"Color A....." Series (12 paintings)

1.

I have a friend, Brenda Goodwin, who dresses up as a green crayon to help children speak and read. She really inspires me with her words as poetry spills so easily from her lips as she explains art to the crowd around her. I smile as i begin to recall how precious those waxy crayola crayons were to me as a child, so i decided to paint a box in tribute to them and "Color a... Tiger" . The tiger has been colored with watercolors, but i tried to get him to look waxy as if done with crayons.

original image 24x18.

(3rd Ft. Myers,Fl. 11-05;

Best of Show Bonita Springs, Fl. 3-06).

Limited edition giclee prints are available

2.

I loved the crayons so much, i decided to try a series with them. The result was this "Color a...Turtle" who has won two very prestigous honors. I was diving off the coast of Hawaii when i got the original picture of the green turtle.

original image: 30x22.NFS

(1st placewatercolor division in Artist Magazine July/August 2007 issue.

Transparent Watercolor Society's 2007 Annual Exhibition, Elmhurst, Il:

Merit 3- 08 SW Council Show, at Harborside, Ft. Myers, Fl.) Limited edition giclee prints are available.

3.

I planned this"Color an....Owl" as the 3rd in this series to be used for demonstration at the WildChild Gallery in Matalacha, Florida in Feb. 2008.WhenI returned to finish it, I was not able to remove the pebeo drawing fluid. it had worked its way into the very fiber of the paper. i tried to get it out a number of ways, but it would not come out. My guess was that it was due to the heat of the outdoor sun. The other piece i was working on at the same time but at home and not exposed to the outdoor elements has now been completed and removing the pebeo was not a problem. Nov....I recently discovered white casein by Shiva can cover over the gray areas making them white again, and can also be used to blend and further work the three dimensionality of the crayons. i tried to finish this painting during my demo at the Wildchild Gallery in Nov. but the gray maskoid wouldn't come off again. The day was cool, no sun hit the surface of the paper....so ? maybe the humidity made the pebeo sink into the paper? After working it for a few more hours, i declared it to be completed..

original: 30x22 watermedia image.

giclees available.

4.

Still thinking green, but wanting some warm colors after painting the turtle, I decided to design a piece that had the crayons, coloring book, but also a photograph of a frog which would look three-dimensional. Since I have painted this frog before (go to my News+ Events page) from a photograph i took of him in Australia, i decided to"Color a....Frog".

What kind of frog is he?

original: 30x22 watercolor image.

(1st place, Ft. Myers Beach Art Association 11-07:

2008 Texas Watercolor Society National Exhibition and travel show with Daler-Rowney Award.)

giclees available.

5.

"Color a ...Parrot" was accepted into the National Watercolor Society's 88th annual Exhibition in Riverside, Cal. Sept. 2008. To read more about this painting, go to the news + events page.

original: image 30x22.

(It received the Philadelphia Arts Society Award and was included in the NWS traveling show. I was also awarded NWS signature status with the inclusion of three similar paintings shown above. )

giclees available.

6.

"Color a...Giraffe" is another sequel to the crayon series.

I've taken one of my abstracted paintings of a giraffe and traced it to make the cartoon then added a photograph of the actual giraffe from the San Antonio Wildlife Park. This time i started to make the giraffe emerge from the photo, but she doesn't quite get all her freedom.

original 30x22 image. (sold)

(Georgia Watercolor Society 2009 Exhibition: awarded Signature Membership.

Florida Watercolor Society's Annual 2009 Exhibition

Selected by Frank Francese and Joan Grastorf for Transparent Watercolor National Exhibition, Kenosh, Wi. 2010.)

Giclees are available

7.

In "Color a...Ladybug" I attempted to combine the very small (less than 1/4th inch) ladybug with the picture of her on the crayon. This past year i received a new insight into my own work. When planning a painting you need to grab the viewer from across the room, making him/her come closer to inspect, and when they get really close, throw them a "bone" or an "AH HA" to reward them. In preplanning this painting, i reallystretched size proportions, and then let the lady bugs swarm over the site. Just for fun.

original: 30x22 image.

Giclee reproductions available.

8.

In creating "Color a...Lionfish with Sara", I asked Clare Candelori, an artist friend, to have her young grand daughters color some cartoons for me. i took Sara's sense of color and stroke then combined her colored 2-D image with my realistic painting. I loved the fact that the yellow crayon was returned used and broken.

original 30x22 image.

2008 Nov. CCAL:1st place Greg Biolchini juror.

Jan. 2010 Hon. Men. at Florida Artists Group Annual Exhibition, Sanibel, Fl. Dan Weldon juror;

April. 2010 award presented by Russell Yerkes at the Tri State Annual Exhibition, Tallahassee, Fl

Giclees are available

9.

When the first "Color a... Burrowing Owl" was ruined (see the photo to the right) because the pebeo drawing fluid sank into the paper, I decided to rework the idea, making it better. I contrasted the 2 dimensional flatness of the coloring book owl by adding a very real 3-D owl who watches the crayons coming at him very intently.

original: 30x22 image. framed 38x30. .

(Mar. 2009 Cape Coral Art League, Fl. 2nd Place juror: Carl Schwartz.

April 2010 Georgia National Annual Exhibition.Honorable Mention juror: Judy Morris)

giclees available

10.

For planning "Color a...Triggerfish", I asked Sara's sister, Anna, to color a page of triggerfish for me to use in this composition. I was intrigued with the Escher type multiple images of triggerfish and of course by the one that

"came alive" with the use of the crayons.

original: 30x22image.

Giclee reproductions are available.

11.

. My crayons have decided to make the first zebra walk out of the "Color a ....Zebra" painting. The second zebra is also free to leave and follow into the herd in the background. However, the third zebra is not completely finished and must remain on the page until it has a life of its own. What decision will the second zebra make? To go or....not to go. That is the question!

original: 30x22image. NFS at this time.

Giclee reproductions are available.

12.

We just got back from a cruise around South America late 2009, when i decided to use the black and white magellan penguins that i photographed for my " color a...." series.

I've wanted to leave one of the figures completely as an outline to emphasize the power of rendering or painting without the bordering edge of a line. After 11 paintings, and thinking that its time for me to move on to another series, i've decided to do just that. The second penguin is but an image in a coloring book who is followed by many like him. Time for my apprentices to make the crayons work magic, one last time.

original: 30x22image. NFS at this time.

(2011. NWS national exhibition selection)

Giclee reproductions are available.

"Out of the Jar series" (6 paintings)

I've finally got a series going! "Out of the Jar I... M+M's" was inspired by the nutty m+m's i keep on the kitchen counter.They are my chocolate treat for being good and staying on a low carb diet. Somehow, i can eat only one.

original: 24x18 image: .

(1st Cape Coral 11-05;

Daniel Smith Award Southern Watercolor Society 2006 Annual Exhibition).

giclees available

"Out of the Jar II...Starmints" was inspired by a display of after dinner mints at a restaurant. The most difficult part of this painting was getting the cellophane wrappers to look transparent and crinkly.

original: 30x22 watercolor. matted and framed to 38x30. Limited edition giclee prints are available.

"Out of the Jar III....Olives" Much larger than life, these olives are juicy and inviting. Keeping them in the still life was difficult as I kept eating them.

originaloriginal: 30x22 watercolor

(Hon. Mention, Manatee Art Center, Bradenton, Fl.12-06;

Merit, Ft Myers Beach, 1-07;

1st , VAC, Punta Gorda 12-07)

giclees available

"Out of the Jar IV...Marbles". Remember playing with your collection of marbles when you were a kid? This selection of marbles kept in an old Mason jar are the real cat's eye aggies from long ago. Dixie Young, a friend and retired Michigan school secretary, brought them out of the closet last summer to be used in my series. If they resemble yours, they might just have been confiscated for being out of your... pocket !

original:30x22 watercolor.

(Honorable Mention, Big Gallery, Sanibel, Fl 3-07)

giclees available

"Out of the Jar V.....Antique Buttons"

When Dixie handed me her cache of childhood marbles, she also grabbed an old jar filled with antique buttons. They looked so familiar to the buttons my mother used to keep in a large old coffee tin. I wonder if we still have those buttons?

original:30x22 watercolor.

Sept. 2008 FWS acceptance;

31st Southern Watercolor Society signature status, Feb. 2008)

Limited edition giclee prints. are available.

"Out of the Jar VI....Loose Change" The challenge for me in this painting was trying to imitate the values of gray and degrees of shine and matt surfaces in the light and shadow of the coins as they were poured out of the jar. This took so long to paint that i have to remember next time not to have as many coins lying around the house!

original:30x22 watercolor. (donated to 2011 Arts for Act charity ball, Ft, Myers, Fl)

June 2008, Watercolor USA, Springfied, Mo. National Exhibition;

VAC 6th Bienniel National show, Punta Gorda, Fl. Feb. 2008;

All Florida Artists Show Bonita Springs Apr. 2008;

FMBAA Fall Members Show Nov. 2008.2nd prize.

Limited edition giclee prints. are available.

Themed Show: Embracing Our Differences

Embracing Our Differences is a annual contest in Sarasota, Florida designed to educate the people of this world to embrace their differences and bring about world peace. I created this painting for their contest. It was one of 35 chosen from an international (44 countries) and national (36 states) almost 2000 entries, to be placed on a 17 foot bill board in their Island Park.It will be on display, free to the public, March 29 through April, 2009. The quote to go with it was written by Kourtney Tayler an 11th grade student in Tampa, Fl. " A world without Diversity is like a crayonbox with only one color"

Go www.embracingourdifferences.com for more information

original:30x22 watercolor.

Giclees are available.

Themed Show: Art Squared

Big Arts Gallery on Sanibel themed 2008 exhibit was "Squared". this was my response to it. squares and more squares. "Playing Square" won a first place award! i had written Mondrian down the right hand side, but decided at the last minute that it paralleled the right edge too heavily and took out the 3 tile pieces. the only correction i would make if i could do it over would be to make a stencil to use to make the lettering more exact in the double and triple letter and word boxes.

original: 22x22 watercolor image.

1st place 01-08 Big Arts, Sanibel, Fl.

giclees are available.

Themed Show: Too Hot to Handle

The Lee Co. Alliance for the Arts sponsored a juried show in Oct. Nov. 2008 titled "Too Hot to Handle". This Game of Life was inspiration for my painting,

"It's Your Turn... Now Spin".

I literally burned the edges on the botton and left sides of the paper then painted in the fire.

original:30x22 watermdia image.

giclees are available.

Challenge: Cloudy, dirty glass

"Uncorked Elixirs" are the bottles we found in the mining towns of Arizona. They probably contained everything from cod liver oil to secret elixirs touted as a cures for all that ails you. They were old, dusty, clouded with use, but magnificent old glasses.

original: 24x18 watercolor image. SOLD.

giclees available

Themed show: The Art of Wine

This was a response to a themed show: The ART of Wine. it was fun to paint working with the shiny reflections, the matte paper with art images of trucks and barns, and of course the black and holographic white label was interesting to create. So would like me to serve you a "Red or White?"

original: 30x22 watercolor image. SOLD

(2nd place, Cape Coral, Fl. 10-06)

giclees available

Challenge: Gun metal, ivory and leather

We found this old set of Jerry's guns packed with a set of western dinnerware boxed and given to us by his mother before she died. They are in very good shape because he was already too old to be dreaming of joining the Lone Ranger."I Wanna Be A Cowboy "

Original:30x22 watercolor image. (sold)

2010 Apr. Tri State Annual Exhbition, Tallahassee, Fl.;

Water Color West National Exhibition Le Brea, California 8-2008 Awarded the Da Vinci Paint Co. Award

All Florida Artists Show, Bonita Springs, Fl 03- 2008:

1st place at Charlotte County Arts Guild, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, 11-07

Limited edition giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Reflective textured surfaces

While in New Mexico, we browsed many stores. I was intrigued with all the textured metal and leather Mexican/Southwest mirrors and even more by the images they reflected back to me. "Mirror the Southwest"

Original: 30x22 watercolor image.

Arizona Aqueous 2009 National Exhibition

Limited edition giclee prints are available.

Themed show: Love Works

"Soul Mates" 29x21 image was designed for a show in Orlando, Florida titled "Love Works". I chose to use shoes to represent a variety of issues. No matter how they were stacked they remained soul mates.

Original:30x22 watercolor image.

LOVE WORKS EXHIBITION Oct. 2008;

2009 April. 4th place in Art League of Bonita Springs, Fl. ART FOCUS State Exhibition;

Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, 2010 Bienniel National Exhibit

Limited edition giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Reflective abstracted surfaces

In 2006 I spent a lot of time looking into reflections as a theme from which i could create a "series" of paintings. All the workshop artists urged me to work in a series. But as i painted reflections as a "series" it still wasn't working for me. i did however, create some wonderfully merged areas of positive and negative space in "Clockworks". The image is of the checkerboard tiled foyer floor from the glass of the grandfather clock . Notice the pawns? They are a ring of friends and family. Starting to see the symbolism of time with friends ...and games?

original: 30x22 watercolor image.

Tri State Water Media Exhibit, Tallahassee, Fl. .03-08:

Florida Watercolor Society Annual Exhbition 8-07;

1st Place Ft. Meyer's Beach Art, Fl 11-06;

giclees available

Challenge: Get you to smell LEATHER

"Missin' Pardners" has had quite a history. i photographed boots at the Wall Drug Store in S. Dakota because i was intrigued at the color, smell of the leather, and the fact that their partner boot was not on display (why steal one boot). I was inspired by them and did a painting based on my observations. It was very successful and recently sold for $2500 at a national show in boca grande, fl. returning to its Western beginnings in Montana.

original: 24x18 watercolor image SOLD.;

(2nd place National League American Pen Women, 10-05 ; 1st place Cape Coral, Fl 3-06;

Boca Grande, Fl. national exhibit 3-07);

(the giclees on canvas are spectacular!)

Challenge: Save a larger painting that didn't work. (to see the steps in solving the problem, go to tips for success page.)

"Olde Boots" began as a larger painting that just didnt meet my expectations. I tried various ways to save it, but ended up cutting it into two pieces. The other end I threw away, this end depicts my brother's boots. 30 years ago, my pre-school aged children, would try to walk in them.

original: 20x22 image.

Giclees available.

Challenge: textured corn

A token of the sw life: a wreath of the sw harvest to adorn your home was the inspiration for this art work. I tried to work "Harvest Corn" from realistic to abstract to create a play on figurative aspect of its nature. Painted in earth tones, it captures the essence of life and its holistic inference.

original 24x18 watercolor image.

giclees available

Challenge:"old" materials

"Play it Again" a tribute to those old ivory keys that played such a great history into our western expansion. worn, old, slightly out of tune... ready for another emotional recital.

original;24x18 watercolor image. SOLD;

giclees available.

Subject matter: Possible use for Christmas Card

These "Toyland Guards" can be seen at the Vancouver, Canada International Airport guarding a permanent kiosk of Christmas/Holiday ornaments and gifts.

original:30x22 watercolor image

giclees available.

Challenge: Plastic Repetitive Forms

Legos or building blocks have always been underfoot. Looking at a pile of them one day all toppled, one "Upright Individual" stood out as if to demand attention.

original:30x22 watercolor image.

(3rd fmbaa mar. 2008)

giclees available.

Challenge: Painted Wood

Seattle, Washington had many great street items to observe. This "Dragonwise" is a close up of huge brightly painted carved ornaments wrapped around utility poles in Chinatown.

original 30x22 watercolor image.

3rd place Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl Jan. 2007

Watercolor West 2008 National Annual Exhibition, Riverside, Ca, Brand Library Award

Limited edition giclee prints are available.

Challenge:Painted Wood

If you drive around Matlacha and Pine Island, or bike as we did one day, you will observe that one out of every twelve utility posts has been painted by an artist. This year, 2007, I believe the old posts are being relocated to the Matlacha/Pine Island Welcome Center, and artists have been asked to paint new ones. In my "Tribute to Pine Island Artists". I put a few of my favorites together in a painting to honor them.

original: 24x18 image. Donated to the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. 2012 destroyed in an arson fire.

Merit Award Ft.Myers Beach Feb. 2005

giclees available.

Challenge: Shiny Gold Sequins; porcelain faces

Painted to reflect a memory of New Orleans after the diaster of Katrina, these delicate dolls pay homage to

"Carnival Fragility"

original: 24x18 original image sold.

3rd place, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl. Nov. 2005;

All Florida State Show, Bonita Springs, Fl. 2006;

2-D,3-D Alliance ALL State 2006)

giclees available

Challenge: Shiny Gold Sequins: Red Motif

A sequel to "Carnival Fragility", "Carnival Red", takes a closer look at the porcelain dolls.

original;30x22 watercolor image:

giclees available.

Challenge: Decorative Smooth Surfaces

An interesting arrangements of southwest ceramic cats from a shelf in Albuquerque, N.M. "Kit Kats" were fun to diminish in intensity as they begin to blend into their background. Can you count five cats in the painting?

original: 24x18 watercolor image.

giclees available

Challenge: Decorative Smooth Surfaces

"Frogs of the Southwest" was inspired by the shelves of Mexican pottery we saw while in Albuquerque, N. Mex. I like frogs.. I had painted the red-eyed frogs on display in Australia. But here in the desert of N. Mexico, do frogs exist? They did in the form of pottery. Their claim to fame is pattern. I tried to make the pattern of the frogs mesh with the receding pattern of background to portray the Mexican frog if he exists?

original: 24x18 watercolor image; sold

(2nd place Bonita Springs, Fl 2-06;

Merit, Cape Coral, Fl. 3-06);

giclees available

Challenge: Sand Texture

In 2004, when Jerry was working a locum tenens job in Honolulu, Hawaii, i came upon a bunch of sandals indicating that their owners "We're Barefoot on the Beach" . The idea of mismatched abandoned sandals appealed to me, so using my photograph and incorporating the design of my niece Carly's sandals, and other interesting designs I found on public display, i had fun painting this successful image.

original: 24x18 watercolor image.

Florida Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, 2004

Donated to Arts for Act. 2008 Auction

giclees available

Challenge:Superimposing objects

I superimposed butterfly wings over nasturiams growing along a blue wooden fence. "Through Monarch Wings" was created for an annual contest called "Blossoms" that i will enter later in 2007 or early 2008.

original:30x22 watercolor image

Award of Excellence from the National League of American Pen Women's 2007Annual State Conference, Crystal River, Florida

Limited edition giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Mingling Watercolors

"Phalaenopsis" Was an extension from an exercise in mingling watercolor from Anne Abgott's workshop in Sarasota.Florida. Anne does a remarkable job of instructing students of all ages in watercolor. Google her for her website and class availabitility.

original; 12x12 watercolor image.

(NLAPW 2008 national show 1st place award ) .

limited giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Mingling Watercolors Using a Daniel Smith Quinacridone Pallette

"Phalaenopsis II" was a painting i began to use as a demo piece at the 2007 florida watercolor convention. it was done using Daniel Smith quinacridone colors and their phathlo blue,and new gamboge.

original: 24x18 watercolor image(sold):

limited giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Reflective surfaces: glass, mirror, water

Another example of reflections is "Yellow Rose Reflections". How many flowers can you count? Which ones are the reflections? Trying to make paintings more mysterious to keep them more interesting to view. Each time i really LOOK at my paintings i see something new. Do you see the glass vase filled with water? It is setting on a mirror.

original: 24x 18 watercolor image: gift to family:

giclees available

Challenge: Orchid of White Values

These "Philippine Orchids" I found en mass in Hawaii. We had a room for 4 months on the 40th floor in downtown Honolulu, within walking distance of Chinatown, where i would spend a lot of time photographing intriguing images.

original:15x11 watercolor image

(2004 Bonita Springs All Florida Exhibit).

giclees available

Challenge: Backlit Cactus

Jerry and i were in Albuquerque, NM in the springtime where the fields were covered with "Bloomin' Cacti". I love flowers and couldn't resist the lush soft blooms emerging from such ugly abused prickly cacti.

original:24x18 watercolor image.

giclees available

Challenge:Complementary colors

This rose plant sat outside my front door in Florida. How it made it through so many summers without perishing I don't know. The plant recently succumbed to lack of water and physical abuse, as my studio was being added to the house. I replaced it with a red rose plant, but the yellow bloom remains "A Rose by any Name"

original: 24x18 watercolor image.

giclees available

Challenge: Shells to Float

The nautilus shell has intrigued many with its pattern and construction. I repeated its form many times to create a "Nautilus Dream work" of suspended repetition.

original:18x24 watercolor image. giclees available

Challenge: Repetitive Form and Color

I have to smile each time i see these bear bottles. Both my husband and daughter love to hold one in their hand as they apply droplets of honey to each little bite of toast. The fun comes where there is only one bear to share. Maybe i should have bought another one of these "Honey Bears" when we were at the Minnesota state fair.

original: 30x22 (donated to arts for act charity auction 2010 ft. myers, fl)

giclees available

Challenge: Feminine Slant using reflection

Becky is my sister-in-law. She was an art student and talented basketball guard of a team i coached in high school who married my brother, David, on a cruise ship in Alaska in 2000. She rides a Harley....one of my favorite images to paint! She parked her bike in front of her house last summer so i could do a photo shoot. "Harley Blooms " was one of the reflective images that i enjoyed the most.

original:30x22 watercolor image.gift to inlaw

(Acceptance into the 29th Georgia National Exhibition 2008)

giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Reflections, matt and shiny surfaces

"Shielded" was painted from a bike in Sturgis. I don't know anything about motorcycles, so i can't talk any thing technical. My husband would dearly love to have one, but he's seen a lot of bikers in the ER, so neither of us ride. I do know aesthetics....and these bikes are beautiful to look at. Because they are so shiny, they reflect allot of interesting distorted images.This bike caught my eye and challenged me to paint the dull matte metal next to the glossy shine. I carry my business cards and camera where ever i go. Often i see children or bikes (both of which have extremely possessive owners). I ask permission to photograph the kids or the bikes and hand them a card, to prove i only want the image. They can keep the real thing.

original: 18x24

(1st place Art League of Ft. Myers, Fl. 3-05;

1st place Art League of Bonita Springs, Fl 10-06).

giclees available

Challenge: Reflections, matt and shiny surfaces

2004, my husband, Jerry, took a locum tenens job at the hospital in Roseburg, Oregon. When he works these substitute jobs, i can paint for 10 hours each day. I get LOTS of paintings done, and grow in leaps. Living in the motor home where i have nothing to do and no obligations, I amaze myself with my progress in watercolor. Leaving Oregon, we traveled up to Seattle, then back toward Florida. When we got to Sturgis, S. Dakota, we discovered we were in the midst of the National Harley Annual Convention. There must have been 300,000 Harleys that parked taking up 3 lanes of highways for a distance of 30 miles surrounding the area. In the motor home, we felt like a big bird overwhelmed and controlled by thousands of little gnats. "Sturgis Reflections" was one painting i did reflecting the bustle of the hoards of visual happenings.

original: 24x18 NFS. Traded with Cheryl Fausel, fellow artist and friend for paintings of her ibis.

giclees available

Challenge: Reflections, matt and shiny surfaces

When trying to figure out a way to start a series of watercolor paintings, i decided to do reflections. i LOVE Harley Davidson motorcycles. Technically, i know nothing about them, but they are awesome to look at. Not only are they a work of art, but they are SO shiny, they reflect the world around them. When my husband, Jerry, was getting some medical credit education, and i was out and about on my morning exercise routine (craving a forbidden donut), I found myself at a "Kissimmee Stop" Harley Davidson store where i spent an hour photographing the scenery through the eyes of the motorcycles. This painting was the result of that stop.

original: 30x22

20th Tri county Juried show. Tallahaee, Fla. April 2008.

1st place Big Gallery, Sanibel, Fl. 1-07

Bonita Springs All Florida State Show 04-06hang

Alliance, Ft. Myers All State Exhibition 2d /3d show June 07). giclees available

Challenge: Reflections, matt and shiny surfaces

At the same Kissimmee Harley dealership, i photographed myself taking a picture of the headlight of a similar bike. I thought it would make a good companion piece to "Kissimmee Stop", but because i didnt like the way it was composed, i cut it down to an 18x24 image instead of the original 22x30. It is titled "Kissimmee Reflection".

Original: 24x18 watercolor

giclees are also avaliable.

Challenge: Reflections, matt and shiny surfaces

This is the first motorcycle I painted. Its all about being able to reproduce beauty by getting the watercolor paints to give the illusion of being shiny, dull, leathery hard or soft like suede. I want my hands to be black from touching the rubber tire, and warm where the lights shine or when I am holding tightly to the handles. Painting is a lot of loving...or giving life to a blank sheet of paper. Painting for a themed show, Paradise, at the Big Gallery on Sanibel, I i titled it "Hog Heaven".

original: 18x24 watercolor image sold

(Honorable Mention, Big Gallery, Sanibel 1-05);

giclees available

Challenge: Incorporating shadow

"Here's Harley!" spruced up for that perfectly sunny drive here in Florida. I photographed this lovely beauty in the small fishing village of Matlacha, It was basking the the sun, outside the Wildchild Art Gallery, casting interesting patterns of color onto the road. Matlacha and Pine Island continue to attract many artists who live in these laid back villages where the ospreys nest in high trees, kingfishers roost on power lines, people fish off bridges, pelicans steal their fish,and kayakers paddle through the mangroves. When in Matlacha, stop at the Wildchild Art Gallery to view my work up close. www.wildchildartgallery.com

original : 18x24 watercolor image

Donated to the2006 ARTS for ACT Fund Raiser 10-2006.

Challenge: Monochromatic scheme

This Buick Road master, seized by Castro's government for the people's use, now has a Russian Lada four-cylinder die sal engine and manual transmission. It has become "A Cuban Taxi" and by law, the person driving it must pick up any person needing a ride to a near by town. The air conditioner no longer works, so these ingenious people have improvised one. There are hundreds of old American cars that have been creatively kept running to service the people of Cuba.

original: 24x18. watercolor image

(Art Encounter 2005,Von Lieberg Center, Naples, Fl).

giclees available

Challenge: Morphing 2 images

This "Red Corvette" Chevrolet convertible of the late 50's,

I photographed during the "Summer Heat" weekend festival in Reno, Nevada 2006. Streets were closed in the downtown area to allow hundreds of antique cars to be displayed. I merged two images of the car to create a more interesting graphic image.

original: 30x22 watercolor image .

limited giclee prints are be available.

Theme: If i Could Go Back....

During the hot days of summer, Reno, Nevada has a sizzling weekend featuring cars of the 50's and 60's. It was great to see the oldies again. If you look closely at this i believe to be 1959 Cadillac convertible,you should see the drive-in food tray attached to the window with the Elvis napkin holder "Have A Coke" first. if you look closely in the shadows and upper corners you will see the double tail lights on large fins and the rear bumper and license plate across the bottom.

original: 24x18

(Selected by AARP for 2010 calendar, month of July. donated to their annual fund raiser held in Las Vegas Oct. 2009)

limited giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Morphing 2 images

We were working in Maine. My daughter, Kristin, was visiting from Orlando, Fl. It was October and getting cold. We took her to Montreal, Canada for a fall leaf color change tour. This vintage 1930's Packard, sporting the Lady of Ecstasy hood ornament was servicing newly weds. We were impressed that such a regal vehicle was so appropriately being used to transfer the bride. "What a Way to Treat a Lady", we commented!

original: 24x18 watercolor image

(merit award Ft. Myers Beach, Fl. 1-07; Southwest Watercolor Society's 30th National Exhibition 3-07 to 4-07, Moultrie, Ga.) giclees available.

Challenge:Capture reflected lights

This Austin Healy was "Parade Ready" for an antique classic car show. I'm not sure where i got the original image as we attended a lot of parades especially when we are traveling. From talking to a friend who knows his cars, this one with the air vents on the hood, was altered from the original version. Again, i am not a knowing technical person, just enjoy the classic lines, reflections, and over all symmetry of the beast. the flag was and added inspiration.

original: 24x18 watercolor image

(Lola Katchen Award, Big Gallery, Sanibel, Fl. 3-06). giclees available.

Theme: Splash

The Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda had a themed show, Splash. Even though "Splash" was not completed in time to enter the show, the image was used to create a cover for Pine Island Real Estate Guide nov. 2009-2010 edition.

original: 11x15 watercolor image.

giclees available

Challenge: Texture

This smiling "Gold Dust Day Gecko" lived outside our condo door in Hawaii. He seemed to be amused by us, as we lugged our gear up and down the stairs, back and forth to dive sites for the two weeks we were on the big island. He's lucky HE never got stepped on!

original: 20x12watercolor image

giclees available

Challenge: Transparent leaf

Wish i could tell you this red-eyed frog was in the rain forest when i met him, but he was in the Australian zoo. He had a great "View from the Top"

original: 18x24 sold.

giclees available

Challenge: Imitating the Character

We spent one afternoon at a sheep show getting introduced to at least 12 different species of sheep. I got to wrap my arms around this male ram who was the center of attention. He was definitely "100% Pure Merino Attitude" and the lanolin in his wool was so thick i could not wash it off my hands. Do you know what a New Zealand possum looks like? They use its fur to blend with merino wool to create very soft and expensive wool.

original: 24x18 matted

(Merit award Ft. Myers, Fl 12-05).

giclees available

Great advertising for a dentist!

Challenge: Imitating the Posture

While driving around the southern island of New Zealand, we would often stop to photograph mile after mile of sheep. As long as we didn't open a door, they would stare back at us as to say "I've Got Wool!" what are you looking at? You can almost detect the musty smell of wet wool.

original: 20x12 watercolor image

(Achievement Award from Bonita Springs,Fl. 3-05)

giclees available

Theme: Out of Africa

I love to paint for themed shows. This spotted cat was painted for The Art League of Ft. Myers ,"Out of Africa" exhibition, Jan 2005. "It's My Land Too!" was a reminder that the land also belongs to the creatures. I tried to make him slightly abstract, emphasizing the eyes. The eyes stalk you.The judge awarded me 1st place. How many species of cats in Africa have spots? Can you name them?

original: 24x18 watercolor image

(1st place Ft. Myers, Fl. 1-05; Achievement award, Bonita Springs, Fl 3-05)

.giclees available

Challenge: Morphing 2-D to 3-D

Go ahead and "Rattle Me!" Everyone loves him! He's an award winner. He lives at the Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque, NM. But gallery managers swear at him when trying to find a place to display him on a wall next to other sweet and washy watercolors. Except for the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, Fl..... they got creative and made an EDEN WALL featuring an oil painting of a beautiful life-sized nude woman reclining on a lush black background by the fine artist, Greg Biochini. The wall also displayed deadly trumpet blossoms, a medieval church, a dark landscape of the sunset, and a bowl of pears. Why pears?

original: 24x18 watercolor image

(1st place National League of American Pen Women Fl State Exhibition 10-05;

Visual Arts Center National Exhibition Punta Gorda, Fl. 2-06;

Bonita Springs All Florida Artist Exhibition, Bonita Springs, Fl. 4-06:

Florida Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, Sarasota, Fl 9-06).

giclees available.

Challenge:Semi abstract to Realism

This giraffe from the San Antonio wild life park had a long black tongue that could stretch all the way down to the children trying to feed her from below. Too bad there was such a tall fence between us. Because she definitely had

" A Viewpoint Advantage" over us.

original: 18x24

Donated this watercolor to ARTS for ACT 2007 Live Auction

giclees available

Request: For a River Otter

This is "Barnacle Phil's Namesake " or one of the many otters that frequent North Captiva Island to beg for food at Barnacle Phil's Restaurant. Because you can only get to the island by water, many fishermen stop there for lunch. Little do they realize that while they are eating lunch, the otters climb up the transom of their boats, and actually open the container hasps to steal the fish and bait. They have become so good at it, that i tell the fishermen to use key or combination locks. They haven't learned to read numbers yet!

original: 24x18 image.

giclees are available.

Challenge: Textures

This very small pygmy owl burrows into cactus in southwest America to make its home. He emits a "Cactus Hoot" when you get too close. Owls fascinate me! One owl i painted using tempera paint when i was in high school hung for many years in Rattle Run, Mi at Chic's Restaurant. My cousin, Patty, inherited it after the bar closed. Do you know what owl is the smallest?

original: 18x24 watercolor image (my son, Scott, has it).

giclees not available

Theme: Burrowing Owls

This is also a very small owl who burrows into the sand to make his home in Cape Coral, Fl. When a nesting site is found, the Friends of the Burrowing Owls Association, mark an area around it to warn people not to get too close. This particular owl and his mate, burrowed into a well manicured, landscaped yard of friends, Carolyn and Ron, to raise a family. Carolyn put out a flag to celebrate the 4th of July, and Fred promptly discovered the "Red, White, and Hooooo"

original: 22x30 watercolor image

(2nd place, Cape Coral, Fl 11-06;

Georgia Watercolor 2007 National Exhibition , Moultrie, Ga 05-29-07).

giclees available

Challenge: Atmospheric Perspective and Foreshortening

This bird with the long bill and a wrap-around hairpiece of black feathers is always stately looking. Of course he would look much different if i painted him from a side view. Instead i painted him with "A Royal Turn". Do you know what kind of sea bird he is?

original: 12x20 sold.

giclees available

Challenge:Wooden Embossed Sign

Ever gotten lost and needed directions? This lone gull is

"Key West Bound". So if i painted this picture on North Captiva island, off Florida's southwest coast, which direction would he need to follow to reach Key West, Fl? A much trickier question would be... what is the directional range of degrees that he could fly within to meet his gull friends in Mexico?

original: 11x14 watercolor image

Gave this one to my sister, Karen as a gift.

giclees available

Challenge: Textures

This "Tikki Heron at Rest" is actually a blue heron resting on top of a thatched gazebo built on one of the many canal docks in Cape Coral, Fl. The gazebo or tikki hut, is used for entertaining, or just as a place to rest, put up your feet, get out of the sun and maybe do a little fishing. Better get your fish on the dock before the blue heron, or one of his pelican pals swoop down to grab the free meal you just caught for them.

original: 11x14 watercolor image

giclees available

Challenge: Abstrct to Realism

Talk about a friendly guy. This blue heron arrives at my house in Florida everyday at 4pm "Awaiting a Handout". He usually doesn't get anything to eat unless someone is fishing, If you turn your back, he will steal your bait, or anything else you have caught and placed in a bucket.

original: 18x24 sold

(2nd place Ft. Myers 10-05;

Wings over Florida Show,Naples 2-06).

giclees available

Theme: Cape Coral Then, and Now

Cape Coral Art League planned a themed show to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The art was to depict Cape Coral then and now. We were headed to lunch in the Big John Plaza when i spotted this cattle egret on the automobile's hood. It was the automatic answer to the image i was looking for. The cattle egret has been around Cape Coral for 40 years, and he is still here, but now he stands in "An Urban Pasture".

original: 24x18 watercolor image

giclees available

Theme: As I See It

One of my favorite paintings! You really have to be an island resident that spends many hours crossing over the bridge spans to get to the barrier islands, like Sanibel and Captiva to appreciate this dear "Spirit in the Sky". I am usually the passenger. I have a rear view mirror on my side that reads "images may appear larger than what they are". The bridge is just the right height for the pelicans to catch the up-draft and lazily hover over your shoulder until they spot a fisherman reeling in a fish. They then fold their long wings close to their body and drop into a neck-breaking fall spearing the fish. Of course, the fish is still connected to the fisherman's line, so a tug of war will ensue. Too many times this bird has flown up beside me just behind my head, where i am startled to see him looking into my car mirror. Sanibel is in the process of building a new bridge, and tearing down the old. I hope the pelicans continue to hover with the new bridge and don't become the past spirits of the sky.

original:30x22 watercolor image. sold.

giclees available

Theme: OLDE Florida

Arts for Act Gallery named one of their shows Olde Florida. I have only been in Florida since 2000 so i obviously didn't have any photos to choose from, so i took a photograph of the pelicans, "Florida Pilgrims", who frequent the canals looking for handouts from the fishermen who come back each day at 4 pm. The remains from the catch of the day are tossed to the these begging birds. To make it look old, i decided to use values of burnt sienna and umber watercolors.

original: 24x18 watercolor image

giclees available.

Challenge: Textures/Composition

Another painting that could be most anywhere. "Provisioning" is always a problem when you are sailing

and this dinghy is the only water taxi available to connect you to land and your boat. Don't forget to bring an extra boat plug. Ever had a dinghy come untied from your vessel? Or start to sink because you didn't have an extra plug? Or have sea water wash over you and your groceries, making all the fresh sushi saltier? ahhhh...memories!

original: 24x18 watercolor image

giclees available.

Challenge: Abstract Pattern of Realistic Anchors

"Anchors Up and Away" is a view of the anchors on the bows of shrimp boats lined up nose to nose moored in the water on Ft Myers Beach. When they go out to shrimp, they do it at night and might spend several nights out before coming back to port. I tried to capture the mess of similar forms that merged themselves into an abstracted design.

original: 12x20 watercolor image

(1st place: Cape Coral,Fl. 11-04;

Merit: Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl 3-05);

giclees available.

Challenge: White water

Saving up all my precious 50 cent/hour babysitting money in high school, I bought my first sailboat from Sears. it was a small dinghy that after filling with water to prove to my dad that it would not sink, and learning to sail by reading books that explained vectors, he allowed me to take off on adventurous 3 hour journeys north to anchor bay on Lake St. Clair, Mi to visit my closest high school friend, Cathy. Since 16....I have had a love affair with sailing. Jerry and i sailed the Great Lakes in Mi for 10 years, and when we retired in 2000 to Fl. we bought a boat and sailed the Caribbean. "Regatta" is one of hundreds of photos i recall from all those sailing days. We currently have a deck boat. Who knows when we will sail again?

original available: 14x11 watercolor image.

giclees available

Challenge: Textures

Dinghies have a character of their own! This "Dinghy Waiting" is doing just that .... waiting for its owner to return. I can imagine the sailor out eating green chili cheeseburgers and homemade fries at Burdine's in Boot Key Harbor or rowing in from a mooring ball at Ft. Myers Beach to bask on the beach.

original: 24x18 watercolor image.

giclees available.

Challenge:

"Orange Sails" was just brought back home to me. My son, Greg, snatched it as soon as the paint had dried. Now that i have it back, giclees are available. Greg spent time with us sailing the great lakes, so this picture appealed to the slow sailing times when we stupidly jumped overboard for a swim, hoping a gust of wind wouldn't push the boat out of our reach.

11x16 watercolor image private collection

Giclees available

Challenge:

Reflections in Composition

This was me some 55 years ago. But generally i was alone, and had a little one mast sailing dinghy that looked like a bathtub. I bought it from Sears for $200 and sailed on Lake St. Clair . (What two great lakes are connected by Lake St. Claire?) Mind you that babysitting at 50cents an hour took a lot of hours to save $200! These two "Day Sailors" were learning to sail. There was a light wind just enough to push them forward. They were in a world of their own!

original: 11x16 watercolor image

giclees available..

Challenge: Creative Composition

"The Harpist" is retired Sister Melinda playing her harp, Meghan. She lived next door to us for a short time in Wisconsin while Jerry worked at the hospital there. Everyday she would box up Meghan and transport her to the hospital where she would play for the patients. The hospital is adjacent to the Chapel of Angels. The angel depicted has tools of the trade....as does Melinda. i tried to capture her angelic spirit as she works here on Earth.

original 30x22 watermedia.gift to the nuns in la Crosse, wi.

giclees available

Theme: Embracing Our Differences

This was painted for the annual themed exhibition in Sarasota.

A few years ago, i saw the Fort Myers High School rendition of

The Wiz, musical. My painting "The Wiz Kids" depicts the four main characters planning to travel to ask Oz for courage, a heart, a brain, and a trip back to Dorothy's home in _____?

original 30x22 water media NFS at this time.

(3rd place Art League of Fort Myers Feb. 2010;

Honorable mention awarded by Cheng Khee-Chee at the Southern Watercolor Society's 33rd National Exhibition 2010)

giclees available

Theme: Love Works

Love works, a Christian Organization in Orlando, Florida had a juried show in October 2008. Two of my paintings were included in that exhibit. “Promising Hands” depicts a present day promise between a man and a woman in its simplistic white purity blessed by the Light of God, in the presence of past saintly  images forever depicted in ancient medieval stained glass who approve the “promises” made to one another.  One might substitute the Light of God as sanctifying such unions made with Him/Her with promises of eternal life.The image of the hands was taken from a photo of my son and his bride on their wedding day.

original: 22x30 watercolor image Gift to Scott and Jalayne.

Love Works, Orlando, Oct. 08;

1st Merit, ALFM, Dec 08)

giclees available.

Challenge: Figure Drawing in Composition

Jerry's grandchildren were playing on Picnic Island, near Pine Island, Fl. when they came to visit a few years ago. I captured Sarah playing in the sand "On the Beach".

original: 24x18 gift to sarah

(Cape Coral city Hall 8-05)

giclees available.

Challenge:Sweetness of Youth

A photograph given to me of "Klara", granddaughter of Susan and Bill Shallbetter, took on a glow of innocence as i completed my painting of her on paper.

original: 11x14 NFS. Grandma has it hanging in her house.

giclees available

Challenge: Wispy Sun-touched Child

I was walking on Sanibel beach, camera in hand looking for images to photograph. After asking a mom permission to photograph her children, I found this image to be very pensive. I don't know her real name.

"Windy" is what i named her.

original: 11x14 watercolor image

giclees available

Challenge: Aged Character

Albuquerque, New Mexico is where we spent one day at a national Gathering of Nations. We experienced a day full of color, music, dance, costume and celebration. This elder must have been very wise and noble. He was an inspiration to paint. "A Generation of Pride....Grandfather"

original: 18x24 watercolor image

.giclees available

Challenge: Youthful Innocence

"A Generation of Pride......Granddaughter". A princess inspired and proud of her heritage, was waiting on the side for her turn to dance.

original: 18x24 watercolor image

(Hon. Men., Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl. 11-06;

1st place Ft. Myers, Fl. 1-07)

giclees available

Challenge: Squirmy sea anemones

Most all the paintings i've completed of little fish seeking "Anemone Protection" are called anemone fish. Name an anemone 'clown fish' whose father goes searching for him when he leaves the protection of his home in a famous cartoon.

original: 24x18 watercolor image.

giclees available

Challenge: Squirmy sea anemones

Here's another black anemone fish. This one had more of an attitude. We found that the fish were very territorial and actually attacked any fish that entered their space. This little guy could be heard rasping go ahead "Make My Day" . Though they are very small, if i poked a finger at them getting too close, they would rush out, bite my gloved hand (protection mostly from unexpected coral encounters) and dart back into the protection of their anemone arms.

original available: 20x12 watercolor image.

giclees available

Request: from my daughter

Getting "Close Up and Personal" with this green turtle in Hawaii, was awesome. Go read about him in the news section of my web site and find out how i have used his image to create other paintings.

original: 24x18 watercolor image:. NFS. my daughter, Kristin, really wanted him for her turtle room collection.

giclees available.

Challenge: Surface textures

When a crab gets too big and outgrows his shell, he has to go looking for a new larger shell in which to live. I think this "Shell Kinda Guy" found a home, a little too big for the moment but is comfortably getting established.

original: 24x18 watercolor image.

(3rd Place Cape Coral Art Studio, 9-05; Honorable Mention in Watercolor Magic Magazine 2004)

Giclees available.

Challenge: Create identifiable creature abstractly

When Jerry got a job in Hawaii, we decided to travel to the South Pacific to vacation. Our first stop was to the coral sea on a live aboard dive boat out of Townsend, Australia. The fish and reefs were awesome especially the "Lionfish". They were like dancing ladies as they fanned out their fins making abstract designs. I chose to leave the background white giving the design a more graphic feeling.

original 14x11 image. NFS.

"Lionfish" earned my very first ribbon in watercolor.

3rd Place Ft. Myers 2004

2-D, 3-D All-State Competition. Alliance, Ft. Myers

It was the 118th painting that i had completed

giclees available.

Challenge: Create identifiable creature abstractly

I learned how to scuba dive a year or so after turning 40. Who says you cant learn when you get old! On one night dive, off Jamaica's coast where there were no fish, we happened upon this octopus. After playing awhile with him, he got annoyed, shot off his veil of ink, and swam into the darkness, but not before we took a photograph of him "Reaching Out"

original: 24x18 watercolor image SOLD.

2nd place, Cape Coral, 2-06;

1st place Cape Coral Art Studio 8-06

giclees available.

Challenge: Dusty Warm Perspective

"Sedona Cacti" was an image taken in the sedona valley. i got frustrated with the background seeming too green, so i layered yellow and red over it to give it an opaque dusty look.

original: 30x22 watercolor image

2rd place, CCAL, March 2008

Giclee prints are available

Challenge: Create a Spiritual Feeling

"Sacred Messenger" is the healing spirit of the eagle. He watches over the earth. I morphed this painting portraying the spirit of the eagle over the grand canyon. The alternate title was to be "Heal the Earth" but i preferred the messenger.

original: 30x22 watercolor image

VAC mar. 08, first merit

Giclee prints are available

Challenge: Neon and Grays

Before Katrina hit New Orleans, Jerry and I spent a week enjoying the city in 2004. "Rx Store 4305" was one of the picturesque buildings that intrigued me. The challenge was to get the neon lights to look illuminated, and of course, deal with the grays of darkness and shadow.

original: 30x22 watercolor image

Jan. 08 ALFM River District show: 2nd place:

CCAL Nov. 07 HM;

Dec. 08 Big Arts, Sanibel Winners Circle. HM)

Giclee prints are available

Challenge: Merge 2 Different Perspectives

I have so many photos of national parks i thought that i might get creative and try some different perspectives. "Step Up Acadia" depicts Bar Harbor lighthouse and the stairway descending to the sea in Acadia, Maine. We were there in 2002.

original: 30x22 watercolor image

albs mar. 08, merit Bonita Springs, Fl.

Giclee prints are available.

Challenge: Perspective Trees

One of the first challenges i encountered when beginning to paint was leaving the white of the paper white, and painting the shadows of white to still look white. So i started photographing items that were white. Generating good greens is also a problem, so when we were in Maine, where there were an abundance of white birch trees, i practiced leaving white paper white , atmospheric whites, shadowed whites, and warm, cool and shadowed greens to create a "Forest White"This scene could have been anywhere in my home state of Michigan too.

original available : 24x18.

Giclees available

Challenge: Reflective Mirror

We were in our car driving into the night in S. Dakota to beat the storm beginning to brew behind us. The darkness of dusk in the east combined with the threatening skies we were driving into with the hint of rainfall on the dusty rear view mirror, contrasted with the heavily colored western sunset inspired me to take this photo. i revisited the painting in 2008 and decided that it was unfinished and added the legend of the devils tower to create more interest. the initial mountain i raised was straight up vertical, but it rebelled against the curvilinear design of the mirror, so i changed it again so that the mountainous shape fits the design. its Ironical that objects really might be closer than they appear. do a close up on the side of the mountain. i retitled it "Legend of the Bear " Later on (see birds) this image led me to the creation on Sanibel bridge, Fl " Spirit in the Sky".

original available: 24x18.

Giclees available

Challenge:Create an image to match an author

Watercolor painting done for cover of the book, Sins of the Fathers, the Thomas Kane Chronicles by Steve Schmidt and Mel King. Go to my news section to get an explanation of the characters portrayed on the cover.

original:24x15. NFS

giclees available

This is final look of the book published by Xlibris. You can get a copy of the book by copying the website below and ordering it on line.

www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=36761