EVERETT — It is generally held that watercolor painting is far more difficult to master than oil or acrylic painting.
Watercolors also are more susceptible to fading or other damage, and perhaps for that reason they often are less expensive than other painted media.
If you can frame a fine watercolor with care and keep the painting out of the sunlight, you’ll have a treasure on your hands.
To see beautiful watercolors by some of the best regional masters, one has only to visit the Schack Art Center’s free annual Holiday Show, up through Dec. 27.
The show features paintings by “signature” members of the Northwest Watercolor Society. What does the signature have to do with it?
Well, if a watercolor painter is able to participate in a certain number of juried watercolor shows, he or she may add the initials of the society to his or her signature.
One of those signature members is Molly LeMaster of Camano Island.
“A signature membership means you have jumped through a lot of hoops,” she said.
LeMaster’s painting of carp in Lake Mojave was chosen to advertise the show at the Schack.
The artist’s work often features fauna and flora in bright colors.
What is difficult about watercolor is that once the color is down on paper, an artist can’t cover it up as one could with oils or acrylics. As a teacher, LeMaster spends a fair amount of time with students talking about how to salvage watercolors when something does go wrong.
Membership in the Northwest Watercolor Society means help and encouragement from one’s peers.
“This show includes some fabulous artists,” LeMaster said. “You won’t be disappointed.”
LeMaster’s paintings also are featured currently at the Snow Goose Bookstore in downtown Stanwood. Among other local artists involved in the show at the Schack are Dotti Burton and Anita Arnhein. Others are from throughout the state.
The Northwest Watercolor Society was founded 1939 in Seattle by eight artists. The society decided in 2011 to extend the offer of membership to watercolorists worldwide, offering the chance to exhibit their art in the society’s annual International Open Exhibition. The group is recognized by The Artists Magazine as one of the 10 most prominent watercolor societies in North America.
The Schack’s Holiday Art Show also includes glass, ceramic and turned wood from regional artists.
The Schack Shop also offers work by six local artists in three trunk shows in December. Judy Macauley shows fused glass ornaments and plates, and Karen Lyons demonstrates painting on silk scarves from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 4. Carie Collver shows earrings, necklaces and bracelets, and Madeline Chadwick displays handbags from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 11. Melinda Barnett also shows jewelry and Susie Howell brings in wearable art from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 18.
Mid-month, the Schack features 35 artists selected for its annual Fa La La sale of fine arts and crafts. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 12, with musician Glen Cunningham performing in the late afternoon, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13, with the Everett Chorale singing in mid-afternoon.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
Schack Art Center, 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett. Call 425-259-5050. More information, www.schack.org.
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