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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 »