The artists in the photo include (standing in back left to right): Judy Caruthers, Marion Ellson, Marielle Ramsey, Marsha Lisle, Diane Walenda; Seated: Susan Gleason, Nancy Phipps
Marianne Graff
Not so very long ago, Marielle Ramsey was looking around our arts community for a group that would inspire and energize her for watercolor projects, grow in techniques and ideas and share her experiences with others in a friendly, supportive environment. Having no success in her search, Marielle, happily for all of us, decided to form her own gathering of like-minded artists into the PebbleCreek Watercolor Critique Group and proceeded to host this assembly in her home. Members of the newly formed group, in turn, express their support for her enterprise: they discover as well the motivation to paint more, to develop new ideas and to share their painting experiences with others.
First, some members say that they benefit from sharing news about products used by others. For example: at one meeting a drafting tool, called a Ruling Pen used to apply masking fluid was described; at another time using a certain wax material, called Dorland Wax Medium, was proposed as one alternative to glass and mats for finishing a painting and on another occasion, attending members discussed successful approaches to white space, color mixing and the properties of various brands of watercolor paint.
Second, members enjoy having an encouraging space to show their work in various stages of completion. Positive critiquing provides the artists with new ways to approach their work with ongoing challenges of composition, color choices or values. In addition, participants in this group can see how others have learned to solve problems related to watercolor: humidity, water flow, saving white spaces and much more. The work brought by artists includes not only their own projects, but also the results of challenges proposed by Marielle or others; perhaps developing a color chart of green hues, creating an interpretation of a photo or producing a monochromatic painting.
Third, members of the watercolor group thoroughly enjoy each other’s company! “It is a better way to become acquainted with other artists in PebbleCreek,” says one member. The camaraderie, no-pressure-good-vibes atmosphere provides inspiration for each to grow; the different levels of experience present an opportunity for sharing of skills and materials; and finally, as a result of its limited size and focus on watercolor, the group can easily see improvement in one another’s work. All this interaction helps members realize that they feel more like painting. Even members “on the road” can share missed meeting notes thoughtfully produced by Marielle. Her generous hospitality in hosting gatherings is itself a source of inspiration and enthusiasm. We all thank her for her initiative and ongoing involvement in this valuable activity. In the words of yet another participant, “If we didn’t have this group, I would miss it; there’d be a hole in my watercolor experience that I didn’t know I had until I started going.”