Nationally known artist Tom Lynch to give workshops at Huntley High
For nearly two decades, the Daily Herald has enjoyed a special Christmas tradition. A one-of-a-kind winter scene depicting holiday cheer is featured on the cover of the Dec. 25 edition. It's a watercolor painting by nationally recognized watercolorist Tom Lynch.
For many Northwest suburban residents, this is how they came to know Lynch, a former resident of Arlington Heights. Aspiring artists and lovers of Lynch's work -- and even those who aren't familiar with it -- will enjoy his upcoming visit to Huntley High School on Monday.
During a morning workshop, Lynch will address the high school students as he presents a watercolor demonstration in the school's auditorium. Then, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lynch will give a watercolor demonstration that's open to the public.
For the high school students, he plans to help them get into the mindset of an artist.
"It isn't in the technique or craftsmanship that can affect the success of a painting," he explained. "It's in the mental process that the artist embraces."
Sponsored by Castle Bank of Huntley in cooperation with the Huntley High School Fine Arts Boosters and the Sun City Pencil and Palette Club, the public demonstration is free to the community.
A camera will follow Lynch's masterful hand as it paints, amplifying the image onto a 20-by-20-foot screen behind him. Attendees will be able to better grasp the techniques involved in creating a watercolor masterpiece.
Art teacher Valerie Lindquist is extremely excited about the upcoming presentation, and what it will mean for her students.
"It will encourage them to advance their own skills," said Lindquist, who is a member of the Fine Arts Boosters.
"It's such an honor to have such a talented artist that is so experienced in doing professional demos and presentations."
Not only is Lynch a gifted artist, he is also one of the nation's top art teachers, having taught watercolor painting on PBS for years, as well as writing seven books.
A national spokesman for the Fredrix Artist Canvas Co. in North America, he will also be selling some of his own works on watercolor canvas.
"It enables me to showcase my art without the need of glass when it's completed," he said.
Throughout a given year, Lynch gives two workshops per month in the U.S. and abroad.
This year, he visited Spain and France. Next year, he'll visit four other countries.
He just returned from Connecticut and will be going to Florida and Arizona before the year's end.
Marilyn Schnake, a member of the Pencil and Palette Club and resident of Huntley, is looking forward to learning more about watercolor painting. She has admired Lynch's work for many years and says this is the first time, to her knowledge, that a nationally recognized artist has give a presentation to the club.
Schnake used to live in Elk Grove Village, near Arlington Heights, and can vividly recall his heartwarming Daily Herald newspaper covers on Christmas Day.
"It was always rather exciting to see his work at that point," she said. "I thought it was pretty good what he did."
Lynch is always challenged, he says, to come up with something new for the cover.
"I have taken in reader requests for ideas, and what has started as something casual has almost become a tradition," he said.
Schnake has her own Tom Lynch Christmas tradition. Each holiday season, she gets out Lynch's winter scene, "Morning Light" and displays it on her fireplace mantel.
"I think that Tom has a great skill in using color, and has ability to use the whole range of values of color," she said. "As a watercolorist, I'm interested in seeing how he develops his picture, knowing that he is leaving spaces for white as light."
Giving presentations to large groups is just one way Lynch educates artists. He recently joined the Web site artacademylive.com.
"At various times, you can go to that site and see any one of 15 different artists actively painting and demonstrating," he explained.
"You can log on and ask questions from the comfort of your computer."
Lynch's latest series features European cafes. He plans to display them in a Long Grove gallery.
Lynch studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago and then spent summers under the tutelage of various watercolor masters nationwide.
He sells his instructional books, videos and artwork on his Web site, www.tomlynch.com. At the workshop, he'll be selling holiday pieces that can be personalized. There'll also be a door prize drawing.
Huntley High School is at 13719 Harmony Road in Huntley. Those interested in attending the workshop may park near the tennis court and enter through Door 24, in the back of the building.
For more information, contact Bob Hurrie at 847-575-7455.
If you go
What: Watercolor demonstration by artist Tom Lynch
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday
Where: Huntley High School, 13719 Harmony Road
How much? Free and open to the public; Lynch's artwork available for purchase
Info: (847) 515-7455