Art Book Signing at the Chester County Art Association

WEST CHESTER:

Ridley Park resident (and octogenarian) Joe Kowalewski feels that he was fortunate to get his dream book published. He put “everything” he knew about the art of watercolor, but after the first edition was published, he discovered that were still some tips and techniques he wanted to impart to the beginner painter. As its title suggests, the book includes techniques  Kowalewski  discovered in his many years of painting and are not found in any other art book.

Kowalewski, said he that when he first took up watercolor painting after his retirement in the late 1990s, he read many books on the subject but found that most of them did not describe the strategies he learned along the way. Most of all, he wanted a book that would inspire others to build their own picture frames as he does.

“I like to buy and read watercolor books ”Kowalewski said, “But whenever I read them, I see that they are not geared towards the absolute beginner or the artist who wants to try techniques on his own.”

To address that need,  Kowalewski,began his book project more than two years ago, working with a team at the Chester County Art Association, where he has worked as a part-time handyman since 1997 and now volunteers  The team included a photographer who shot photos of various tips such as Kowalewski,  using a sanding block to create deckled paper.

One chapter “What's On Your Palette” describes the handwritten guide Joe uses to keep track of his color mixing. Another, “Brushes of a Different Stroke,” describes some of the unusual “brushes” Kowalewski uses such as a plastic forks and knives and a foam brush (the kind found in hardware stores) cut into an angular shape to capture “the leaves of a tree.”

Readers of the book have observed that Kowalewski's engineering background (he is retired after decades working in a nuclear power plant in NJ) is evident in the way he is able to recommend shortcuts and describe a complex process in easy-to-understand steps.

In writing the 138-page book, Kowalewski said that tried to inject humor into the book whenever possible.  One chapter is especially popular with readers, he said, partly because it includes imaginary paint colors.  You won't find these in any art store:  “Better Dead Than Red,”  "Cost-of-Living Rose,"  "Conquered Grape,"  “Ill Gotten Gold,”  or "God’s Little Ochre.” 

 Another favorite chapter is one that shows how Kowalewski comes up with his unique frames such as one illustrated on the book's cover. It is a watercolor painting depicting a bolt of lightning and framed in what was once an old window shutter.

 Kowalewski has made frames from everything from a cutting board, a chair seat, and  old box to  a bow saw and  a broken clock.

 A book signing is planned from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28th at the Art Association at 100 N Bradford Ave, West Chester, PA (610) 696-5600  • chestercountyarts.org.  

 The public is welcome to come out, meet the author and enjoy complementary refreshments. The book will be sold at the special price of $20.