ELLSWORTH – The highly anticipated Transparent Watercolors exhibit by artist Brian Doolittle opens May 2, 2025, and will run through July 30, 2025. This exhibition marks a significant milestone in Doolittle’s 40-year artistic journey, showcasing a collection of stunning transparent watercolor paintings that span four decades of personal reflection and creative exploration. The exhibit will be hosted at Ellsworth Public Library.

An artist reception will be held 6-7:30 pm. Tuesday, May 13.

In this exhibition, Doolittle offers viewers a deep dive into his artistic process, revealing how his work has evolved since 1985. Each painting captures a range of locations and memories, starting with those from his childhood in Ellsworth, Wis., and expanding over time as he traveled as an art teacher. Drawing inspiration from the natural world and his own life experiences, the exhibit offers a unique perspective on the landscapes that have shaped him both personally and artistically.

As Doolittle reflects on his process, he states, “Drawing is the first form of writing. We, all as small toddler children, draw. With or without color.”

This simple yet profound observation underscores the importance of art as a language of expression that transcends words. His transparent watercolors are created by sketching scenes on location in a short 20–30-minute period, followed by applying layers of transparent watercolor at home. This method of working—often on multiple pieces at once—allows the paint to breathe, evolve, and develop depth and complexity with each additional layer.

Throughout the exhibit, visitors will see how Doolittle’s subject matter has expanded over time, from childhood memories of fishing trips with his grandfather to the landscapes encountered on his travels. His journey as an artist reflects a deep connection to the places and people that have shaped his worldview. The paintings themselves are a testament to his evolving understanding of nature, light, and the passage of time.

Doolittle, a Pierce County native, grew up in Ellsworth, Wis., and is deeply rooted in the landscape of the area. He holds a degree in Art Education K-12 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a Master’s degree from Winona State University, and has studied at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis School of Art & Design. Throughout his career, Doolittle has continued to study and develop his craft, creating works that are both personal and universally relatable.

Submitted by Ellsworth Public Library