'Reflections of Nature' watercolor exhibit on display at MCCD

McHenry County Conservation District invites you to view "Reflections of Nature," a nature watercolor exhibit on display through Sept. 4 at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood.

An artist reception will be 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 30. This exhibit is free and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Katherine Weber's nature paintings feature plants and wildlife in watercolor and reflect her awareness of the beauty in the everyday natural world. Her deeply felt works of art combine an imaginative and fascinating painting style with whimsical charm. Many of the paintings are on ecologically friendly paper made from stone called Terraskin onto which she pours paint, waiting for subjects to emerge and suggest themselves from the loose background.

Weber has been exploring art from an early age but only in the past few years has she been drawn to the watercolor challenge, commenting that so much magic can happen with this medium. Sketching with her wildlife artist grandfather provided early inspiration. Her father was a veterinarian and outdoorsman who taught her to be a passionate observer of nature for which she continues to have a love and curiosity.

Art instruction began at the Art Institute of Chicago but then life took over. It was only after retirement that she again picked up her brushes, starting with botanical painting, developing a style of her own - with nature always an inspiration. Weber's paintings have been featured in local, national and international fine art shows. She has also won awards for her miniature paintings where images measure less than 25 square inches.

For more information, contact Prairieview Education Center at (815) 479-5779 or visit MCCDistrict.org.