For artist Tis Huberth, painting her non-photorealistic “loose and juicy” landscapes and colorful abstract art is like therapy.

She equates the feeling to that given by any hobby that uses the right side of the brain.

“You’re not thinking about anything else,” she said. “So if you have a bad day, you can go in there and paint and it just kind of all goes away because of your concentration level.”

Huberth painted for almost 20 years before she considered herself a serious fine artist. Now she teaches out of her house in Auburn, has been published in books and won in art shows.

She hopes to be featured among this year’s artists in the Renton Annual Art Show July 22 to 24. The show is one of the many events taking place during Renton River Days.

The juried show is one of Huberth’s favorites. It’s a chance for her to meet old friends and a unique opportunity  for artists of all skill level, she said.

The Renton Annual Art Show features a main show of entries of all media to be juried for selection and awards, regardless of professional or non-professional status. It also features a “Little Gallery” of similar entries that must be  20 inches by 24 inches or smaller and priced at $300 or less. There is even a student show for artist 18 years

also features a “Little Gallery” of similar entries that must be  20 inches by 24 inches or smaller and priced at $300 or less. There is even a student show for artist 18 years old and younger.

“It’s all good, but I think it opens the door to people perhaps who haven’t painted as long and get a little uptight if they’re competing against somebody like me who’s been painting forever and has won a few awards and teach,” said Huberth.

What’s unique about the show too is that it’s organized by mostly artists. Huberth first participated in the show in 1991. For the last four or five years she has volunteered to hang the pieces. She doesn’t physically hang them, but she and other volunteers carefully decide where each piece should go.

It’s a delicate operation to decide what color paintings work well together and what sizes balance each other out.

“There’s a certain amount of artistic ability that goes into it,” Huberth said.

And beyond the paintings there is jewelry, sculptures and a different variety of fine art for sale.

Painting her watercolors and liquid acrylic works is in itself satisfying, but the recognition a show can bring offeres another type of satisfaction, Huberth said.

She’s been a featured artist at the show in the past and won top honors. She’s also had her work rejected from the show.

“It’s really exciting to see your paintings hanging in the show especially if they win an award or if somebody wants to buy them,” she said.

Registration for the Renton Annual Art Show is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday July 17. All of the work must be original, for sale and no more than two years old. For more information call 253-876-6461 or 425-254-9934

RENTON ANNUAL ART SHOW

WHAT: A juried art show that takes place during Renton River Days

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 22 and 23; Noon to 5 p.m., July 24

WHERE: Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Road

COST: Free for visitors

REGISTRATION: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 17