Artist Statement
Watercolor, as a transparent medium, is about light. Layers of transparent color allow light to pass through each layer, bounce off the white of the paper, and travel back to the viewer. When warm and cool colors layer on top of one another, the opposing color temperatures vibrate against each other, resulting in a unique watercolor glow. An occasional opaque pigment interrupts this vibration and the travel of light, forming a pulse or rhythm through the painting.
I often use mineral pigments in my landscapes. I believe that using pigments ground straight from the earth adds an extra layer of authenticity to a landscape painting. Many have spectacular granulating and separating features. Some minerals have a natural sparkle to them which remains in the pigments. You may see some of that in these pieces. (This is not to be confused with glitter or any other artificial additive or effect).
I am always interested in passages of light in a landscape, and the story it tells as it either illuminates or is blocked by objects within a landscape, creating an intriguing dance of highlights, midtones, and shadows. I love combining transparency, warm and cool layers, opacity, and mineral pigments to convey nature’s dance of light.
Afternoon Nap
Watercolor, 2020
Il Bacio (The Kiss)
Watercolor, 2020
