Clovis artist, Hilda Vandergriff was raised in California. Her art career began after retiring as a high school secretary.

Hilda paints colorful watercolor, acrylic, pastel and Chinese brush painting. Her art inspiration is nature; insects, flowers, animals and landscapes.  She looks for the beauty in all her subject matter that ultimately will translate into an original cherished piece of artwork.

Hilda was introduced to Chinese brush style painting twelve years ago. Her Asian inspired paintings are on a variety of rice papers. Some have visible fiber textures, gold speckles or silver treads woven into the paper and some on Chinese silk.  They are painted with Chinese ink and watercolor. Some have a suminagashi design.  Suminagashi is a Japanese technique once held as a secret. The technique of floating inks and colors on water and transferring them to paper produce a unique marbling effect.  Hilda uses calligraphy and seal chop.

Hilda has taught children art classes in watercolor and Chinese brush painting at Arts Visalia Gallery and the Hanford Kings Art Center.  Paintings of her student’s hang at the Hanford Community Hospital. An accomplishment she is proud of knowing that she touched children’s lives with art. The children taught her that there is more to life than winning awards; it’s about making a difference in someone’s life. 

Hilda will be exhibiting at the Cayucos Community Art Gallery from April 3, 2011 to May 26th. Art reception on April 3, 2011.  Some of her art will be available as giclees. 

Hilda donated art to the American Heart Association’s Central Valley Heart Ball Event help raise funds for cardiovascular research. Hilda’s art was chosen for the 2011 California Central Valley Blood Centers Calendar. She donates art to the San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust. She was accepted into the Aquarius 2010 Pacific Regional Exhibition of the Best in Watercolor at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, June 4 – August 1.

Website: www.Vandergriffstudio.com