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I like to go off on my bike with my paints in a backpack and to sit alone while I try to mix red, yellow, and blue to somehow reflect the atmosphere in front of me. Landscapes in the Pacific Northwest provide an endless variety of shapes, textures, colors, and moods to try to interpret and record. From coastal wetlands to rolling eastern prairies, the local scenery and accompanying clouds present this Seattle dweller with a delightful water-and-pigment challenge. I feel so lucky to have this fine scenery that constantly changes colors with the play of light and shadow. When I try to capture the setting I like the way the paint doesn’t rely solely on my skills but rather blends and flows on its own, seamlessly, often with charming results.
In addition to the parks and fields around me, refugee and immigrant students I’ve met through my work with English language learners also provide wonderful variety and challenge. In these pictures I used only red, yellow, and blue to capture the vibrancy of these newcomers. My watercolor portraits are an attempt to capture and hold some of their special charm.
Finally, the produce market at the bottom of my street provides material for exercises in the use of color. While it’s good to let paint interact with paper and water, it’s also good to learn to control those elements. Most of the fruits and veggies displayed here posed briefly before being consumed.
