Happy New Year!!!  Take a deep breath and think about.......Trees!

Our January artist, Pipper Watkins will present her exhibit titled "Trees", opening January 3, 5-7PM for First Friday Art Walk.

Here is Pipper's description of her work:

TREES.  Here in the Northwest we are surrounded by green. Tall trees and the understory.  A diverse ecology ranging from dry to very, very wet. We who live here become oblivious to it all, not aware of the diversity of plant and animal life surrounding us.

My goal with this series is to show trees in a way that can’t be ignored. One must look, and look again.  Thoughts may lead to questions. Will questions lead to answers?

The works are done on 24 x 30 professional grade canvases. Acrylics and modeling gel is utilized as the medium.  Indigenous species with unusual textures and character will be in the series. Many of the works will be done with the intent of showing these features at very close range.

Having lived on Guam as a child, the Asian aesthetic has influenced my life in many ways, including my art work. A graduate of Oregon State University, I have taught elementary school as well as art at the community college level. Having worked for years as a botanical illustrator in watercolor, my works are in collections including the Corning Glass family, a relative of Karen von Blixen-Finecke (aka. Isak Dinesen), and a vice-president of BBC television.  Pen and ink illustrations were also done for a book on heathers. These watercolors follow the Japanese aesthetic rather than the European.

As president of the Corvallis Art Guild I was also a member of the Corvallis Art Center jury deciding the artists who would be showing each year in the main gallery.

I studied under Portland artist Ted Katz where I finally learned how to loosen up! It was a  great discovery. (He said I graduated “Suma cum Laude” – I think he might have been concerned I was a lost cause!)

For 40 odd years I helped my husband with his business of landscape/grounds maintenance. I have written romance novels, and am currently involved in my own business as a full service florist here on the island. My husband, having a masters in wild life management, spent his life outdoors. We spent many, many hours observing and documenting Washington bird life.

Because of circumstances, I am now able to return to my art work as well as continue my floral business. I am extremely fortunate to be able to do both!

You can view this Pipper's exhibit during the entire month of January and on the library website, www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org.

As always, thank you for supporting local artists and your Bainbridge Public Library.

A portion of sales proceeds is donated back to the library.

Linda Meier, art coordinator