Vivian Walz

Vivian Walz

After a lifetime of experimentation with styles, subject matter, and media, including ceramics, textiles, and illustration, I find myself getting serious about painting for the first time.

My series of gestural nature paintings is inspired by local landscapes, done in acrylic on gessoed cradled panel. I use color, texture, light and shadow to evoke the feelings conjured by visiting favorite places — delight, wonder, appreciation.

For my more abstract monotypes, I refer to colors in nature, but blended and blurred to create images that suggest mysterious landscapes, skyscapes, and seascapes. I apply slow-drying Golden Open acrylics on a Gelli plate with a palette knife, squeegee, brayer, or brush, then play with the colors until they resolve into a pleasing composition, or they become so muddy that I have to wipe the plate clean and start over. When the painting is complete, I press cotton paper onto the image. After drying, cropping, and sealing the back, I glue the printed painting to a cradled board and finish it with Mod Podge and varnish.

Lifelong learning is central to both my art-making and my personal philosophy. I have a BA in studio art, with an emphasis in sculpture, from San Francisco State University and have continued to take classes in both studio art and art history at City College of San Francisco. I love spending time outdoors, and in addition to painting landscapes, I am an avid nature journaler

I am a member of the Art Guild of Pacifica, and exhibit my work regularly at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, and have participated in the Silicon Valley Open Studios, and San Francisco Open Studios.
Email: vivianmariewalz@gmail.com
Website: www.vivianmariewalz.com
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