The Ogunquit Art Association (OAA) was founded in 1928 to bring together professional artists to exhibit their work to the public and to provide an educational forum. This vital role that the OAA plays in the lively cultural life of Ogunquit continues today through our annual art exhibitions, artist demonstrations, and workshops at Barn Gallery.
On Wednesday, August 10th, 2022, Ogunquit Art Association artist-member + educator Dustan Knight added to the legacy of our time-honored traditions by presenting a demo and workshop focused on the art of watercolor: “Watercolor Flowers”.
Workshop participants of all skill levels learned the finer points of painting big watercolor florals with brilliant color, loose brushwork, step by step demos!
Knight shared lessons about her professional development as an artist, her working process and her inspiration.
Those in attendance had the opportunity to learn the methods Knight utilizes to developing initial shapes, creating positive and negative areas, apply background color, and create texture with plastic wrap as part of the wet on wet watercolor process, as well as a wealth of information on the elements in consideration while working to complete paintings and deliver fully developed compositions.
During a post-class critique session, Knight put her experienced eye to excellent work (alongside observations and input from the students) by suggesting additional possibilities capable of strengthening individual watercolors created during the workshop.
Some excellent takeaways shared by Knight:
- You can learn all of the “rules”, and what “should” be done, but you don’t always have to do it! Sometimes the magic happens when you wander outside lines! Strictly following the “rules and regulations” for using watercolor is like saying you can only use the white keys on a piano!
- It’s important to really have fun: that’s what takes the pressure off and makes the experience spontaneous and joyful.
- You should always review your work and look at it with a fresh eye later. That’s when you may see what you’ve created in a different light; and it may actually be better than you remembered!
Learn more about the Barn Gallery 2022 Schedule: https://barngallery.org/get-ready-for-some-art-in-ogunquit-barn-gallerys-2022-season/
Photos of Dustan Knight Watercolor Demonstration + Workshop: Watercolor Flowers
ARTIST BIO: Dustan Knight
Dustan Knight is a professional artist, educator, and art writer. She earned her Masters in Fine Art from Pratt Institute in NYC and her MA in Art History from Boston University. She is a recipient of a NH State Fellowship for the Arts, a MacDowell Colony residency, and a past Cummington Artist Colony resident. Dustan is represented by galleries across the US, including Art Three in Manchester, the Ogunquit Art Association in Maine. She’s a contributing writer to Art New England, a frequent juror, and gives demonstrations and workshops in watercolor, art business, and art history. Her work has appeared in Watercolor Magazine, Daniel Smith, Cheap Joe’s and Ampersand Insider Newsletters. Dustan’s work is in many private and public collections, including Macy’s, Acme and Oracles as well as numerous hospitals and New Hampshire public buildings.
Learn more about the Barn Gallery 2022 Schedule: https://barngallery.org/get-ready-for-some-art-in-ogunquit-barn-gallerys-2022-season/
Photos by Deidre O’Flaherty.
