Artists’ Voices

Laurin Mccracken

• Product(s) Fabriano, Artistico, Sheets and Rolls, Blocks and Pads

Quote:

“I am a realist watercolorist and my goal is to capture what I see in as much detail as possible in watercolor. The famous Germany artist Albrecht Durer said “The more accurately your work represents life, the better it will appear.”

Background:

Born in Meridian, Mississippi, he attended Auburn University and holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University and a Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning from Princeton University. McCracken is an award-winning artist whose paintings have been exhibited in juried shows around the world including the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, California Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, Southern Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and the American Watercolor Society. His paintings have been included in multiple shows in China; Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolor Biennial Exhibition 2010 & 2012, the Beijing International Art Biennale 2010, 2012, 2015,2017 and 2019 the Shenzhen International Watercolor Biennial 2013 and 2015 and the Qingdao International Watercolour Salon, 2014. His paintings have been included in international watercolor juried exhibitions, such as The World Watermedia Exposition, Thailand, Malaysian Watercolour International Exhibition and the Eau en Colours, “Masters of Watercolor” exhibition St. Petersburg, Russia, International Watercolour Biennial, Belgium, International Watercolor in Fabriano Exhibition in Fabriano, Italy. His paintings are included in the permanent collections of the National Museum of China; the Asian Museum of Watercolor Art in Haikou City, Hainan Province, China, the Watercolor Museum of Fabriano, Italy and the Art Museum of the University of Mississippi. He is a signature member of more than a dozen watercolor societies including the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Southern Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, and Watercolor USA Honor Society. He is an Elected Member of the Allied Artists of America in their Watermedia Category. His work has been published in many national and international magazines and books including: Watercolor, Watercolor Artist, Artist’s magazine, Drawing, American Artist, International Artist and Southwest Art. His work has been included in books such as Splash 9 thru 22 and in Strokes of Genius 2 & 3, Secrets of International Watercolor Masters, Volume #1 published in China and Masters of Realistic Imagery published in Germany. He is the Past President of the Watercolor USA Honor Society and the Country Leader for the USA with the Fabriano in Watercolor. Laurin is a registered architect and has practiced is several states in the USA. He has been the Principal in Charge of Marketing for a number of large architectural and engineering firms. Artist Statement I am a realist watercolorist whose work is largely influenced by the Dutch and Flemish Still Life painters of the 16th and 17th Centuries. My goal is to record the world around me with a high level of detail. This is not a painting style that is typically associated with the medium of watercolor. Look closely at one of my painting and you will not only see the objects in the paintings, but you will also see reflections of other objects within the very objects I paint. I use my ability to see things with a high level of acuity to transcribe what I see in the world around me into watercolor on paper. I use this historic influence to record the beautiful things in our lives: the flowers, ornate crystal and silverware, clouds, the glassware I grew up with, toys and anything that attracts my eye and spurs my imagination. When I look at the world and think about what I might paint I am reminded of the quote from Henry David Thoreau: “It is not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” Then I ask myself, “Can I paint that in watercolor?” Not every painter can see things uniquely, but it is imperative that a painter see things differently and with a certain clarity that the average individual might not see. That is the value we bring to our craft. It is the combination of those abilities and a fundamental mastery of the craft that makes us artists.

Website:

www.LaurinGallery.com

Britt Henze

• Product(s) Acrylics, abstract, abstract® Liners, Raphael

Quote:

“”

Background:

My art has only one requirement: color. I work in two distinct styles, abstract and geometric-and color is what unites them. I believe these two different processes allow me to be the dichotomous person that I am- on one hand someone who is loose, mellow, meditative and spiritual. And on the other someone who is a control freak, meticulous, rigid and anxious. I work through this duality and explore the particular subsets of each trait in my series and murals. I’m inspired by street artists, neon signs, tile work, pop culture, movies, music, the candy aisle and the bizarre reality show that is life. Behind all my work is my personal struggle with addiction. I paint because I got a second chance at life, because it is the thing that brings me the most joy, and so others know there’s hope.

Website:

ladyhenzeart.com

Tom Lynch

Quote:

“”

Background:

Tom has been referred to as one of the nation’s premier watercolorists. He has written 8 books and hosted several award-winning PBS TV Art programs. He was recently honored and listed as one of the nation’s top 20 teachers by American Artist Magazine and he is represented by some of the nation’s leading museums and premier art galleries. He has been the spokesperson for the National Art Materials Trade Association, and is the international spokesperson for many art material manufacturers. Tom is currently featured on the leading internet art education site ... Art Academy Live.com. With his uniquely styled landscape paintings, Tom strives for a level of excitement and drama that seems to push somewhere beyond what the environment naturally provides. When considering subjects, Tom tries to search for something striking like the dramatic colors of the sky, the direction of natural light, various and unique patterns of shadows or the glint of sunlight on water. Tom embellishes those striking features in his painting to impact the viewer. Tom hopes that by accentuating those things that are sometimes easy to miss, he can provoke viewers to have something to think about and not just things to see. Each painting Tom creates can be seen as something very special. “I feel it’s the job of the artist to bring to the viewer the best of what can be found in the landscape along with a little creativity or exaggeration … normal and ordinary are not for me. I feel that an artist is paid for their vision, not their observation.” Tom is a natural teacher who is especially intuitive in developing the student’s own individual needs. For over 40 years students from all over the world have attended his workshops and have acclaimed them with high regard. He has mentored many who are now accomplished professionals. When Tom speaks, he talks openly, candidly, and with a smile. His paintings have that same intensity, expression, and direct appeal. Toms' list of credentials include: Signature Membership in many national watercolor societies, election into the illustrious Society of American Impressionists as well as Who’s Who in American Art. He has been featured in numerous publications including ̴ Artist Magazine ̴ Watercolor Magazine ̴ American Artist Magazine ̴ International Artist Magazine ̴ Southwest Art ̴ Plein Air Magazine ̴ Art & Antique ̴ The Wall Street Journal, and the books America's Great Masters and American Legends. Tom has been the invited guest artist for many art exhibitions including, Olmstead, Sedona, Zion, Richmond, Lighthouse, San Angelo and Easton Plein Air events where he won awards, including, 'Best of Show'. Tom's painting was featured on the cover of Watercolor Magazine and every Christmas day for the last 26 years Tom has had a painting featured on the front page of a leading Illinois newspaper. Tom was honored to hold a one-man art exhibition at the American Embassy in Paris, France. Some of Toms' numerous awards include: two, 'Lifetime Achievement Awards', ̴ 'Landscape Artist of the Year', ̴ 'The Municipal Art League of Chicago Award of Excellence', ̴ and he was the first American artist selected for an Honorary Membership in the “Canadian Watercolor Society”. Toms' PBS video productions won a Bronze Award in the 'Telly' Competition. Tom has been the artist for Men’s, Women’s and Seniors U.S. Open Golf Championships and several PGA tournaments. Toms' work has been published, and many of his paintings are offered in Limited Edition prints. It is no surprise that his paintings are included in public, private, and corporate collections throughout the world. ~Welcome to the watercolor world of Tom Lynch ~ Let him lead you on an exciting watercolor adventure in… color, contrast, sunlight and shadow light!

Website:

http://www.tomlynch.com

John Wentz

Quote:

“”

Background:

My work centers on liminal states of passage and being; more specifically the conversation of death and transition through the lens of cultural ritual and dialogue.

Website:

www.johnwentz.com

Cinnamon Cooney

Quote:

“”

Background:

Hi! I’m Cinnamon Cooney, Your Art Sherpa. I am a third generation artist, wife and mother to three amazing kids. A few years ago, I began to share my passion and love of painting on YouTube. My mission was, and still is To Make Art Free and Accessible to Everyone! I believe that by being an art guide rather than an art teacher, I create classes that leave room for personal growth no matter if you are a beginner or long time painter. I was the winner of Youtube’s Next UP, and am the creator of the very popular Acrylic April 30 day challenge. My YouTube channel has grown and spilled over to several Facebook groups and other social media platforms. I am an art guide to more than 1 million new students monthly in 250 countries. People of all ages and levels discover their inner artists with me every day. I call myself The Art Sherpa because I have climbed these art mountains for years and know many paths to get to the summit. I put myself in the position of “guide” over the idea of “expert”, hence, my show name. The best creative advice I can share is that there is no way to measure the value of art, or how it impacts the course of a life, and that is what the value is - in the creative process. I believe my style is different from many art teachers. My passion includes helping my community restore the ultimate spiritual right as a human being to be artistically imaginative and creative. I teach the skills of art, techniques, terms, and methods as well as the emotional skills of art. In the Sherpa-dom, ‘talent’ is a myth replaced with practice of skills, determination, perseverance, and life story. This is the wellspring of art, not a genetic lottery, and anyone can be an artist even if they have been told differently in the past.” I have created 1000+ art lesson videos, 150 downloadable books, that are shared for free with the world. I sincerely want to guide the student’s experience with a servant's heart and encourage painters to be the artist they were meant to be rather than to paint like me.

Website:

www.theartsherpa.com

Kate Zambrano

• Product(s) Sennelier, Fabriano

Quote:

“”

Background:

Kate Zambrano is a self-taught artist living in California. She was born in Texas, but decided to leave at age seventeen to begin a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Kate enrolled in college to study psychology, but after a while, she realized that she was more into the subject than pursuing an actual career in the field. In 2011, Kate was introduced to the world of fine art. She spent the subsequent two years teaching herself how to draw. The journey to garner techniques through trial and error seemed daunting, but every now and then a small epiphany would occur to push her forward. Each step was a building block for the next. And so it has gone ever since. Kate is constantly learning and trying to better both herself and her work. Kate enjoys applying her major influences together in her art - the systemic urge to understand human behavior and the beauty in expressive nuances.

Website:

www.katezambrano.com

Keiko Tanabe

• Product(s) Sennelier, Cretacolor

Quote:

“”

Background:

Mostly self-taught, she embarked on a professional art career in 2005. Since then, her paintings have been in many national and international exhibitions, both juried and invitational, and gained world-wide recognitions. Her work has been purchased by private and corporate collectors from all around the world. She also had her paintings published and featured in leading art magazines and a number of publications in the U.S., Europe and Asia. A sought-after workshop instructor since 2011, she has conducted more than 500 workshops and numerous live demonstrations around the world. Her approach to teaching is to help students identify and solve their problems to further advance their technical skills and refine their style. She has frequently served as a juror in art exhibitions both on national and on international levels. In 2018, she was appointed to the advisory board of the American Watercolor Weekly. She has several books and 4 DVD’s published. She is a signature member of National Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, American Impressionist Society and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.

Website:

www.ktanabefineart.com