I paint numerous watercolors en plein air, during the warmer months, returning to favorite places each year. I favor the undisturbed landscape, usually nature preserves, state parks, wildlife sanctuaries, “undeveloped” coastal areas and a special private property with an aged orchard, fields, woods and views in Vermont. I am particularly drawn to Downeast Maine; the Schoodic Peninsular, Steuben, Addison, and Lubec. Distinctive trees, crashing surf and rocks, bogs, boreal forests, marshes, forests, streams and active skies are frequently my subjects. During the cooler months, I study these watercolors and select the ones that best capture the spirit of place to use as designs for woodblock prints. I usually make around 6 prints a year as I am busy with outdoor art shows and painting from May through October.
My mediums were painting with oils, watercolor or pastels for over 30 years. In 2007 I took a three day workshop in Moku Hanga and fell in love with the process from designing the image, carving the blocks, test printing variations of color, refining or changing the shapes in the process of finding a balanced expressive image and in printing the edition. The simplicity of the process, materials and tools resonated with me. I worked at refining my skills for a couple of years until this became my primary medium. I still love to paint watercolors on location enjoying the challenge of trying to capture the essence of the landscape. There is a detailed illustrated depiction of my steps on the Process page.
One of my watercolors on location where I painted it in Vermont.
