Emily Grotta
Painting in watercolor can be a delicate dance with the unpredictable, as water is both the medium and the force. Whether painting ethereal skies or richly detailed portraits, the artist must guide water across the thirsty surface of watercolor paper, sometimes managing the flow of the pigment, other times letting it flow freely. This tension is the opposite of oil painting, with its controlled layers of rich textures.
Watercolor artists must be flexible, as the pigments, suspended in water, sometimes take a direction of their own. This element of surprise can be frustrating or delightful, and the artist must master several techniques to achieve the results they want.
This summer, from June through September, you can experience the beauty and diversity of watercolors in the works of more than a dozen artists in the PebbleCreek Art Club. You’ll see the beautifully detailed flower by Hilary Fiscus and the carefully controlled whimsical design by Kathy Sork, as well as landscapes that capture the beauty of Arizona skies. Seeing them demands your time, as you wonder how the artists achieved their aims.
The paintings are on display in the windows of the Creative Arts Center and the lobby of both clubhouses. To learn more about the Art Club, please visit PCArtClub.com.