First image: The finished exhibit, just in time for the ribbon cutting, yesterday, Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 10 in the morning. Various local dignitaries in attendance, including the mayor of Rancho Cordova. Unfortunately, I failed to get an image of the ribbon cutting. The camera batteries went south. By the time new batteries were obtained, i became trapped inside the building. The ribbon cutting was outside. Bad timing on my part, and let’s leave it at that.

In celebration of the first Grand Opening weekend, I’ll be doing a “meet and greet” on Saturday and Sunday, September 4 and 5. I might even get in a few watercolor demonstrations. I look forward to seeing you. We’ll have plenty of time for “shop talk” about watercolor paintings, classes, and workshops.

Second image: South-west from my exhibit area. Clearly visible is some interesting sculpture by Charles Shramek. My daughter and her partner are now the proud owners of one of his fascinating works of art.

The Market Place Home and Garden Expo is located at 11395 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova, between Sunrise & Hazel off Highway 50. Open 7 days a week, 10 am – 7 p.m.. My exhibit is in the far left, rear of the exhibition hall. You can’t miss it. Please drop by and say hello.

First image: After several days of preparation this is the exhibition space at about 10 am this morning.
Second image: Seven hours later. Some definite progress, but still more work to be done. I’ll post further progress in the near future.

Preparation in progress for my watercolor exhibit at the Market Place Home Expo Grand Opening on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 10 am. The Market Place is located at 11395 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova, between Sunrise & Hazel off Hiway 50. Open 7 days a week, 10 am – 7 pm. I’ll be in the far left, rear of the exhibition hall. Please drop by and say hello.

SPECIAL NOTE: Watercolor Workshop and Class Information. Click here for details

Join fellow watercolorist David Peterson and me as we again participate in major events at the California State Fair!

David and I will be doing continuous indoor watercolor demonstrations on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, July 17, 18, and 19. We’ll do our best to inform and entertain at our special booth. We’ll be there from opening to closing each day. Look for us in Building 7, Expo Center. We’ll be happy to answer your watercolor questions, tell you about private and group workshops, regional art groups, paint-outs, and/or discuss/debate all things watercolor. Join us with an open, inquisitive mind and your time will be well spent.

What you see and learn might just surprise you. Similar to last year, we have a few surprises up our sleeves! And, each of us will have lots of original watercolor works on site for your viewing pleasure and purchase (think outstanding fair prices). It will be a great fun and informative special event for people of all ages! So when you visit the California State Fair, please be sure to visit us!

IReginster for my Mt. Shasta Outdoor Watercolor Workshop JULY 10 & 11 – all levels welcome. More HERE!

Manzanar Transfiguration. DETAIL. Original watercolor by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

I painted this piece on a Sunday afternoon at the recent Henry Fukuhara Manzanar Watercolor Workshop. This is one of several paintings from three different locations, a working ranch, the Alabama Hills, and Manzanar..

Overall, the workshop weather was exceptionally pleasant, in the low eighties each day. Although, the infamous Owens Valley-Manzanar wind kicked up a bit Sunday afternoon. As a result, I painted this outdoors but not on site. But then, I – for some time now – rarely paint in front of my subject. Instead, I prefer to work from a value sketch done on site. As I’ve noted before, once one has a value sketch the painting can be painted at any location. In this case, Manzanar Transformation was accomplished outdoors, in a wind protected area of the motel at which I was staying.

There’s an old saying that a watercolor painter is wise to remember that “less is more.” Henry often spoke of that saying. In this case, if there were much less there would be no painting at all (ouch)! In tribute to Henry, I modified my original sketch by adding the Manzanar cemetery monument. I also was careful to accentuate the corners of the guard house roof. I have fond memories of Henry lecturing us about the “correct” way to paint that particular roof. There’s more to the story, but that mighty best wait for another time and place.

The last strokes added to the painting are those two oblique lines near the lower center on the right side of the painting. Despite the initial appearance of being of little significance, I believe those two simple marks are, in actuality. major – not minor – parts of the whole design. Less is more.

For more information, including price, and availability, click here