My most recent watercolors; after Robert Hamilton-Pennell
I have attempted to learn from the artwork of accomplished watercolorists and have provided their names. I was introduced to their art in classes given by Valthea Fry that I’ve been taking for the past three years via Zoom. Each Tuesday she’d introduce her intermediate students to a contemporary watercolorist and her/his techniques, and we'd spend the following week developing our versions.
The artwork that follows isn’t in chronological order (it’s by subject, beginning with landscapes, my favorite) but I know how much I’ve improved, thanks to Val’s instruction and almost-daily painting.
My most recent watercolors; after Robert Hamilton-Pennell
Watercolors on gessoed paper; above given to Lynne & John.
After Javid Tabatabaei.
I painted this twice, improvising a deer the second time.
Both after Sarah Yeoman.
After a print purchased in St George, Bermuda by J. Forbes. I added the cat.
Martin’s Tavern in Washington, DC’s Georgetown. I dripped paint onto the white mat for fun.
Fanciful forests after Jeanne Carbonetti; at right given to Rebecca & Justin.
A study of reflections in Burano, Italy; painted in a workshop given by Cindy Briggs.
Above: Canadian Alps in Banff National Park, Alberta; after James Koll. Top right: The Watchman at Zion National Park in Utah; after Cindy Briggs. Right: Landscape near Tucson, given to Tobey.
I won’t get to see the Northern Lights, but I can try to paint it!
Both lake scenes after Anders Andersson. Above given Deb & Jeff.
Shed in snowy yard given Deb & Jeff.
Above after Joe Cibere using saran wrap. Left on gessoed paper.
Path by river using sprayed-on colors; after Cindy Baron.
Two early loose landscapes after Jeanne Carbonetti.
Portland Head Lighthouse after Thomas Schaller, given to Linda & Steve.
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
Fishing shacks at left is an early painting.
From landscapes to seascapes…
River stones after Lee Weiss. Regatta after a collage by Nancy Hammond.
Sails done with razor blade; after Anders Andersson.
Had so much fun I painted it twice; after Cindy Briggs. Lower left given to the Portners.
Lobster boats given to the Portners.
I used colors to build up a dark background, then removed some paint to reveal surfer, waves-- and pelican at left.
I gave the above to Andrea so painted it again; after Shelley Prior.
Another painting I gave away (to Lucy) so I painted it again (below); after Lois Davidson.
Seaside scene similar to the one I gave to Deanne’s family.
Egrets are common in Pompano Beach; I painted this silhouette from a friend’s photo.
Left: watercolor on Yupo, a slippery plastic surface. Below: Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle species to nest in SE Florida.
Dragonfly after Patricia Carlson.
Fantail goldfish with bubbles created by kosher salt; after Mirjam Thomsen.
Sandhill cranes are known for ritual dancing; painting at left given to Lynne & John.
Two Great White Herons; I painted the heron at right on masa paper for a batik effect. Top right: light from the water illuminates a Great Egret.
I love the fanciful art of Abby Roblet; painting at right is similar to the one given to Lynne & John.
Barred owl and sea lion were among the many classes that involved painting textures in watercolor.
More classes on painting textures and backgrounds.
Water lilies after Galina Gomzina.
Sunflowers after Rachel McNaughton.
Experimenting with painting dark backgrounds to reveal flowers. Art at left after Rae Andrews.
In the 1980s I bought my first watercolor book and I’ve loved (and tried to imitate) the work of Jeanne Carbonetti since then.
Painted in a workshop given by Yuko Nagayama.
Based on a photo I took in Peru of a family on their way to a wedding.
Above flower is known as Mist. .
Hummingbird after Dean Crouser.
Right: Using three primary watercolors (red, blue, yellow) and very little water produced poppies that pop.
Rose at left is the Double Delight hybrid tea I loved to grow in DC before the deer arrived. Peonies after Karen Mai.
Fanciful irises after Abby Roblet.
Lynne’s Garden painted twice (above given to Lynne because it features a flowering shrub she loves).
A few fruity still lifes. Grapes at right painted on Yupo, a plastic surface.
Class lessons on depicting metals and glass in watercolor.
Oh baby! Caden (Debbie Strauss’ first grandchild) Alex Abrams (lower right) Lucy Freedman (on the next page she’s 18!)
Two paintings in sepia of Matilda at 15.
Lucy, 18, painted in sepia and raw Sienna to capture her blond hair.
Oliver at 12 in sepia watercolor paint.
Top center: the Freedmans’ Golden Doodle named Noodle.
David at 74, painted using four colors: raw Sienna, burnt Sienna, French ultramarine blue and permanent rose watercolors.
I painted this sepia portrait of David a couple years ago from a photo taken around age 50.
Lettie at 13 and the Portners’ Irish Terrier Belfast.
Bentley gave my friend Joan years of treasured companionship.
Given to friend Geri, who takes Lana, a Mini Bernedoodle, to visit residents of assisted living and other facilities.
The End, for now.