Marybeth Heikes

Paintings in Watercolor & Mixed Media

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 »

Mission Bay

Mission Bay

July 22, 2012

The reflections of the boats and their masts on the water is what inspired me to paint this scene. My brother-in-law Bill took us for an outing here, which is a very scenic tourist area. There were also a lot of sea birds and a walkway around the inlet. The reflection shadows were very striking. […] 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 »

Red Barn & Rooster

Red Barn & Rooster

June 23, 2012

This piece is part of my open-ended Iowa Series, complete with all the Midwest elements and farm animals. This collage features a typical red barn, silo, and the strutting rooser in the farmyard, and a few strategic fence posts. Lots of colors too, so it will fit just about any decor. more »

Hay Baler

Hay Baler

June 16, 2012

I began painting this watercolor at the beginning of March and it took me almost a month, longer than usual. I had the abstract shapes in my mind a long time, since taking the photo of this dilapidated hay baler. It was sitting all rusted in a field. A friend of mine, who took me […] more »

Bubba & Mickey

Bubba & Mickey

May 19, 2012

These are two very devoted canines of my sister’s, and otherwise called “the two knuckleheads” by her husband. They are well-behaved most of the time, and well-trained too. Bubba, the Boston Terrier, is the most energetic dog I’ve ever seen. He runs around the backyard like a maniac–it is fun to watch him gallop wildly. […] more »

Bulldog 2

Bulldog 2

April 29, 2012

This was a commission of the English Bulldog who won many competitions for this breed, and was a therapy dog in hospitals and clinics. This dog was well-loved by his owner and many people. Unfortunately, he had to be put to sleep because of illness. My sister has two of his puppies, Snoozer and Petey, which […] more »

Cattle Chute

Cattle Chute

March 24, 2012

I chose to paint this old, red barn in Plano, Iowa because of its weathered silo, cattle chute, and out-buildings. These are no longer standing. The photographs I took in the 1990s of barns in southern Iowa describe many old barns of this era. It is sad that many of them were not saved. It […] more »

The Girls

The Girls

March 7, 2012

This painting includes five of our cat family: Saoirse, Fiona, Sadie, Ruby and Aurora. They include a variety of colors — a calico, siamese, white calico, black and a spotted black & white.  I did this as a portrait sample to let people know that photos of different pets can be combined into a single […] more »

Fruit, Bottle & Goblets

Fruit, Bottle & Goblets

February 26, 2012

This is my second still life featuring my hand-sewed Crazy Quilt, and I wonder what I was thinking since it has so many details — the ruby-red vase, apples, an antique mirror, wood-grained table, and transparent glass! A lot a textures crammed into a still life, but I am very happy with the results. It […] more »