Artist’s Statement
Both of my grandmothers were passionate gardeners and I grew up surrounded
by the profusion of flowers and vegetables that they tended. That has had
a strong influence on my work, but serendipitous visual discoveries also play
a large part in my choice of subjects. I like to combine strong design with
delicate detail and I often incorporate experimental techniques. Above all,
I love the intense colors and unusual properties of watercolors.
My poured pieces and small collages allow me to explore my love of color in
a more spontaneous way than I can with my very controlled watercolors. In
addition, collage lets me combine color with the wide range of textures
available in Asian papers to create little gems of landscapes and still-lifes.
Biography
Chris Beck earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in fine
art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then worked as a graphic
designer for many years. Her watercolors have won numerous awards in
national shows and her work appears in Splash 7 – A Celebration of
Light: The Best in Watercolor, North Light Books (2002). Chris is a
signature member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (formerly
Midwest Watercolor Society) and a juried member of Watercolor West.
Her work is held in public and private collections in the U.S. and Europe.
Selected Exhibitions & Awards
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Artist of the Month
– January, The Artist's Magazine website (2008)
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Triton Museum of Art, Statewide Painting Competition and Exhibition,
Santa Clara, CA (2008)
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The Artist's Magazine 24th Annual Art Competition, Finalist –
Landscape* and Still-life** categories (2007)
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Transparent Watercolor Society of America 31st Annual Exhibition,
Elmhurst, IL (2007)
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Triton Museum of Art, Statewide Watercolor Competition and Exhibition,
Santa Clara, CA (2007)
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Watercolor West XXXVIII Annual Exhibition, Brea, CA (2006)
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Red River Watercolor Society 12th Annual Exhibition, Moorhead, MN (2005)
MERIT AWARD
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New Works by California Artists, Triton Museum of Art,
Santa Clara, CA (2004)
Affiliations
Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Signature Member
Watercolor West, Juried Member
Allied Artists West (www.alliedartistswest.org),
president – 2006-2007
Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society
Contact Information
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Heirlooms**
Watercolor
Hollyhocks*
Watercolor
Prickly Pear
Watercolor
Four Skyscapes
Aquamedia Collages
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