Florance O'Neil
1304 5th Avenue E
Kalispell, MT  59901
Tel(406)- 756-3107
 herennow@digisys.net

 Creative endeavors have been important to me throughout my life. As a result, I have participated in and explored many forms of creative expression.  In 2001, a series of events came together creating the opportunity for me to explore a long held desire to learn watercolor painting. It is a fascinating medium. Its vibrant color and transparency make it both versatile and complex. My greatest desire is to constantly discover ways to translate my inner experience of the outer world.

I live in a small town in northwestern Montana and was fortunate to experience two very talented teachers there: Karen Leigh of Kalispell, MT and Ted Nuttall of Phoenix, AZ. With Karen, I was able to learn some of the basics of watercolor, to explore the medium and its wondrous and challenging qualities. With Ted, I was able to approach my most desired subject…people.

People are an endlessly fascinating and demanding subject. Their ever-changing facial expression and physical gestures are so expressive of life and they are a constant artistic challenge to capture.


"Coaxing the Stock Pin"
131/2"x101/2"

“Coaxing the Stock Pin" was a fun picture capturing a moment in time. While wandering around the barns at a big horse trial, I happened to catch this young woman preparing for her stadium competition. She struggled unsuccessfully to pin her stock and then her friend came over. As her friend tried to coax the dull pin, the young rider mumbled, ..... “that’s why you’re supposed to sharpen these things.”

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"Alki Beach"
14"x221/2" 
    

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"Reclining Nude"
11"x15"        

“Alki Beach” was done from a photo I took while walking on the beach early one morning. It was a beautiful day and when I look at this painting I am reminded of a lovely trip we took to Seattle, the fresh ocean air, sunshine, and the feeling of bare feet in warm sand.

 

"The “Reclining Nude” was one in a series of paintings I did of a woman in the second and third trimesters of her pregnancy. Although initially intimidated I later decided it was easier to paint people with their clothes off than on

My vignette of “The Student” was done from a photo of a group of students in Ted Nuttall’s workshop. I picked her out of a photo cluttered with people because I loved the shapes created by her posture and the light falling on the front of her body.

 

In my gallery, you will find my second picture in a series titled “Sunday Morning at Sykes”. Sykes is a local tradition in Kalispell. It is a small family owned grocery, pharmacy and restaurant that has been there forever. “The Sunday Paper” was done from a photo I took of an early morning diner sifting at the counter reading his paper. I loved the way I captured the light reflecting off his head and his absorption in the news.

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"The Student"
     11"x15"

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"Sunday Morning 
      at Sykes" 
       26"x30"
 
Exhibitions and Awards

Museum Exhibitions
     The Hockaday Museum
          Montana Watercolor Society Show 
          "Water Works" Juried Members Only Show

National Exhibitions
     2003 MTWS National Show "Watermedia"
          Juror: Carole Barnes
          Merchandise Award

     2002 MTWS National Show "Watermedia"
          Juror: Diane Maxey
          Merchandise Award

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