Marybeth Heikes

Paintings in Watercolor & Mixed Media

Midwest Life

Front, BNSF

Front, BNSF

March 14, 2013

This painting is a continuation of my engine series.  It is a close-up of an engine I photographed in the Albia trainyard in winter.  I wanted to focus on the abstract design qualities and omit some of the details.  I drew the large shapes first and then added some of the important details. A limited […] more »

Farmstead

Farmstead

February 18, 2013

This collage is a continuation of my Iowa barn series that I began in 1994. I used a reference photo given to my by a friend. This barn is in northwest Iowa. All of my barn collages have been done from actual barns found in southeast Iowa, or friends who send me pictures from their areas. […] more »

Houston 36th International Exhibition

Houston 36th International Exhibition

February 18, 2013

My watercolor painting “Front, BNSF” has been chosen to be part of the prestigious Houston Exhibition by juror Jan Fabian Wallake. More than 370 paintings were submitted and the jurying process was very complex and many paintings could not be included. I feel very lucky to be part of this show. This show will be […] more »

Small Town U.S.A.

Small Town U.S.A.

February 11, 2013

I decided a few months ago to paint the small, rural towns in Iowa. Having grown up in a large city, I was unfamilar with these areas and find them interesting, particularly the old buildings and signage.  This painting depicts Seymour, Iowa. I traveled there to take reference photos for a commission and drove around […] more »

Benton Street Corner, Albia

Benton Street Corner, Albia

February 8, 2013

I’m painting my way around Albia’s square.  This pale yellow building on the corner is a landmark and on the historic register. It is interesting sandwiched between the other businesses. The other points of interest are the global lights and parked vehicles along the curb. The building colors are a primary triad of yellow, gray-blue and brick […] more »

Morning Walk

Morning Walk

February 7, 2013

I’m doing another storefront composition on the other side of the street. Many of these old buildings have intricate details, which I’ve simplified, of course. Also in evidence is the old blue mailbox — something you don’t see anymore. I did go back recently to see if the box was there, but it has been […] more »

Movies America

Movies America

February 6, 2013

I cannot resist painting small town rural America. The small businesses come & go and I find the old buildings quaint and full of character. I worked from a photo taken a few years ago when I had an errand to run in Albia.  This scene is on the east side of the square, which […] more »

Lunch at George & Nick’s

Lunch at George & Nick’s

January 23, 2013

It was fun painting a favorite restaurant on the “largest square in the world!”  I worked from my photo, and enjoyed painting the sunlit buildings on the north side of our city square, plus two guys sauntering inside for their lunch. The picturesque buildings have been a favorite subject matter for me. The businesses come […] more »

Retired

Retired

January 21, 2013

I couldn’t resist doing my sixth painting of the Burlington Northern caboose. The difference is the hot press paper and the size.  I used artistic license to eliminate all the rust spots on it, so it’s beautiful and spiffed up now.  Various pigments were used for the main color , as I find it impossible […] more »