By EMELINE HAWKINS

For the Northwest News

The 13th annual Rural Artist Studio Tour offered the opportunity to visit with Fort Wayne area artists in their working spaces. A variety of artwork was available for purchase at eight locations.

Sharon Zych, at 8245 Notestine Road, Fort Wayne, said she has specialized in watercolor paintings for 15 years but has painted since high school.

Her favorite subject is seascapes, which is apparent in her many works of sailboats, lighthouses and anything beach related. Other painted works on display included animals such as giraffes, birds and more. While she admits that painting can be intimidating at first, she describes watercolor painting as “forgiving.”

“You can always just go back and fix it. I just found out I can use iridescent ink too,” Zych said, explaining that it adds an element of color change to her work, based on how the sunlight might strike one of her artworks.

Zych has sold her work at various art shows. She had items on display that ranged from $25 to $500.

“A lot of the paintings are based on a photo I took, some I did in classes,” she said.

On Saturday, Zych had received at least 90 visitors by the time the noon hour hit.

Visit Rural Artist Studio Tour on Facebook for details on participating artists and updates on related events.