FRED MACHETANZ (1908-2002) The dramatic colors of Alaska are the colors of Fred Machetanz' palette: the pinks and golds of northern sunlight, the blues and greens of snow and ice, the grays and creams of polar bear fur. Machetanz credits his classic transparent oil technique with capturing Alaska's kaleidoscope of color. He paints portraits of an Alaska in what he calls its romantic period between the gold rush and the oil boom. He has chronicled the traditional Eskimo lifestyle - now rapidly changing, but not as yet vanished - and the constantly changing resplendency of the Alaskan landscape. As Alaska's preeminent artist, Machetanz traveled a long trail from his first one-man show in 1961. His paintings and stone lithographs have been exhibited around the world, included in numerous permanent collections and published in three books. His awards range from 1977 Alaskan of the Year and a seat in the Alaska Press Club Hall of Fame to three honorary doctorates, including one in humane letters from The Ohio State University, his alma mater. He pictured the Alaska he first encountered in the village of Unalakleet. It was there that he first established a bond with the land and its people that lasted nearly 50 years. He died in 2002 at age 94.