Hot Springs artist Richard Stephens to conduct painting class at SAAC

Registration currently under way for three-day watercolor workshop

Native Hot Springs artist Richard Stephens will return to the South Arkansas Arts Center for a three-day painting workshop titled “Watercolor with Passion and Humor,” from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sept. 12-14.

Registration for the workshop is currently under way, and the cost is $135 for current SAAC members and $160 for the general public (which includes a one-year SAAC membership at Friend Level).

“When you take a Richard Stephens workshop, you will be exposed to three main things: informative technical information sprinkled with humor and antidotes, entertaining and educational painting demonstrations, and lots of one-onone time with Richard as he helps you through your individual painting process. Richard has a true passion for watercolor and enjoys the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with students of all levels,” said Darrin Riley at the arts center.

Stephens’ watercolor workshop will be “informative, challenging and fun. It is not about competition or turning out a great painting during the workshop. It is about being exposed to a process of watercolor painting that has been successful for him and perhaps some of that process finding a voice with the students and their work,” Riley said.

“Stephens, a commercial artist for the last 43 years, rediscovered watercolors about 22 years ago and has built a reputation nationwide for his loose, spontaneous paintings,” Riley said.

Much in demand as an instructor, Stephens said, “I am really enjoying teaching. It allows me to share my passion for watercolor while traveling to new places and getting to meet wonderful and interesting people.”

After serving in the Army as an illustrator, Stephens began his commercial art career in 1971 with a design studio in Little Rock. There, he began forming a network of other artists, vendors and suppliers that allowed him to open his own studio in 1974, and he has been freelancing out of Hot Springs since that time.

After discovering the medium in college he always knew watercolor was his real “calling.” Occasionally it would emerge, but he didn’t start painting consistently again until 1992.

“I have always felt the years of designing and doing layouts with transparent markers was basically watercolor painting. The process and technique are very much the same. The best layouts have that loose, spontaneous watercolor feel to them. Now I do all my commercial design work on the computer. I enjoy it but I’m glad I did it the old way for all those years,” Stephens said.

During the past few years Stephens has enjoyed success by winning awards in numerous watercolor shows and competitions around the country. He has had several one-man exhibitions, participated in many group shows, and has studied under such wellknown watercolorists as Gary Myers, Tony Couch, Ken Hosmer, Mel Stabin, and Alvaro Castagnet.

Stephens was recently named as one of 10 “Artists to Watch” by Watercolor Magic magazine (December 2005 edition). Four of his paintings were featured in 200 Great Painting Ideas for Artists, by Carol Katchen, published by North Light Books.

Stephens’ work is owned by individuals and corporations around the country. He is a member of the Arkansas League of Artists, the Mississippi Art Colony and is a signature member of Mid-Southern Watercolorists, Southern Watercolor Society and Missouri Watercolor Society.

To register for the threeday workshop, contact the SAAC office at 862-5474. For more information about the workshop, including a supplies list, visit www.saac-arts.com.