The Kashajuan Juan Peña Proponent of Art & Art Education Bull about Juan Juan's teaching philosophy       Juan states, “In each workshop I plan to teach something new. Depending on the energy of workshop participants, each event will be geared to the participants. My plan is to present general watercolor ideas, effects and how mood is enhanced with the under color”.       Juan Peña’s painting instruction dates back to 1971 when he conducted art classes for adults in Alameda, California. “Teaching Adult Education Art Classes helped me formulate my painting concepts. Many of my art concepts were taught in Art Schools and are still being taught today,” says Juan. Most art students of watercolor are taught to paint in general art classes. Many artists, like Mr. Peña, have helped spread the information about painting with watercolors, and in particular outdoors or on location painting. “Today outdoor painting is referred to as ‘Plein-Air’ painting. As a student in the 1960’s, my goal was to be the best out-door painter I could be. Back then I had no idea that forty-six years later ‘Plein-Air’ would be such big stuff,” states Juan. Throughout the world galleries are touting the wonderful examples of their ’plein-air’ painters.   About Juan Juan Peña is an avid practitioner and advocate of transparent watercolor.  Growing up in San Francisco, young Peña would wander for hours in his beloved boyhood wilderness, Golden Gate Park.  He attributes that time as a major influence on his work.  Wanting a rural lifestyle reminiscent of the beauty of Golden Gate Park drew Juan to the Sierra foothills, where he and his wife live today.   Peña attended Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, majoring in fine art, commercial art, and printing.  It was there that he studied under artist Vernon Nye.  Peña went on to study portraiture with Thomas Leighton in San Francisco, and watercolor and design with Jade Fon Woo.  In the 1960’s Peña began on-location pencil drawings and watercolor paintings and has been painting plein air ever since.   “I paint from life, on location, for the most part, or sometimes from my imagination.” Juan explains.  One of Juan's paintings was internationally published in 2004.  He is artist number 96 in the book "100 Ways to Paint a Landscape" published by International Artist.  “The painting ‘No Power No Phone’ was entirely from my imagination.”  Juan concludes.  In 2007, Juan had a pencil drawing published in “Strokes of Genius”, by North Light Books.   Peña’s paintings demonstrate a moment in time and the work pops with enthusiasm for his subject matter.  To see a few more Juan’s paintings, visit his web site at www.web.me.com/juanandkay                Juan’s studio is in Auburn, California and is open to the public by appointment. The studio telephone number is 530-887-0312.  Video and brochures, which include a map, are available upon request.  If you are planning a trip to the Sierra Gold Country of California, schedule a visit to Juan Peña and his Kashajuan Studio.  You will find him to be a very warm and likable artist.