zien

"Herding" by George Zien