For 28 years, Woody enjoyed being a middle school art teacher back in Kansas. Upon retirement, along with his wife Frani, they moved to Albuquerque.
That was over four years ago. New Mexico was an easy choice.
Because, every June, for over 20 years, Woody drove to Taos, New Mexico for an annual watercolor workshop at the
Sagebrush Inn.
Woody quickly fell in love
with the magical light of New Mexico. Upon moving here, he joined the New
Mexico Watercolor Society and soon gained signature status. Woody is a
past-president of the NMWS. He currently is editor of Brushstrokes – the NMWS
monthly newsletter and serves as the NMWS delegate to the Western Federation of
Watercolor Societies.
For Woody, creating each new
watercolor is a true learning experience. His mentor Mathew Monks taught him to
love the fluid nature of this marvelous medium. Woody finds, “moving a loaded
brush across a sheet of Arches to be a religious experience.” He loves to paint early morning shadows
and the raking light across a crumbling adobe wall. Woody also loves to paint
the Poppies he grows at home in Albuquerque. Most recently, his favorite
subjects have become his “fantastic” triplet grandkids. “I love painting Tim,
Tess and Tiffanie as they frolic on the beach in California. If you love your
subjects, that passion will show in your paintings.”
In trying to teach
watercolor, Woody hopes to combine his teaching skills with his love for
watercolor. He readily admits to stealing or borrowing ideas from many, many
others over the years. Few techniques are original. “We share our ideas freely
so each new artist need not feel they have to re-invent the wheel every time
they begin a new painting.”
As for advice, Woody
recommends that: “if you love watercolor, do it often and you will get better.
Paint what you care about and it will show in your work. Take advantage of all
the subtle little accidents that happen in your watercolors. The beauty of this
medium is the inner action between the water, pigment and a good sheet of
paper, go with the flow and you will improve.”
Artist/Teacher Woody Duncan -
PO Box 91703 Albuquerque, NM 87199-1703
e-mail to: woodyduncan@comcast.net my web site is: http://www.taospaint.com