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 here that he studied under artist Vernon Nye. Peña went on to study portraiture with Thomas Leighton, 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.   

Having 35 years of experience in the advertising graphic arts business, gives added insight to Juan's art. His paintings demonstrate a moment in time and the work pops with enthusiasm for his subject matter.

One of Juan Peña's paintings is published in 100 Ways to Paint a Landscape, by International Artist. He recently had a pencil drawing selected for publication by North Light Publishing. Mr. Peña received the Best of Show Award from the Keyes Gallery's National Plein Air Art Show, several first place awards in watercolor from North Star Art Expo, a first place award in pastel and a first place in graphics from ARTcetera Invitational, in Auburn, California. In 2006, Juan's work earned an "Award of Merit" at the California State Fair.

Painting cherry orchards in Lodi reminded me of my youth in San Jose when I picked cherries.  The experience of being in the orchards gave me appreciation of the work our farmers go through to give us wonderful fruits for our table.

Plein air painting gives me a reason to be outdoors and is my best excuse for watching paint dry!