I once painted a whole watermelon, sitting on a table. It was a pretty good
watermelon, but had no personality. It just sat. Then the watermelon was cut and
served. Sitting there, hanging over the plate rim, it suddenly became mouth-watering,
and delectable, with those shiny black seeds sparkling in the light. It was so beautiful, I
could taste it in my mouth before I even took a bite. This is one of the " Ah ha! " moments that
sparks an idea and keeps me painting.
My mother taught me to draw when I was about five years old, and I continued my
interest in art throughout high school and some college at San Jose State. One of my college
classes was watercolor, taught by the late Eric Oback. I was awed watching him paint and
that began my love for this medium. Though not returning to finish college, I never gave up
my interest in painting with watercolor, taking my first workshop a couple of years later.
I am primarily a self-taught artist, augmenting my education with classes, and workshops
as I can afford them, along with observation, reading, more reading, and years of practice.
There is always more to learn, see, and experience, so education and growth are essential
to keep from becoming stagnant.
My goals are also evolving to include expanding my exhibits, entering juried shows,
and painting more on location. These goals are challenging: exhibits require deadlines and
Plein Air work ( on location) offers bugs,wind, rapidly changing light and shadows, well-meaning
but time consuming people, not to mention heat, cold, and rain. On the other hand, painting
outdoors can be refreshing,exhilarating, rewarding and just plain fun! And sometimes the
"time consuming" people are interesting, educational, and also fun!
watermelon, but had no personality. It just sat. Then the watermelon was cut and
served. Sitting there, hanging over the plate rim, it suddenly became mouth-watering,
and delectable, with those shiny black seeds sparkling in the light. It was so beautiful, I
could taste it in my mouth before I even took a bite. This is one of the " Ah ha! " moments that
sparks an idea and keeps me painting.
My mother taught me to draw when I was about five years old, and I continued my
interest in art throughout high school and some college at San Jose State. One of my college
classes was watercolor, taught by the late Eric Oback. I was awed watching him paint and
that began my love for this medium. Though not returning to finish college, I never gave up
my interest in painting with watercolor, taking my first workshop a couple of years later.
I am primarily a self-taught artist, augmenting my education with classes, and workshops
as I can afford them, along with observation, reading, more reading, and years of practice.
There is always more to learn, see, and experience, so education and growth are essential
to keep from becoming stagnant.
My goals are also evolving to include expanding my exhibits, entering juried shows,
and painting more on location. These goals are challenging: exhibits require deadlines and
Plein Air work ( on location) offers bugs,wind, rapidly changing light and shadows, well-meaning
but time consuming people, not to mention heat, cold, and rain. On the other hand, painting
outdoors can be refreshing,exhilarating, rewarding and just plain fun! And sometimes the
"time consuming" people are interesting, educational, and also fun!