Watercolor Retrospective

WATERCOLOR RETROSPECTIVE (2006-2011) – THE LAST HURRAH
Oct. 17 to Nov. 30

This show came about for two main reasons.

Number one is to honor the students who have poured their hard work and considerable time and talent into expressing themselves, in and out of my classroom. I wish that we had miles of wall space to honor all of them. They deserve not only recognition for their talent, but also a venue that allows them to show the community that watercolor as a genre is not just your grandma’s painting of a barn—not that grandma and her barn aren’t wonderful, of course—but much, much more.

Watercolor has had a renaissance in recent years, and is actually a new trend in both Fine Art and Commercial Art. Fast, easy and versatile, it is as applicable for industry as it is for personal expression and inquiry. Besides Social Realism and visual interpretations of the human condition and culture, it is also important for technical training. Architectural site plans, Animation and Design are just a few areas where a fast, flexible, low-tech medium is required. Watercolor is the perfect choice.

Here’s the second reason: due to the ever-expanding fiscal crisis in education, our class was cancelled —pending further state funding. This show, therefore, is our “Last Hurrah” (for the time being). It is our chance to show the community the talent, diversity and the importance of having a class in a medium suited to practicality and commerce, as well as inner vision and expression. Two sides of the same brilliant coin.

So, to my students, I say “Bravo!” and take a deep bow on your behalf. Here is to a job well done!

It has been an honor and a blessing to see you expand your horizons, both personal and professional. Let’s put our minds together to change what we can, and spread the message that accessible Education is an institution worth saving. Eyes on the Prize, your vote counts, as do your tax dollars.

Sincerely, with much Love, and Respect,

Mark Leavitt

Art Department, Berkeley City College

Our book, Watercolor Retrospective, serves as a companion piece to our exhibition and chronicles the last -- until further notice -- Watercolor class at Berkeley City College.  It is now available for sale at http://www.micdb.magcloud.com

1. Mic DBernardo “Laundry #1”
Watercolor on paper, 16” x 12”
2009
www.micdbernardo.com

2. Afu Chan “Chef”
Watercolor on paper, 15” x 11”
2011
mexazntofu.deviantart.com

3. Juliette Chen “Waiting for the Queen”
Watercolor on paper, 15” x 10 3⁄4”
2008

4. Caroline Chipman “U.S. Had Warnings on Plotter of Mumbai Attacks”
Watercolor on paper, 15” x 22”
2011

5. Jennifer de Graaf “Section/Elevation – West Side”
Watercolor on paper, 14 1⁄8" x 20”
2011
www.degraafassoc.com

6. Gustavo Delgado “Lancelot”
Based on a painting by John Howe.
Watercolor on paper, 16 1⁄8” x 12 1⁄8”
2010

7. Mark Leavitt “Organized Chaos”
Watercolor on paper, 18” x 24”
2011

8. Adrian Lee “NRNY”
Watercolor on paper, 24” x 18”
2011
monograph.bandcamp.com

9. Joyce Leighton “Beets”
Watercolor on paper, 15” x 20”
2011

10. Nathanielle Lesser “Learning to Question Why”
Watercolor on paper, 13” x 17”
2011

11. Cheri Lorenz “Vineyard Glow”
Watercolor on paper, 11 3⁄4” x 9”
2007

12. Samah Medhkour “Spring of Algeria”
Watercolor on paper, 12” x 16”
2011

13. Sophia Price “Unicycle”
Watercolor on paper, 12” x 10”
2010

14. Shela Ray “Luminous Opening #1”
Watercolor on paper, 8” x 6”
2009

15. Tracey Richards “Untitled #1”
Watercolor on paper, 15” x 20”
2011
http://traceysartspace.blogspot.com

16. Dien Tseng “Flowers in Provence”
Watercolor on paper, 10 1⁄2” x 14 1⁄2”
2009