Featured Artists:
Donna Bower Watts and Buff Holtman

Bower Watts' and Holtman's works of art will be shown April 27 - June 22, 2007 at the Life's Crossing Gallery on the first floor of the Portland Donor Center with an artist's reception "Around the Clock Tour" of the American Red Crosson May 17, 2007 from 12:00-2:30pm.

Art patrons wishing to participate in the tour should RSVP to Sara Schirmer at 503-528-5671.

About Donna Brower Watts
"Paintings of my world, my way-- filled with dancing light and glowing color"

"My childhood on the Oregon Coast taught me a love of nature. My mother's flower gardens taught me a love of vibrant color. I carried these twin loves with me through the years, but it wasn't till I was nearly ready to retire that I found a special way to express myself through art."

Artist and instructor, Donna Brower Watts, began painting in transparent watercolor in 1989. "It was love at first wash!", she quips. At the time, Donna was still working full time for Linn County Public Health in Albany, Oregon. A few years later, she married and moved to Portland, Oregon. Since that time, she has been fortunate to attend classes and workshops with many wonderful, talented instructors, both locally and nationally known. She has also taught both adult education and children's art classes. These experiences have led Donna to the use of a variety of techniques and media in her current work.

In 2004, the artist and her husband moved to the beautiful area south of Bend, Oregon where Donna has set up her studio and plans to begin teaching again.

Donna Brower Watts belongs to a number of professional arts organizations, including Northwest Watercolor Society, Northwest Collage Society, Watercolor Society of Oregon, Society of Layerists in Multi Media, Missouri Watercolor Society, Art Central and Sagebrusher's Art Society in Bend, Oregon and Arts People in La Pine, Oregon. Her work may be seen in several local venues and she continues to enter many art competitions.

Buff Holtman

Until recently, I painted very traditionally. I grew tired of this approach and looked for processes that were freer and involved more than one technique.

Today I use acrylics on paper or canvas using photo transfers enhanced with hot stamp foil. The backgrounds are either poured mixed media or Procion dyes. I like these processes because they blend colors together in patterns than are always a surprise.

My goal is to create color combinations that make my soul sing. Working with a poured background often elicits images that evoke other cultures or outlandish figures. I work to bring these images to the surface with vivid colors.

Photo transferring marries traditional images with abstract designs of poured acrylics, Procion dyes or hot stamped foil.

My husband, Mike, and I are Iowa transplants. Our Oregon roots after 37 years are deep and steadfast. We have three children and four grandchildren.

Contact Artist:
Buff Holtman
503.635.3625
buffholtman@comcast.net