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

Holiday Cards are Here!

Its that time of the year! 
First, we're planning for our Thanksgiving celebration. But before all the food, fun, family and friends convene, there is, the trip... with two old kitties (15 & 20 years old) driving from MT to WA...they're actually pretty seasoned travelers. 
  

Don, Jazz & Seven  

Road-Trip  

Of course then there is my favorite Holiday meal! It is, my most favorite Dinner to cook and share. I completely enjoy the entire process, even the grocery shopping! I remember cooking with my Grandmother....the love of cooking in general and especially this meal, started with her. 

From The Studio
I'm  finishing up a colour collection of cards from an original Watercolour Collage: "Poinsettia".  Some of the cards will be embellished with  gold leaf, there's always room in life, for a little sparkle...... 

This years card is a 5" x 7" folded card & envelope. 

"Poinsettia" in four colours, sold in a mixed pack of ten. 
Use Free Shipping code at checkout: card15

Click Here to Purchase 

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.

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!

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

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

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.