Gary Wester
 Watercolor
706 Angela Drive
Normal, IL 61761
email: gwester@springnet1.com
309-454-8707




Inspired by the works of Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, George Post and Milford Zornes, Gary decided, at age 43, to become an artist. Watercolor is his medium of choice. He loves the rich colors, juicy washes, and intuitive nature of watercolor. Although the medium can be controlled, Gary enjoys the unpredictable nature of watercolors on a wet sheet of paper. Whether the subject matter is an Illinois barn, an Indiana covered bridge or a Michigan lighthouse, Gary's watercolor paintings create a mood that remind their viewers of the passing of time, and along with it, a way of life. His use of light, shadow, and color create dramatic images, whether the subject matter is an old shed or a majestic waterfall.

Gary paints primarily in his studio, although he does paint on location more these days. He begins the painting process by drawing two or three value sketches. It is during this stage that Gary works out compositional issues and determines the placement of lights and darks. Once satisfied with the results, he transfers the drawing to watercolor paper. Typically, Gary begins a painting by applying an under wash to the entire sheet of paper with the exception of any pure whites that he wishes to preserve. After this wash has dried, he begins to build large shapes with additional washes. Only at the end of the painting process does he add detail, particularly around the painting's center of interest.

Gary has shown his work at Art Fairs throughout central Illinois, including the Sugar Creek Arts Festival (Normal), the Lexington Art Show, Arts in Central Park (Decatur, IL), Visions for the Valley (Starved Rock State Park Lodge), the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, and Arts in the Park (Danville, IL). His paintings are in private collections throughout the Midwest and southern United States.

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