The well-known watercolorist Robert E. Wood once said "creativity is a winding path to the unexpected," a path that leads toward discovering that elusive "glow" so characteristic of watercolor medium and presenting a more personally satisfying painting.
A painter often has two choices, either to paint the subject in a representative mode, following the line, shape, or local color of subject, or to be more spontaneous. The latter is the approach I use in that I feel too much planning tends to close out creativity.
My painting method starts out with a neutral underpainting; once dry, color is permitted to float onto paper or board freely, allowing the colors to mix and flow. Often this movement will suggest a subject, or I'll take one of my earlier sketches, a memory, or an idea to help work with form, shape, or the entire composition. Looking for a more unusual angle often assists in the picture's design.
Subject choices are figurative, floral, or landscape, or occasionally I'll allow the paint itself to suggest something that will be more abstracted. Completed paintings are usually light, warm in color, and simple.
Styles: Expressionistic, figurative, representational, abstract
Memberships: San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS)
Classes: Annette L. Paquet, Ken Goldman, Carole Barnes, Robert E. Wood, Alex Powers, Marie C. Wordell, Louise Cadillac, Carla O'Connor
Awards & Exhibits: SDWS Showcase Gallery and monthly juried shows; El Cajon Art Association juried shows; Foothills Adult Art Centre student shows; Clairemont Art Guild: Balboa Park, San Diego; Golden Pacific Arts Gallery (Gaslamp Quarter)