Still Wet Behind the Years

The Plymouth Arts Center launches its 30th Anniversary Year with a brand-new art show in Gallery 110 North. The public is invited to the opening reception of “Still Wet Behind the Years!” by the Generations Painters, Friday, January 20th from 5-7pm. Exhibiting artists are Charles Ausavich, Linda Reuss Benson, Evie Grasse, Keary Kautzer, Jay Parsons, and Jerry Rammer. The presenting sponsors are Franz Backus and Plymouth Furniture. Live musical entertainment for the reception will be presented courtesy of pianists, Thomas Armstrong and George Schroeder. Complimentary appetizers will be served. Admission to Gallery 110 North is always Free. The exhibition will be on display in the gallery through March 3, 2023.

Generations Painters is an informal group of mainly watercolorists who meet at the Generations Intergenerational Center in Plymouth. Formed from the late Dr. James Michael Watercolor group, the painters have morphed into a compact 10 to 12 members, about half of whom are Jim’s “disciples.” They are self-directed, depending on a process of kibitzing, cajoling and critiquing sessions with new members learning from experienced members. Their most seasoned member has been painting for over sixty years.

The painters belong to a range of professional local, regional, and national organizations including, Plymouth Arts Center, Sheboygan Visual Arts, Wisconsin Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of American, and more. Member paintings are seen in galleries from Plymouth and Elkhart Lake to Door County, Madison, and Milwaukee and out of state venues. Many are featured on a plethora of internet sites and are in private collections throughout the United States and beyond.

Plymouth Arts Center gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4 pm, Saturday - Sunday, Noon-3 pm. Closed Mondays and Holidays. Tour Groups are always welcome. Please visit the Plymouth Arts Center Gift Shop for fine art gifts made by our members. For more information contact The Plymouth Arts Center, 920-892-8409 or visit us at www.plymoutharts.org

About the Exhibiting Artists:

Charles Ausavich is one of the original Generations Painters and a part of the group which formed around James Michael in the mid 1990’s. Charles started watercolor painting in 1996. He retired from Wisconsin Public Service Corp in 2000 and lives with his wife Karen on the Sheboygan River just outside of Johnsonville. He represented by “Two Fish” gallery in Elkhart Lake. “I think of myself as a serious amateur who paints for the joy and satisfaction of creating art. “The more I paint, the more I see. The more I see, the more I paint.”

Linda Reuss Benson: “I love ‘stark raving mad’ realism. It is what I strive for in my paintings because it challenges me, and I further challenge myself using only primary colors in warm and cool. Enjoy!” Linda was originally introduced to watercolors by her high school art teacher, Earl Kittleson. But after taking a watercolor class from Chris Sommerfelt in 2010 at the Clearing in Ellison Bay, she was sold on this medium. She has since taken classes from Bridget Austin, Joye Moon, Lance Tischauer and Joyce Eesley and learned new techniques from all of them. In addition to watercolors, Linda is an award winning (quilt) fiber artist, having had her quilts in competitions across the United States including Houston and Paducah. Linda has an Associate Degree in Commercial Art from MATC. Linda is grateful to Evie, Jerry, Keary, Jay and Chuck for their patience, encouragement, and advice through the years at Generations.

Evie Grasse, “As an artist, vibrant and expressive watercolor paintings of landscapes, still life and flora have become my passion. I want my brushwork to be powerful, with color that interprets God’s beautiful creations. I look for bold shapes, how the colors play against one another and how the light and dramatic shadows create the mood of the painting. I paint what inspires me and I dedicate myself to sharing my labor of love with others. I have taken many workshops throughout the Midwest and Southwest from artists whose work I admire. My ambition is to achieve the same distinguished success they have.”

Keary Kautzer paints in the Impressionist style, painting with limited hues to set a mood to draw the viewer in. Keary Kautzer is a member of the American Impressionist Society, Wisconsin Watercolor Society, Association of Wisconsin Artists, Sheboygan Visual Artists and the Wisconsin Plein Air Painters Association. Paintings are available to purchase at Plum Bottom Gallery and online at www.plumbottomgallery.com, kearykautzer.com and on his Facebook page Keary Kautzer.

Jay Parsons, Basically self-taught, l’ve taken workshops which have helped me to see the world around us. It’s amazing all that I have missed to this point. Just the tip of the iceberg. With help from my fellow artists, I will continue to grow.

Jerry Rammer, “Art. What is art? I believe it is the expression, through various art mediums, of one’s personal observations of worldly things as seen through the artist’s eyes. Art can be both fun and challenging. Which path you take is up to the individual. Good luck. Other than art classes in high school, I have no formal art training. I have been watercolor painting for approximately the last ten years. I have joined a painting group at Generations, where I enjoy being with a great bunch of painters. They have both helped me improve my painting skills and given me much assistance through the years. I live in Sheboygan with my wonderful wife Mary and am enjoying my retirement years.”