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Heather Coen paints at the Arboretum.
Heather Coen,fondly recalls the influence of her mother, who had trained in art school and painted in watercolors. She feels she “…was born with a paint brush in my hand. I really don’t recall a time when I wasn’t artistically enthralled.” says Ms. Coen.
Until a year ago she lived in Colorado, honing her skills painting the Rocky Mountain range, western scenes and wide-open spaces. Creating online galleries with an extensive body of work, she found herself part of a wide network through a variety of pastel and plein air societies.
Painting ‘en plein air’ is her favorite way to capture new scenes. “I feel most at home in a natural environment, not restricted by walls or buildings. I do studio work, but feel happiest when I am outdoors. I often do plein air events, quick draws and demonstrations for anyone interested.”
Now living in the East Valley, she has spent the past year studying and painting the beauty of our Sonoran Desert. Juried into 25 national and international shows in the last 36 months, she
has attained Master Signature Circle status with Paint America. She currently has work in eight galleries across four states, and 2014 has been a busy year for Heather.
In addition to being juried into numerous venues she earned a Silver Award in the prestigious Plein Air Rockies exhibition and first place in Wyoming’s ‘Prairies to Peaks’ exhibition. Most recently interviewed in Southwest Art magazine, she’s also been profiled in Art Collector, Art of the West, Colored Pencil, and Pastel Journal.
See Ms. Coen works on her website; email her about commissions at heather@artintherockies.com or call 970-361-4268. Or, of course, a range of her new works in oil and watercolor can be seen during August and September in the visitor center art gallery at Boyce Thompson Arboretum where she’s the featured artist.
Coen invites BTA members and guests to her meet-the-artist gallery opening reception on Monday, September 1, Labor Day, from 11am to 1pm. Arboretum daily admission of $10 includes the visitor center and art gallery; and also most weekend guided nature walks and public events. Read the complete schedule at ag.arizona.edu/bta. Here are a few on the
calendar:
On Friday, August 1 Jim Shepherd will guide a General Tour, starting at 7 am. This tour will be repeated on August 22. The next day a Dragonfly Walk will be guided by Joanna Henry at 8:30 a.m. and the LightRoom Users group meets in the Lecture Room at 10 a.m. – noon. On August 3, Jay Taylor will guide a Sunday bird walk, starting at 6:30 a.m.
August 9 is another full day, with Learn Your Lizards guided walk guided by Wild Man Phil starting at 8 a.m; to be repeated on August 30. At 9:30 a.m. Chef Eric & Terri teach a Prickly Pear cactus fruit class; to be repeated on August 17. The next day,BTA members are welcomed to an after-hours event, the Full Moon Drum Circle, from 6 pm. – 8 pm.
Saturday, August 16 brings the Plants of the Bible Land walk at 8 a.m. On Sunday, August 17, Jeff Payne, Certified Arborist, will take you on an 8 a.m. Tree Tour.
Steve Semken will guide a Geology walk on Aug. 23, beginning at 8 a.m. Or, at 8:30 a.m., take the Butterfly walk guided by Marceline VandeWater.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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