Artists & Makers Studios

Peter Swift is an award-winning contemporary realist artist.  his artistic philosophy is simple:  “I always paint common, everyday objects.  Using symmetry and design, I try to turn them into something new.  If the symmetry is successful, it will create a kind of dynamic stillness.  The painting will almost seem to absorb sound.”

Peter is a leading proponent of a developing new genre of still-life painting called “Magic Symmetry”.  Magic Symmetry is a combination of: (a) photorealistic renderings of objects; and (b) arrangement of these objects in symmetrical designs, such as circles.  Still-life symmetry is quite different from the traditional “slice-of-life” or “snapshot” approach, showing the objects on a table-top or in a cabinet, which has been used for centuries in still-life painting.  A good example of Magic Symmetry would be Peter’s painting entitled “Eight Wood Screws” shown above (acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48 inches, or 122 x 122 cm).

peterswiftartstudio.com

“Watercolor does surprising things and is unpredictable, but sometimes spontaneous effects can be incorporated into the painting,” says Elizabeth. She chooses landscape subject matter based on her personal attraction which is typically mountains and Colorado scenery. While she often works from the photographs she takes when she travels, Elizabeth feels they do not capture the “interesting” part of the scenery. Because of this, she goes back and reinvents the initial attraction. Even though Elizabeth does not paint when she travels, she does compose sketches since it is easy to pack up. She seeks out scenery that creates interesting compositions for potential paintings. Her still life paintings are ordinary dayto-day subjects created from life such as food and shapes of environmental subject matters. At the end, she uses graphs to refine the painting. Elizabeth calls herself “compulsive” and a “perfectionist.” It is exactly these qualities that give her paintings a high degree of refinement and polish.”

Elizabeth Stecher

Formerly called the Washington Water Color Club, the Washington Water Color Association is one of the oldest societies of professional artists and can trace its beginnings to the late 19th century.

Washington watercolorist and teacher, Marietta W. Andrews, originated the idea for such a society. The first meeting, March 28, 1896, was attended by 15 professional artists. The first exhibition, December 1896, had 134 works displayed at the Cosmos Club of Washington. Between 1897 and 1899, the Water Color Club exhibited at the Connecticut Avenue Gallery.

The exhibit of 1900 was held in the Hemicycle Room at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. In the years between 1921 and 1930, the WWCA held exhibits at the U.S. National Museum, the National Gallery of Art, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Howard University and the Arts Club of Washington.

In 1921, the name was changed to the Washington Water Color Association and the group became a non-profit, educational organization. By 1936, artists from the twenty-one states and the District of Columbia were displaying their works at the association’s exhibitions.

Among the well-known artists exhibiting works over the years were William Henry Holmes, Thomas Anshutz, William Merritt Chase, Joseph Pennell and American Impressionists Frank Benson and Chile Hassam.

In later years Elliott O’Hara, Andrew Wyeth, Don Kingman, Henry Gasser and Alice Pike Barney were among the painters exhibiting in annual WWCA shows. Alma Thomas, Delilah Pierce, Lois Mailou Jones and James Wells were among African American artists who exhibited regularly.

Internationally recognized artist Lily Spandorf was a member of WWCA until her death. Vienna-born and educated, Lily Spandorf made London her base of operations for several years, dividing her time between Britain and Italy, painting and exhibiting in both countries. She came to the United States at the end of 1959 and had a solo show in New York City. In 1960 she arrived in Washington, where she has had many solo exhibits.

Another WWCA member, Japanese artist Unichi Hiratsuka was one of the founding fathers of the Creative Prints movement (Sosaku Hanga) and one of the big names of twentieth century Japanese art. Hiratsuka is best known for prints in black and white. He died at the age of 102 years.

Activities

• Juried member shows throughout each year. Sites vary according to availability.
• Several meetings within a year to discuss club business and enhance knowledge through demonstrations and workshops.
• Annual luncheon meeting in late spring to exchange ideas and get better acquainted.
• Newsletter published periodically which includes information and a calendar of upcoming events.
• Community service through contributions to educational institutions and art groups in the Washington metropolitan area. WWCA offers an annual scholarship for a deserving high school senior who plans to pursue a career in art.

Millie Shott

An Artist’s Journey

Traveling introduced me to the joy of painting. For many years I was merely a photographic observer. In 2003, my semi-retirement from being a research economist at NIST afforded me the time to pursue painting in classes and workshops (mostly at the Yellow Barn). With wonderful surprise, I found that plein air painting enriched my travel experience far beyond what my camera could and also introduced me to the beauty and variety of the Maryland landscape.           

Jeanne Powell