Why
would I choose to do watercolor, the medium touted as the most
difficult to work with?
The
short answer is that it's inherently beautiful! Unfortunately I have
no long answer, but I'll try.
I
believe my first ever painting was actually made on a gessoed board
intended for oils found
abandoned
in a closet. It was of a cornucopia and apples found in a cookbook
and was painted in "dry watercolor" style - very little
water. I knew nothing! I bought a handful of student tubes and
went
at it.
Not
too far down the line, I happened into an artists gallery in downtown
Boston and became
enchanted
by these vivid watercolors with playful outlines in ink. Their
simplicity was powerful!
Mostly,
the scenes were local, if memory serves. Wow! That was my moment. So
I bought some pan watercolors, a brush, and a pad of hot press paper.
Still, I knew nothing! I painted what I inside the apartment kitchen with childish accuracy. As stiff
and pallid as my results were, I couldn't lose! I had those greys,
yellows and burnt siennas glowing back at me!
As
I set out to learn more I treated all information as all-important,
all-to-be-heeded gospel.
And
every tiny example shown was right and something I should learn. I
was a babe in the woods. But, eventually I grew my skills and
graduated from Beginner status. I had disheartening moments
of
failed results or efforts, but I never thought of giving up
watercolor.
When
people say, "Watercolors are hard", I know they're just
saying they are less controllable or predictable. The medium contains
more variables. The learning curve is steeper. You have water to
paint ratios and edges that can bleed, sometimes where you don't
want. You can't paint over and hide what you don't like. You can't go
lighter, only darker. You often have to think in reverse and go
light to dark. And you have to save your precious vulnerable white paper. Oh
boy, you talk about sacred!
Timing
becomes a factor, and you can't just walk away anytime you want due
to the drying factor of watercolor. Your edges might dry on you and
leave hard lines where you didn't want. You get a califlower effect
when you put wet paint into a damp area. And then there's the variety
of papers, possibly adding a whole new bucket of frustrations!
But,
ahh! With a different mindset these frustrations become challenges,
and less so with practice! You
can put a brush to wet paper and watch magic as it bleeds like a
happy child running in a field, making
trees for you! Then you can dip in another color and watch them dance
and meld. When dry you can glaze over them still and alter the
colors. Throw salt or splatter water into the damp wash and whatch
texture appear effortlessly!
 |
| "Bottle 'n' Grapes", w/c, 6"x 8" |
Watercolor
glows, dazzles and entertains. Its luminous, stained glass effect can
enchant any eyes that dare to ponder its mystery. It both pleases and
frustrates, allures and disappoints.
I have thrown things, kicked
things, screamed at the painting for "ruining my life".
I've stabbed it with the back of my brush, and ripped it up in
passionate revenge. But, despite these moments, I wouldn't have it
any other way. It's watercolor, it's beautiful, and it's mine!
