Called "Conversation Pieces ... Something to Talk About," the topic was intended to be broad and, in the end, inspired four Campbell-based artists and members of the watercolor society to submit pieces depicting a variety of subjects and images related to the theme.

Rich Bloechi chose to display a painting titled Retired Relics, which depicts an abandoned Model T and an old, rusty pickup truck.

"I feel old vehicles have a myriad of stories to tell," Bloechi says. "And, because the vehicles are facing each other, they seem to be conversing."

Bleochl says that even at a young age, he demonstrated a natural ability to draw, but he never took the talent seriously. After completing high school, he pursued a career as a draftsman before being called into the Army, where he worked as an illustrator. Once his service was complete, he entered the School of Associated Arts in his hometown of St. Paul, Minn. He graduated with a degree in commercial art, moved to San Jose and started his own graphic design business. After working for 25 years as a graphic artist, Bleochl decided to revisit his initial passion for painting.

"I enjoyed painting in the past, but hadn't pursued it in a long time," he says. "About a year ago, I decided to give it a try and see what would happen."

Bleochl joined the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society six months ago.

"I painted in art school, but we used acrylics and oils," he says. "Watercolor is one of the toughest mediums to master, but it affords the most unique mix of bright luminous colors and subtle washes."

Another Campbell artist who favors the watercolor medium is Esther Christian, whose work Will it speak to me? shows a closeup of lemons hanging from a tree.

Explaining her interpretation of the show's theme, Christian refers to a quote by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, who once said, "Treat a work of art like a prince. Let it speak to you first."

Believing that all art is communication, Christian says, "Before a picture or a painting can be interpreted, people must first stand in front of it and see what it says to them."

Christian received her bachelor of arts from San José State University along with a secondary teaching credential. She also studied at the California School of Fine Art in San Francisco (now the San Francisco Art Institute) before completing a master of fine arts degree at the University of San Francisco.

It was while teaching art for the Santa Clara Unified School District and working on her thesis that Christian developed a unique art program aimed at increasing an individual's visual perception and visual literacy. According to Christian, visual abilities can be developed to enable the observer to interpret and better understand what they are looking at.

"Oftentimes people look but they do not see," Christian says.

And she adds that visual perception is the awareness and the ability to see the structure and organization of all visual creations—natural and manmade—while visual literacy is the ability of the observer to interpret and better understand visual stimuli. Other Campbell-based artists featured in the show are Joan Veteran and Marjorie Shell.

Veteran has been painting for more than 30 years and chose to show an abstract piece titled Canyon Treasure.

"I usually paint landscapes," she says. "The piece I did for the show is a little more abstract than I usually do."

Shell, a former art and history teacher with the San Jose Unified School district, is showing Reminiscent, a pastel representation of the ocean and a lighthouse. Including the Campbell artist, the show features work from 99 members of the watercolor society.

The Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society is one of the largest and most active art groups in the Bay Area. Established in 1966, it is dedicated to promoting interest in watercolor painting. Membership is open to all levels from beginner to professional.

During the year the society offers workshops by nationally known watercolor artists, demonstrations, lectures and discussions about art. There are also various social functions, including trips to area exhibits.

The annual Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society member show can be viewed through Sept. 24 at the Rose Shenson Community Art Gallery behind the Triton Museum at1505 Warburton Ave. Admission is free and gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except holidays.