A Chat With Catherine Bede, Watercolor Artist.

In this blog series of artist chats, I’m hoping to help our artists and visitors get to know each other better.  Catherine is new to Washington County Open Studio Tour this year.

So, let’s grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit down and find out more about watercolor painter, Catherine Bede’s art journey.

Catherine, what got you interested in art? 

“I just love to draw and paint the beauty I see in nature.  When I was very young my mom enrolled my sister (who is also an artist) and me in drawing lessons at Valley Art in Forest Grove.  That is my earliest memory of feeling like I could really draw and that I was really an artist.”

What’s your favorite part of your process?

“I love the whole process of creating a painting, from studying my subject matter to the beginning sketch to a complete drawing to the finished painting.  I enjoy the whole process.”

What inspires you and how does that come through your art?  

“What inspires me is that there really is beauty in any moment. Even in the smallest things. Even when you aren’t expecting it.  I love having the ability to capture that and express having that awareness. And to invite others to notice it too.”

What weird and different material or technique do you use?

“I use a lot of the wet-on-wet watercolor technique for very detailed flower paintings.  I also like to leave a bit of white space to separate shapes in my paintings.”

When people come to your studio, what will they see you doing …what part of your process?

“Hopefully they will get to see a bit of the whole process, depending on when they are there.”

You can see more of Catherine’s work and visit her studio during Washington County Open Studios tour October 18-19^th from 11am to 5pm.  And on her website at www.catherinebede.com and blog http://catherinebede.com/in-the-studio/

See Art in the Making in Hillsboro. Free.

  

 “I’ll be cutting stone, or glass, and using thin set mortar to affix the tesserae to a work in progress,” says Lynn Adamo, Mosaic Artist.

Watercolor painter, Catherine Bede describes, “Hopefully they will get to see a bit of the whole process. From creating a painting and studying my subject matter to beginning sketches, a complete drawing and the finished painting.”

Get a free tour map at www.washcoart.org and spend Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm visiting art studios during Washington County Open Studios.  Forty artists will be demonstrating their techniques for you and some are right in your own Hillsboro neighborhood.

“I will be painting a watercolor still life and creating jewelry in my studio,” says painter, Bonnie Burbidge.

At Valerie Sjodin’s studio, “People will experience a warm welcome into a space that feels like a kindergarten classroom for adults. It’s so fun and invites spirited conversations and questions. We may look through journals, ask and answer questions, “show-n-tell” and more. Interacting with people who visit during open studios is a highlight for me. “

You can see art in the making October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm in the suburbs and country during Washington County Open Studios.  Get a tour map and directions FREE at www.washcoart.org 

What weird techniques do artists use in Hillsboro?

“I love rusty old found objects like rusty nuts and bolts, copper and steel shavings from an industrial metal process  and I use granite, marble, and mosaic glass called smalti,” explains mosaic artist Lynn Adamo.

Catherine Bede says, "I use a lot of wet-on-wet watercolor technique for very detailed flower paintings."

Wonder what weird technique or process you’ll get to see during Washington County Open Studios? October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm, 40 artists will be demonstrating their techniques for you. 

Lieta Gratteri, watercolor painter explains, “The weird technique I use is granulation. When layering and layering colors over each other, rotating from warm and cool colors, you can get some amazing effects.

"What has been challenging me is taking inspiration from historical patterns in art and architecture and integrating an element or style into my own artwork, especially in art journaling and bookmaking," says Valerie Sjodin, mixed media artist.

You can see art in the making October 18 and 19 from 11 am to 5 pm in the suburbs and country during Washington County Open Studios.  Get a tour map and directions FREE at www.washcoart.org