Paint By the Sea: A Watercolor Workshop by International Artist B. Chrisse Harwanko

March 5 2016 B. Chrisse Harwanko, international artist and educator, will host a 1 day watercolor workshop in her beachfront studio. There are only 10 spaces available. Click here for full event details.

B. Chrisse Harwanko arrived in Panama for the first time in 1975. She had come from her home state Delaware, where she had embarked on her journey as an artist in 1969 making leather jewelry. With a B.A in Art, a minor in Anthropology and a natural curiosity for the unknown, Chrisse was fascinated the rich culture rushing through Panama’s past and present - from the Indians of the past and their huacas (items found in ancient Indian graves including gold jewelry and pottery), to the surviving commarcas. When Chrisse arrived in Panama, her husband was working for a British man named Neville Harte. Harte dug graves to find huacas, and being an artisan himself,  he replicated the gold huacas using a “lost wax process”. This craft includes making a wax model in which metal is poured to recreate the desired 3-D piece. Harte taught Chrisse this process and she began making huaca reproductions in silver and gold. This launched her into the jewelry business here in Panama.  

Chrisse’s evolution as an artist continued In 1979, when Chrisse took a batik class and began painting in that medium, on cloth, with themes of culture (gold huacas, Indians, pottery) and the ocean. Chrissie’s love for the ocean is painted through many of her works. She has been scuba diving for 41 years and says, there is no place in nature that she would rather be than in the water. “It is another world that fills my soul and I feel compelled to share it in my art.”

After Panama, Chrisse taught art in Okinawa, Japan for 14 years, while continuing with her main creative interests - painting and photographing underwater. Chrisse was immediately fulfilled by teaching. She told us that for her, teaching was an extremely satisfying feeling, “to see the light bulbs light up when people really understand and progress with a lesson- it's wonderful!”

Chrisse has exhibited her art and photos in numerous shows for over 3 decades in Japan, Italy, USA and Panama, receiving numerous awards. Chris’s work can be found in collections all over the world. With inspirations from both surrounding culture and nature- the beach, the tides, the moon, the power the ocean and its sea life, Chrisse’s paintings are is rich with texture, movement and bright colors.  She is an extremely explorative artist, mixing medias and techniques fluidly.

Now retired and back in Panama, Chrisse continues to photograph land and the underwater world, painting at her beachfront studio home in Playa El Palmar, Panama. Chrissie will open her studio to ten individuals who will receive personal instruction on the basics of watercolor painting. The day will be spent painting while enjoying the enchanting sounds of the sea and a view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean (from 9:45 a.m. meeting time 10 a.m. start until 4 p.m. finish).  Students will be guided through a creative exploration of various watercolor techniques that show texture, depth, and contrast.  A painting will be completed during the class time. Beginners are welcome - you will be surprised what you can create!

Connect with Chrisse by email at tarzana52@yahoo.com or by phone at (507) 6208-9610