Artist of the Month – January 2020
Meet Yvonne Unger
Growing up in Seattle, Yvonne Unger had no idea that so much of her adult life would be spent observing the overlooked wonders in nature to create unique watercolor paintings. She attended Washington State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science, then moved to the East Coast to complete a Master’s Degree in Plant and Soil Sciences. After marrying, she and her husband decided to stay in the Northeast, where Unger worked for the state of Massachusetts doing Environmental Permitting.
Once their daughter came along, Yvonne and her husband decided that life would run more smoothly if one of them put their career on hold; Yvonne happily agreed to take over the home front. About ten years ago, she was introduced to Watercolor Painting at Tyler Place in Vermont where she and her family have spent many vacations. Her interest was definitely piqued and she began taking classes at the Danforth.
Unger finds her inspiration in nature which surprises her because, despite her environmental studies, she hadn’t noticed some of the real beauty in nature until she began painting. She ponders, “Even in the most mundane circumstances, like a puddle outside the gym, I find something so captivating…like dew drops on a leaf.” It is this attitude that leads to her very interesting and mesmerizing compositions.
Unger credits two instructors for much of her training: Sarah Alexander at the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary and WSA’s Nan Rumpf. She paints watercolors on aquabord and has recently been painting wax resist watercolors which she finds “exciting and liberating; I enjoy the limited choices that the wax allows…and the speed of this process.” Finding another new interest in woodworking, Yvonne has also begun to frame her own pieces.
In a very short time, Unger has had much success, including a first and second place awards as well as honorable mentions, both a solo and joint exhibits with WSA member Nancy Present-Van Broekhoven, and participation in juried shows. Her most recent exhibit was in October at the Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Yvonne belongs to both the WSA, where she serves as Treasurer, and the Needham Art Association.
So, what’s next for Unger? She is looking forward to an Abstract Watercolor Class taught by WSA member Sally Meding and “less realistic and less detailed painting.” She continues to paint and learn and finds painting to be a wonderful meditation. Her husband and daughter are two of her biggest fans and supporters.