NWWS Member Instructors

I teach both in person and online. My website lists my current offerings. Testimonial: “It was a very rewarding workshop. I feel everyone came away with new and exciting ideas. What I liked most was the slide examples and your description of how, why and what makes each work. No, maybe it was the exercises, no the demos, no the something different each day, or maybe it was —- everything. I felt your workshop was a good all around learning experience for everyone, any level. You have such a great since of humor, it made us all feel relaxed and right at home. “ ~Rhonda

I’m an artist living in the Portland Metro area. I share my passion for painting while teaching Watercolor and Gouache classes. I encourage students to see art making as a process and adventure.

One unique aspect of my workshops comes from my 20 years as a public school teacher. I learned, through my teaching, that the fastest and easiest way to master a big skill (such as doing a full painting) is to break it down into smaller, easy to master, individual skills. Practice these skills by themselves and then put them all together in the painting. Less stress, more success! This is fundamental to my teaching and leads to a very high level of success by my students as I am often told in their testimonials. I have created a number of neat lessons to teach some of the basics of watercolour painting such as value, creative brushwork and luminous washes. I have also created some super helpful lessons on common elements of the Urban Landscape such as figures and cars. My workshops are designed with the success of the students front and centre. I offer watercolour workshops in Urban Landscape, Portraits and Landscape. Note: Like many artists I have taken my teaching on-line through zoom and I have found it to be an extremely effective teaching opportunity. It can be used to virtually recreate the experience of an in-person workshop.

Fearless painting is a program that I began teaching over twenty years ago. My painting and teaching methods are based upon sharing and encouraging my students to utilize their own creative thought. Both my in person and online classes are filled with lots of easy to follow demonstrations followed by positive support as we work with the concept of continuously asking oneself “What if I…” which is my way of saying ” Give yourself permission to give new ideas a test drive”. In other words, fearless painting is playtime with a side of inspiration. “Fearless painting” began during my formative art-student years. Over the decades, I have been able to study with some wonderful art masters who have instilled in me a love of working with water media. It has been an honor to study with mentors like Jean Grastorf, Cheng Khee Chee, Milford Zornes and Timothy Clarke ( to name but a few). Artists who have helped me to conquer the intricacies of composition, paint and color. Now I teach others how to create their own artwork in order to share the creative knowledge that has been passed on to me. My goal as an artist and instructor is to help others to express themselves with paint, fearlessly! In my beginner classes, I aim to help YOU understand the tools and mediums of watercolors and acrylics so that you can enjoy painting fearlessly. For art students, who have been painting a while, it is my honor to help YOU learn how to take your own artwork style and creative thought to a new level of skill and visual accomplishment. I invite you to join me in one of my art programs and be inspired! Learn how to paint the Fearless Way in one of my upcoming programs sponsored by Act 2 of the Spokane Community College and ​the Continuing Education Department of Whatcom Community College!

Cindy Briggs, NWS, NWWS, is known for her luminous watercolor landscapes, European cityscapes, vibrant florals, and portraits that capture the essence of her subjects. As an international workshop instructor, Cindy’s approachable teaching style inspires artists to explore the power of design, light, and color harmony. Through her uplifting Plein Air, Studio, and Online workshops, she helps students refine skills and express their unique perspective whether painting in travel journals or creating fine art watercolors. Cindy fosters an engaging supportive atmosphere in her classes, whether near her home in Utah, in Europe, or through collaborations with organizations like The Smithsonian, Art Centers and watercolor societies. Her work is featured in Plein Air Magazine, SPLASH, Outdoor Painter, and American Watercolors. A demonstrator on many platforms, she is also a Daniel Smith Ambassador and former Northwest Watercolor Society board member. Learn more on her website or via email.

Jessica is a passionate, thoughtful, and encouraging teacher who works to ensure that each student is given appropriate individual attention and consideration for personal growth in both ability and style. She stresses the importance of value and composition in addition to drawing, color, perspective, mood, and other considerations – in every subject matter. Students are given the foundations needed to not only grasp these concepts, but also to apply them. Jessica teaches workshops at her studio in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is available to travel for workshops, and she has both free and paid online lessons available on her website. She is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and received the 2018 Coeur d’Alene Mayor’s Award for the Arts in Education for her work with local youth in an after-school fine art program.

For the list of classes please visit http://www.chubotin.com/class.html

Kathy Collins teaches a rapid-process technique for dramatic high-contrast watercolors. Students will learn how to charge in color and mix flowing wet paint right on the paper to achieve intense dark values while preserving white spaces. A Signature member of AWS and NWWS, Kathy’s impressionistic work has been featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine, The Artist’s Magazine, and the Splash-Best of Watercolor series.

I offer creativity coaching, watercolor, drawing, and sketchbook classes for adults,. I also offer international sketchbook workshops to Italy, France and the United Kingdom. Lessons are designed for all skill levels to help students gain confidence and experience with seeing like an artist and mastering techniques. I believe that through art and play adults and children alike are able to understand their world and themselves more deeply. Through art we establish connections to different areas of our life and we are better able to understand and appreciate the world around us. I am passionate about my own work as an artist and I bring that enthusiasm to my teaching. I am both enthralled and comforted by the richness of every day scenes and moments. I am drawn to subjects which, through their ordinary and familiar qualities, take on a sense of beauty. Something catches my eye, something common, and in that moment it strikes me as extraordinary. There is great beauty in what surrounds us. My work focuses on the pauses between our words and the scenes between our actions, as these represent the threads that connect us.

Catherine Gill lives her life as a teaching artist in a way that is exciting,
 challenging, sometimes balanced and always fun. She spends her time finding new ways to be creative in her artwork and in her
 teaching, whether in her Ballard/Seattle studio, online, or on location. Cathe teaches in watercolor, mixed media of Ooze, oil, pastel, and printmaking. She enjoys finding the unique in each student and creating a learning place that is fun, creative, organized and supportive. Both out of the classroom and within it, she works hard to build community and stretch boundaries. Her paintings, book “Powerful Watercolor Landscapes” (Northlight 2011), and current list of workshops and videos can be viewed on www.catherinegill.com.

Winnie Givot is a gentle and supportive instructor, teaching the handling of the wonderful medium of watercolor as well as composition, drawing, and finding connection with a deeper place within. She encourages students to use a watercolor journal for class exercises, which keeps all the lessons together for future reference, teaches composition, encourages play and ameliorates easel angst. During the school year, she teaches weekly classes on most Fridays and 3-Day Workshops in the summer as well as International Painting Retreats. Her next Painting Retreats are planned for Greece and Portugal.

Nancy has been teaching watercolor and acrylic/mixed media workshops for 20 years. Her watercolor classes focus on a looser representational style. Acrylic/mixed media…abstract. She has been a member of NWWS since 1999 and a juried member of Women Painters of Washington since 2016. Her teaching style is casual with the emphasis that each student not only have success with their chosen media, but also fun in a relaxing, interactive environment.

I am multi medium exhibiting artist working in watercolor, acrylic and collage. Practicing art for many years I developed the technique that helped me to express myself the best. The technique that I am going to share with my students is a combination of collage, watercolor and acrylic painting. In my introductory class I will provide the list of materials, tools and demonstrate the process of creation of mix medium painting.

Alicia Harvey has over a decade of teaching experience in acrylic and mixed media. She was a monthly demonstrator at both the Seattle and Bellevue Daniel Smith Artists’ Materials stores. Her teaching style is based on fun and laughter with gentle nudges to challenge each student based on his/her abilities.

ANITA H LEHMANN is a teacher, an artist, and an award-winning architectural illustrator. She is a registered architect in the state of Washington with a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington. She teaches group art classes in the United States and Europe, focusing on free hand drawing, painting and design. Her other skills include architectural design, graphic design, community planning, and design illustration. Anita brings over 35 years of teaching experience and continues to discover intention.

Fabulous Flowing Watercolor is just that! I teach my students to love watercolor first and as time goes by, they become proficient as they learn watercolor technique. I help my students to discern if they love a loose washy style or are they photo realists at heart? All are accepted. I encourage my students to paint what they love best. I ask them to develop their own unique subject matter and as time goes by their style reveals itself. My more advanced students who wish to move toward showing their work receive guidance and mentoring from me. My teaching style is warm and inclusive. My classes run throughout the year, currently at Gallery One in Ellensburg, WA.

I have taught and painted for over 50 years, and it fills me with delight day after day. Painting and teaching are such a joy! It’s important to me to help my students find their subject matter and their personal way of painting. From beginners to professionals, we work together in my classes. I focus on the elements and principals of art, along with composition. As my student, you will learn how to analyze your works and also historical works of art. As you hone that skill, your own work will improve. Each class is limited to 5 students. Education: Intensive Studies Seminar: Taos, NM Michigan State University Graduate work in Art History Ball State University: BS in Art Education Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Deer Isle, ME

Molly Murrah has been a watercolor artist for over 25 years, and has been teaching classes and workshops since 2010. Molly paints many different subjects, but her first love is portraits. Her goal in teaching is to help students overcome their fear of painting in general, and specifically to overcome their fear of painting portraits. Portraits are challenging, but when successful, so rewarding. Molly has a long list of continuing students and has been offering classes online since 2020. A message sent by one of her students: You really are a very gifted teacher, Molly. I can’t think of anything that would have made the class any better. It was just great!—Terri M.

Annie Strack earned Signature Membership in 18 organizations including International Society of Marine Painters and International Plein Air Painters, and she’s an Official Authorized Artist for the USCG. An experienced commercial artist, she’s created designs for countless businesses, architects, and contractors. She travels around the world to teach workshops, jury shows, and paint plein air. She’s an industry trained expert in the uses and properties of artist materials and she presents programs for schools, art centers, and art stores. Her artwork has received hundreds of awards and hangs in over 1,000 collections worldwide including USCG, Navy, Pentagon, Senate, and VA.

Brenda Swenson is the artist author of two books, Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook (Finalist, Award of Excellence) and Steps to Success in Watercolor. Her artwork has been featured in Splash (11,12, 14,19 & 20), An Illustrated Journey, Creative Freedom, Complete Guide to Watercolor, Watercolor Artist, Watercolor Magazine, Watercolor Highlights, Plein Air Magazine and numerous other publications. She has two instructional DVD’s on painting and sketching techniques. Brenda has achieved signature status in WW, NWWS, SDWS and CWA. An active participant in the arts community she has served on the board of directors for the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor West. She is in demand to judge shows, demonstrate and teach workshops to groups nationwide and abroad.

Liz Walker, who creates award-winning acrylic/collage paintings in her studio in the Portland Oregon area, has been teaching acrylic/mixed media workshops for 20 years. She received her BA in Art from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. Liz focuses her teaching on what’s happening in the painting rather than relying solely on reference photos. It’s a liberating way to work, and the results are magical and often unpredictable. She’s been creating paintings in this manner, using acrylics, collage papers, stencils, and hand-marbled papers for over a decade, after spending several decades as a transparent watercolor painter. Liz is a sought-after instructor who paints every day and has developed innovative ways of transforming old paintings into brand-new works of art that have appeared in many national exhibitions. Whether in a ZOOM or in person workshop, Liz encourages students think outside the box and find their own creative style. Her Signature memberships include: NWS, NWWS, ISEA, and WFWS. Liz’s work has been published in Watercolor Artist Magazine, Artist’s Magazine, and the North Light publications AcrylicWorks4 and AcrylicWorks6.

Harold’s paintings have been featured by Northlight Publishing in “Splash 4”, “Best of Watercolor II”, and “Best of Color: Painting Color”. Nita Leland’s book “Exploring Color Workshop” includes 3 of Harold’s paintings. His painting, “Fall Farm” is in the permanent collection of Oregon State University and is included in OSU’s publication, “This Bountiful Place”. “Acrylic Works 6”, published in May 2019, and “Acrylics Works 8” to be published in 2021, features Acrylic Ink paintings by the artist. In 2014 Harold won the Gold Medal in the “International Artist Magazine” competition with his painting “Full Circle”.

My two loves in life have always been art and medicine . . . medicine my sustenance and art my passion! My work hangs in private homes across the U.S., in China, the Winthrop Historical Museum, Give Love project for Ronald McDonald House, annually for Spokane Watercolor Society Juried Member and Signature shows at the NW MAC and also a resident artist at the William Grant Gallery, Kendall Yards, in Spokane. I have also been a participant in the Spokane Studio Art Tours from its inception and recently honored as a featured artist for Artist Marketing Resources publication and Art Chowder Magazine. I have been teaching privately in my home studio/gallery for several years and conduct workshops in watercolor and acrylic upon request. Illustration has also become a recent interest for me as well and guests are always welcome by appointment.

Eric Wiegardt is well known on the American and international art scene for his bold, loose painting style. He has taught over 5000 watercolorists his popular “Wiegardt‘s Painterly Watercolors“ workshops. He teaches plein air workshops at home on the Long Beach peninsula in Washington state, and abroad in European and tropical destinations. Online, Eric offers a weekly composition class, which allows for ongoing mentoring. He also teaches monthly paint-alongs and multi-day workshops about once a quarter. These online classes started as an experiment last year, but they have proven to be very popular. Students enjoy the camaraderie with their fellow artists, and they appreciate the personal attention and support they receive from Eric in his Zoom classes. All levels of expertise and individual style will benefit from Eric’s many years of experience as an artist and teacher. Eric is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society (Dolphin Fellow), National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America (Master Status), and Watercolor West (Master Status). Eric has been awarded the prestigious AWS Gold Medal of Honor, among many other national and international awards. Eric invites you to join one of his upcoming workshops and share in the joy of painting!

Nicki teaches beginners and more advanced painters in her home studio on Camano Island! She will let you borrow everything you will need to paint….paints, brushes, etc. She charges for the watercolor paper. She is currently teaching a beginning class every other Saturday and a more advance class on Mondays. Class are from 10am-1pm. She would also be happy to put together a portrait workshop if there is enough interest.

A Seattle native and a WSU Architecture grad, I specialize in Architectural Illustrator, watercolor, drawing and Art Instruction. I’ve been teaching hand drawn architectural graphics since college, plus watercolor and drawing. (I even taught in italian when I lived in Puglia) Now I am at MSU/Gallatin College in Bozeman teaching Presentation drawing: some things come full circle. I prefer having a few private longterm students who desire instruction, development and encouragement to push through those scary moments that also make us better artists. Thats how I learned, and I love paying it back.