Jean Batchelder

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My work is all about my response to nature, whether a misty sunrise or flaming sunset, a rocky cliff or cascading waterfall, flora or fauna. My emotions may lead me to present a realistic rendering of whatever captured my attention,  or I may express my impressions using exploration and abstraction. I hope to draw
the viewer into the heart of the painting with my integration of light and color.

Growing up in small town South Dakota, I dreamed of being a ‘famous artist’ when I grew up. Life got in the way and I spent 40 years raising kids and developing a career in facilities planning, design­ and management, owning my own consulting firm.

My husband eventually rekindled my childhood dreams with a birthday gift of a watercolor class. I loved it and became active in Colorado art communities,  exhibiting my paintings in several galleries. My work was accepted in local, regional,  and national juried shows. I earned signature status with the Colorado Watercolor Society, and was selected as Artist in Residence at Mesa Verde National Park.

My art resides in private, corporate, and public collections throughout the US and Internationally. In
2012 my hubby and I broke up housekeeping, liquidated, and embarked on a lifestyle of full-time RVing, traveling around the United States and Canada. Due to space limitations, my painting then consisted of ‘memories’ of our adventures.  Sadly,  my soulmate passed away suddenly September 2023. My life necessarily entered a new phase, which landed me in Livermore to be close to family.

I’m painting regularly now, and am pleased to be part of an artist community again. While I mostly paint representational watercolors, I also delve into explorative approaches, materials, and techniques. Some of my favorite pieces are born of pure imagination and the willingness to let the painting dictate.   I hope you enjoy my work; I enjoy sharing it with you!