Lifelong resident demonstrates watercolor painting technique

Margaret Biggs, a fourth generation native of Gardnerville, has been drawing and painting since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. Encouraged by her mother, Lois Jones, who was also an artist, and mentored by Geraldine Lawrence, she went on to earn an AA degree in Fine Arts from Cottey College in Nevada, Mo.

"I chose Cottey College because I had a cousin who had gone there. It was a rather small woman's college and I liked the idea of not getting lost in the crowd," Biggs said.

Biggs and her husband Dave raised their family in the Valley and she has spent 29 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department. She continued to pick up classes and workshops in all media and grew to love watercolors for the challenge that they present and the fun of seeing what they do.

Twice now, Biggs has attended workshops presented by Jean Grastorf at the Scottsdale Art School on Pouring Luminous Watercolors. It was so much fun that she had to go back to a second session. The technique involves layering colors, creating wonderful glowing effects.

"I work with a very limited palette of colors making sure the colors I choose are transparent. After I've masked off certain area's in the beginning layout, I mix my paint and water in a cup and pour it over the paper. The colors are added in layers blending themselves together. Once it dries I can then go back in and add detail." Biggs said.

Biggs will be sharing this unusual technique with members of the Carson Valley Art Association at their next meeting Feb. 23, starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Minden branch of the Douglas County Public Library.