Winston Publishing

portfolio • 25 MONTANA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ART SHOW Show Schedule Thursday, March 14 Show Opens | 11 am - 9 pm Friday, March 15 Show Opens | 11 am - 9 pm Saturday, March 16 Show Opens | 11 am - 9 pm Heritage Inn 1700 Fox Farm Road Montana Watercolor Society Art Show Artists MONTANA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ART SHOW Antonich, Sue Burruss, Roberta Keefe, Keri McKenzie, Shimi Paulsen, Ilene Spurgeon, Carol whatever needs to be done to make this a wonderful event," Paulsen reflects, capturing the spirit of collective effort that defines the MTWS's culture. e society is set to host an artist's reception, an affair punctuated with wine, champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and a door prize, scheduled for ursday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Paulsen, whose artistry has been recognized with the society's 2024 Artist of Merit Award—a prestigious accolade determined by the board to honor an exceptional member—embodies the creative excellence that the MTWS seeks to celebrate. Her approach to art is both intuitive and expansive. "I take a lot of reference photos. I go through them and say a prayer and see what jumps out at me," she shares, offering insight into the serendipitous process that guides her hand. Unbounded by theme, Paulsen's subjects range "from birds to wildlife to still life," each rendered with such vividness and detail that they transcend the canvas. In works like "Gull and Chain," the viewer is transported into the scene, compelled by the textural realism of golden lichen on a rock pier and the palpable presence of a gull, whose watchful gaze seems to challenge the onlooker to engage more deeply with the world Paulsen cras with her brush. Diverging from Ilene Paulsen's eclectic approach, Keri Keefe finds her artistic calling in the focused realms of portraiture and wildlife. "I do not like to paint landscape, that is not my thing," she shares with a laugh, her preferences shaping her artistic journey. Keefe is drawn to the expressive power of color, stating, "I like to capture mood and personality strictly with color choice," highlighting her nuanced understanding of how hues can convey depth and emotion. Keefe's relationship with watercolor is one of harmony and spontaneity. " Watercolor has a mind its own. You don't plan what you want it to look like, you just go with the flow. So many other mediums are gorgeous, but watercolor has that magical childlike wonder quality that I just love," she explains, articulating the unique allure that keeps her tethered to this medium. It's this enchantment with watercolor's inherent unpredictability and charm that shapes her artistic philosophy. is year, anticipate encountering a diverse array of Keefe's creations, including her innovative miniature pieces known as ATC or artist trading cards. ese smaller works democratize art ownership, reflecting Keefe's thoughtful consideration towards accessibility. "Everyone wants to bring something home, but not everyone can afford the large and more expensive pieces," she notes. Keefe's creative process is an exploratory venture into the tactile and the experimental. "I make a huge mess at my kitchen table using larger panels and mixing up my watercolors, dumping my paint on there, throwing salt on, blowing bubbles, just having fun with it. It's a lot like play," she says, offering a glimpse into her artistic practice that is as much about the joy of creation as it is about the end result. From Ilene Paulsen's broad thematic explorations to Keri Keefe's focused experiments in mood and texture, the show promises to be a vibrant exploration of watercolor's boundless possibilities. In showcasing these artists and their work, the MTWS not only highlights individual achievements but also fosters a deeper appreciation for watercolor painting—a medium as unpredictable and fleeting as the moments it captures. Keri Keefe - Saint Paul Lake Trail • 13" x 6.5" Keri Keefe - 12" x 16" ROOM #155

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