Watercolor & Silk Painting Exhibits at Center in October

There will be an opening reception for both exhibits on Thursday, October 14, 2004 from 5:30 – 7:30pm that is free and open to the public. The "National Watercolor Oklahoma Thirtieth Exhibition" recognizes watercolor artistry with cash awards totaling $7500. This year's show is juried by juror Marilyn H. Phillis, AWA, NWS noted artist from Wheeling West Virginia. Phillis has extensive experience as a national juror and workshop instructor and has authored, Watermedia Techniques for Releasing the Creative Spirit. Phillis will conduct a workshop at City Arts Center October 4-8, 2004 from 9am to 3:30pm. The cost is $350 for the 5-day workshop. In addition Phillis will offer a free demonstration on October 4, 2004 at 7pm. For more information regarding the workshop or demonstration contact Jo Woolery at 405-751-43360 or email twoolery@cox.net. The Oklahoma Watercolor Association is dedicated to educating and promoting art in watercolor and watermedia. The "National Watercolor Oklahoma Thirtieth Exhibition' is one of the many ways the Oklahoma Watercolor Association promotes the art form.

This year's juror, Marilyn H. Phillis shares their passion and inspires and stimulates her students to individualize their artistic concepts, energize their imaginations and enhance their analytical abilities. This show will include figurative, abstract and mixed media works. Juror Marilyn H. Phillis, will lead workshop attendees through group and individual critiques of works in progress. Phillis will have some of her work to show examples of her techniques for releasing the creative spirit.

"The Spirit of Silk in Color,' is a coinciding exhibit of various silk paintings and wall hangings installations created by Irma Braun Hampton, Patta LT, Cecelia Hussein, Karoll Kyle and Patricia Russell. Silk painters compose their works much like a watercolor artist does by applying silk painting dyes to pieces of white silk. Outlines are created with resist which keeps the dyes contained to specific areas.

In the spring of 2000, Irma Braun Hampton began teaching silk painting classes at City Arts Center. Patta LT, Patricia Hussein and Karol Kyle were three of her students who have emerged as talented silk painting artists. Hussein comments, "I picked up a paint brush for the first time nearly four years ago, after signing up for a Silk Painting Class at City Arts Center. I was instantly addicted and oblivious to how much it would change my life. Now I have an appreciation for such things as depth, rhythm of color, texture, and composition. There is an indescribable peace and tranquility when working with the colors and silks.' Hampton adds, "I feel challenged to go beyond the obvious by creating an installation with painted silk. Not only do the various kinds of weaves have a quality of their own, but the way the dyes set in layers plays tricks on the eye when viewed from different angles. The lightness in weight and luminance pays homage to its spirit.' Patta LT comments, "My art form continues to evolve. It incorporates the human form as both canvas and frame and is an artistic expression in which the human form must actively participate. Vibrant explosions of color are created by mixing all my dyes from the three primary colors and black. Contemporary original floral design concepts and traditional Native American motifs are the source of my inspiration. The result is contemporary abstract expressionism on silk.'

The two exhibits compliment each other, because both watercolor and silk painting artists utilize similar techniques when applying color to the surface with sensitivity to how the color and water interact and create different effects. With all the similarities of technique and approach, each art form yields distinctive results.
This "National Watercolor Oklahoma Thirtieth Exhibition' is sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Oklahoma Watercolor Association. Full Season Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery sponsors include: Allied Arts, Classical KCSC 90.1FM, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Mattison Avenue Publishing Corporation, Oklahoma's News Channel 4, Wilson Research Strategies