Rocky bluffs and rolling hills are among the backdrops captured in watercolor painter Chloé Marie Hourdequin’s Local Landmark series.
Constantly inspired by “our striking purple mountains, green pastures, and stunning ocean views,” Hourdequin has painted several landscapes and seascapes based on serene settings found along the Central Coast—including locales in the Santa Ynez Valley, Pismo Beach, and other cities—over the years.
“There are endless views to be inspired by living on the Central Coast and I strive to commit them all to watercolor art,” said Hourdequin, a professional artist and art instructor based in Santa Barbara.
Through her business, CMH Designs, Hourdequin merchandises her own watercolor paintings as traditional prints and in other forms—greeting cards, stickers, totes, even tea towels. She also leads watercolor painting classes for private events, with reservation options available to peruse on her company’s website.
Hourdequin’s most recent CMH Designs workshop—a Watercolor and Wine event in late March—was held at Riverbench Vineyard and Winery in Santa Maria for members of the venue’s wine club. Hourdequin is no stranger to the Santa Maria Valley as she grew up in Orcutt.
It was Santa Barbara, however, where her “art journey” began, the artist said.
During her childhood, Hourdequin and her family would drive down to Santa Barbara regularly to visit her grandmother. While in grade school, she spent many summers at a children’s art camp at the Ridley-Tree Education Center.
Hourdequin moved to Santa Barbara after her freshman year at St. Joseph High School. She entered Santa Barbara High School as a sophomore, and quickly took advantage of the school’s “well-established arts programming,” she said.
“It was when I transferred to Santa Barbara High School that I learned about the many different mediums and modes to create artwork,” Hourdequin said. “I was fortunate to have several very talented art teachers local to Santa Barbara who encouraged me to foster my understanding of watercolor and pursue my talent in the medium outside of class.”
During high school, Hourdequin also painted outside the classroom and often participated in local art competitions. She eventually returned to the Ridley-Tree Education Center to volunteer as a teen art counselor.
When it was time to apply for college, Hourdequin sought to attend UCLA, where she was accepted, but she decided not to major in art.
“I knew that I was talented in the arts, but felt I needed to learn more about myself and pursue an education in the humanities,” said Hourdequin, who ended up graduating from UCLA with three separate bachelor degrees, in history, art history, and anthropology.
When she wasn’t studying, Hourdequin continued to paint “on the side, as a means of relaxation” throughout her college years, and picked up part-time jobs at a few art museums to support herself.
“Shortly after college, I returned home to Santa Barbara where I had originally begun my art journey,” Hourdequin said, “and knew it was time to pick up my paintbrush in a professional capacity.”
One of Hourdequin’s favorite parts about leading private painting sessions and workshops, especially for beginners, is getting to revisit and reevaluate the core fundamentals of watercolor painting, she explained.
“Instructing painting classes has allowed me to harness my artistic abilities so much more strongly than if I were to work solely by myself,” Hourdequin said. “As I work to break down the different steps for participants, I feel myself learning all over again the mechanisms of the watercolor process that I usually pass through quickly when painting.
“Taking the time to treasure the fundamentals has given me such a deeper appreciation for the painting process,” she added, “and a deeper understanding of the depths to which the medium of watercolor can be used.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood treasures feedback. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 6-13, 2023.