Stephen Quiller

 2014 Gold Medal of Honor- American Watercolor Society

 I have always been interested in beaver ponds and this is a recurring theme in
my work. But like other subjects, some ponds and lodges are more interesting to paint
than others. I was in Salt Lake City teaching a workshop in early May. After class the
workshop host took me on a ride into the mountains. As we wove down the mountain
returning from the sight-seeing tour this subject flashed by. I mentioned how beautiful
that scene was and my friend turned the car around so that I could sketch what I saw. I
was excited enough about the material that I did a demonstration from my sketch the
next day in class. This was not only a good teaching tool but it helps me to work out
color and compositional problems and to verbalize what I am interested in. A week later,
back in my Colorado studio, I did this finished work.