REDLANDS, Calif. – Fountain Valley artist Bill Hudson combines his love of art, land and sea to paint maritime scenes with beautiful strokes of watercolor and casein paints. Hudson, whose work has been displayed in many galleries along the west coast, and four other artists will be featured during the annual “Evening with the Artists” hosted by the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation on Friday, April 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m

“I love to paint scenes of the coastline, places where water meets land,” explains Hudson. “I spent childhood summers with watermen on the Eastern shore of Virginia, where I developed a life-long interest in small fishing communities, old wooden work boats, and crabbing.”

Hudson, who has been painting professionally for the last 20 years, uses water media including watercolor, gouache and casein on cotton fiber, cold-press, watercolor paper. He recently made the decision to withdraw his art from traditional “brick and mortar” galleries to allow closer control of his prices at juried art shows.

Hudson is the president of Watermen Art, the inventor of the Mahl Bridge and is the author of the Watercolor Pocket Guide, an illustrated guide to 44 watercolor techniques. He won Twin Cities 2013 “California Artist of the Year” award and his works are displayed annually at the La Jolla and Beverly Hills Art Shows. He has served as juror to many events including the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts.

Hudson earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia and was married before he took his first night-college oil painting courses. But while having eight children, he increased his focus on family and his art was left on hold. Hudson went on to pursue a 38-year career in aerospace and didn’t come back to painting until he registered in evening watercolor classes at Antelope Valley College about 21 years ago.

“My work has gradually evolved from an accurately rigid representation to a simpler interpretation with greater feeling and mood.” he says. “There is more freedom and imagination as my technique has evolved. As one’s style and confidence develop, their art becomes a more valued source of expression.”

Hudson joins local artists Charlie Ciali, Diana McLaughlin, Lisa McDill, and r. mike nichols at the annual “Evening with the Artists” event. Hudson’s artwork will be available for purchase at the Stan and Ellen Weisser Education Pavilion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Proceeds will benefit the Redlands Community Hospital Foundation’s art fund. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the evening’s elegant event. Tickets are $20.

The Foundation’s art program began in 1978. Today, the hospital exhibits a collection of more than 800 works of original art and historic photographs in the Redlands Community Hospital Art collection.

For more information on the “Evening with the Artists” event or to RSVP, please call (909) 335-5500. To see a sample of Hudson’s artwork, please visit www.BillHudsonArt.com.

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Redlands Community Hospital Foundation supports Redlands Community Hospital, which is an independent not-for-profit, stand-alone hospital.