2017 A.R.T. Artist Anita K. Plucker to Hold Workshop - "Watercolor Basics for Beginning Adults"

 

Watercolor paintings ©Anita K. Plucker

Well known NW Iowa watercolor artist Anita K. Plucker will be conducting a workshop -  "Watercolor Basic for Beginning Adults" at Arts on Grand in Spencer, Iowa.  This workshop is geared for the person who has never painted with watercolors, however, the information and practice will also be valuable to the more experienced beginner.  Anita will focus on the basics in painting with watercolor and will guide participants step-by-step as they practice these basics and techniques together in a couple of different compositions.  

Available slots for the workshop are on the following dates and times:

March 16, 1-4 pm

March 17, 9-4

March 18, 9-4

For more information about the workshop -  call Arts on Grand at 712-262-4307 to pre-register and to get a supply list.  

Check back again soon for more on the artists of the 2017 Artisans Road Trip!

 

"COME TO MY WINDOW" - Solo Exhibit by Anita K. Plucker, 2014 Artisans Road Trip Artist!

"ONE WITH NATURE"

watercolor ©Anita K. Plucker

"COME TO MY WINDOW" is a new solo exhibit by Anita K Plucker!  The exhibit will be held at the Nobles County Art Center, 407 12th St. in Worthington, MN.
 

"FROM MY KAYAK - TRUMBULL  LAKE"

watercolor ©Anita K. Plucker

"This exhibit offers insight as to what matters to me....what is important to me....and what inspires me to create my watercolor paintings and colored pencil drawings,"states the artist.

"ADAPTATION - BULLFROG"

 watercolor ©Anita K. Plucker

"At the top of the list is nature, all forms of it. I am in awe of nature and am grateful for the wonder I feel for it. When I am immersed in it, the real me rises to the surface and life's chaos melts away..... for a while. Nature literally reveals and soothes my inner spirit. I especially love the peacefulness of being out on the water in my kayak. Usually with camera in hand, I am able to capture scenes of nature up close. For the last five years, these outings have led me to create a body of work titled, "From My Kayak"., focusing on the designs, the patterns and the textures created as nature and man play with the surface of the water. I find myself almost constantly looking at my world through an invisible viewfinder, studying and analyzing the light, the shadows, the composition, all of which triggers something inside me to consider what I am seeing as a painting or drawing."

Exhibit Opening & Artist's Reception: Sunday, June 1, 2-4 pm

Art Center hours are 2-4:30 weekdays.

2013 A.R.T. Artist Anita K. Plucker - Reflections: That Time, That Place

 

"Adaptation - Bullfrog"

color pencil drawing - ©Anita K. Plucker

 

From Terril, Iowa, Anita K. Plucker, nicknamed Katie, recently retired - finally enabling her to become a full-time artist and to continue her love to teach by conducting workshops throughout the Midwest.  Anita has been a popular art instructor for many art organizations, including the Amana Arts Guild, the Pearson Lakes Art Center, Arts on Grand, A Piece of Work, the Blanden and others.  She is a member of area arts councils and arts committees, a participant in the Artisans Road Trip event, is a member of the Transparent Watercolor Society, a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society and a charter member of the Colored Pencil Society of America.  

 

 

 "From my Kayak - Color on Minnewashta" 

watercolor painting -  ©Anita K. Plucker

Anita's watercolor paintings and colored pencil drawings reflect her life in the upper Midwest - rural landscapes. waterscapes, architecture indicative to this area. Currently her inspiration and focus for her work are the designs, the patterning created as nature and man play with the surface of the land and water. The bulk of her work has been created from photos taken while kayaking, one of her favorite ways to get up close with nature. Anita's approach to her artwork is realistic and her style ranges from loose flowing brushstrokes to tightly controlled detail. She looks for spatial relationship with the subject matter and loves to simulate surface texture.

 

"My Ducks In A Row"

 watercolor painting -  ©Anita K. Plucker

The Pearson Lakes Art Center will exhibit her work, titled Reflections: That Time, That Place, October 24th through December 31st, in the Weaver Lobby and McIlrath Landing Galleries of the center. Meet the artist at the Opening Reception, Thursday, October 24, 5-7 p.m., with an Artist Talk at 6 p.m. 

 

2013 Artisans Road Trip Artist Linda Fries

 watercolor painting

©Linda Fries

This visit to the 2013 Artisans Road Trip posting brings us a few words of insight to the medium of watercolor from watercolor painter Linda Fries-

In music, relationships, and art it has always been the blend. That harmony of elements. The fun of it as it comes together to complete everything. 

Watercolor seems best mixed. Often as another tint is added to a color, even you are surprised as you did it. A mind of it's own. Never dull. We think we know what we want on that sheet of 300 wt unyielding space on the easel, then it changes plans, taking us into parts unknown. How can anyone not love the trip! We put the stroke there, yes and miss the mark too often, but watercolor even corrects that....for the most part....we hope.
 
I consider myself a painter, not an artist. Obviously it 's hard to take it seriously when it's this entertaining. Maybe some day. Maybe not.
 
The trees. Joyce Kilmer writes: ".....only God can make a tree.". Then I have to paint it.
 
- Linda Fries

Thank you Linda!  And thank you for stopping by, please check back again for more about artists from the 2013 Artisans Road Trip!

2011 Artisans Road Trip Artist - Barb McGee

This Artisans Road Trip spot light is on artist Barb McGee!  Barb works from her studio and gallery in Peterson, Iowa.  Barb is going to give us a little insight into her selective process in working with a painting.

"For me starting a new painting means finding the perfect photograph or in some cases many photo's.  For my current painting it was a matter of reduction.  At my opening reception at A Piece Of Work in Spirit Lake I stated that I wanted to paint a white shirt.  Now I am not at all sure why a cowboy would want to wear a white shirt but some of them really do.

Last year my husband Don and I went to a ranch in South Dakota for a branding.  I took over a thousand pictures.  I knew I had at least one guy in a white shirt so I started looking to figure out which photo had the most potential.

These are the best ones I had to pick from.  They are very involved photos that are going to make very involved paintings.  My idea of an ideal painting is simple and in your face.  I like to crop and simplify so it was an easy choice for me.  The next step is to examine my choice and see if I can make it better.  I went through several croppings until I found the one I liked best.

Good

Better

Better, but still too much noise under the horses head

Ah Ha, now that is what I wanted :-)  I have my white shirt & ropes and saddle and even a hat, what more could I want????  It doesn't seem to bother me that my cowboy has no head, what do you think of the headless horseman?  Maybe it has something to do with living on Sleepy Hollow Road :-)"

 Watercolor Painting ©Barb McGee

And here is Barb's finished painting!

Stop by again for more interesting artists from the 2011 Artisans Road Trip!