Award-Winning Watercolor Artist Shows Her Colors at Paint Demo

Attendees at the Loma Linda Cultural Arts Association (LLCAA) meeting on Jan., 5 were treated to a two-hour live painting demonstration by the accomplished watercolor artist Fealing Lin at the Loma Linda Senior Center. Lin, who hails from Pasadena and is a member of the National Watercolor Society, described her painting style as "semi-abstract" with a high concentration on values and shapes. Taking her audience through her process step-by-step, Lin painted a picture of a small figure of a woman in front of some buildings in Dresden, an image she had already sketched using a 3D pencil and done a value study of. Aside from her brushes, Lin used a variety of tools from tissue paper to a credit card. "Every single painting is an adventure for me," she said, before beginning. "I don't know if this painting is going to be successful ...but I'll try." Though Lin has enjoyed a long and successful career as an artist, she had originally set out to follow a career path in medicine, even attending the Loma Linda University School of Public Health. "It was a long journey," said Lin of her transition. "It was about 10 years of the transition. But I'm much happier this way. Actually I'm very lucky that I found my way." Lin shared that she had worked with other media but it was watercolor painting that she ended up sticking to. "Watercolor is very unique," she said. "It has a mind of its own. It's transparent if you treat it right. It's very fluid and could be very enjoyable if you know how to play with it.... I need to practice more myself." Lin exhibited her work in galleries for over a decade, winning numerous prizes, but has now settled into teaching and giving workshops around the country. "Whoever calls me, I fly out," she said. Though they mostly watched in silence, audience members gave comments and asked Lin questions as she completed her painting. Refreshments were served at the event and Lin's work was exhibited on tables in the room. LLCAA member Julie R. Evans, who is primarily an oil painter but also sometimes works with other media, was in attendance on Sunday and praised Lin's work for its "emotional impact." "She's fantastic," she said. "This is my third time seeing her." According to its president, Lenore Roth, LLCAA was started when Loma Linda University wanted to provide an outlet for its students. LLCAA was closely associated with the still-ongoing Fine Arts Festival held at the university but before long, took on a life of its own. Roth noted that even though the association's membership is not just for seniors, many seniors attend the meetings because they are retired and thus have the time. Among many other activities, including a weekly oil painting class, the association frequently features noted artists at its monthly meetings and gives individual art shows by its members throughout the year.