Willow Glen Resident
News
Photograph by Zach Beecher
Art and Coffee: Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society artists Sylvia Waddell (center) and Edward Rooks hang artwork at Willow Glen coffeehouse Monsieur Beans on Lincoln Avenue. The exhibit runs through June 30.
Enjoy the outdoors inside with coffee
By Emilie Crofton
Monsieur Beans of Willow Glen is featuring more than 30 plein air watercolor artworks painted by members of the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, including works from local artist Kay Duffy.
From June 2 through June 30 Willow Glen residents can enjoy "Breath of Fresh Air" while sipping their cup of java.
Saratoga artist Kay Duffy, who teaches watercolor art at the Hakone Gardens, will exhibit her featured work Flowering Cherry at Monsieur Beans.
Duffy, originally from New York, has been painting for more than 30 years.
"I like watercolor because it's fast, and I don't like waiting for paint to dry," Duffy says. "I've never been a meticulous painter. I'm free and loose."
Duffy's work has been shown in the Triton and Los Gatos museums, as well as in numerous art galleries.
"The watercolor society has done a great job of allowing us to show off our work," Duffy says. "It's a great group."
Every Thursday morning, 10 to 15 members from the society meet at a selected location to paint such outdoor scenes as gardens, vineyards, historical sites, lakes and parks.
Painting outdoors is different than painting in a studio, where the artist has all the control.
"With plein air the artist has to deal with the changes in light and weather conditions," says Sylvia Waddell, exhibit organizer and artist. "They have to learn to capture a moment in time very quickly."
Campbell residents Hilda Hall and Richard Bloechl both exhibited in the show.
Hall, who used to be a singer, took up painting after retirement and has been painting for 10 years.
"I enjoy plein air painting because it's challenging and exciting since time is so limited," says Hall, who has been a member of the watercolor society for 10 years.
Hall grew up in England near Nottingham and lived with her husband, who was a professional cricket player. After her husband sustained a career-ending injury, he used his engineering background to find a job in San Jose, and the couple moved to Campbell in 1957.
Hall's husband also has a plein air painting in the show. It is the only watercolor plein air he has ever done. Bloechl normally paints in his studio from photographs he has taken.
The Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society was established in 1966 and includes artists of all ages and levels from around the Bay Area. It started with the idea of gathering local artists together who enjoyed painting outdoors. Today there are more than 400 members in the society, including Duffy, Jean Warren, Jane Hofstetter and Myrna Wacknov.
The society offers workshops, discussions and demonstrations of painting techniques offered by local artists.
The Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society is open to anyone, whether a beginner or professional, who is interested in watercolor painting. Its goal is to develop a member's artistic skills and provide information to the public, as well as an opportunity for friendship and dialogue between members.
The society has been exhibiting its artwork at Monsieur Beans of Willow Glen since 2003.
Every month, café owner Yukimi Kim changes the decor with different art, ranging from watercolor to oil to photography.
"It's been our monthly tradition," Kim says. "It's a great way to meet new people and allow the local artists to show their work."
Monsieur Beans of Willow Glen is at 1383 Lincoln Ave. and is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a public reception June 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. The artists will be present and art will be available for purchase.
For more information about the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, visit www.scvws.org.
