Meet the Artist...Barbara Nechis

Inside the Artist’s Studio Series

“By encouraging paint and water to do what they do best – flow, I am able to paint what cannot be photographed. My work evokes the essence of nature.”  Barbara Nechis

I was painting with oil paints, but always admired watercolor paintings. Living in the Northwest, watercolor was the perfect medium to explore. But these were the arguments that I heard against them.

WATERCOLOR … THE MYTHS

1. Too hard to correct
2. Can’t get deep colors
3. Can’t paint very large pieces
4. Great for landscapes, but you’re not a landscape painter
5. Galleries aren’t interested in watercolor artists

And then I bought the book, Watercolor from the Heart by Barbara Nechis.  One glance and I knew this was the teacher I needed to study with.

I took several two week workshops with Barbara in her fabulous studio located in Napa Valley (see photo above.) I found a kindred spirit and an artist I truly admire.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM BARBARA

BOTTOM LINE…If you want to learn to be free, have fun painting, and dispel all of the myths about watercolor painting you can:

WATCH THE NEW DVD … “WATERCOLOR from WITHIN” Transparent Layering with BARBARA NECHIS, AWS

SEE SHORT DEMO of the DVD here. Watch a short preview and listen to an interview.

Order a copy directly from Barbara here or call 707-942-5052 to talk with her personally. Learn all that I learned in those two week workshops. When I watch this DVD, I see how she applies each brushstroke. I feel like I’m in her studio and she’s talking and demonstrating directly to me.

VISIT BARBARA’S  STUDIO in Napa Valley. Set in a vineyard in the NAPA VALLEY 1 1/2 miles south of the town of Calistoga, 75 miles north of San Francisco, the location offers grand views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. 1085 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA  Call ahead for an appointment  707-942-5052.

If you can’t get to personally visit her studio, tour it here. Click on the doors to enter

TAKE A WORKSHOP IN HER WINE COUNTRY STUDIO : Workshop : For details click here

VISIT WITH HER at CLOS PEGASE WINERY 1060 Dunaweal Lane Calistoga, CA 94515

Barbara is ongoing Artist in Residence at the winery and can be found in the tasting room most weekends.  You’ll see her painting in the Reserve Room.  Designed by postmodern architect Michael Graves, the Clos Pegase winery is a one-of-a-kind “temple to wine and art.” Call ahead to make an appointment with Barbara and meet at the winery 707-942-5052.

INTERVIEW WRAP-UP

ENDING QUESTIONS: I asked Barbara these famous Pivot questions spontaneously at the end of our interview. (I pretended to be James Lipton)

1.     What is your favorite word?    If I had a favorite word…it would be a positive one.

2.     What is your least favorite word?  I do not want to see it in print

3.     What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?  New shapes in nature

4.     What turns you off?  Lack of thought

5.     What is your favorite curse word?  Oh My DOG

6.     What sound or noise do you love?  Children’s voices

7.     What sound or noise do you hate?   My cat yowling

8.     What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  Anything in the creative field – anything visual

9.     What profession would you not like to do?  Anything rigid or prescribed

10.    If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?  WELCOME

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Barbara Nechis… the artist. I’m certain that she would love to hear from you. Either call her, or drop her an email nechis@earthlink.net.  She’s a great person, who really enjoys meeting people. I know she’d love to meet you!

Tagged as: artist, Barbara Nechis, how to paint, watercolor, watercolor painting