Art Center Information

With watercolor (what I call the delightful medium), you can adapt the techniques that work for you and successfully incorporate your own aims and ideas once you have enough experience and have gained confidence.  It will not take long (after you’ve destroyed some of your most desirous works that failed) for you to learn that watercolors is the least forgiving medium of all the mediums.  There is very little chance of correcting errors.  But take heart!  This fact works for you and not against you; especially, when you are attempting other mediums.

It was Homer that I preferred over all watercolorists when I first started painting in the medium.  I realized, at that time (almost forty years ago), that he was far too advanced for me to attempt to emulate, but it was fun trying.

One of my favorite masters of the medium was the self taught artist Maria Howard Weeden, who painted portraits. The Civil War left her impoverished, however, not only was she a great and talented artist, but she made a unique contribution to an era in the history of the South with her watercolor portraits. She spent many years portraying servants, gardeners, cooks, nannies, and children.  Her portraits were often devoid of background, but the subjects were given a sense of formality and dignity, which up until her time had been portrayed only as comical characters.

To the left is a watercolor painting that I did some time ago. I hope someday to redo it in acrylic paints. However, it does bespeak that I practice what I preach.  Remember, once you have learned to handle this wonderful medium, you will find your experience to be exciting and very satisfying.  Watercolors offers potential for all kinds of subject matter.  As you practice and gain confidence, you will succeed.
The main thing…just keep painting!