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 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 to Share

 

"Only in Your Dreams"

Watercolour Collage with Gold Leafing 22" x 30"

I'm thrilled to share.....
My Watercolour Collage has won 2nd place in the 
Contemporary Fine Art International's 
Fall 2015 Colors of Autumn Juried Show.

The original is available at:

Dodson's / Spokane, WA

"Only in Your Dreams" is part of my ongoing series using regional leaves that I collect from around my home and on my travels.  I paint with fresh and frozen leaves to create beautiful, initial marks onto watercolour paper. I sometimes collage more leaves onto the painting as I did here. 

Ready more about my process here


A big Thank You to all who purchased my 
Holiday Cards!

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful and lucky me, it came with several inches of snow....this girl loves the snow!  When I wasn't cooking, I was gold and silver leafing holiday cards....shipped out with love!

2015 Holiday Card Collection

Warmest wishes from Don and I to you and and the special folks & critters in your life.  Peace and Joy as we move closer to the new year and all the opportunities we have to look forward too....I'm excited  to share new works, from process to finish and other  "happenings"  here and around the Studio.

Studio "In Progress"

So many things to do, places to go, and Art to See!

I am burning through my summer, literately and well...it's just flying by again.  As I've gotten older I so appreciate the opportunity to spend time with my friends, painting, enjoying a meal or coffee and the opportunity to meet new folks, see new art and ideas...all wonderful!  Also, I'm simply enjoying the unique landscape of where we live and of our travels.  So much beauty out there, its huge on the inspiration meter. 

If you're in my area, Kalispell MT or Cashmere WA, please give me a call, stop by my studio and see what I have on the art table.....I usually have a bit of story to go with my pieces. 
(click here for my contact information)

I wanted to thank the Gallery owners and organizations that represent my Art, if you're in the area, stop in and enjoy an amazing collection of Art works form local to national Artists....super nice folks too!

Copper Sun Gallery at Branding Iron Station in Bigfork, MT. Stop in and meet Owner, Beverly Ferguson, enjoy this beautiful Gallery and generous hospitality.

Wild Eye Artistry in Downtown Kalispell.....Rick Green, Owner and Artist has assembled an eclectic group of local and national artists and their works of Art.

Glacier Sun Winery......Wonderful wines, live music and a little art, be sure to say hello to Bill the tasting room manager.

The Healing Arts Gallery at Kalispell Regional Medical Center....An amazing presentation of local arts works, take time to tour and take in some breathtaking Art.

2 Rivers Gallery in Wenatchee WA...2 Rivers is an Art cooperative that promotes visual arts in North Central WA.  Join the community on the First Friday of every month for a great Art Experience. (3 new pieces being delivered August 1st)

Art Across Montana: WaterWorks Art Museum in Miles City, MT


My watercolour "Holding onto the Glory" is showing at this event.

Glacier Sun Winery and Tasting Room, Kalispell MT

If you're not out enjoying all that winter has to offer here in Montana, stop by the Glacier Sun Winery in Kalispell MT. I have several canvas giclee's showing in the wine tasting room, located in the Apple Barrel Country Market. 

I collected grape leaves from our family farm and used them to make initial marks on watercolour paper.  I also embellished with rice paper and some gold leaf.

The Winery offers a great location not only to enjoy great wine, but art as well.  Enjoy!

Visit My Website

There is Work to Be Done!

My Freezer is Full of Leaves.....

This is the time of the year where I get busy using leaves that I collected this past summer and fall. It's and exciting time creating new art pieces.  The results are always different when using a frozen leaf vs a fresh one.  I discovered years ago that if I was going to use leaves for "Mark Making" in Montana, I had better figure out a way to preserve them for use in the winter. My husband knows we have little meat in our freezer, and yet he still loves me....

 Fresh leaves collected around my Cashmere,WA studio. I will freeze some and of course, and I have to try some mark making with a few fresh samples.

A gathering of leaves, grasses and moss from the Tally Lake, MT area, ready to be frozen or dried.

The Freezer is full for the season and that means I need to get to work....
Get my Art on!

Click 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.

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

Open Studio is Almost Here

A long weekend of painting, finishing pieces for the Hockaday Local Color Studio Tour.  (Click for a map and event details) Several new leaf pieces to share and some new sizes too!....something for everyone. 

Close up detail.....new Open Studio piece.
30" x 22" Watercolour Collage

Hockaday Local Color Studio Tour
September 20-21, 2014
10AM to 5PM
Refreshments!

Watercolours for the Copper Sun Gallery

I'm excited to be working with  the Copper Sun Gallery in Kalispell Mt. 
Three colourful  watercolours delivered this week. Stop in and meet Beverly and her husband Dave and see their beautiful Gallery, conveniently located at 3955 "A" Highway 35 in the Creston Center.