Buchanan’s “Girlfriend” Enters International Exhibit

“The Tourist Girlfriend” by Caroline Buchanan

By Caroline Buchanan

The Northwest Watercolor Society is pleased to announce that the painting “The Tourist Girlfriend” by Obstruction Island artist, Caroline Buchanan has been accepted for its 73rd Annual International Open Exhibition. The exhibit showcases paintings by international artists, selected by the well-known juror, Mark Mehaffey.

The 73rd Open Exhibition will run from April 15 through May 31, 2013 at the Mercer View Gallery, 8236 SE 24th Street, Mercer Island, A reception and awards ceremony, open to the public, will be held from 6 to 8 pm on April 25.

The Seattle-based Northwest Watercolor Society is recognized by The Artists Magazine as one of the ten most prominent regional watercolor societies in North America. Reaching beyond the five Northwest states (and British Columbia) that for years compromised the region it represented, the Open show is truly international. In the 2013 Open Exhibition approximately a third of the 64-painting are from the Northwest.

The model for “The Tourist Girlfriend” as captured by Caroline Buchanan

Buchanan’s “The Tourist Girlfriend” was inspired by the girlfriend of a Greek basket merchant. She was captured sitting in the sun in Hania Crete, turning away from writing in her journal. The subject followed its own journey through several interpretations over a number of years. This design was greatly influenced by an in-depth study of the color and composition of Gauguin Buchanan undertook in 2012.

Buchanan has lived on Obstruction Island since 1992. She has taught workshops in far-flung places such as the Greek Islands and also teaches and shows locally. More information can be found at www.buchananwatercolors.com.