Watercolor Artist

editor’s note

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”—ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879–1955) Any mention of Albert Einstein, and the image that comes to my mind has him standing at a chalkboard or perhaps sitting in his study amidst piles of books and papers. That’s why I find this photo of him, outside, enjoying a walk, especially appealing. The famous physicist, after all, had a strong connection to nature, finding in its “magnificent structure” the stimulus for his scientific exploration. Whereas an artist might seek to express this fascination in a painting, Einstein sought to express it in the art of a mathematical formula. In this issue, we visit with artists whose creative output is also inspired by nature. For New Jersey artist Joel Popadics (page 20), the effects of light and…

watercolor artist

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anne Hevener SENIOR DESIGNER Brian Roeth SENIOR EDITOR Beth Williams ASSOCIATE EDITOR McKenzie Graham ADVERTISING ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Mary McLane Northeastern, Western U.S. & International; 970/290-6065mary.mclane@fwmedia.com ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Kaline Carter Southeastern U.S.; 505/506-7698kaline.carter@fwmedia.com MEDIA SALES COORDINATOR Barb Prill 800/283-0963, ext. 13435; barb.prill@fwmedia.com F+W, A CONTENT + ECOMMERCE COMPANY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Gregory J. Osberg SVP, GENERAL MANAGER F+W FINE ART, WRITING, OUTDOORS AND SMALL BUSINESS GROUP Ray Chelstowski MANAGING DIRECTOR—F+W INTL. James Woollam VP, CONSUMER MARKETING John Phelan VP, DIGITAL Jason Revzon VP, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT Pat Fitzgerald NEWSSTAND SALES Scott T. Hill scott.hill@procirc.com…

jesse bransford

Entranced by the history of folk magic traditions, artist Jesse Bransford (jessebransford.com) visited a friend in Iceland, excited to explore the region’s well-known culture of the supernatural. The two went to the Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft and Sorcery, where the artist found inspiration for years of research. “We took a big risk given the weather and went to the Strandir Coast,” he says. “It was early spring, and the entire region was empty. You could feel the spirit of the natural order there. The work that emerged came out of that folk magic and is very much indebted to those traditions.” Soon, publisher Fulgur approached Bransford about making his interpretive paintings into a book, and that’s how The Book of Staves was created. Bransford used the Hávamál as the “organizing principle,”…

new + notable

STUDIO STAPLES Dehn Spring in Central Park Scarf [$55] This scarf prominently displays a reproduction of Adolf Dehn’s 1941 watercolor Spring in Central Park, featuring a view of New York City that includes the distinctive architecture of the Hampshire House and the Essex House. STORE.METMUSEUM.ORG Albrecht Durer Watercolour Markers [$30-180] These markers, made in Germany, come in packs of five, 10, 20 or 30. The odorless markers include two nibs—a flexible brush and a stable fiber-tip nib with a 1-2 mm line width. They’re lightfast and won’t bleed through your paper.FABER-CASTELL.COM ON THE SHELVES Whistler in Watercolor [$45] The result of collaboration between Lee Glazer, Emily Jacobson, Blythe McCarthy and Katherine Roeder, the book, Whistler in Watercolor, explores James McNeill Whistler’s reinvention through watercolor in the American market. Charles Lang Freer collected more than 50 watercolors by…

the long view

It appears that Long painted the broad sky before adding the distant cathedral. Once the upper portion was dry, Notre-Dame’s towers were laid in. Notre-Dame de Paris has long been a favorite subject of artists. Ground was broken for the cathedral in 1163, and building was largely completed by 1260. The grandeur of its Gothic design, flying buttresses and monumental twin towers made it a symbol of French pride—and the most popular attraction for visitors to Paris. “I believe,” wrote philosopher Jean de Jandun in the 14th century, “that this church offers the carefully discerning such cause for admiration that its inspection can scarcely sate the soul.” A limited palette aids in the impression of atmospheric unity. Foreground tones are warmer and chromatic while distant colors are paler and cooler in temperature.…

two friends, two paths

Artists Laurie Goldstein-Warren and Dori Beth Josimovich have forged a 20-year friendship through their mutual love of watercolor. The duo talks about how they support each other and—though their artistic practices differ—how they “see” each other through their creative work. Laurie: We met two decades ago at a plein air paintout in West Virginia, where we both lived at the time. The spark of friendship was immediate, and we continued to paint together weekly at each other’s home studio for years. Dori Beth: During this time, we also attended several art workshops together and belonged to the same art groups and guilds. We even competed in the same local art shows. Although competition can sometimes come between friends, we were—and continue to be—each other’s biggest supporter and cheerleader. Laurie: When I was accepted…