‘Wild Waters’ watercolor paintings on display at Main Street Artists Gallery
It is hard not to have an emotional response to Lucinda Wood’s evocative Plumas County landscapes. They depict the grandeur that surrounds us in a most delicate way that stirs the soul and makes one grateful to be living amidst such beauty. Her style is a blend of realism with a subtle awe as she captures the details of each scene with precision.
Over the last eight years of showing her work at Main Street Artists Gallery, Wood has honed her skills to the degree that she is now considered one of the best artists in Plumas County, according to gallery representatives. Her current show is a display of her ability to find new and interesting local scenes without repetition, but with consistent unwavering enthusiasm.
During the month of October, Wood will show 11 new watercolors from her explorations of the Cascade Trail and Feather River Canyon, depicting waterfalls, cascades and last spring’s profusion of wildflowers, which emerged after a wet winter.Also included will be scenes from the Arcadia redwoods as well as Mount Lassen.
As the daughter, granddaughter and now wife of fishermen, she maintains that sparkling clear streams are close to sacred in her family. Moving water inspires her to employ the lively strokes seen in her work that catch the playful exuberance of the constantly changing streams.
She frequently waits for repetition of a spray in order to render it accurately and encounters challenges in painting moving water as she tries to capture the shadow of rocks, green vegetation and blue sky as well as the white glint of sun as the water slides over boulders.
In the solitude of painting by the stream, Wood’s favorite experience has been watching two families of merganser ducks riding the rapids repeatedly. Other wildlife that showed up on her watch were osprey, dippers (a white-water bird), kingfishers, sandpipers and even a mink swimming at the opposite bank.
Currently, Wood’s goal is to paint “bigger and looser” as she strives to move her art in a new direction, but the pastoral scenes that have caught the imagination over these years will always define her style.
Also featured during Wood ‘s opening will be her daughter Sylvia’s watercolors on the Guest Artist wall, which underscore the profound influence her mother has had on her work.
In addition, Wood ‘s son, Brian, a gifted writer, will read one of his short works.
The opening reception will be Friday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m., at 432 Main St., in Quincy. Complimentary wine and appetizers will be served.
