Our demonstrator for the January demo was Margaret Geanesis. The demo was on January 9, 2002.
We have some photographs of the event in case you could not make it to the show in person. You can click on any of the images on this page to view a larger version of it. Then, use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.
Margaret demonstrated how she uses small, postcard sized sketches as reference material when she does her full sized watercolors. You can see the small sketches clipped to the top of her easel. The use of sketches instead of photographs, she said, helps her capture her impressions of the scene instead of just recording the facts. Also, the act of using your hand to draw the scene helps your memory record what you saw. Simply snapping a photograph does not do that.
And here is the final result of the demo. Margaret has generously donated the finished painting to Reading Art Association to be raffled at a future meeting.
Margaret Geanisis is fascinated by light, both direct and reflected. The clear bright shine of the sun on surfaces, contrasted with the cool colors of shadows, have always called to her. Likewise, the reflected colors of shadows and the nearby colors onto surfaces such as on porches, buildings and water, is a favorite painting subject. Margaret uses these elements to create an emotional mood in her paintings.
Margaret studied watercolors with Martin Ahearn, ASW, William Vrzak, ASW, Paul George, and William Harland, pastels with Rosalie Nadeau; oils with Linda Scola and has taken classes at the DeCordova Museum. She has painted in various locations throughout the U.S. and most recently Scotland. She has had work juried in several local art association exhibits winning several awards. She exhibits her work regularly at various corporations. Margaret also offers classes from her studio.