FAA announces fall show

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Art Association announces their fall Open Judged Fine Art Show, Oct. 4-27, at the Brandon Gallery, 105 N. Main St. A special theme prize will be awarded for "California Dreamin,'" but all themes are welcome.

Intake for the show will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29 at the Brandon Gallery. An artists' reception will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, 5-7 p.m.

This year's judge is Robin Erickson, a California artist who has focused exclusively on watercolor painting. In the mid-1990s with no prior art experience, she was persuaded by a co-worker to take an evening art class at the local community college – it promised to be a relaxing antidote to a stressful job, she said.

The experience turned out to be absolutely transformational as Erickson fell in love with watercolor painting, couldn't get enough and set up a studio at home to begin painting every evening. She joined the San Diego Watercolor Society, began showing her work and never looked back, she said.

Erickson left her career as a mathematician and analyst for the Naval Research and Development Laboratory, moved to Fallbrook in 2003 to a new studio and devoted herself full time to painting. Her interest is in reflections, especially in city windows.

Erickson said she feels that people's busy lives makes them often pass through their surroundings without really seeing what is all around them. Some views are pretty magical and deserve a second look, she said. She focuses on that look in her reflections series.

Erickson has studied with internationally known painters Judi Betts, Carla O'Connor, Sandi D'Allessandro, Katherine Chang Liu, Judy Morris, Ted Nuttall, Donna Zagotta and John Salminen.

Erickson holds signature membership in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, San Diego Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Watercolor USA Honor Society and California Watercolor Association.

Erickson will be awarding Best of Show, first, second, third places, Art Element Awards for color, composition and narrative, eight Judge's Choice Merit Awards, as well as the Bev Thordarson Memorial Theme Award and a Plein Air Award.

Membership is not required to enter the show. For detailed information and entry forms, visit http://www.fallbrookartassn.org/.

Press released submitted by the Fallbrook Art Association.