Painting Water and Rocks

In a May blog I mentioned spending some time in the Smokies of Tennessee. While there I once again attempted plein aire painting. One of the places I returned to paint is a favorite. It is called Greenbriar. Exciting water tumbles and falls over the rocks as it travels down from Ramsey Cascades. There are possible paintings wherever one looks. I focused on a small section and tried to capture the scene. I also took many digital photos. I used my small painting and a photo to create "Rocks and Water I".

Several months earlier I had visited another area in the Smokies on Roaring Creek Road. My digital camera allowed me to capture a mini cascade in the middle of a stream. The resulting painting is called simply "Mini-Cascade". The rocks are mossy and little flecks of leaves add color.

I am ready to sketch my next water and rocks painting. I am looking forward to it.

Tennessee Watercolor Society's 31st Exhibition

"Fuji Reflections", introduced in my first blog last December, 2007, was selected to be one of sixty paintings in the 31st Biennial Watercolor Exhibition of the Tennessee Watercolor Society. The juror, Cheng-Khee Chee, had the task of selecting only sixty pieces of art from over 200 entries. His careful determinations resulted in a beautiful watermedia show.

I first became aware of the Tennessee Watercolor Society when I visited the 30th Biennial Exhibit in Clarksville, Tennessee in 2006. I was impressed by the quality of paintings I saw there. I decided that I wanted to be a part of the group. I have been a member since then. It was a pleasure to be a background participant, helping to present a beautiful display of watercolor.

TnWS is a statewide watercolor organization with five chapters throughout the state of Tennessee. The Biennial exhibits rotate among the five chapters. 2008 is Knoxville's turn to host the show. The 2006 Biennial was hosted by the Nashville Chapter in Clarksville; the 2010 Biennial will be in Chattanooga.

Please "Google" for more information about the exhibits and artists of the Tennessee Watercolor Society.