Artist Statement
Attracted by their abstract qualities and rich colors, I photograph flowers for subjects that I use to build watercolor and acrylic paintings.
My watercolor paintings begin with the development of a detailed drawing executed in watercolor directly on canvas-mounted watercolor paper. Throughout the painting process, the canvas/ watercolor paper is positioned vertically on an easel, and I apply colors wet into wet, allowing the fluid interactions of watercolor washes to freely intermix and blend. My intention is to create flower paintings that are botanically accurate while retaining the spontaneity and freshness unique to transparent watercolor painting.
Why mount watercolor paper on canvas? For years I have been experimenting with a process that enabled me to retain the look of watercolor painting while achieving a painted surface that is comparable in durability to acrylic on canvas, thus eliminating the need to protect the painting by framing it behind glass. The final painting is protected with multiple layers of acrylic varnish. It is important to note that the watercolor paper is not simply attached to the canvas; it is completely bound to the canvas “edge to edge” to form a structurally stable composite with 140lb cold press watercolor paper as a top layer. My method of mounting watercolor paper onto canvas can be seen on my YouTube channel RealisticArt.
In addition to painting in watercolor, I also paint with acrylic on canvas, integrating airbrush with traditional paint brush techniques. My paintings range from close-ups to more stepped-back views of flowers in a variety of settings including waterscapes, gardens, and greenhouse environments.
Attracted by their abstract qualities and rich colors, I photograph flowers for subjects that I use to build watercolor and acrylic paintings.
My watercolor paintings begin with the development of a detailed drawing executed in watercolor directly on canvas-mounted watercolor paper. Throughout the painting process, the canvas/ watercolor paper is positioned vertically on an easel, and I apply colors wet into wet, allowing the fluid interactions of watercolor washes to freely intermix and blend. My intention is to create flower paintings that are botanically accurate while retaining the spontaneity and freshness unique to transparent watercolor painting.
Why mount watercolor paper on canvas? For years I have been experimenting with a process that enabled me to retain the look of watercolor painting while achieving a painted surface that is comparable in durability to acrylic on canvas, thus eliminating the need to protect the painting by framing it behind glass. The final painting is protected with multiple layers of acrylic varnish. It is important to note that the watercolor paper is not simply attached to the canvas; it is completely bound to the canvas “edge to edge” to form a structurally stable composite with 140lb cold press watercolor paper as a top layer. My method of mounting watercolor paper onto canvas can be seen on my YouTube channel RealisticArt.
In addition to painting in watercolor, I also paint with acrylic on canvas, integrating airbrush with traditional paint brush techniques. My paintings range from close-ups to more stepped-back views of flowers in a variety of settings including waterscapes, gardens, and greenhouse environments.
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