November 19, 2015
 Jackie Feng demonstrates watercolor painting techniques to 30 people who attended the Watercolor Workshop in Northwestern’s Visual Arts program area in Jesse Dunn Annex on Nov. 17. |
 Kyle Larson and Jackie Feng walk around the room fielding questions and offering suggestions to those who took part in the Watercolor Workshop. |
The workshop was led by Jackie Feng, Northwestern Artist-in-Residence, and Kyle Larson, assistant professor of art, and was organized by the NWOSU Art Society and the Visual Arts program. The groups indicated that they hope to continue offering similar workshops on campus.
Thirty participants created their own unique watercolor compositions as they experimented with techniques demonstrated by Feng. Attendees also viewed examples of the use of watercolor by master artists, from Edward Hopper, Fairfield Porter, John Singer Sargent, to contemporary artists such as Eric Fischl and Phyllis Floyd. Participants explored the expansive medium of watercolor, shared strategies and techniques and enjoyed snacks and refreshments as they viewed and discussed their finished paintings.
A short video showing the workshop in progress, along with other updates on what students are doing in the classes offered in the Visual Arts program, can be seen on the program’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NWOSUVisualArts.
People from Alva and the surrounding communities can take advantage of a Beginner’s Watercolor Workshop Saturday, Nov. 21, taught by Feng at the Graceful Arts Center from 1-3 p.m. The cost is $25 with all supplies included.
The culminating exhibition of the work Jackie creates here at Northwestern will be on display Friday, Dec. 4, during the First Friday Art Walk at the Graceful Arts Center from 6-8 p.m.
Enrollment for all classes currently is underway, and Larson encourages those interested in the arts to enroll in Visual Arts courses for the spring. Classes offered include the daytime classes of Life Drawing, Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Art, Digital Illustration/Graphic Design, Art History Survey and Art in Life, along with the night class Painting.
Larson gave a description of four of the visual arts classes so prospective students will know what to expect of the class.
Fundamentals of Two-Dimensional Art: A foundations class with emphasis on the development of a fundamental drawing skill set and visual vocabulary. Students will be introduced to various mediums, such as collage, charcoal, chalk pastel, watercolor and acrylics.
Life Drawing: An intermediate course in observational drawing focusing on the study of the anatomical structure and interpretive representation of the human figure. Students work from live models.
Digital Illustration/Graphic Design: An introductory course to the world of digital illustration and design. The class is held in the Visual Art program's Mac lab. Focus is on the development of a diverse skill set and the use of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign to create digital art and publications for print and the web.
Painting: An exploration of the medium of oil paint, and an introduction to various techniques and approaches in painting primarily through the practice of still-life, landscape and figure. Emphasis will be on direct observation and use of color to make form.
Please contact Larson with questions at krlarson@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8108.
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