Marybeth Heikes

Paintings in Watercolor & Mixed Media

Engine Abstraction #17

Engine Abstraction #17

July 11, 2019

This abstract train engine varies a bit from the pieces I have completed so far. This collage is actually the first design. I did not use a sketch, but rather used a close-up section and began by cutting out shapes and arranging them on the gessoed hardboard. It is a section of the brake and wheel, and I just improvised until the design looked good to me. more »

Engine Abstraction #10

Engine Abstraction #10

July 9, 2019

Drawing these segments of train engines constantly challenges me to search for the most interesting designs. This design actually started with more detail, but I decided to crop the photo more. more »

Amber Waves of Grain

Amber Waves of Grain

July 5, 2019

This acrylic painting is a continuation of my Iowa landscape series. I am inspired to paint the rolling hills of crops, the disappearing barns full of character, silos and other farm implements. more »

Teapot Still Life #25

Teapot Still Life #25

July 2, 2019

I began this piece last year and set it aside to think about the direction I was going with it. The design excited me with the triangular shapes, the bouquet of flowers, pears and teapots. more »

Engine Abstraction #9

Engine Abstraction #9

June 27, 2019

Inspired by abstract geometric shapes led me to doing a series of collages of train engines, boxcars and others. This design is a gray boxcar with the number five in the top right corner. more »

Chairs in the Jungle #135

Chairs in the Jungle #135

June 13, 2019

This composition is a continuation of my series of still lifes that I began back in the late 1980s. It is the variations of chair shapes that interest me, and by combining them with tropical plants or flowers I am able to create a unique design that is authentic to me. more »

Engine Abstraction #8

Engine Abstraction #8

June 5, 2019

This design is a continuation of my close-up train engine series. I have painted engines and trains in a variety of mediums. The textures and geometric shapes interest me and also the local color. more »

Engine Abstraction #7

Engine Abstraction #7

May 31, 2019

I'm been designing and creating another acrylic collage of the train engines. This is a close up composition which are geometric shapes and bold colors. There are so many details on train engines that you don't notice when taking a photograph. more »