What motivates you to create a watercolor painting?  Are there specific subjects you enjoy painting?  Here is my artist story. As a realistic Watercolorist, I create paintings of wildlife and landscapes found across our diverse country. Recently, I was asked if the subject matter chooses me or the other way around. As I create paintings the subject matter always chooses me!  Here is an example. In 2017, while tent camping at Yellowstone National Park, a herd of Cow Elk and young Elk traveled through our campground. I immediately started photographing the Elks’ interactions and beautiful evening light. In my mind, I was creating future paintings, watching specific Elk behavior and their story.  I observed one young Elk, whose Cow Elk traveled quickly through our campground. The young Elk was busy grazing, not paying attention. As the young Elk looked up, it appeared to be bewildered.  My motivation to tell this Elk’s story was identified. I titled my future watercolor painting, “Where did you go?” When completed, I will post this painting on my artist website:  www.deenajharkinsart.com.  As visual artists, we have an important role, we capture a special moment or record a visual story that can be shared with future generations.

Deena J. Harkins, M.Ed. & B.F.A, Watercolorist
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I like to try to capture some of the beauty of the natural world around us in my watercolors.  It might be a cascading mountain stream, or the quiet atmosphere of the forest. 

I grew up in the east, and spent part of my childhood summers fishing and hiking in the mountains of New England.  While serving as pastor of churches in Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana, I have used my art in conjunction with my ministry.  One way I have done that is to illustrate children’s sermons.

I began drawing at an early age, then received training at the American Academy of Art in Chicago.  From that point on I became more focused on artwork, finding watercolor to be one of my favorite media.  Teaching classes in both drawing and watercolor has helped me keep sharpening my own skills. 

My wife, Joyce, and I lived for a number of years in Helena, and now our home is Bozeman.  It has always been an encouragement for me to meet and learn from other artists, including such contacts as I have had through the MTWS.
 
Jim Howard Email: jimandjoycehoward@gmail.com

New Background Art by Andy White

Andy’s journey brought him full circle, back home to Montana seven years ago.  Since leaving Montana for family and career reasons Andy has lived in six other states including Idaho, Wyoming and New Mexico – all of which are fine places, but he had forgotten how inviting Montana is.  Inviting landscapes, inviting people, inviting waters, inviting places for artists!  So coming home was special. 

For Andy, artwork has been a common thread in this journey called life and he tries to convey the thrill of coming home in his brushwork.  Anybody who finds themselves where they truly love to be wants to share that. 

From Andy:  This particular painting is of a Glacier Lily in Glacier National Park.  I painted it for my daughter who not only wanted real flowers at every table of her wedding reception, but paintings of flowers, too!  I thought it was a great idea and because I had a deadline and so many paintings to do there is a quick and loose feeling to this painting I like.
Andy White  flyingadecoys@yahoo.com

Surely some folks must like roosters, but I hate them. And I don't use that strong word lightly in regard to those cocksure cock-a-doodlers with their beady-eyed bravado, over-sized machismo, and creepy feet. However, I'm having so much fun painting pictures of roosters that I may yet find a place in my heart for them.

From my perspective, anything goes: tail feathers of schnazzy violet and cerulean, 5-star epaulets of bronze and gold, gaudy combs of crimson and alizarin, high stepping struts, mincing side-passes, and full-throttle sprints . . . so many juiced up possibilities that my  head spins just thinking about them. In fact, I've arrived at names for paintings that I've only begun to visualize: "Rooster Tango, " "Rooster in Drag," "Rooster Masquerade" to list but a few.
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This flamboyant deviation from my usual sober subject matter is a result of the MT Watercolor Society workshop that I attended in early October with Bev Jozwiak. I played catch-up during all four days, always one project behind Bev's demonstrations, but I was determined to complete each one of her challenges, even if I had to do so at home. In my first effort to take rooster extravagance over the top—"Two Steppin' Rooster"—I underpainted gold metallic gesso here and there. Wowzers! It looked like gold leaf, without any of leaf's tedium and expense. Like a gateway drug, my two-stepper demanded a second dose. "Rooster Steppin' Out," is the consequence. I hesitate to 'fess up, but it's true—roosters are pushing me to lighten up and revel in more splash, even as they energize my hours and brighten our grey November days.
​
Margaret Eller  margareteller415@gmail.com 
prairieislandellers.weebly.com 

How to use your art to promote your work and delight your friends and family!

I know I am usually late to the party but with the holidays coming up, I felt this was a good time to bring back the subject of using your own artwork in promotional materials...whether it be a business card you hand out, a postcard you send to promote an opening, or greeting cards you send to special people. Many artists I know print their artwork on note-cards, etc. themselves but since I am quality printer challenged, I usually resort to a professional printing service.

I did a little research on some online companies (Of which there are many!) and I came back to a service I have used several times.
Staples Printing Center https://www.staples.com/sbd/content/copyandprint/index.html
I feel the quality is nice, they are quick and reasonably priced and the best part for me is I can upload the photos of my work and pay a few extra dollars and have delivered to my house.

I can then do some collage and embellishment if I want to personalize the cards in any way,

Another fun service I found personalizes postage stamps using your photos. I have created special greeting cards to be given as a gift with the same art used in a set of matching postage stamps.
https://store.stamps.com/Store/catalog/photostamps_product.jsp?id=prod10094

And of course there are many service that let you use your artwork on a variety of interesting products such as books of prints of your photos, t-shirts or even coffee mugs. I have used Walgreens print center for a few of these items and again it is the convenience of doing most of the set-up work online. https://photo.walgreens.com/store/welcome
They also have a quick turnaround time for that last minute shopping??? And weekly coupons and discounts for orders of multiples.

I did check out the following company but have not used their products yet. The prices are higher but it looks like you could have some of your work printed on nice quality canvas reproductions. What a nice gift for someone very special.
https://fineartamerica.com/custom/create-custom-greeting-cards

Of course none of these can ever compete with sharing your original artwork but can be a nice way to 'share' pieces of your talent with others!

Working on adding the photos from Watermedia 2018 which just ended last week.  As always I am continually entertained and awed by the talent of the artists that enter our show.  It is a HUGE amount of work for the few dedicated MTWS members to put on our annual international show and I am so grateful for their commitment to making the show such a classy event.

Soooooo, I want to invite anyone who may read this blog to think about jumping in and participating with MTWS and helping us keep the quality of our organization at the level it has enjoyed for so many years...

And don't forget to give a big THANKS to the MTWS Officers and Committee Chairman and they continue to keep MTWS progressive and up to date!

Mucking about the web...

​Lots of trials and tribulations seem to be the hallmark of being an amateur web designer...however I am learning much as I go.  I cannot promise that there will be tons of blog posts as it seems to not be one of my better activities...

I continually journal but I am still inclined to do it the good old fashioned way with a pen or pencil in my hand.  I feel strongly that the society needs a web presence but I am certain that it will take more than my occasional ramblings ad updates to make it what our members wish to present!

This is truly a "takes a village" project...join me?
Vickie Lynn Johnson
​Web Editor

Remembering Our Friend Chris​

Sky Writer by Chris Twardowski  Watermedia 2017