Our Next Demo Will Be:​​
Thursday, November 6, 2025
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Featuring Artist
Molly Murrah
"Loose Florals in Watercolor"
Join us for an inspiring and exciting watercolor demo with award-winning artist Molly Murrah! Molly will demonstrate how to paint a Loose Floral in Watercolor, starting with a minimal floral drawing.
She’ll guide us through analyzing the reference image, planning a layered approach, and executing a first layer underpainting. From there, she’ll add defined shapes at various drying stages and finish with expressive calligraphic details that bring the entire piece together.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a master of loose, elegant watercolor technique!
About the Artist
​ A Signature Member of the Northwest Watercolor Society, Molly served as President in 2013-2014 and served a second term from 2020-2022.
Molly has won several awards in various national and international exhibitions. Most notably, in 2011 she was selected as an “Emerging Artist” at the prestigious La Conner Arts Alive Festival, and she has had paintings featured in two of the “SPLASH: The Best of Watercolor” series.
Molly’s strengths as an artist lie in composition, color harmonies, and the representation of light. These skills are enhanced by her many years as a graphic designer, and she still incorporates her design skills in her work as an artist. Her favorite subject to paint and teach is portraits.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
I have always loved watercolors. My favorite medium since I was a child, when I started to paint in later years, watercolor was my only medium of choice. My goals for every painting are to create an engaging composition, harmonious colors, dramatic contrast between lights and darks, and a mood or feeling that engages the viewer. If I convey these qualities in my work, then I have succeeded in my artistic expression.
Molly Murrah is an experienced watercolor artist and professional graphic designer, who has lived and worked in the Seattle area since 1982. She has taught watercolor classes and workshops at Daniel Smith Artists’ Materials in Seattle and at several local galleries and art associations. She currently teaches classes at in-person events and online.
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ARTIST BIOGRAPHY:
Project Plan
Murrah SHA Project Plan: Loose Florals in Watercolor
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We will do a MINIMAL drawing In class.
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We’ll analyze our reference image; plan a layered approach.
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Execute our first layer underpainting.
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Begin adding more defined shapes at different drying stages.
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Add final calligraphic details to tie the whole painting together.
Basic Watercolor Supplies List: Loose Flowers in Watercolor
PAINTS & PALETTE:
If you have a favorite palette of colors, use what you have. I recommend warm and cool, light and dark versions of the three primaries (red, yellow, blue), a few of the secondaries (orange, green, purple), and other favorites. I also use White Gouache and Neutral Tint or Black. (Do not use acrylic gouache as it is permanent once dry.)
To paint our reference image, I’ll use a plain stick to apply a shimmery, sepia ink to the paper. It is not necessary for you to have these items, but if you don’t, you’ll want to have a rigger brush for the branches.
Daniel Smith, Holbein, M. Graham and Winsor & Newton all make great, archival pigments (do not use student grade). Cheap Joe’s American Journey paints are also excellent and often less expensive.
I use a large palette with big paint wells and separate mixing areas. I keep my paints moist and gooey by spritzing them regularly with water.
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Items below in red are considered fairly essential:
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PAPER:
Your favorite brand of 140# (or heavier) Cold Press paper (quarter sheet size)
(Good paper is VERY important (Make sure your paper is archival and 100% cotton rag paper.)
BRUSHES:
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Brushes that are a mix of synthetic and natural bristles are good and not as expensive as all natural brushes. I use a variety of FLATS and ROUNDS. This is my list of brushes, but please use what you have if they work for you:
2” Flat wash brush
1”, 3/4”, 1/2”, and 1/4” Flats
#16 or large mop brush, #12 and #8 Rounds #4 Rigger (script brush)
Scrubber Brushes (if you have them)
GENERAL ACCESSORIES:
Protective brush holder
White artists or masking tape (please do not use colored tape)
#2B and #4B pencils (I use mostly mechanical pencils)
Small pencil sharpener (if you use a regular pencil)
Kneaded eraser (or one that will not mar your paper)
Artist’s gray scale/value finder (optional)
Water containers (I use one large, main container and one smaller for clean water)
Roll of absorbent paper towels
Adjustable spray bottle or atomizer
12” or 18” ruler (18” is better if you have one)
Sturdy substrate to paint on
Demo Location -
The First Presbyterian Church of Puyallup
412 West Pioneer Puyallup, WA 98371
​We meet on the 1st Thursday of the Month!
Excluding July, August, December & January)
Facebook Group
Our Facebook group is a private group for South Hill Artist members. We should think about using it more to share items that may be of interest to our members. Things to share could be books, artists you have learned about, new project ideas, photos of what you are doing, new art tools or supplies that others might not know about, etc. Think of ways you can contribute to our Facebook group.
Handmade Greeting Cards
SHA is also collecting handmade greeting cards to send to members
who may be going through a difficult time or facing illness.
If you’re able, please consider bringing a few card donations for SHA to have on hand.
SHA Membership Information
Membership to South Hill Artists - SHA offers individuals numerous opportunities to create, learn and gather in a supportive and creative atmosphere. Throughout the year there are scheduled live demos, where one can paint and create alongside an experienced professional artist. Twice per year SHA holds a weeklong art camp workshop in Eatonville, at an affordable cost to its members. Membership also gives artists the opportunity to display and sell their artwork in SHA’s annual art exhibit. Members will receive an email newsletter, announcements, an invitation to join the private SHA Facebook group, and participate in various social events.
A paid SHA Membership entitles you to participate in all these activities, September through August. Payment of dues is required 30 days prior to participation in art exhibits and shows. SHA members are encouraged to volunteer and support SHA activities, events, and chartered objectives.
Membership dues are $50.00 for the 2024-2025 SHA year. When joining SHA, please download and fill in the SHA Membership Form. Send the completed form with your check to the address below.
Membership dues can also be paid at the monthly demo meeting. Also, please update your contact information when joining or renewing your SHA membership.
Guests are welcome to attend and participate in an art demonstration for a $30.00 fee. Invite a friend to join us!
Please send your payment to:​
SHA
PO Box 731762
Puyallup, WA 98373-0019
