Dear Artist Friend:

Over the years I have learned that I am a painter who needs variety. I like to work with different subjects and interpret in different media in order to touch different parts of my inner-being. I am not content to paint similar subjects the same way all of the time. So I observe the seasons where I live in the mountains of Colorado, and note their rhythm that dictates my painting. In late spring, summer, and autumn I paint most days outside, hiking to the high country to paint a waterfall or mountain vista. This time of year I paint primarily in watercolor because it is easily transportable and captures the expression I am after. I finish the last part of these works in the studio, sometimes adding a bit of gouache or casein. I choose not to use the opaque watermedia, acrylic, or casein outside because our climate has no humidity and the paint dries too quickly.

However, November through mid-April I work in the studio. It is too cold outside and my paint will freeze. I go out most late afternoons to cross-country ski to sketch and bring these black-and-white drawings and notes back to the studio to use for reference. The wintertime is my time to work on larger, more experimental paintings in acrylic, casein, gouache, watercolor and drawing media. The cycle of these seasons certainly seems to fit the rhythm for my watermedia work. But whether I am painting outside or in the studio, there are few things that I have found important for my growth as a painter!

Knowing the Craft Well I have painted most every day for over thirty-five years and have learned much about each medium—the handling qualities and visual characteristics, about the watercolor paper and other supports, brushes, easels, and palettes. Knowing the craft well allows me not to think about the medium, color mixing or the paper, and to just focus on the expression.

Listening When I paint I have an inspiration and a vision as to what the painting will be. However, as the painting evolves my mind remains open to the possibilities that may occur during the painting process. Unexpected things may happen with the paint and paper that may shift the direction of the work. If I am aware, these are opportunities that will add to the energy of the painting. I refer to this as participating in the process rather than controlling it.

Discovery If I am listening and responding in the act of painting, new things happen. Rather than “going through the motions” and “cranking out yet another painting” an original work needs discovery or the “ah hah” moment to add life to it and to take the painter to a new level.

For the last two years I have been working on a new book. Since my last book came out in 2000, I have been taking notes and have many suggestions to offer that I hope will help my fellow painters. This book covers the four types of watermedia: watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and casein, and their visual qualities and handling characteristics, as well as possibilities for combining them. There is one chapter that includes composition, visualization, and learning to see abstractly. It will also have excerpts from my journals over the last twenty years. It is due to be published next May!

This autumn Marta and I will travel to Scotland . We plan to be there for two-and-a-half months and hope to do a lot of painting. We will have an opening of these new works on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at our gallery in Creede and will at the same time open online at our website, www.quillergallery.com. We invite you to join us.

Please take time to peruse this new catalog and take note of the various art materials and their discounted prices. I have been blessed to be in a position to select and use only what I feel are the best of art products. I only use and recommend superior, archival quality paint and paper and endorse the ultimate watermedia brushes.

I will be instructing a number of watermedia workshops throughout the United States and abroad and hope you can join me at one of these locations.

I am a landscape painter and have learned over the years how precious this living energy we call earth is. This planet is here for us and we are here for it. Please join me this year in making a conscious effort to find ways to sustain and nurture our delicate ecosystem.

Wishing you increased knowledge of materials, listening rather than controlling your work, and discovery in each new painting you do this year.

Most respectfully and sincerely,