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.

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

Sequim Elks inspire Artist

Susan Gansert Shaw finds her inspiration, as do many of the artists on the Peninsula in the beauty and wildlife that surrounds her. “Much  of my recent work  reflects the shapes, light and colors of the landscape and are done on paper using pastel, watercolor and graphite.  The vastness of the sky, the openness of the fields and the horizon line that reaches forever is a never ending source of inspiration.”   

Susan creates, plays and laughs in a variety of mediums and styles.  Her love of color and passion for light are surpassed only by her vitality and good energy.  Her latest pieces including “ Pussy's for Peace” and “ A Roosevelt Decision” encompass attitude and humor - the very nature of the subject.  Some have social undertones. Some are political and some just are. Enjoy!

"A Roosevelt Decision", Mixed Media

“Pussy's for Peace” , Mixed Media

Susan was raised and schooled in upstate New York where she received her BFA from Syracuse University. She later found herself and her art flourishing in the coastal town of Forks where she lived for thirty years before moving to Sequim. “The move from the “west end” to the north peninsula area was not an easy transition for me, but as I breathed into the north coast of the  Olympic Peninsula and our Rock Hollow” I find myself totally home with the  light, the uniqueness of the land shapes and the horizon line that appears everywhere.”

Susan‘s studio is also home to her “White Woman Susu Sticks, specialty cards, “Cat Guru’s Meditation Guide for Children of all Ages” and the famous Cat Guru Meditation apron! 

The artist is now concentrating exclusively on the fulfillment of her personal goals of peace, love and laughter which naturally include artistic endeavors.   Susan’s studio is open year round, “by appointment or luck”! Come see her on the Sequim Arts Studio Tour!

Susan Gansert Shaw in her studio

Catherine Mix, Pastelist Extraordinaire!

Catherine Mix

Catherine is our most recent addition to the Sequim Arts Studio Tour and is also this year's Tour Director. 

As a pastelist, I can truly appreciate Catherine's fine pastels. This artist brings a strong color sense as well as a love of the beautiful Olympic Peninsula which has been a source of inspiration for her lovely landscapes. Caherine paints a wide variety of subjects from landscapes to figures and still life and also works in watercolor. She has an incredible studio located on her property surrounded by beautiful flowers and gardens. Catherine would love to have your visit her in her studio this summer during the tour.

I'll be posting more about Catherine and the other tour artists as we draw closer to the tour dates. Here's a note from the artist.

"Blue Pumpkin"

"This 5" x 7" painting took about 6 hours start to finish and I created it especially for our upcoming Sequim Arts Small Works Show which opens at the Museum and Art Center beginning on December 5th. I hope you get a chance to come to the show!!"

"From 1968-1972 I pursued a degree in fine metals at the University of Washington. For several years I continued forging and forming silver, gold and copper and making fine jewelry with cloisonné enameling on sterling silver.

"In 1995 I began studying watercolor in workshops with Cathe Gill and Judith McNea who also introduced me to pastel painting.

"These days, I paint in both watercolor and pastel. It is my goal to capture a singularly beautiful moment in time, such as dramatic sunlight illuminating the vast vistas of North Olympic Peninsula.  I paint to revel in color and texture,  for the satisfaction of solving a complex problem, for joy of creating an original work of art.

"I hope you enjoy my work; you can read my complete biography and see more of my work at www.catherinemix.com"