Marybeth Heikes

Paintings in Watercolor & Mixed Media

Midwest Life

Iowa Castle

Iowa Castle

January 19, 2013

This is just a small piece of the whole shebang.  It looks like a fairy-tale castle, with an unimaginable amount of rooms, chimneys, and turrets. Here I’ve painted one of the towers and chimneys. I worked from a photo taken many years ago. It was a challenge to paint, but I am pleased with the result. Architecture is one […] more »

Awnings on Vogel Street

Awnings on Vogel Street

January 19, 2013

I’m continuing on with my painting-a-day series. This image interested me because of the torn, red-striped awnings and the shadow patterns. I took the photo thirteen years ago and always meant to paint it, but never got around to it. I worked on the hot press paper again, which is quite smooth. I usually begin […] more »

Six Four Three Two BNSF

Six Four Three Two BNSF

January 17, 2013

It’s difficult to paint a huge engine on a tiny piece of watercolor paper! I chose hot press paper, so the pigments squooshed around a lot — juicy orange! I had to edit the shapes, like the big bold numerals. This engine was idling on the tracks in Albia. I also mixed in some gouache […] more »

BNSF

BNSF

December 30, 2012

This watercolor is a continuation of my love of train engines.  I took a photo at the yard in Albia as it was sitting there for a while. It has many interesting details. It seems that lately many of my works contain numerals and letters, as well as bright pigments. more »

Talking Heads

Talking Heads

December 9, 2012

I’ve been intrigued with these antique gas pumps and have painted them numerous times. The shapes reminded me of figures chatting with each other. The top inside of the roof at this State Street station has linear direction which leads to the “figures”. It was tough for me to use a limited palette too, as […] more »

Chicken Bingo

Chicken Bingo

November 24, 2012

This is another farm animal — a black and copper metallic-speckled rooster with orange feet and lavender background. I added yellow divisional strips for the Bingo board and added round map circles in the corners. I added a copper metallic edging and UV satin varnish and a bead eye. more »

Curly

Curly

November 24, 2012

Here I am back to do the little piggies again! This one is a smaller size. I wanted to keep it petite for my card rack. This little pig is bright green with a red bead eye and curly tail on a five dollar bill background. It is finished with a metallic copper edge and […] more »

Wheels & Belts

Wheels & Belts

August 12, 2012

This watercolor was started in early spring of this year and I set it aside for a while to think about the direction I was going with it. It is the first of my Hay Baler paintings, more abstract than the second piece.  I have a lot of energy and work on numerous paintings simultaneously. […] more »

Nine Zero Four

Nine Zero Four

August 11, 2012

This watercolor is part of my series of the Union Pacific engines. The abstract shapes and bold colors captured my attention!  I used my camera to compose the designs and it’s not until I start the actual painting process that I notice more details. I edited this quite a bit and just focused on the […] more »

Ethyl Gasoline

Ethyl Gasoline

July 8, 2012

This is an antique gas pump from years gone past. There are two pumps on display, just east of the Centerville square. I worked from my photos to present a different viewpoint. I especially liked the numbered tags inside the globe. more »