In-Town Gallery presents “Wetlands in Watercolor”, a collection of paintings by the April
Featured Artist, John McLean. His specialty is water and skies, which are both masterfully portrayed in this series. He is hosting an opening reception on the First Friday, April 3, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Come and meet the artist and see his fresh new work.

Introduced to watercolor painting in his native Ireland by a caring high-school teacher, John dabbled with it for the next 40 years or so, while pursuing a career in consulting engineering. After retiring, painting took over, and now he strives to paint watercolors that will involve the viewer. His objective is to convey the message with as few brushstrokes as possible, saying more with less, and inviting the viewer to fill in the gaps from the wealth of their own experiences.

Landscapes are McLean’s favorite subjects, particularly if they contain a water feature in the scene. “For many years I lived on salt water and sailed on it, so the shoreline, marshes, docks and associated watercraft have a special appeal for me.” His new series of wetlands illustrates this interest. “I love the process of laying washes of color onto beautiful watercolor paper … the uncertainty of just how those washes are going to interact,” McLean explained. “I’m inspired by today’s watercolor impressionists such as Trevor Chamberlain, John Yardley, Tony Couch, Judi Wagner, Bob Wade, David Taylor and Greg Allen. In 1999 I took my first watercolor workshop, taught by Australian Bob Wade. It was such a rewarding experience that I have tried to take at least one workshop each year since then.”

McLean’s art education has come primarily from publications by Watson-Guptill and North Light Books, and he considers himself mostly a self-taught artist. Wishing to meet and interact with other artists who enjoy watercolor, McLean joined the Georgia and Tennessee Watercolor Societies. He participates in their group activities and enters his work in their juried exhibitions. He regularly attends the Mountain Art Guild weekly painting sessions on Signal Mountain.