Forty years ago, Karen Leigh pitched an idea to Flathead Valley Community College.

The Kalispell artist suggested to then-Dean of Students Bruce Johnson that she teach a summer course in watercolor. She just wanted to teach a class in a subject she was passionate about. Leigh had no idea she was launching what would become a decades-long career as a teacher.

Since that first summer class, Leigh has taught courses at the college in a variety of media, including drawing, design and calligraphy. But watercolor has remained her passion, both in teaching and in her work as an artist.

“It’s very forgiving,” she said, adding that the rumors in the art world that watercolor is the most challenging medium aren’t true. “Not if you use good materials. And you can always throw it in the bathtub and start all over again.”

Watercolor offers a unique blend that appeals to Leigh.

“It’s a magical combination of control and freedom that can be very frustrating but really exciting,” she said.

Fusing painting and teaching has likewise been magical for Leigh.

“I don’t want to ever give up one for another,” she said, adding that she is not an artist who can be alone for long periods of time. “I just couldn’t handle that. Teaching gives me that outlet and energy.”

Leigh credits that energy between students and teacher with infusing her own work with life.

“It’s forced me to learn new techniques, to paint different kinds of subjects in different ways, from flat abstract to realistic to anything,” she said. “I couldn’t just teach one method or one thing. Every semester, it’s different.”

To stay sharp as a teacher and an artist, Leigh continues to take classes herself. She then turns around and teaches those new skills to her students.

“It’s a mutual give and take,” she said. “I couldn’t do one without the other.”

After 40 years, several of Leigh’s students have become artists, too. More importantly, they’ve become close friends.

“Most of my best friends are current or former students,” she said. “It’s a huge community. I call it my tribe.”

Many of those friends will have pieces in a show that opened this week at the Bigfork Museum of Art and History. A Student Retrospective features more than 60 watercolors by students from Leigh’s 40-year career as a teacher, as well as a few works by Leigh.

The show opened Wednesday at the museum, located at 525 Electric Ave. in Bigfork. An artists’ reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.

The reception also includes a Silpada party hosted by local Silpada representative Karen Weaver and museum board member Lou McGuire. Silpada carries unique, hand-crafted sterling silver jewelry.

All proceeds from the Silpada party will be donated to the museum.

A Student Retrospective will remain at the Bigfork museum through Feb. 2. After that, it will be on display at Flathead Valley Community College for the rest of February.

For more information about the show, call the Bigfork Museum of Art and History at 837-6927 or visit www.bigforkmuseum.org.