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 »
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 »
The third painting of my recycled mashed metal cans. What caught my eye was the red-striped Barbasol can — something used by my husband every day. It contrasted with the Hy-Vee Refried Beans. The ribbed can patterns are interrupted by the top circular sections and reflect surrounding images. The bright colored labels are offset by […] more »
I began this series by taking loads of photographs of the crushed metal cans at the landfill. It was an endless composition of mangled metal — about twelve feet high and six feet wide. Each of my watercolor designs is just a small piece of the whole. I found the ribbed patterns exciting with some […] more »
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 »
This design was inspired by a trip to the local recycling center, and I had been thinking about the possibilities of doing more abstract works. I noticed a huge stack of crushed tin and photographed pieces of it. The can ripples and ripped labels were interesting and I wondered about the abstract qualities that were […] more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
The shape and color of this old telephone continues to appear in my still lifes. Also, it is now an antique. I paired it with the game board and cobalt goblets, one of which recently was broken. I love the deep ultramarine blues and the aqua shades — those colors find their way into my setups! […] more »