Celebrate Art!
SIERRA ART TRAILS 2014
Yosemite Foothills Open Studio Tour
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 3rd, 4th, & 5th, 2014
This years 2014 Sierra Art Trails open studio tour has many talented artists. The Sierra Sun Times will be featuring a sampling of area artists leading up to the show. Check back regularly to see who the next featured artist will be.
Penny Otwell
Oil, Acrylic, watercolor
I am a self-taught professional painter, arriving in Yosemite in my teens and discovering the art of hiking and backpacking the High Sierra. I drew my way through many miles of Yosemite’s trails, sometimes working small watercolors along the way. In 1998 I took an oil painting class with Ken Auster, and have been oil painting ever since that eventful trip to Laguna Beach. The fire was lit!
Each painting begins in the field with direct observation on my portable easel. Larger paintings are done on the back of my “Toyota Easel” truck and are often completed in the field. Other times I’ll work on a painting in my studio finding this brings more imaginative play to my work and a different focus. I enjoy experimentation with collage, gold leaf, and mixed media. I continue to draw or paint every week.
I paint primarily in oil, alla prima, focusing on juicy, thick paint application with a palette knife. The acrylic works have many separate glazes, and I still paint and love watercolors.
My Mother studied painting in Vancouver, Canada under F. H. Varley, who was a member of The Group of Seven in British Columbia. My Mother guided me towards their colorful style – especially the spirited work of Canadian painters Tom Thomson, Lawren Harris and the amazing Emily Carr.
Living and working in Yosemite for 50 years has brought me rich outdoor experiences with a great respect for nature along with many fine mountain friends who still love walking on these trails with me. Continuing on the great ride!
Penny can be reached at her home studio in Mariposa: Call (209) 966-7692 or email penelope@inreach.com.
You can also visit Penny's website at: www.pennyotwell.com.
