Artist Choice at the BACC and the reception

On Friday evening, May 26, 2017, the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center opened the “Artist Choice” exhibit with an artist reception. Valerie Vadala Homer, the director of the BACC, asked established artists to participate and to choose an up and coming artist to mentor for the show. I was so very fortunate to have been asked by Jeanette Rehahn, master pastelist.

I met almost weekly with Jeanette over a two-month period and learned so much. She taught me techniques with the pastels and other tools and shared her philosophy of painting the landscape. We touched on many of the principles of painting but I think the one that was really driven home for me was perspective in the landscape. I honed my skill on perspective with Jeanette’s gentle guidance to utilize layering, soft and hard edges, value changes, and color gradations to portray distance and dimension.

Artist Choice Exhibit at the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center

Jeanette in front of her painting, “Late Summer Showers,” pastel, 24″ x 36″

Supportive friends & fellow painters: L to R: Gail Hansen, Francesca, Jeanette, Deb Wilke

The Artist Choice reception was crowded with friends and well-wishers. It was one of the largest attended receptions yet. Jeanette and I were given great placement in the show…it pays to be in the company of a person like Jeanette! It was a wonderful evening of celebration and conversation. I am so grateful for all that Jeanette has done for me. The best part is that Jeanette is willing to continue our meetings and to paint together. Truly, I am the luckiest artist in the Flathead Valley!