Vancouver illustrator Diana Thewlis looks forward to the Society of Washington Artists’ spring show each year.
Thewlis, 63, has been a member of the nonprofit Society of Washington Artists for a few years, and has won two best of show awards at the group’s events. One was for “Zora’s World,” a watercolor, pencil and gouache portrait of a young girl. The other award was for a watercolor piece titled “Portrait of Rob.”
“When you’re attending a show, there’s an energy that exists,” she said.
The Society of Washington Artists’ event takes place May 11-14 at the Hall Building in Hazel Dell. There is an artists’ reception from 6 to 8 p.m. May 13.
It’s an open show, so anyone can participate. People have until May 10, the day submissions are dropped off, to enter. For more information, go to http://societyofwashingtonartists.com.
Thewlis has been an illustrator since 1980, and before that worked as a graphic designer. Since moving to Vancouver from the Bay Area in 2007, she has branched out into doing portraits.
Thewlis is still finalizing her contributions for next month’s show, the Society of Washington Artists’ 49th annual spring event. She looks forward not only to exhibiting her own work but also to networking and seeing what her fellow artists have created.
“It’s a wonderful learning opportunity,” she said.
Vancouver musician’s flute composition to debut
On May 7, the Central Washington University Flute Choir will present the world premiere of prolific Vancouver musician and composer Matt Doran’s “Suite for Flute Quartet.”
It’s one of eight compositions by Doran that nine musicians will perform at the free concert, which takes place at 3 p.m. at Beacock Music, 1420 S.E. 163rd Ave., Vancouver.
Doran, an 89-year-old retired college music educator with a doctorate in musical arts from the University of Southern California, is excited for the concert. He especially looks forward to “Suite for Flute Quartet” and to “Variations and Scherzo for Large Flute Ensemble,” which he will be hearing live for the first time.
“I look forward to any performance that’s going to be expertly played, and that’s what’s going to happen,” he said.
Over the past 60 years, Doran has composed about 90 works for the flute, as well as symphonies, operas, piano works and choral works. His pieces have been played by the Vancouver Symphony, the Clark College Orchestra and the Oregon Chamber Players, as well as nationally and internationally, including in Germany, France, Japan and Venezuela.
In total, he has composed nearly 400 pieces. Flute is his primary instrument, and he has played it since age 13. He has been playing piano since he was 5 years old.
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