Painter returns to art league

Randall Stauss will return to the Tahoe Art League as its speaker-demonstrator for the meeting that will begin at 7 p.m. June 11 at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center.

If his name sounds familiar, it isn't surprising: Stauss lives in Carnelian Bay on Lake Tahoe's North Shore. In 2005, he gave a demonstration in watercolors at TAL. He will be working in oil, painting a portrait or sculptural still life.

Stauss was accepted as a signature member of the National Watercolor Society in 1985, which also was the year he began his popular workshops. He and his wife, Edith, often travel to paint in new surroundings. The year 2007 took them to Paris, where he conducted a workshop in oils, and to India, where he gave classes in watercolor painting.

He recently published an art book, "Watercolors of Randall Stauss." The book includes pictures from the India trip, and he will bring copies to the meeting.

Born and raised near Portland, Ore., Stauss began drawing and painting very early. While still young, his family moved to Corvallis, Ore., in the heart of the Willamette Valley. He attended Oregon State University and the University of Oregon.

Essentially a representational painter, Stauss is equally comfortable in watercolor and oil painting, and he often includes figures in his paintings.

"Painting is largely a matter of inspiration and seeing things clearly," Stauss said. "The medium isn't so important, although we won't be able to express what we see and feel without a certain command of our materials. Two of my favorite painters are Childe Hassam and Winslow Homer, although they painted much differently. Hassam's work looks like it was a joy to paint, and Homer was always looking for the truth of the matter."

Tahoe Art League meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. All are welcome. For more information, check out the TAL Web site at talart.org.