Jim Fowler show opens

Juneau artist Jim Fowler is spending less and less time in the studio these days, and he's happy about it.

He's been painting in the open air of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia this summer, and has more than a dozen new works to show for it. He opens a one-week exhibition of his recent work Friday at Portfolio Arts, with an informal reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at the South Franklin Street gallery.

An avid hiker and kayaker, Fowler loves painting outdoors, incorporating the whole experience into his work.

``I think you take in a lot of stuff that's not conscious,'' he said. ``It's everything that's going on, the birds and wildlife, the temperature changes, the changing light, and it's all out of your control.''

Fowler retired July 1 from his three-quarter-time position as a graphic designer for the Alaska Department of Labor, packed his paints and portable easel and headed outdoors. He kayaked in Seymour Canal south of Juneau and took a road trip through the Yukon and British Columbia, hiking ridges, riverbeds and mining roads, stopping to paint intimate scenics and broad-view landscapes along the way.

The recent focus on landscapes might seem like a departure for Fowler, who is perhaps best known as an illustrator of children's books. In 1985 he illustrated Jean Rogers book, ``The Secret Moose,'' and last spring his 10th book was published, ``Beautiful,'' written by his wife, Susi Gregg Fowler.

A brand new book by the couple, ``Albertina The Practically Perfect,'' is scheduled for publication later this month. The 50-page chapter book for young readers will feature about 30 small two-color illustrations by Fowler.

``These are much more whimsical, pen and ink drawings,'' he said.

Twenty five years ago, Fowler and a friend left Oklahoma in a 1955 Ford truck and headed north. He pulled into Juneau in August 1973 with $5 in his pocket; his friend left in November and Fowler took a job making pizzas at the newly opened Bullwinkle's restaurant.

Two years later he married Susi Gregg, and two daughters and an extensive career in the arts followed. He worked in watercolor, acrylic, stone lithography and etching, supplementing his art working as a graphic designer, illustrator and commercial artist. He worked on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's monthly magazine, and illustrated its ``Wildlife Notebook'' series. He said of all the mediums he's worked in, he's happiest with what he's doing now.

``This is the most satisfying form,'' he said. ``It's immediate, and involves everything I like to do. It seems like a more holistic experience for me.''

He said he may spend four to six hours in the field working on a painting. Later in the studio he may spend another couple hours on finishing touches, referring to cryptic notes in his journal.

``Proportionately, very little paint is applied in the studio,'' he said.

Fowler will have about 15 paintings in the show, ranging from $500 to $800. The paintings are done in heavy acrylic mediums on full and half sheets of DeArch's 300-pound watercolor paper, 15 inches by 22 inches and 30 inches by 22 inches in size. He favors heavy gel with the acrylic, and will use the brush handle to scratch overcoats, revealing pure color undercoats that combine to create shades and tones.

``The colors may not reflect exactly what was there,'' he said, ``but it does, for me, represent the way the place felt.''