Meet Artist Christopher Knopp

Christopher Knopp, NCA

O-044 Trout-Creek-Marsh-by Chris Knopp wc 22x30 $1600

Artist’s Statement
I paint exclusively in watercolors because I love the process that watercolors require; both its constantly unfolding creativity and because of its difficulty. New surfaces, paints and techniques provide seemingly endless options. As to subject matter I like to paint almost everything. I am inspired by the beauty of the natural world, but I find that including people in my work can give it greater depth. I also find beauty in architecture and machinery, particularly in a historical frame, where we can get a glimpse of the past through remnants that have persisted into the present.

O-046 On The Ropes by Chris Knopp wc 22x30 $1600

I strive to keep learning as a means of progressing in my ability to render images that do justice to the beauty and intricacies of life. Sometimes the most difficult aspect of a painting is to make it appear to be simple and elegant. Some of my favorite pieces have that quality.  The challenge of painting well is both a lure and at times elusive, and I expect I will always be striving to be a better painter and enjoy every minute of it. 

O-045 Kestral by Chris Knopp wc 16x12 $450

Education

I’ve had the privilege of studying under the following artists:

o   Beverly Fields, Placerville, CA

o   Carol Carter, Saint Luis, MO

o   Brenda Swenson, Watercolor West, NWWS, SDWS

o   Tom Francesconi, AWS, NWS, TWSA

o   Beverly Jozwiak, NWS, AWS

o   Steve Rogers, AWS, NWS

o   Shuang Li

Solo Exhibitions and Spotlights

·         Rivers of Life, Forbes Gallery, Trinidad, CA July 2018 and 2019.

·         Featured Artist in the August 2018 edition of STYLE magazine, El Dorado County, CA.

Juried Exhibitions and Awards

·         2018 West Seattle Garden Tour art exhibit, Finalist, Seattle, WA. January.

·         2018 Aspiring Artists, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. February.

o   1^st Place award for “Moody Blues”

·         2018 Magnum Opus, International Open, Sacramento Fine Arts Center. March.

·         2018 WASH Open exhibition, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, September 2018.

o   Award of Excellence for “Blue’s Bayou”

·         2018 Northern California Arts Council members, Artistic Journeys, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. April.

o   2^nd Place award for “Pool Cool”

·         2018 California Watercolor Association members, Colors of Summer, St. Mary’s College Museum of Art, Moraga, CA. May.

·         2018, California Watercolor Association members, Personal Journeys, Brentwood Delta Gallery, Brenwood, CA. March.

o   Honorable mention for “Silver Fork Evening”

·         2018 California State Fair, Fine Arts Exhibit, Sacramento, CA. July.

·         2018 WASH members, Go with the Flow, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. October.

·         2018 NCA Bold Expressions Open, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. November.

·         2019 Rocklin Fine Arts Center Open, Rocklin, CA. February.

o   2^nd place award for “Sand Hill Crane”

·         2019 Ironstone Museum Open Spring Obsession, Murphy, CA. February.

o   2^nd place award for “Silver Fork Winter”

·         2019 NCA Artistic Journey members, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. April.

o   1^st place award for “Deep Blue”

o   Florence Ferrario Award Best Use of Color for “El Dorado”

·         2019 California Watercolor Association members, Pleasanton, CA. April.

·         2019 WASH members, Go with the Flow, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. March.

o   Honorable mention for “Rhettster”

·         2019 WASH open, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA. October.

o   Honorable mention for “On the Ropes”

·         2020 Rocklin Fine Arts Center Open, Rocklin, CA

o   1^st Place for” Kite”

Gallery and Professional Society Affiliations

·         California Watercolor Association, CWA

·         National Watercolor Society, NWS

·         Northwest Watercolor Society, NWWS

·         Watercolor Artists of Western Horizons, WASH

·         Redwood Art Association

Currently exhibiting in the Gold Country Artists Gallery, Placerville, CA.

Contact information

Chrismknopp@gmail.com, Chrisknoppwatercolors.com

Meet Artist George Haskell

George Haskell

Artist and Musician

  

O-097 Yosemite Falls by George Haskell oil 8x10 $300

George’s passion for painting started in college when he took an independent study in painting. After retiring from a forty year career in special education George returned to art.  Among his favorite topics are Yosemite, seashores, sunsets and animals.  What ever the subject is George focuses on capturing luminous, light color and mood of the subject at hand.  He has studied with Judy Cain, Susan Sarback and Heinie Hartwig. George is a member of Arts Of Bear Valley.

O-095 Ahab Dreams of the Great White Kitty by George Haskell oil 11x14 $300

Besides art, George is also a musician.  He sings and plays both guitar and banjo at local wineries and restaurants.



George lives just outside of Murphys on the top of Treasure Mountain with his wife Patricia, two cats, two corgis and two horses.

Meet Artist Stephen Testa

O-105 Black-Oyster-Catcher by Stephen Testa wc 9x12 $450

   Stephen Testa is a geologist whose interests are in painting landscapes of geological interest, black and white images of iconic geological figures and landscapes from the great surveys of the 19th Century, and wildlife (including domestic pets).  For Stephen, the media of choice is watercolor and the transformation from an historic dark black and white photo to watercolor brings out a fresh perspective on such iconic individuals and images.  

Stephen's other interests are in the painting of portraits of dogs and wildlife, notably birds.  His initial inspiration for watercolors began in the early 1980s when he was working in the North Cascades.  It was there that he met Dr. Peter Misch, a famed pioneering geologist of the North Cascades and professor at the University of Washington.  Dr. Misch was also an accomplished mountain climber and during his many geological excursions would take his watercolor set with him as he explored the Cascades.  

O-107 Half Dome from Glacier Point by Stephen Testa wc 9x11 $350

It was at his home where Peter showed Stephen his watercolors and encouraged him to pick up the brush along with a rock hammer.  Some of Stephen's earliest paintings were displayed at The Prince and Pauper Gallery in Seattle.  During this time, he also became a member of the Northwest Watercolor Society.  

O-106 Summer Day at Mono Lake by Stephen Testa wc 10x12 $300

After a hiatus from painting in the late 1980s until 2017, Stephen resumed his desire to paint in watercolor.  Stephen is self-taught, and has developed his style from books on technique, observation of other artists' works, especially that of John Hunt and Robert Bateman, and workshops, albeit his geologic training is an advantage in sketching and 3-D visualization.  He prefers watercolor for the spontaneity and many challenges this media presents.  He varies his work by using a minimal palette and multi-layering and glazing to achieve his desired effect.  

Stephen lives in Mokelumne Hill and is a member of the California Watercolor Association and Mother Lode Art Association.

Meet Artist Vickie Chew

Vickie Chew 

T-006  Dillicious Mist by Vickie Chew  oil  20x16 $600

Art Painting for me is a joy, challenge and mental escape all in one. Most of us Artists fall in love with a scene for variety of reasons just as you may fall in love with a particular surrounding or place. The scene usually has some type of emotional connection that originally attracts you to it, maybe you spent time there as a child, a first kiss, family outings or you are just attracted to the beauty of the area. I love the challenge of trying to capture the essence of what is before me, whether it be a barn, trees, lakes or ocean, there is something special that attracted me to the scene. It is all about recreating the image before me and capturing the light, character and personality of the scene. 

O-033 Spring's Dawn Angels Creek by Vickie Chew  oil 20x16 $600

I do Impressionistic paintings in Plein Air, Studio, Murals and Commissioned pieces. I use brush and palette knife and rarely use or mix my oils with other mediums. My work is always sealed with a varnish finish, signed and numbered on the back of the canvas. 

O-034 Fall in Hope Valley by Vickie Chew  oil 16x20 $600

I can be contacted at 209-743-4126