Christine Dougherty
Artist Statement
I have always enjoyed observing the constantly changing forces of nature. Enchanted by the energy and beauty of wildlife, I paint outdoors on site or from images in my studio, surrounded by the great outdoors and the presence of nature. Painting plein air watercolors has become my favorite way to paint, due to the spontaneous conditions of light & movement. Capturing the essence of whenever I am has inspired me to stretch my relationship with this fluid means of color. When outdoors, I am challenging myself to directly apply the paint onto the paper with out first drawing any thing. Continuing to study the ways in which this fascinating medium appears while painting, my connection with the world is greatly enriched. I find the medium of transparent watercolor to be as infinitely fascinating as the world in which we live.
The skies are living watercolors, constantly changing with the elements! I love the multitude of ways wind & temperature combine above the earth. The sky has become part of my being, I am so keenly aware of it. I feel like I am part of the Universe as I work with color & water, applying with my paint brushes as I watch fascinated like a cat as my sky develops on the paper.
Peering at the sky through a natural port hole, I discovered what I call skyportals… accessing the round format for my paintings of the sky. My Skyportals began small, graduated to 12” in diameter & increased to 14”, 16” & grew to become as large as the collector desired. I welcome working on commissions!
Rectangular paintings vary in size from miniatures at 5” x 3” to the standard 20” x 14”, with sizes much greater. The mini format came about due to all the accessories I took on my first plein air adventures. Towing the French easel, huge umbrella, stool, etc, etc. I desired simplicity & so went mini with a kit that would be easy to carry, instead of one so very well equipped, but terribly cumbersome.
Growing up in Colorado I was fortunate in experiencing the Rocky Mountains, as my father, Ted, often took our family to beautiful places, sharing his great appreciation for nature. Until his death in 1993, Ted structured many of the art projects with the Bulgarian and French artists, Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Working outdoors on their projects: WRAPPED WALKWAYS, SURROUNDED ISLANDS, LE PONT NEUF EMPAQUETE, WRAPPED REICHSTAG, I have worked in various ways: as trouble shooter, quality controller, fabric consultant, prototype builder, and instructor. In honor of Ted, I was an installation captain and monitor for THE GATES-CENTRAL PARK, NYC. Christo, Jeanne-Claude & my father are greatly missed, as they contributed so much to artistic thinking in the world.
My transparent watercolors have been exhibited in La Jolla, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Rafael, Oakland, Berkeley, Orinda & Concord, California, as well as in Ashland, Oregon. Collectors range locally from California to NYC, Seattle, Santa Fe, and throughout the Midwest, Arizona, Colorado, Japan, Korea & Italy.
R e s u m e
Solo & Featured Artist Exhibitions
2014-2015 The Atmosphere Above, Rick and Ann's, Berkeley CA
2012-2015 Nature in Transparent Watercolors, Solas Brigid Studios, Oakland CA
2014 Nature in Watercolor, The Sage Center, Berkeley CA
2014 Oakland Center for Spiritual Living, Oakland CA
2013 In the Atmosphere of Trees, Nelly's Java, Oakland CA
2012 Looking Up, Nelly's Java, Oakland, CA
2012 Nature's Elements, Nelly's Java, Oakland, CA
2011 Holiday in Benicia, Bliss Salon and Spa, Benicia, CA
2011 Portals to the Sky, Norcal Muscle Clinic, San Rafael, CA
2011 Featured Artist, Capsity Offices, Sacramento, CA
2010 Nature Variations, Montclair Gallery, Oakland, CA
2008 Forces of Nature, Illahe Studios & Gallery, Ashland, OR
2008 Sky Views, Pangea, Ashland, OR
2008 Skies, Nelly's Java, Oakland, CA
2007 Skyscapes & Plein Air Miniatures, Cafe 817, Oakland, CA
2007 Skyportals, Rockridge Cafe, Oakland, CA
2006 Plein Air with Anya LeGault, Rockridge Café, Oakland, CA
2006 Wildlife, The Hills Swim & Tennis Club, Oakland, CA
1992 The Art of Costume Design, UCSC Women's Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Group Exhibitions
2008-2014 Illahe Studios & Gallery, Ashland,OR
2012-2014 Holiday Art Fair, Oakland Center for Spiritual Living, Oakland, CA
2013 eScapes, McGuire Real Estate, Berkeley, CA
2012 Art Thou Animal, McGuire Real Estate, Berkeley, CA
2012 4 Rs and This Land Is My Land; Expressions Gallery, Berkeley, CA
2012 California Watercolor Association, Gallery at 48 Natoma, Folsom, CA
2012 CCSF, Cafe' Rooz, Oakland, CA
2012 City of Berkeley Planning & Development Dept., 2nd Floor, Berkeley CA
2011 Animals & Pets We Cherish, and Looking Back; Expressions Gallery
2011 1st Anniversary, Wonderland SF Gallery & Boutique, San Francisco, CA
2011 Juror, California Watercolor Association, Orinda Library, Orinda, CA
2011 Chillin’Productions 13th Anniversary, Mezzanine, San Francisco, CA
2011 Natural Visions & Dreams, Mythos Fine Art & Artifacts, Berkeley, CA
2011 CWA, Gallery Concord, Concord, CA
2010 CCSF, Café Roos, Oakland, CA
2010 CWA 41st National Exhibition, San Francisco Presidio, CA
2007 Montclair Artists, Montclair Gallery, Oakland, CA
2006 Montclair Artists, Open Studio, Oakland, CA
2006 Montclair Artists, Montclair Gallery, Oakland, CA
2004 CCSF Juried, City College of San Francisco, CA
1991 Theatre Design, Costume Design, Lincoln Center Library, NYC, NY
1991 UCSD Life Drawing, Mandell Weiss Center, La Jolla, CA,
1991 Who The Hell Am I ?, La Jolla Arts Association Gallery, La Jolla, CA
Professional Affiliations
1993-2014 United Scenic Artists Local 829: Costume Design
2010 Vice President California Watercolor Association
2010 Co-Chair/Director CWA 41st National Exhibition, Presidio, San Francisco, CA
Awards
2010 Peoples’ Choice Award, July Paint Out, Presidio, San Francisco, CA
Education
1991 MFA Theatre, University of California, San Diego, CA
Studied with Notable Artists
Fred Kling, Karen Frey, Joseph Wetherbee, Irina Gronborg, Faith Ringgold,
Howard Rees, Kay Russell, Mike Bailey
Spirit/ARTS! Project
2013 Seasons of Change-Life in Progress, InterPlayce, Oakland, CA
Art Projects for Jeanne-Claude & Christo
1978 Wrapped Walkways, Kansas City, Missouri: Installation, repair.
1983 Surrounded Islands Miami, Florida; Quality Controller, Trouble shooter, Instructor.
1985 Le Pont Neuf Empaqueté, Paris & Armentieres, France: Quality Controller, Trouble shooter.
1991 The Umbrellas, California: Quality Controller.
1995 Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, Germany: Assist Prototype-builder, Estimation of fabric.
2005 The Gates-Central Park, NYC: Installation Captain, Monitor.