Watercolor

In its art history past, watercolor was used as a stepping stone, a sketch in color to prepare for a finished painting in a more permanent medium, such as oil. It was not until fairly recent times that watercolor rose to the forefront as a painting medium to be appreciated in its own right.

Watercolor paintings often carry a spontaneous look to them for a very practical reason: the artist has to work very quickly to capture the picture in mind because it dries so quickly. Pigment is carried across the surface with water, which when evaporated leaves transparent hues and light. Layers of paint are applied until the artist is satisfied with what remains.

I am a purist in watercolor painting; highlights of the painting are left the white of the paper. Fresh air, transparent color, light, and breeze are the sensory appeal of watercolor for me. I learned my watercolor technique from a prominent watercolor artist in Ecuador, where I took lessons as a pre-teen. I have never lost my love of painting in watercolor, and as an avid traveler I enjoy recording the sights of my travels through watercolor sketches. It is a conveniently portable medium that I use for quick records of the beauty surrounding me as well as for more permanent picture-making.

My favorite watercolor inspirations are Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, my grandmother, Genevieve Lassetter, who studied under Mississippi Artist Marie Hull, and of course, my Ecuadorian watercolor teacher, Luis Mancheno.