watercolor

Over the past 2 years, Covid-19 has changed life as we knew it. Artists throughout history have recorded historical events – in paintings, poems, songs, photography, and other means of creative expression. “Awaiting A Cure” is my Covid-19 painting. I was driven to create this painting by an incident I experienced early in the pandemic, which, in a simple way, showed how people were suddenly readjusting even their most mundane activities… like buying a pound of bacon. The scene which … Read More

I’ve ventured forth once more with a watercolor “character” painting. Humans are my most challenging subject, but I like to push myself, knowing that it helps me grow as an artist. I don’t consider myself a portrait artist, but I love to capture people involved in activity. Two years ago I took photos of an amazing fiddle player named Michael at our favorite pub in Knoxville, Boyd’s Jig and Reel. While looking for reference for a new watercolor on paper, … Read More

There is alway more to learn about creating art, and that’s part of my passion. I could be a forever student! I recently complete a fabulous online workshop with a portrait artist whose work I have admired for years, Ali Cavanaugh. She is a master of creating exquisite watercolor portraits on white clay-coated Aquabord™ panels made by Ampersand Arts. I’ve used this combination of paints and surface for many paintings, primarily learning how to handle the unique qualities of watercolor … Read More

A couple of my paintings are being featured in a special show at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Members of the Tennessee Watercolor Society’s East Regions are wrapping up the celebration of the organization’s 50th year with this amazing exhibit of some of the state’s finest watercolor artists. Twenty-one artists are participating. My watercolors include work on paper and on Aquabord. The show runs from October 29 through December 12, 2021. The public is invited to the Opening Reception on … Read More

This small watercolor painting was inspired by a photo taken by my friend Debra of her husband Mike, all bundled up for a walk in a snowstorm. I was drawn by the overall monotone blue-grey coloring, contrasted by his skin tones. I decided to crop the image tightly to a square format, putting my main subject smack in the center – not the best composition by the ‘rules’ of painting, but I thought it appropriate in this instance. As I … Read More

“Baby Boomer” is my newest painting, finished and framed just in time to include it with my 17 other original paintings on their way to my Solo Exhibition in Clarksville TN, which opens on October 5th, 2021. Time is eating away at this old vehicle and I was inspired to feature it in a painting since I first spotted it parked behind a commercial building near where I live in SE Tennessee. I knew that the fabulous colors and textures … Read More

I’ve created a short video, called “Scratchboard Start to Finish,” to demonstrate my step-by-step progress in creating this 6” x 6” painting “Silly Selfie.” See my initial inspiration, reference photos, tools I used for scratching, tips and techniques, the addition of watercolor and the finishing details. You might recognize this selfie from a photo transfer I demonstrated in my Claybord 101 workshop and video. Recently I was trying to think of something unique and challenging for a new Scratchbord™ painting, … Read More

My big red poppy watercolor painting “Remembrance” has just been juried into the Arts in the Airport exhibition at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN. Juror Caroline Covington selected only 41 pieces from 484 entries, so I am excited and honored to be chosen among so few. Only artists from 33 counties of East Tennessee could enter, and original works in these categories were allowed: Painting, Graphic Arts, Photography, 3‐D, and Fine Craft Objects. This biannual exhibit has been presented … Read More

My rescued cat Jethro is full of personality and extremely willing to pose for endless photos (he loves attention!). This is the first of my nine portraits of Jethro, each using a different art medium on a 3.5″ x 3.5″ Claybord™ Tile, created and manufactured by Ampersand Art Supply. For this painting I chose a limited palette of primary colors, letting them mix randomly on the smooth surface to create beautiful hues. Claybord has the unique feature of allowing dried … Read More

Remember the scratchboard “Wee Lad” I last posted about? Well, I messed it all up! Here’s what happened…. I considered this a learning piece, so I decided to continue beyond the black and white stage and add some color. Since I was imagining the little boy as a Scottish lad, I thought it would add to the look to give him blue/green irises. I stratched away a bit more in his eyes to allow the color to show better and … Read More