User:Majorjd/Nita Engle

One of Americas foremost watercolor landscape artists, Nita Engle has earned her place in American history as an artistic pioneer. A Michigan native born in 1926, Nita attended the Art Institute of Chicago for four years with affiliated study at both Northern Michigan University and Roosevelt University. First employed as a colorist, Nita worked her way into the position of art director with a Chicago area ad agency. But watercolors were her passion, and before long she started the transition of becoming a full-time illustrator in watercolor for major publications. Some of her early work ranged from covers of Reader's Digest to illustrations in Playboy. From the onset, Nita's work stood apart. But starting an art career in the 1940's wasn't easy. Especially in a field predominately dominated by men. Through the earlier days of her career, she simply signed her work, "N. Engle" so as not to disclose her gender. As time passed, so did the acceptance of women artists and Nita's work flourished.

A member of the American Watercolor Society since 1969, she has been a frequent exhibitor, winning many awards. She has also taken part in many exhibitions sponsored by the Society of Illustrators in New York including an exhibit of American illustrators along with the work of Winslow Homer, N.C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell, entitled "1976 - 200 Years of American Illustration." American Artist magazine named her "Artist of the Year" in 1984 and in 1985, a PBS documentary film was made of her work titled: Wilderness Palette - Nita Engle in Michigan by KAKM in Anchorage, AK. 1986 saw an Honorary Doctorate awarded by Northern Michigan University and the selection as one of only 40 artists selected to exhibit with Australian artists in Taipei, Republic of China. Engle has also taken part in the annual Great Women Artists of America Show held in Chicago.

The North Country of Michigan, presents a continual challenge to Engle, who feels that one lifetime is not enough to accomplish all she hopes to achieve. "There is so little wilderness left; we are surrounded by pavement. My goal is to take you into the landscape through my painting." Engle's art can be seen in many books and publications, including her own book entitled: How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself - Experimental Techniques Towards Realism in Landscape, published by Watson-Guptill. Nita also has tutorial videos available that demonstrate her innovative techniques.

Nita still resides in her native Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she continues to paint and enjoy the wonder landscapes the area has to offer.

(1) http://www.nita-engle.com/ (2) http://www.millpond.com/site/artistbio.cfm?DocumentID=39 (3) http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=100207