May.6.2007

Don't Brush Off Painting Medium
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	Sunday, May 6, 2007 Don't Brush Off Painting Medium By Aurelio Sanchez Journal Staff Writer The shimmering, delicate translucence of a grasshopper's wing can perhaps only be captured in a watercolor painting, a leading watercolorist said. For him, it's about science meeting art, David R. Daniels said of his watercolors. Daniels is the watercolor instructor for the Smithsonian Institution. He said his impressionistic style was influenced by former training as a botanist and biologist. "That training has often led me to investigate the subtle and often overlooked beauties of nature," Daniels said. "And the transparent medium of watercolor is the perfect vehicle for me to express that aesthetic beauty," he said. Daniels judged the more than 100 watercolor paintings by members of New Mexico Watercolor Society, appearing at the "Spring Show" exhibit. It will run at Expo New Mexico from Saturday, May 12, through May 30. Daniels said he was impressed with the show's "very high standards," adding that the paintings ran the gamut from abstract to realism. He said the quality of watercolors rises as more people discover the medium. "Little by little, the watercolor medium is becoming more and more popular and accepted," Daniels said. "Some of the prettiest paintings I've ever seen are watercolors," he said. "You can get shades of light and dark that you can't ordinarily get from an acrylic or an oil paint." The medium also lends itself to the reproduction of magnificent landscapes, he said. Creativity, he adds, isn't just faithful reproduction. "Creativity is that special act that allows you to see an image and to then translate it into your own unique vision," he said. Daniels said he believes one of an artist's responsibilities is not to paint what he sees, but to paint what others see. Dave Collis, president of the New Mexico Watercolor Society, said one of the missions of the organization is to dispel myths and to raise awareness about the qualities of watercolors. He has three paintings in the show. One myth, he said, is that it's hard to paint watercolors. But once the artist has made a basic plan about how he wants the art to unfold, then it's just like picking daisies, he said. Collis also debunks the myth that the painting won't last. Daniels said he once saw a watercolor painted in 1400 Venice; its colors were so vibrant and alive that the painting could have been done last week, he said. Daniels said increasing awareness is one of the major goals of the annual Spring Show. "We want people to see what can be done, and to appreciate what can be done." WHAT: The New Mexico Watercolor Society presents its 2007 "Spring Show" WHEN: Saturday, May 12, through May 30. Free opening free reception is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 11. Show runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays WHERE: Hispanic Arts Building, Expo New Mexico HOW MUCH: Free

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