Oro Valley Library invites you to an exhibit by local artist Tad Lamb, on display from March 1 - April 15, 2025.
Don't miss the opportunity to meet Tad at the Artist Reception on March 15!
Artist Statement:
‘My life is a wash’. This odd sounding double entendre describes perfectly the life of the watercolor artist since washes are the basic language of watercolor and like any practicing artist, we can become a washed in our craft. For me, this phrase takes on another meaning since the desert washes around Tucson are some of my favorite subjects. There are times, one might say I’m awash creating washes in a wash.
Watercolor is a fascinating medium. Pigment is placed into solution with water, applied to a dry or wet surface and then allowed to do its magic. There’s a certain delight in watching pigment flow around a page enabled by a pool of water. Watercolor also lends itself well to the practice of plein air painting has a transportability like no other medium and as I like to brag to my painting buddies, we get to ‘dip our paint cups into the crystal fresh waters by which we paint ‘.
Plein air, for me, has taken on a life of its own. It’s a joyful practice being out in nature and expressing its intricacies with brush marks and colored washes. Spending an entire morning painting in one spot lets you really absorb and experience the essence of the place. The paintings here are my results from the past 12 months.
Award winning artist, Tad Lamb, love of watercolor comes from a lifetime of exploring the landscapes and chasing the birds of the American West. Tad has been a member of the Tucson art community and has served on the boards of several local art organizations. He is currently a teaching artist at The Drawing Studio where he has taught since 2014 and organizes regular paint outs with his students, friends and colleagues. Tad still makes his home in Tucson, where he has lived with his wife, Mary Lou, for 37 years.
Images courtesy of the artist
