Watercolors

While I was in high school (New Braunfels, TX) I had the opportunity to take private lessons from a local water colorist. Every Saturday morning we would meet in her home studio which was built around a giant oak tree that reached up through her entire home. I mention this because it's an element that was surprising and beautiful. It definitely caught people off guard and drew them in at the same time. Much like her art work. She was quite talented and she inspired her 3 teen-aged students to look beyond the obvious when looking at anything and everything.

For example, by looking past the tree before you begin to paint the tree; you examine the surroundings of the tree, the color of the sky as it shines through the branches. Is it summer, winter, a rainy or sunny day? Considering these things will allow you to paint a background that will help take the viewer to a place beyond the tree. You want to take them to a place and a feeling that moves them on a private journey...by studying certain key elements such as determining where the light is coming from and how to create drama by playing the lights against the darks...you are able to draw in the viewer. These are elements that make a good painting she would instruct.

Here are some of the watercolors created in those classes.