watercolor

Painting flowers is well within my comfort zone, and I wanted to do a blossom in an unusual way, since I had it pegged as a show entry. My huge red garden poppies provide endless interest and I’ve taken oodles of photos. The delicate petals are beautiful and frilly. They catch the bright sunlight in a dramatic fashion, reaching out and up like dancing ballerinas. I had done another big poppy painting a couple of years ago, painting with acrylics … Read More

One of my newest watercolors has been accepted into the 2020 Southern Watercolor Society (SWS) Exhibition, after my first try last year yielded rejection. “Like A Rainbow” is one of a series I’ve been working on, combining blown bubbles with a portrait. This year’s competition saw 340 entries from 18 states plus Washington DC, with 80 paintings chosen by juror Mark Mehaffey for the exhibition. In his judging of another recent competition, Mr. Mehaffey commented on his jurying, which he … Read More

At the encouragement of fellow watercolor artists, I decided to broaden my horizons and entered my artwork into a national exhibition – and I got accepted! My watercolor “Sorghum Maker” has been selected by juror Linda Baker as one of 77 from among 302 entries for the 41st National Exhibition of the Georgia Watercolor Society (GWS). Entry was open to all watercolor artists across the United States using watermedia to create original artwork. The exhibition will take place in Atlanta, … Read More

Two of my paintings are currently featured in the Oak Ridge (TN) OPEN SHOW 2019, and I am delighted to also receive my first award for a black scratchboard. Juror Victoria Boone gave critiques to every entry, and here are her comments about my art:  Heart To Heart “Magnificent detail in cat and dog – especially in the eyes with reflections. This makes this an extremely poignant pet portrait. Just amazing…” She awarded this painting Honorable Mention. Sorghum Maker “Beautiful … Read More

I’ve read that when you are learning to do portraiture you shouldn’t try painting people you know. Well, I’ve obviously thrown that tip out the window! As soon as I saw my sister post this photo of her husband on social media, I felt it could make a great reference in my quest to do watercolor portraits. I was especially drawn to the casual pose, the side lighting and the beard. The sunglasses would be another ‘first’ for me to … Read More

Here’s my theory: the more people paintings I tackle, the more comfortable I will become with them. So I’ve started on a quest, creating small watercolor paintings of people who I have photographed in casual settings. “When He Was Six” is the first in this series, with the title harkening back to a popular painting of a little girl I painted in acrylics on canvas several years ago, titled “When She Was 3.” I’ve done other people paintings over the … Read More

I  created “Sweet Dreams” with a few new twists – not counting the twisted body of the cute little kitten: The reference photo is not one I took I selected an unusual palette of colors The application of paint was unconventional Watercolor pencils added some finishing touches From the first time I saw my friend Dawn’s photo of this kitty, I knew I had to paint it. Dawn had rescued her the middle of the road when she was ‘no … Read More

  Five of my watercolor paintings are included with those of 20 talented artists from the Knoxville and Chattanooga Chapters of the Tennessee Watercolor Society in a exhibition at The Arts Center in Athens, Tennessee. “The Magic of Watercolor” is presented now through August 23, 2019. An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, July 19, from 5:30 – 7:00pm, preceded by an open panel discussion at 5pm, aimed at sharing information about painting with watercolor. I am honored to … Read More

I’m celebrating a new milestone with my fine art today. I’ve just learned that one of my paintings has been accepted into Splash 21! What is that, you wonder? Outside the world of watercolor, the “Splash Best of Watercolor” book series is probably not well known. But as a watercolor artist, being included in this publication is a major recognition. The Splash series are coffee-table books with stunning reproductions of watercolor paintings. In the words of publisher North Light, which … Read More

My reference photo I finished this newest scratchboard painting a few weeks ago but I’ve been too busy to blog about it until now. This wild Lady’s Slipper blossom, which I photographed in my forest late last April, was my chosen subject as a deadline neared; I had to deliver 8 original paintings for a solo show of my work as 2019 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Artist of the Year. Generally, I don’t cram at the last minute, but I thought … Read More