Blowing Rock Church - watercolor

watercolor, 2015

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      This is from a reference photo I shot back in the summer of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, NC. There is a particular lighting issue that bugs me. But, it's probably only noticeable to me. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with a couple new techniques I tried out on this one.

      Also, happy new year!

Power Lunch

      Where employees of a Salisbury, NC business enjoy the occasional lunch - right beside the building's electric meters.

Ford Afield - watercolor

watercolor, 2015

available, 11"x15"

prints and gifts available

        Merry Christmas all! I know this isn't very festive, but I've never had much success with holiday-themed pieces. Maybe that's something I should think about for the new year.

37 Chevy - watercolor, ink

mixed, 2015

available, 11"x15"

prints and gifts also available

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      Another shot from downtown Salisbury, NC. There's always lots to see in old downtown buildings when you get close enough.

Immaculate Conception - watercolor

watercolor, 2015

available, 11"x15"

prints and gifts also available

      Virtual Paintout is in Ecuador this month and without even realizing it I chose the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Cuenca. It's fitting that I chose this particular church just before Christmas. But I didn't even know the name of the church until after I'd finished the painting and looked it up. Anyway, I'm quite happy with how this one worked out, though the perspective is odd since the right side of the building is almost perfectly in line with the viewing position. It looks like a flat Hollywood false front. And, of course, Google's photos always play havoc with vertical perspective, which I try to correct in Photoshop and again when doing the initial drawing. Still, I don't always get it right.

88 Queen St. - watercolor

watercolor, 2015

available, 11"x15"

prints and gifts also available

      Another one from this year's trip to Charleston, SC before the flooding in October. I was drawn (no pun intended) by the shadows of the utility lines on the white door.

57 Chevy #7 - watercolor + charcoal

mixed, 2012

available, 22"x30"

prints and gifts also available

      This is an older piece I discovered I hadn't uploaded here. It's a piece that is started and finished as a complete charcoal drawing. Then I fix the charcoal to keep it from rubbing off and paint over it with watercolor. The charcoal becomes a great underpainting and gives those deep shadows. I've done several pieces this way, though it's been a while since the last one.

Fatigue ... Cheap

      Thought I'd start throwing in a little more photography once in a while. This is part of a wall sign from downtown Salisbury, NC.

In Front Of St. Philips - watercolor

watercolor, 2015

available, 11"x15"

prints and gifts also available

      Spent a weekend in Charleston, SC this September just a couple weeks before the historic October flooding. There's a lot I like about this one, though I wasn't sure at first. I had done the background buildings too dark at first and had to rinse them out to lighten them sufficiently. I think I got a good morning haze/aerial perspective effect from an apparently happy accident. It isn't always about whether or not you make mistakes. It's also about how you handle and learn from them when they show up.

      Happy Thanksgiving!

Wallflower - watercolor

watercolor, 2015

available, 15"x22"

prints and gifts also available

      Very happy with this one. Bumped back up to a half-sheet, but kept it pretty loose on the details.

Istanbul #2 - watercolor

watercolor, 2015

available, 7"x11"

prints and gifts available

      Another little piece for Virtual Paintout.