January 14, 2015

One of our most requested instructors, Barbara Nechis, will teach an intense three-day Workshop, Watercolor From Within: Techniques for Painting the Essence of Nature May 14 to 17, 2015 at the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops.

Barbara recently gave us some insights on her art, and teaching.  

How long have you been teaching and what got you started teaching?

I began teaching after the 3rd person who knew less than I did asked me if I would teach. That was in 1967, I believe.

What is your favorite part about teaching?

Changing minds and watching people rethink concepts that they thought were written in stone.

What would you tell your prospective students are three best reasons for taking a workshop? 1. They will learn a lot 2. Their work will improve 3. They will have a good time

What are you currently working on in your own art?

I’m pushing myself both in color and form to make changes so that my work always surprises both me and the viewer. I never want to paint “just another one like all the rest.”

Where is your art currently being exhibited? Mostly in my studio/gallery and on my website.

Is your work represented in galleries, and if so, what hints would you give to artists looking for gallery representation? I have exhibited in many galleries but I have always had lots of studio visitors and my website barbaranechis.com is also getting a lot of attention. At present these are my best sources.

What is your favorite art quote?

Picasso said “God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things.”    

Describe your studio. 

It is a wonderful small building with beautiful views of our vineyard in Napa Valley, designed by Richard Jansen (former staff architect at MOMA, NYC). I designed all the interior storage.  

Name five of your “can’t do without” tools/products.

Quality large flat brushes with great edges, Arche 140lb CP paper (although some of my best work has been experimenting with other papers), a camera to record my travels, a large flat table to work on, and a lot of floor space to drop all my paintings in progress.

 

See more of Barbara’s work and Studio on her Pinterest page.