Watercolors
I’ve been studying watercolors this year with Joan Salvant, who has illustrated several books. Her specialty is painting historical buildings and houses, although I’ve now seen her paint all kinds of subjects during class demonstrations.
This is Bull Creek, just down the road from our house. I try to work from life, but I do use photographs as an aid. I have not photoshopped any of these images, though! (I was tempted.)
Joan's books include The Historic Seacoast of Texas, Historic Forts of Texas, and Historic Ranches of Texas.
This is the display garden at the Antique Rose Emporium just north of San Antonio. This garden, unlike the one in Brenham, is especially designed to be appropriate for a southwestern climate like ours.
My goal initially was just to use my poor hands, which over the past twenty years of working at a keyboard, have become quite stupid. I have not drawn or painted for upwards of thirty years. They have come around a bit, but I’m still frustrated by my own clumsiness. My goal now is to paint something worth framing. I'm definitely not there yet, but I am still working on it.
Espiritu Santo Mission outside of Goliad, Texas.
Pending that accomplishment, could it be said that I have painted something that would be presentable if reduced to miniature size? These are the best I have been able to do.
Still life with napping dog.
This is the Thompson House, now on the property of the Red Barn Nursery in Jollyville a couple of miles from here. The old house was once a way station for cattle drives.