Element: Water Gallery Opening Reception

Explore the world of paint through brushed pigment, suspended in water. This exhibit showcases two local artists, Anji Grainger and Lieta Gratteri. Although varied in style and subject, their work is connected and derived through their chosen element: water. Come discover the movement of water and how textures and patterns react on paper. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and live music.

*This event is in conjunction with the Winter Art Walk.

ABOUT: Anji Grainger

Anji is an award winning watercolorist and instructor. Former President of the Watercolor Society of Oregon, member of the Painters Showcase, Lake Area Artists and on the board for the Oregon Society of Artists, her paintings have been awarded five People’s Choice Awards for their choice of best in the show. She also received many additional awards in juried shows including first, third, fourth, Honorable Mentions and Awards of Distinction. In July 2017 Anji was one of 130 artists featured in the Splash 18 national publication titled - The Best Watercolor, Value edition. She also received many additional awards in juried shows including first, third, fourth, Honorable Mentions and Awards of Distinction. In 1984 she began painting in acrylic medium and in the 1990’s she painted, taught and studied under two acrylic artists. Anji studied in oil in 2002 and 2003 under the direction of Portland oil painter David Selleck. In April and May of 2006 she studied in watercolor at the Scuola Leonardo di Vinci in Florence, Italy, under Patrizio Gervasoni, a contemporary Italian artist. Then in April of 2008 Anji returned to Europe to study "plein air" techniques in Provence, France under internationally recognized Italian artist, Francesco Fontana, returning again in 2012 to study with him in Sicily, Italy.

Anji's work derives its inspiration from the magic and wonders of nature. She is drawn to see and focus on what might not be seen or noticed. Her drawing instructor, acclaimed Portland artist Gene Flores, helped her understand the importance of not suppressing what comes from within. Anji paints with the movement of nature and visualizes the growing twists and turns of a twig or a leaf. She tries to capture the stillness of an early morning walk in a field, along a river or in a forest. Anji also focuses on detail whether it’s simply the blending or bleeding of two colors like one would see on a ripening peach or the finite lines and edges of a raindrop. Her current explorations are in the discovery of how elements of nature and texture react in watercolor to leave beautiful patterns and surprises in their unique patterns on the paper.

Anji's hope is that the viewer will walk away from seeing her work with a new vision and perhaps wonder, how does she do that?

ABOUT: Lieta Gratteri

Lieta Gratteri has always been attracted to paintings of all sorts, but Watercolor has been her number one. About 8 years when her children were at an age where she could focus on herself a bit, she took some beginning classes. From there she has worked with determination to get where she is now,  to be able to transfer the love in her heart to paper, with water and paint! Texture, color and emotion is what she wants the viewer to get from her art.

Right now she is a member at Sequoia Gallery, Oregon Society of Artists and Valley Art. She’s had many private and group shows and hopes to continue connecting with wonderful people thru her art.