Bea Edgar
When my husband, Tony, retired in 2009, we decided to develop a hobby which we could enjoy together. We tried golf but that "didn't take" ... painting and drawing did. I got hooked on watercolor painting while living in Chicago during the early 90's. We lived in Old Town within walking distance of the Art Student's League. There, I met a wonderful group of painters who graciously shared their knowledge with me, a rank beginner. During our 5 years in that remarkable city, I painted weekly and learned the basics.

Moving to Moultonborough, NH in 1997, I took courses in acrylics and drawing from Sandy McDermott. Through a "Scratch Art" workshop, I discovered our watercolor teacher, Estelle Smith. Botanical drawing classes at Wellesley College fascinated me but I yearned to add color to those detailed pencil drawings.

Watercolor became my medium of choice: the translucency and surprise element of watercolor is intriguing and challenging.

What do I paint? An avid gardener for all the years I lived in MA, PA and NH, I found myself attracted to flowers, their color, shape, texture and scent. On our frequent 'moseys' around New England I enjoy photographing other people's gardens, barns, animals and landscapes, always looking for a 'story' to paint.

Moving from the Lakes Region to the Upper Valley in 2012, Tony and I studied with Ann Lindsey, Lian Zhen and local artists Patty Dean, Stephanie Reininger, Nancy Dean and Margaret Dwyer. Weekly we paint with Estelle Smith. Currently I'm exploring a new challenge: oil painting with Aline Ordman.

Antony Edgar
As a seven year old living in Virginia, I received a handsomely bound copy of Audubon's Birds of America. a gift in which over 100 detailed plates of birds were exquisitely presented. It was then I first became motivated to pick up a pencil and begin sketching. A few years later, a family friend and professional portraitist further encouraged me by sharing her oil palette, several brushes and her remarkable talents with me.

At eleven and living in Shanghai, I found myself fascinated by Chinese ink painting. This delicate style was introduced by way of a birthday gift. Ink painting demanded a high degree of discipline requiring endless patience. Even after struggling with my master over several months, my enthusiasm waned due possibly to the discipline's perceived lack of freer expression.

By 1950, while attending 8th grade in Europe, for the first time I was introduced formally to the techniques of drawing and painting. My master was a magnificent Flemish painter. He exuded enthusiasm, was full of life, and was able to share with me his love of color. The painting I submitted for my final examination then still remains in my possession.

I consider myself fortunate having lived in many countries throughout much of my childhood. During those years I was privileged · to have gained exposure to innumerable grand museums and thereby to much of the world's remarkable art.

A limited engineering curriculum during my college years precluded formal art education. It wasn't until my retirement in 2009,· while living on Lake Winnipesaukee, when Bea and I decided to study watercolor painting -together.

Over a few short years we've had the great pleasure and fun painting side-by­side under the professional guiding hands of Estelle Smith, Patty Dean and Stephanie Reininger, all of NH, Ann Lindsey of NY, Lian Zhen of NV, and Nancy Dean of VT.

When drawing or painting I seek to portray familiar scenes and fond memories. More recently, my paintings have included a number of well­ recognized icons world over.