Featured Artist Chris Engnoth

Artist Chris Engnoth presents a collection of botanical watercolor paintings inspired by nature and beauty. Visit his website to see more of his work.

 

 

Have you ever stopped to look at something that you’ve overlooked countless times and realized the beauty in that moment or had a strong feeling about what you are seeing? That’s what drives me more and more in my life.

 

 

When I’m painting or drawing something for hours and I notice something like that it makes my work even more special. Slowing down and taking notice of life’s gems gives us a greater appreciation for the beauty around us all the time.

 

 

I’ve drawn and painted since I was a little guy. That magic of transforming a blank surface into something more still gives me a rush of emotions. My drive to create things has led me through getting a Bachelor of Arts degree and working for over 30 years as a graphic artist. Now I give that back to the community as a high school art teacher.

 

 

I’ve studied watercolor painting with lots of different instructors at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia, The Lorton Workhouse Art Center and attended seminars off and on for the last 20 years. My work has been shown in galleries in Alexandria, Washington, DC and online. I’m a former member of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists and I’m a current member of the Virginia Watercolor Society.

 

 

When I paint, I love the spontaneity of watercolors and their glowing quality. I love the beauty in how a flower can look so fragile or so strong and pure. Letting the water carry the color without the structure of visible brush strokes can create a sense of purity and simplicity I find only in watercolors.

 

 

Each spring I can’t wait for the flowers to come out so I can hike in the woods and find images to paint. With a background in photography I head out when the weather warms up with my camera. I find my favorite places with magnolias, Virginia blue bells, wisteria and other spring flowers.

 

 

I hope you enjoy some of the pieces here. I post the new stuff to Facebook and Instagram and to my website. The “About” page on my website will have the latest pieces with a bit of context about the piece as well as an “in progress” video to see how a new piece came together. Hopefully you will get that moment of recognition or an emotional reaction to something you like.

 

 

Recently I’ve been getting feedback on some of the pieces with points of view I’ve not noticed. Beauty is where you find it. I hope you find some here.

 

Chris Engnoth invites you to follow on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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