Mery Logerstedt Swanson born in Idaho, has lived mostly in the Pacific Northwest and finds inspiration from the delicate colors and light of coastal Washington. “There is a wonderful progression of natural and beautiful experiences occurring during every season of the year. When I found watercolor, I was amazed. It is spontaneous, simple and also complicated; it has completely captured my interest.”
I was about my coloring book and crayons ‘forever’. At fifteen, my parents gave me a home study course from Art Instruction, Inc. and thereafter, I recorded classmates, generic people, animals, landscapes, and imaginary sketches. I even used paint by number left over paint to record the view out my windows. In Tacoma, I attended a summer recreational oil paint class and did a few landscapes.
In a watercolor class with John Wyatt, I fell in love — with watercolor. Teachers who followed were Kathleen Graddy, Roy Lowry and Stan Miller; and half the books at the library and the ‘Watercolor Artists’ magazine. My experience teaching beginning watercolor with the Michael's Store and later in my own studio taught me more that I probably taught others.
Someday, I’ll write a list of all the things I love about watercolor; but, in the meantime, I have to work on a solution to the current problem in my latest painting. You see, there is always a problem to solve in every painting. That’s the main reason I love watercolor!
She teaches beginning watercolor classes occasionally in her studio in Aberdeen, WA
Past and present associations, volunteer work, and shows:
- Olympia Art League, Grays Harbor Art League, Hoquiam Art Guild, and South Beach Art Past Treasurer and Board Member for Grays
- Harbor Art League and Hoquiam Art Guild
- Co-chair Children’s Division, Westport Arts Festival 2003
- Assisted “Works on Paper” show, Grays Harbor College 2002
- Co-chair Westport Winery Show, 2007
- One person show, Aberdeen Timberland Library, 2010
- Hank Taylor Gallery, Montesano, WA
- Stained Glass Gallery, Hoquiam, WA
- Frames N Things, Aberdeen, WA
- Art at the Dock, Westport, WA
- Six Rivers Gallery, Hoquiam, WA
- Dockside Gallery, Westport, WA
- Healing Gallery, GH Community Hospital, Aberdeen, WA
Email: watercolorbymery@gmail.
Website: https://www.watercolorbymery.com/
Entry in the 2014 Spring Show
Mountain Meadow, Watercolor, 24 x 19, available for sale.