Yes, we have a vibrant and active watercolorist community in Trinity County, our tiny mountain haven in northern California. Who’d think we would? We have the lowest population of any county in California. In fact, we are nothing like the rest of California (and don’t want to be). Meaning, there are no stoplights or parking meters in the county (believe it); we have fewer people in the whole county than most towns in California. And for much of the winter months we are snowed or rained in our mountain retreat. So what’s to do? Paint! We are fortunate to have a thriving artists’ community and a supportive arts public. We have three fine galleries and a hoppin’ monthly art cruise. Less than an hour from Redding (where is Redding, exactly?), Weaverville is one of the few authentic, and not cutesy, historic mining towns in the Northwest. Check it out!

            We have in residence a number of noted watercolorist—Joy Wiltsee, Jane Belden, Marge Heilman, Rita Doyle Roberts, Joanne Beasley, Jeanne Greenwood Nager, Meg Johnson, Selena Marshall, Barbara Edwards, Keith Crane, Steve Hubble, Betty Pestoni—who’ve offered beautiful paintings as well as workshops in the past.

And I’ve taken up the standard and offered watercolor classes (first through Shasta College Extension) and workshops (private) over the last six years. The most exciting outcome of my painting classes in Trinity County is that a number of people who have learned watercolor for the first time have gone on to become excellent watercolorists in their own right. Others have honed their skills in class and produced artwork that is breathtaking in it’s beauty.

The twenty or so people who have stuck diligently with my classes and committed themselves to painting have formed a group, Trinity Artists, which has exhibited together for the last six years. These Trinity Artists shows have increased in skill and beauty over the years and are a hit in the community. The Trinity Artists group has exhibited at the Main Street Gallery and also the Highland Art Center in Weaverville. The galleries in Weaverville are enthusiastically supportive of our budding watercolorists and have supported student shows as well as our Trinity Artists group shows.

            Below are some of the paintings at the September 2009 Trinity Artists show at the Main Street Gallery.

Pat Williams