Owen and Marlo

This portait was done on commission. I was nervous about it because I wasn't sure I could make them look blond and get enough contrast. I wanted the hair of the children to sort of glow. I think the children's hair color turned out well, though I didn't achieve as much of a glowing effect as I had envisioned. This painting was done in October of 2006, before I started reading art books. I worked very hard on this painting, too hard, and I can see it. The art books are helping me work a little less hard with decent results.

Winter Sunset

This painting was a candidate for a Christmas card. I used a technique I read about in a book by Nita Engle, "How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself". Her book inspired me to experiment and that has helped me loosen up a bit and not worry if my painting is "good".

I ended up not using this painting for a Christmas card because I had another painting I liked better. Maybe I'll use this one next Christmas!

The Scarf

This painting must be 10 years old or older, but when I look at it now I feel satisfied with it. It is watercolor with colored pencil. I was fascinated with the woman's hair and that was what inspired me to do the piece.