Mark Makers Exhibit

Hello Everyone!  

It's been a while since I've visited you here...thanks so very much for your positive comments on my Facebook and Instagram posts.

If you haven't caught my posts you might not know I have a new home and studio.  We've moved from Montana to my family home in Cashmere, Washington where I am the 4th generation to live and draw inspiration from the land.  Prior to the HUGE move, we renovated a smaller home on the farm for my Dad.  He says "its just like living in a brand new house".  My very talented husband, Don, also built him a gallery space (17' x 30') for his collection of magic. Dad has raised pears and preformed magic the majority of his life and although he no longer preforms on stage, he continues to build magic apparatus for collectors and magicians all over the world. 

Creativity runs in this family.....

Yes,"Peter rabbit" was part of the show....

OK, the last number of months, a year plus, have been crazy busy. But I've still managed to paint and be inspired by the landscape around me. No matter the season, the beauty in nature is amazing!  I have been painting for a special event...

Mark Makers

Hockaday Museum of Art

Opening Reception: Thursday February 28th 5-7pm

On Exhibit: March 1 thru May 25th (extended from May 11)

This is a three woman show, featuring over 60 nature inspired paintings by Shelle Lindholm,  Linda Hendrickson and myself.  I've painted with these wonderful ladies / amazing artists for many years now...I hope to see you at the show, you won't be disappointed. 

"Winter Waltz"  15" x 22"  Watercolour Collage in process

Sheri Trepina

"Sedona" 15" x 15" Watercolour Collage

Sheri Trepina

If you're in the area join us for our two day workshop.....Mark making develops creative expression and can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities.

Call the Hockaday Museum of Art to reserve your spot.

"Among Friends" 11" x 30" Watercolour Collage

Sheri Trepina

Thanks for following my work and all that goes with it!

Contemporary Botanical Watercolour, "Twilight" by Montana Artist Sheri Trepina

A final art piece is completed prior to leaving for an artist residency in Sedona AZ.  Definitely keeping this "cool" palette in my mind as I enter the more intense heat of Sedona. Looking forward to being inspired by the warm colours of southwest landscape.

I am so looking forward to sharing my process with other artists and patrons of the Sedona Arts Center.  I'll also have the opportunity to gather information thru photos, sketches, and leaf collection.  I'm taking a cooler so I can collect and bring leaves back to work with in the studio.  I"ll "document" the beauty of the area thru field painting with pastel and acrylics. So excited!!!

I hope to post pictures along the way.  Be inspired, follow my daily posts  on my Facebook art page or on Instagram. 

"Twilight"  Watercolour Collage 12" x 12"

In-Process photos; cutting leaves for collage

A free-flowing watercolour  enhanced
with Daniel Smith's iridescent gold watercolour.

Click HERE for more information on this Original

Click HERE for more on my Process with Leaves

Stay Connected...Join my Newsletter HERE

ColoursBySheri.com

Colouring Your Life with .....Art

Contemporary Botanical Watercolours by Artist Sheri Trepina

Are you one that works well under pressure? I didn't used to think I was, but now I do!  As I look back over my working life; a business professional in the environmental industry, to now a full time artist, the skill developed over time.

Life isn't any less demanding as a full time artist, I still have a family, friendships to nurture and chores here in Kalispell and at our 100+ year old family ranch in WA.  It seems there is more to do now than when I worked in a corporate world. Definitely no complaints.

The wonderful difference, now I get to choose all the events that fill up my calendar. Mostly, these are things I'm passionate about, and that is a blessing for sure. 

This summer I am preparing for two big shows in the fall (more to come on those), I am attending an artist residency in Sedona AZ, so thrilled about this opportunity and excited to share my experiences and the inspiration that comes from my time with other artists in a gorgeous part of our country. Summer is the time when we do projects at the ranch...if you follow me on Facebook I post lots of before and after photos. Also this year, my husband has been preparing for the National GTO convention in Seattle. He wants me to go....I love him, so I will go and meet new car folks!  And lastly, I've made the commitment to complete a certificate program; Montana Artrepreneur Program, An Artist MAP to Business Success.  

Have I bitten of too much?....well I'll just have to find out. Working under the pressure of a deadline or multiple commitments can weed out the unimportant real fast and centers me into a calm focus ......and you know, it usually all works out, maybe differently that I had planned but at the end of the day I know for sure that this life as an artist is a very good life!

New ways to see me and my art

I am honored to have been selected for the newly launched Artsy Shark Gallery.  This is a boutique online Gallery by Founder Carolyn Edlund and Gallery Manager Loren Garfolo. They have done an amazing job building the website and presenting this select group of artists. You can view the art works in situ  (click on the wall preview button) and shipping is free within the US.  YEA!

Visit the Gallery

Some of the new work from the 

Cashmere Studio

This piece with its soft palette is in the collage stage; I'm deciding which leaves to glue where....I'll do some shadowing and it will be ready to present. I'm open to suggestions for a name.

"Burdock Glory" 24" x 15"

I picked the large background leaves (Burdock) from the Cashmere orchard and the reeds are from the garden of artist friend Shelle Lindholm.  I also used some of Daniel Smiths gorgeous metallic watercolours as highlights.

If you're in or near my hometown of Cashmere WA you can see my work at Kashmir Gardens.  Sherrie Kill has a beautiful floral design business, and my enlarged giclee's present so well there.  

You can also see some of my originals at Two Rivers Art Gallery in Wenatchee.

I'm at my Cashmere studio on and off throughout the year, please give a call and stop by....would love to show you the studio....I make a good cup of coffee too.  Contact me 

Thank you folks for staying connected with me and my art work....I appreciate it!

Until next time,

Contemporary Botanical Art by Artist Sheri Trepina

I have been busy creating new art pieces. Experimenting with new mediums and techniques for watercolour. Also, considering the use of fabric as a collage element.....I have a  generous stash of colour coordinated fabrics in delicious hues and patterns, just calling to me....... 

Studio work in progress:  Watercolours on Arches 140 Lb, maybe some collage to be added...

Studio Work in progress: Watercolour & Acrylic on Canvas.  

Need to define the flowers, change the vase shape......I'll think of more as I continue with it.

From New Years to early Spring, I make every effort to stay "hold up" in my Kalispell studio.  Its a time to test new ideas, be productive & get my blogs back on schedule...I have more than one blog now.  Its also a time for me to take a class or two. I'm currently learning how to build repeat patterns using my own art, and a social media workshop...."When you know better, you do better" Maya Angelou. 

Definitely a favorite time of the year for me.  If you're in the area, please give a call...I make a great scone and cup of coffee. 

I've put together a short video thanking everyone for making 2015 an amazing year. I'm truly grateful!

        Click here to view the Video!

Want to know more about my process with leaves.....click HERE

Art and Life.....

How is it that we are able to create Art and  manage life's commitments and daily distractions.....they might be obligations that are scheduled or needs that simply fall at your feet without notice....I have had my share of that lately. But it's like a very good old friend used to say " Life is Good".

My husband Don and I have been back and forth to the family farm in Washington, getting ready for and now working on the projects scheduled for this summer.  Two new decks, one with pergola, pool renovation and landscape......Lots of land, lots of landscape.  

There are other projects in the wings but I am grateful to have such a beautiful place to visit and call home, to paint, wander in the orchard, walk along the edge of the canyon or follow the ditch bank looking at the Cascades....amazing inspiration. 

Some pictures of our projects below and my sources of inspiration. And yes thru the distractions I have 6 new pieces going to be scanned before framing. Four leaf pieces using Hostas, Burdock picked in Washington and Rocket plant from Kalispell. There are two non-leaf pieces, a tropical fish and a jeweled sunset landscape, both with gold leaf accents.....A girl loves a little gold :)

Leave me a comment below and tell me how you stay inspired in and around the happenings of life.  

You can now purchase prints and gallery wrapped canvas Giclee's

Here

If you are enjoying my work, the story of the process please share this Blog with your friends...Thank you!

Getting Ready to Celebrate

Getting ready to join family to celebrate the Christmas Holiday. I'm so looking forward to cooking together, catching up and remembering times past with laughter and gratitude.  Blessings to all of you, your friends and family.

Visit my new web site

Poinsettia Watercolour Collage / Gold leaf embellished

12" x 12"
Purchase Giclee here

Mark Making with Leaves

I have found that using leaves to make initial marks on paper or canvas  can be a magical process.  Over the years I have experimented with image making by using acrylic, watercolours and ink painted on to all kinds of leaves and then pressed to a surface. Sometimes the results are dynamic and detailed or the impression left can be lackluster requiring work on my part to be visually interesting.

I scrounge for leaves in the winter, and have wonderful friends who bring me bags of leaves from their gardens during the growing season.  I have found that freezing leaves allows me more play in the snowy winter months.  My husband says we have no meat in our freezer as it is full of leaves....and he loves me still :)

I have experimented with applying pressure to get the paint to release and merge on the paper; rolling with a brayer, applying a paper-towel over the leaf and pressing gently with my fingers to fully weighting down the leaves overnight.   

The pictures below show an application of watercolour to leaves that I picked from our family farm in WA recently.  In this project, I applied a solid surface weight (acrylic sheet over the leaf and then plywood on top) overnight to let the paint seep into the paper and do its magic.......

Grape Leaves 

Watercolour wash applied to the vein side of the leaf

Grape leaf imprinted onto 
Arches 140 Lb. paper

Grape leaf imprinted onto 
Arches  140 Lb.  paper

Sometimes I cut the individual leaves out and use them in collage, other times I work the background to complete the piece.

Members Salon

Bundle up and join me for the Opening Reception of the 2014 Members Salon, at the Hockaday Museum of Art this evening.  Enjoy a refreshment, and the many beautiful artworks from this talented group of member Artists. 
The Members Show can be seen through December 24th. 

Don't forget to Vote for your favorite piece!

Opening Reception
Thursday, November 12, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Admission: Free / Open to the Public

"Holding onto the Glory"

Watercolour Collage with Gold Leaf

22" x 30"

You can also see my work at: (Link)

Beckman's Fine Furnishings  / Kalispell
Copper Sun Gallery / BigFork
Glacier Sun Winery / Kalispell

Thank You All for a Great 2014 Studio Tour

It was a Gorgeous weekend for Open Studio. The sun was shining, people were out and about enjoying the weather and some of the most amazing art that the Flathead valley has to offer. I appreciate your support and  encouraging comments.....it was really fun to meet so many new folks and reconnect with others. 

Thanks so much. 

Short slide show of the weekend event.

Its a Family Affair

We're approaching that time of the year where Open Studio happens here in the Flathead Valley, MT. There is much to do. Framing, gluing, installing hanging hardware, gold leafing, application of UV sealer and not to forget a little house keeping. Oh and baking some treats and making  appetizer trays to offer throughout the weekend. My artist friend Shelle Lindholm calls it the "Cinderella process". It's all beautiful in the end.

My husband Don is an amazing helper in getting this event up and running. It is all fun, so much enjoyment in sharing my art, visiting with customers, neighbors and friends. 

There's lots of beautiful art showing in the valley this weekend, hope to see you!





The Hockaday Local Color Studio Tour  (Download map)
September 20-21, 2014
10am to 5pm