“My Brush, My Adirondacks,” an exhibit by watercolor artist, Ron Rakowski, will be on display July 1 through July 30 at the Old Forge Library, 220 Crosby Blvd. The exhibit will showcase a selection of Rakowski’s Adirondack-themed paintings.

As part of the townwide First Friday Art Walk, the exhibit’s opening reception will be held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, July 1. The reception is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

Rakowski has lived in the Mohawk Valley and Adirondacks his entire life, and has been painting for over 30 years.

A mostly self-taught artist, Ron credits much of his skill to classes and workshops he has taken with watercolor artists such as Ralph Murray, Willard Sauter and Edward Cristianna. Rakowski said he favors watercolor because it’s simple and compact and “despite its simplicity you can get a great many complex effects with various techniques.”

He draws inspiration from natural scenes such as battered rocks, rushing water, gnarly trees and his favorite — snow.

For the past three years during the winter months Rakowski has painted a painting a day depicting many winter and ski scenes and documenting winter life here in Old Forge. He moderates several Facebook Pages that encourage others to join him in this and other fun art challenges.

His work has been displayed in the Adirondack National Exhibition of American Watercolors, Munson Williams Sidewalk Show, the Central Adirondack Art Show and a previous solo winter exhibit at the Old Forge Library. His awards include Winner of Old Forge Library Illustration event for two years running, and best of show winner at Kirkland Art Center “Just Add Water” show.

Rakowski is an active member of the Mountain Air Painters, a group of artists that meet every Thursday during the summer months to paint En Plein Air in and around the Old Forge area. Favorite venues include the Green Bridge, Moose River, Carry Lake, Fulton Chain Station and a number of private camps.

See below for a sampling of Rakowski’s paintings:

Photo at top: Watercolor/Plein Air Artist Ron Rakowski. All photos provided by Beth Pashley of the Old Forge Library.