North Pier - Manhattan Beach - 35" x 35"
Available from TillerWilliam in So. California.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Friends Old and New
I don't get back to the blogosphere very often, but try to update when possible. It seems most of the online art action is happening on Facebook, where I also don't have much time to participate. Nevertheless, please look for me there, if we aren't connected already:
A big thank-you to the people who participated in workshops in Austin, Tallahassee, and the Cote d' Azur! Looking forward to returning to Idyllwild, Hawaii, and Oregon -- please see the schedule for details.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Masters of Watercolor Exhibition
Spasibo bolshoi to Konstantin Sterkhov for kindly including me in this St. Petersburg, Russia exhibition, January 20-31, 2015. I'm also happy to see my painting Summer Wind on this poster! Many of my friends and colleagues are participating, wish I could be there.
Kostya, in addition to being a fantastic artist, is fast becoming one of the most important international ambassadors of watercolor - check out his blog and Facebook pages!
Art of Watercolor
Konstantin Sterkhov Watercolor Art
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
2015 Workshop Schedule
I've cut back on workshops, but am still accepting them in favorite places as well as select new destinations. More events will be added as they are confirmed.
If you or your group are interested in bringing me to your area for a workshop, judging, demonstration, lecture, or exhibition, please please use contact information on this page or the website contact page:
http://nicholassimmons.com/representation/
2015
4-day workshop - Waterloo Watercolor Group - March 2-5. Austin, Texas.
Contact: Chuck Wallace
Judge: 2015 Waterloo Watercolor Group Spring Show
Demonstration: Waterloo Watercolor Group - March 1. Austin, Texas.
3-day workshop - Tallahassee Watercolor Society - April 28-30. Tallahassee, Florida.
Contact: Lorraine Clark
Judge: 27th Tri State Juried Watermedia Exhibition - Tallahassee, Florida.
3-day workshop - Carré d'Aquarellistes - May 8-10 - Pierrefeu, France.
Contact: Sandrine Teti
3-day advanced workshop - Carré d'Aquarellistes - May 15-17 - Pierrefeu, France.
Contact: Sandrine Teti
3-day workshop - Idyllwild Arts - July 6-8 - Idyllwild, California.
Contact: Heather Companiott
5-day workshop - Hawaii Watercolor Society - August 3-7 - Oahu, Hawaii.
Contact: Rebecca Snow
Judge: 2015 Hawaii Watercolor Society Open Show
5-day workshop - Art in the Mountains - August 17-21 - Bend, Oregon.
Contact: Tracy Culbertson
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
World Watercolour Competition
I was recently in Narbonne, France for the opening of the World Watercolour Competition, sponsored by The Art of Watercolour magazine. This is the largest and most important watercolor exhibition that has happened in Europe, and I was very flattered to be one of the judges. The selection was almost impossible as there were simply too many incredible paintings for the space and awards allotted. This speaks well for the organizers, and all credit must go to the magazine staff, particularly Janine Gallizia.
The venue was beautiful, and the opening attended by 800+ people. Held in conjunction with the 2014 Narbonne Biennale, the whole town was inundated with watercolor -- exhibitions, demonstrations, and workshops going on everywhere. I don't believe I've seen anything quite like it in our medium, and it was a very impressive spectacle. I met a lot of friends there, old and new. :)
Special congratulations go to Cheng Chen-wen for his painting Loving Mother, which was awarded the gold medal and a sizable cash prize.
The catalog is an encyclopedia of contemporary watercolor; nearly every serious watercolorist working today is represented -- almost 1900 paintings by over 1600 artists. A must-have for any watercolor enthusiast. Ordering information here:
http://www.boutiquedesartistes.fr/catalogue-du-mondial-de-l-aquarelle-2014.html?___store=en
Credit: Laurent Benoist for many images.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Narbonne 2012 Catalog
While in Narbonne for the World Watercolour Competition and 2014 Biennale, I finally got a copy of the 2012 Biennale catalog.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
III Bienal Internacional Nuevas Tecnicas en Acuarela
I'm very happy to be a guest of honor in Caudete, Spain. There is a lot of travel coming up, but I am going to do my best to attend. Thank you to the organizers, Wladimir Lopez de Zamora and Nieves Bordel for inviting me!
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Masters of Watercolor - Vol. II
Bolshoiya spasibo to Konstantin Sterkhov
and the publisher Lan for this book of incredible watercolor art. Many
of my best watercolor friends and heroes are included - Stanislaw
Zoladz, Ong Kim Seng, Viktoria Prischedko,
Sergey Temerev, Jeannie McGuire, Ted Nuttall, Eugen Chisnichan, Xavier
Swolfs, Barbara Nechis, Shirley Trevena, Linda Baker, Iain Stewart,
Samir Mondal, my NAWA colleagues Carol Carter, Keiko Tanabe, Mark
Mehaffey, Thomas W Schaller, and others. Not to mention the great
Konstantin himself (with a fantastic painting that is in our own
collection!).
I wrote the foreword:
Perhaps more than any other visual medium, watercolor has been bound by tradition, institutions, and its perceived limitations. As recently as fifty years ago, a person undertaking watercolor had the weight of the medium's history on his or her brush, unassuaged by the liberating developments such as occurred in oil painting, decades prior. Watercolorists were long-burdened by notions of what their medium should be, rather than emboldened by what it could be.
Eventually, watercolor caught up with the modern art revolution, and creativity exploded.
While the medium is still deeply rooted in, and to a degree encumbered by, its customs and perceptions, there has been a significant influx of ideas, techniques, and materials that have broadened its scope and critical acceptance. Indeed, a number of contemporary watercolor artists have expanded the repertoire to include subject matter and methods well outside of the conventional realm, sometimes on a scale previously reserved for canvases. While change and innovation often induce resistance among traditionalists and purists, the advancement of the medium depends upon trailblazers in order to survive and remain relevant.
This book, the second in a series, highlights the work of a number of artists committed to expressing a personal vision, while taking watercolor to places seldom seen. They respect what has come before without repeating it, and set an example for others aspiring to master a notoriously difficult and elusive medium.
I doubtless speak for all of the artists in my heartfelt thanks to Konstantin Sterkhov and the publisher, for providing an inside look at our backgrounds, thought processes, opinions, and creations -- a celebration of the magic we call watercolor.
I wrote the foreword:
Perhaps more than any other visual medium, watercolor has been bound by tradition, institutions, and its perceived limitations. As recently as fifty years ago, a person undertaking watercolor had the weight of the medium's history on his or her brush, unassuaged by the liberating developments such as occurred in oil painting, decades prior. Watercolorists were long-burdened by notions of what their medium should be, rather than emboldened by what it could be.
Eventually, watercolor caught up with the modern art revolution, and creativity exploded.
While the medium is still deeply rooted in, and to a degree encumbered by, its customs and perceptions, there has been a significant influx of ideas, techniques, and materials that have broadened its scope and critical acceptance. Indeed, a number of contemporary watercolor artists have expanded the repertoire to include subject matter and methods well outside of the conventional realm, sometimes on a scale previously reserved for canvases. While change and innovation often induce resistance among traditionalists and purists, the advancement of the medium depends upon trailblazers in order to survive and remain relevant.
This book, the second in a series, highlights the work of a number of artists committed to expressing a personal vision, while taking watercolor to places seldom seen. They respect what has come before without repeating it, and set an example for others aspiring to master a notoriously difficult and elusive medium.
I doubtless speak for all of the artists in my heartfelt thanks to Konstantin Sterkhov and the publisher, for providing an inside look at our backgrounds, thought processes, opinions, and creations -- a celebration of the magic we call watercolor.
* * *
The book is available here:
http://ruslania.com/books/184095/masters-of-watercolors-interviews-with-watercolorists-from-classic-to-modern-art
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Parks Gallery - Idyllwild
Beach Shadows - watercolor - each approx. 9" square
Saturday, May 17, 2014
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=link}
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Summer Wind - Pratique des Arts No. 114
.jpg)
Summer Wind is a painting I did as a demonstration for the very beautiful publication, Pratique des Arts. I was aware of this magazine, but had never actually seen a copy until I received No. 114, with the above article. This was a logical extension to the article I wrote for Art of Watercolour last year on the subject of watercolor vs. acrylic watercolor, and the idea was to combine the mediums in a way such as to highlight their respective properties. The first layers were thrown at the paper while attached to the studio wall in order to create a spontaneous underpainting from which to build an image. This was done in acrylic watercolor so that subsequent applications would not disturb the resulting effects. I then switched to standard watercolor, taking advantage of its impermanence, should corrections be necessary. Painting watercolor on top of acrylic watercolor also creates a resist that can enhance textures.
Merci beaucoup to the publishers for inviting me to produlace this demonstration. Though the magazine is published in French, it is so superbly put together (high quality paper, and outstanding reproductions), I think it would be of interest to any painter, even those who do not speak or read French. (moi!)
Friday, February 7, 2014
Inspirations & Technical Breakthroughs: Secrets from the Contemporary International Watercolor Masters
A big "shey-shey" to Zhou Tianya and Ruan Hoe for including me in this terrific new book. It is apparently the best selling watercolor book in China. It is aimed solely at the Chinese market, so I'm sorry to say there is no English version.
* * *
The
second volume of Inspirations & Technical Breakthroughs, Secrets
from the Contemporary International Watercolor Masters, Vol. II in Chinese
language by Ruan Hoe and Zhou Tianya is published by Jilin Fine Arts
Press, China, in December 2013. Following the first volume, the second
volume features another nine outstanding contemporary American
watercolor masters: Mary Whyte, Susan Swinand, Dean Mitchell, Ted
Nuttall, George James, Joseph Alleman, Carl Purcell, Peggy Zalucha and
Nicholas Simmons. In the book they candidly discuss their inspirations,
generously share their creative processes and show-case their exemplary
work with Chinese readers.
Inspirations & Technical Breakthroughs is the product of an international collaboration. Editor Dr. Ruan Hoe, a Chinese-American watercolorist and a principal researcher at UCLA, translated and edited the text. Second editor Zhou Tianya, a well-known Chinese professional watercolor artist, member of Chinese Artist Association, signature member of NWS and AWS, curator of Shenzhen Watercolor Biennial 2013-14, originally fathered the idea and designed the entire book. As the first of its kind, the first volume was critically acclaimed in China and its first edition’s 4000 copies are almost sold out. The second volume (4000 copies) is currently being distributed to all major Chinese bookstores and also available online (paper back, 11.6”x 8.8”, 144 pages, ¥78.00RMB, approximately $12.50USD). The third volume of this title with nine artists from the United Kingdom is in the planning phase and scheduled due out in later 2015.
Inspirations & Technical Breakthroughs is the product of an international collaboration. Editor Dr. Ruan Hoe, a Chinese-American watercolorist and a principal researcher at UCLA, translated and edited the text. Second editor Zhou Tianya, a well-known Chinese professional watercolor artist, member of Chinese Artist Association, signature member of NWS and AWS, curator of Shenzhen Watercolor Biennial 2013-14, originally fathered the idea and designed the entire book. As the first of its kind, the first volume was critically acclaimed in China and its first edition’s 4000 copies are almost sold out. The second volume (4000 copies) is currently being distributed to all major Chinese bookstores and also available online (paper back, 11.6”x 8.8”, 144 pages, ¥78.00RMB, approximately $12.50USD). The third volume of this title with nine artists from the United Kingdom is in the planning phase and scheduled due out in later 2015.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)