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ART BY KATE LARSSON
 "I know I am an artist because painting is not
an option, it is a necessity."
I took my first watercolor class at a local community college in October, 1996. I was really not a very good painter when I started. I didn’t know the medium and I couldn’t draw but I did know how to use bright colors in bold patterns. From the beginning my watercolor paintings “spoke” to me. I set up a permanent studio in my living room and taped all my works in progress on the walls. I went to the public library and checked out as many art books as possible. I studied art theory, art technique and famous artists. In addition, I painted every chance I could. I painted with friends, painted in weekend classes, painted alone. I painted at least 3 to 4 hours every day.
In September of 1998 I had my first solo show and was accepted into my first art gallery. I began to enter Fine art show and juried events throughout Washington State. I now show my art in Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon and Idaho.
My art process is simple. I take my own reference pictures with a macro lens. I use these to hand draw my own composition. My main focus is on color, patterns and movement. I begin painting what appeals to me and then, if I am lucky, the vision takes over. I love to paint oversized pieces full of contrasting color and light. I work over the entire piece, one section at a time. After the 1st application of watercolor has dried, I reapply another coat. I continue glazing until I have applied 5 to 8 applications of color. I use transparent watercolors to maintain the “white of the paper”, resulting in vibrant, intense coloration.
I use the same colors we all used in kindergarten before we were taught to “gray things down”. If my art touches someone, makes them feel happier or more in touch with nature, then I am pleased.
See more of this fine artist's work on her website: http://www.katelarssonstudio.com/
Currently exhibiting in the following Galleries:
Gallery Row - Gig Harbor, WA
2009 SHOWS*
Seattle Remodeling Show Jan 2 - 4 Seattle, WA
Tacoma Home & Garden Jan 28 - Feb 1 Tacoma, WA
FEATURED ARTIST - Month of February
Kimball Gallery Gig Harbor, WA
Gallery Row Gig Harbor, WA
East Shore Gallery Bellevue, WA
NW Flower & Garden Show Feb 18 - 22 Seattle, WA
La Quinta Arts Festival March 13 - 15 La Quinta, CA
Scottsdale Fine Arts Festival March 20—22 Scottsdale, AZ
Tempe Festival of the Arts March 27 - 29 Tempe, AZ
Indian Wells Art Festival April 3 - 5 Indian Wells, CA
Art Under the Elms April 24 - 26 Lewiston, ID
Annual Home Show May 2 & 3 Gig Harbor, WA
Walla Walla Balloon Festival May 8 - 10 Walla Walla, WA
U District Street Fair May 16 & 17 Seattle, WA
Pike Place Market Street Fair May 30 & 31 Seattle, WA
Edmonds Art Festival June 19 - 21 Edmonds, WA
Lake Oswego June 26 - 28 Lake Oswego, OR
Art and the Vineyard July 3 - 5 Eugene, OR
Art on the Ave July 12 Tacoma, WA
Gig Harbor Artfest July 18 & 19 Gig Harbor, WA
Bellevue Festival of the Arts July 24 - 26 Bellevue, WA
Proctor Art Festival Aug 1 Tacoma, WA
Anacortes Art Festival Aug 7 - 9 Anacortes, WA
Brookings Harbor Festival Aug 15 & 16 Brookings, OR
Vancouver Wine & Jazz Fest Aug 21 - 23 Vancouver, WA
Art in the Pearl Sept 5 - 7 Portland, OR
Art in the Park Sept 11 - 13 Boise, ID
Open Studio Tour Sept 19 & 20 Gig Harbor, WA
Balloon Fiesta Show Oct 2 - 4 Albuquerque, NM
Balloon Fiesta Show Oct 9 - 11 Albuquerque, NM
Tacoma Food & Gift Show Oct 21-25 Tacoma, WA
Best of the Northwest Nov 13 - 15 Seattle, WA
Rio Grande Arts Festival Nov 27 - 29 Albuquerque, NM
Tidefest Dec 5 & 6 Gig Harbor, WA
*Shows subject to Juried acceptance. Please check
my website for confirmation.
email the artist
www.katelarssonstudio.com/
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