Capturing the essence of the high desert work by artists Helen Brown, Hyon Fielding, Charlene Gerrish and Chris Keylock Williams on exhibit through June 24.
Fielding shows scenes, often rendered Plein Aire, of the rivers and high desert surrounding her Fossil home. Fascinated by light and its reflection on objects, her watercolors depict the brilliance of high altitude light in clear desert air. The artwork communicates her strong emotional response, noted by viewers, to the beauty and solitude of her environment.
A native of South Korea, the artist painted as a child, winning many awards. Her excellence attracted the U.S. Army that employed her as an artist in Seoul for four years. Moving to the U.S. in 1979 and occupied with family, she resumed painting in ‘92 after moving to the John Day area.
A member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon (WSO), her work appeared in the 2011 Transparent Watercolor Exhibition at Sunriver Lodge. She appeared in the 2010 National Watercolor Society’s (NWS) 90th Annual Open and in the WSO Aqueous Media Show with Juror Stephen Quiller awarding her an Award of Distinction, and winning the People’s Choice Award.
Gerrish, former resident of Crosswater, presents images painted from her life experiences. Returning to Central Oregon for the first exhibition since her move, she shows scenes from Oregon roundups, downtown Portland, brief glimpses from her current Southern CA life, and popular animal images from her travels. Her diverse subjects reflect her myriad interests.
The artist cuts 40” or greater lengths from a roll of Arches paper, then paints with watercolor and brushes, adding limited airbrushed color for texture. Using frisket to save whites, she chooses many vivid staining colors – permanent rose, quinadone gold, cadmium red, cobalt and others – building many layers from light to dark. The artist often crops full images and skillfully exaggerates close detail to add interest.
Gerrish, a signature member of the NWS and Watercolor West (WW), received numerous awards including the Audubon Artists’ Philip Isenberg Award (NYC), Emerging Artist Award (WW) and People’s Choice Award (SDWS). Watercolor Artist magazine (April 2012) published her water images and her Steam’n the Roundhouse from the Best of Watercolor competition will appear in Splash 14: Light and Color.
Brown, Sunriver resident, presents watercolor batiks with subjects taken from the area. Her art frequently appears in WSO and NWS exhibitions, winning awards in both. The artist, signature member in the NWS, served as co-chair of the 2011 WSO Fall Convention and Exhibition at Sunriver Resort.
Part-time Sunriver resident, Keylock Williams presents expressionistic images of Central Oregon. One of the Northwest’s most recognized watercolor artists, her images appeared in Watercolor Expressions, Best of Flower Painting I & II and Better Homes and Gardens. She is a signature member and award winner in the NWS and a past president of the WSO.
The artists will discuss their art during the May reception with complimentary light appetizers and wine. The public is invited to the reception and to the exhibition open during Lodge hours.
Billye Turner, art consultant (541-382-9398), coordinates the Sunriver exhibition schedule that includes a July exhibition, In Full Bloom, with Natasha Bacca, Annie Ferder, Joanne Donaca and Mike Kelly.