Wendy Westlake’s work is influenced by her background in watercolor. Her work features bold, interlocking shapes which are not completely geometric or organic. The surface textures of the individual shapes vary from delicate washes to much thicker textured paint application. "Within each canvas is an opportunity to explore relationships through shape and color. I consider how much territory a specific shape will occupy, whether it should expand perhaps overlapping neighboring shapes. Will these forms meet in a strong defined way or will the edges barely touch in delicate softness? The use of color opens yet another avenue for interplay of relationships. A bold orange painted next to an equally bold red will look and feel completely different than if paired with a muted yellow. Each color is influenced by those closest to it." - Wendy Westlake A desire to work on a larger scale than paper, Wendy returned to her earlier training with acrylic and oils. Westlake (b.1966) is inspired by the American Abstract Expressionists, particularly the color fields of Mark Rothko and collages of Conrad Marca-Relli. Born in Washington state, Westlake earned an Associates degree in Applied Art from Pima College in Tuscon AZ, where she studied a wide range of media including oils, printmaking and ceramics. Upon moving back to MN in 1992, Wendy connected with the watercolor community in the Twin Cities area. She became a Board Member of the Minnesota Watercolor Society (MNWS) in 2012 eventually becoming their President from 2014-2016.