Mara Farnsworth
Mara Farnworth
Art has always played an important role in my life. A BFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design began my journey and love of art. I only became seriously involved with watercolor after moving to Santa Rosa in 1988. I was enthralled with the beautiful landscapes all around me and wanted to learn to interpret them in watercolor. Thus began a series of classes at SRJC under Marsha Connell, augmented by workshops with Barbara Nechis, Katherine Fell, Judy Greenberg, Sylvia Miller, Jan Kunz, Jane Hofstetter, Pat Deadman, Tony Couch and Nessa Grainger.
The longer I work with watercolor, the more intrigued I become with the medium. Every painting is a new discovery of some technique or effect that I had not achieved before. The transparency and lightness that is unique to watercolor and the surprises that result from letting colors run together make this a fascinating medium for me.
My moods dictate the way I express myself in my paintings. Often I am quite happy trying to capture a landscape or still-life realistically, as I see it. I love to paint flowers in all their glory and color. I concentrate on creating an interesting composition. At other times I work quickly on a wet surface, laying down colors, watching how they interact, scratching, scrapping, splattering or laying objects on the wet surface to see what will emerge. It is a challenge to arrive at an image or pleasing composition.
My paintings have been accepted in numerous juried exhibits in the North Bay. I have won many awards and recognition at most exhibits entered. I received “Best of Show” in the 2008 Aqua Areas juried watercolor exhibit. My paintings are in many private collections in the North Bay, So. California, Oregon, the Midwest, England and Latvia.
I have been a member of WASCO (Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County) since 1995.
Contact Mara:
36 Westgate Circle
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Phone: (707) 527-8269…
Kathy Byrne
I began my fascination with watercolors by working with children for 26 years as a pre-school teacher. I enjoyed watching them explore the many different materials that were offered to them. This inspired me to begin my own exploration and relationship with watercolors. I have shown at many venues throughout Sonoma County and Marin County as well as taking part in many outdoor shows during the summer months. I am a member of several art organizations and have entered and received many awards in juried shows. I earned my Signature Membership in the California Watercolor Association (CWA) in 2015.
I love the challenge, difficulty of the medium and exploring new ways to use watercolor.
Kathy Byrne received 3rd Place for her painting “Rusty Wheels” in the California Watercolor Associationʼs juried member show this April.…
Susan J. Berg
An award-winning Northern California artist, Susan’s passion for the outdoors and love of wildlife is the inspiration for her paintings. Sonoma County’s diverse culture and surrounding forests, vineyards, coastline, and pasturelands offer her abundant subject matter. “Nature’s moods are limitless… constantly changing interplay of light and shadow, atmosphere, color and reflection. By the very nature of watercolor’s vibrant translucent pigments, my artwork is a personal interpretation of sound, smell and sense. I find myself looking for ‘the painting’ in every watery pond, every cloud pattern, every shadowy doorway, and every colorful season. I strive to draw the viewer into a painting by creating an intriguing ‘story’ with subtle passageways that invite entry and allow the mind to roam and experience the freedom of personal interpretation.”
The Medium: The use of water itself induces feelings of calm and meditation. “The nature of watercolor is to “float” and then settle…the trick is to relax and let the pigment flow from the brush.” Layers of rich color allowed to dry between layers create the much-desired glazing effect which produces luscious, juicy, translucent depth in glowing colors which seem to vibrate from the surface of the heavy rag papers. Years of watercolor instruction and class work have enhanced the evolution of her unique style. Susan has had the opportunity to study with several premier watercolorists, including Pat Kurtz, Holly Downing, Sylvia Miller and master Chinese Watercolorist Lian Zhen.
Major Awards and Accomplishments: Marin County Humane Society Award for Outstanding Art Interpretation (tempera) –All Schools
Kona Coffee Company sign board design winner (wood carving and acrylic) Kona, Hawaii 1965
Moon’s Gallery One Woman Show, Plumas County (watercolor – sold out) 1988
Best of Medium, Sonoma County Harvest Fair (watercolor) 1996
1st Place, Amateur, Sonoma County Fair (watercolor) 1997
1st Place, Sonoma County Harvest Festival (watercolor) 1998
People’s Choice Award, Aqua Areas Watercolor Show, 2000
“Painting simply fills me up with imagination and joy and brings expression, emotion and balance into my life.”…
Our 2020 Workshop
Alcohol Inks with Rhea Schnurman
June 16 & 17
Mail check or money order to:
WASCO
PO Box 269
Windsor, CA 95492
Be sure to include your contact information.
Deadline:TBA
Please contact Diana Liebe at dianaliebe03@yahoo.com
or call 707-245-7512
Location:
Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center
2050 Yulupa Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Darla Bostick Workshop
October 26 -29…