Nancy Partovi: Fine Art in Watercolor: October 2012

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Upper Yosemite Falls

Done using the "Crinkle Technique" described below, after a trip to Yosemite with friends. 19.5" by 28"

Yosemite Meadow

This painting was done using the "Crinkle Technique" that I learned in a workshop taught by Cheng-Khee Chee. Rice paper (Masa paper) is crumbled, placed in water, opened up, and then paint is applied with diluted sumi ink. Watercolor paint is added as the ink is drying. The subject was from memory--based on a time our family went hiking around Mirror Lake in Yosemite and it seemed like the deer were following us. A photo reference was used to add the deer. 15" by 23"

Artist's Statement

As a participant in the University of California, Berkeley's, Education Abroad Program, I was privileged to study Italian Art and Literature at the University of Padova in Italy for one year. Shortly after my return, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in Art/Painting from UC Berkeley. Over the years, I have taken workshops from Cheng-Khee Chee, Arne Westerman, Lian Zhen, and Alvaro Castagnet. In February 2017, I participated in John Salminen's inspiring workshop on Painting the Urban Landscape and am now excited to do more work in this genre. I feel extremely fortunate to have met and studied with each of these master watercolor artists.

I love watercolor and the unpredictable way it moves and mixes on the surface of the paper, creating beautiful and sometimes almost magical passages. I am an elected Signature Member of the California Watercolor Association and paint both in my studio and en plein air. Most of my plein air painting is done with the Jade Fon Plein Air Painters group. My work is regularly on exhibit with the Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek, California.