Barn Painting

"Barn" on the left is a watercolor painting of a barn in Ohio.

"Barn Batik" is a watercolor batik using the watercolor painting on the left for the pattern. Watercolor batik is done on Oriental rice paper, with melted wax, and watercolor paper. Each color is done in succession after waxing the shape.

"Barn Quilt" is an art quilt using the original watercolor for the pattern. Each section was first fused to the background color (purple) and each piece was machine quilted using the technique called "free motion quilting." The quilt was then bound with material and hung with a rod inserted through a fabric sleeve. The finished size is 19" x 23"

Vibrant Watercolor

Cypress Tree

Watercolor

Watercolor Collage

Red Tulips

Watercolor Collage

Watercolor Monotype

Communication

Watercolor Monotype

Watercolor Monoprint

Watching

Watercolor Monotype

Watercolor Monoprint

Magnolia Mambo

Watercolor Monotype

Watercolor Monoprint

Floral Image

Watercolor Monotype with Ink Drawing

Watercolor Monoprint

Wandering Willow

Monotype

Watercolor Monoprint

Ghost Coral and Fish

Monotype

Watercolor Collage

Red Cruciform

Watercolor on Rice Paper Collage

Watercolor Monoprint

"Windblown"

Watercolor Monortype

Vibrant Dunes Series

"Sea Vista" is one of a series of watercolor paintings done with bristle brushes using complimentary colors. Although the shapes came from remembered scenes at the shoreline, the painting suggests Southwestern colors and can be enjoyed in that way also.

This painting is approximately 12" x 12."

Vibrant Dunes Series

"Vibrant Dunes" is another in the series of scenes created from shapes seen at the shore but painted with fanciful colors in complimentary colors.

This watercolor is 11" x 14".

Vibrant Dunes Series

"Vibrant Sea View" shows sea oats with an ocean view painted in watercolor using complimentary colors and oil brushes.

It is about 11" x 14" and comes from shapes suggested from a series of photos taken off Sullivan's Island near Charleston. The colors are imaginary.

Vibrant Italy

Italy Series: "Lake Garda" was painted from memory of the shapes of the mountains surrounding the lake plus Cyprus trees from another area. Again, note the strong contrast of color and bold shapes.

Vibrant Italy

Italy Series: "Road from Vanza 2" is another watercolor painted with bristle brushes and complimentary colors. This method creates bold, at times almost abstract images. This is a small painting, about 5" x 7."

Vibrant Italy

Italy Series: "Road from Vanza" is a watercolor using different brushes with very intense color. This small, 5" x 7" painting is experimental as are the others in this series.

"Ghost Coral and Fish"

"Ghost Coral and Fish" is a shadowy portrayal of bleached coral and ghosts of the fish that were nurtured there. Sometimes called the Rain forests of the Sea, the coral reefs serve as nurseries to countless species. However, they cannot tolerate the damage that is caused by sewage, fertilizer, ocean warming and other pollutants. So, they become ghosts and we have fewer and fewer colonies. The demise of coral reefs, estimated to be at 10 percent now, will change to 70 percent unless we make changes in damage caused by pipelines, cables, pollution and tourism.

This set of three monotypes are currently on display at the Gallery St. John in Beavercreek, Ohio and are part of 2009 Marianist Environmental Education Center Art Show. The theme for the exhibit is "What on Earth is Missing?"

"Shoreline"

"Shoreline" depicts the encroachment of the sea onto our land. The poem by Robert Frost, "Devotion" is a somewhat nostalgic commentary on just how vital the shoreline is to hold the sea at bay. The homes along the shore, the land we live on, are slowly being eaten away by the rise in sea level.

"Away, Away, Milky Way"

"Away, Away, Milky Way" indicates a night sky filled with stars, constellations and our own Milky Way. Yet, seldom do we view this night sky in all its beauty because the lights in our yards, streets, parking lots and buildings light up the sky and cause the brilliance of our universe to fade. If we have a chance to look at the sky in the desert, on the ocean, or in undeveloped areas, we gasp with pleasure because we can see so much in the sky. If we just turn down the glow of our lighting, we will turn up the night sky.

"Radiance" is the final image of the Lenten Series 2009. Candles are used to light up the night and the darkened church at the Easter Vigil Service. The candles represent the Light of Christ. So, too, this image brings light to the dark and thus offers an appropriate image for the light brought by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"Crucifix" is another watercolor collage. This painting tries to portray a tortured Jesus on the cross. The white areas suggest a skeleton that is twisted with agony. It says that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice in following his truth to his death.

Lenten Series 2009

This monoprint of a bent weed reminds me of a solitary person bent in an attitude of prayer. The person of Jesus saw his coming death and prayed about it in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was essentially alone as he faced the days of his torment.

Lenten Season 2009

"Away, Away, Milky Way" is a monoprint demonstrating the contrast between the stars and the dark sky. The theme for readings this week is darkness versus "The Light." The brightness of the stars, constellations, and the Milky Way is what we yearn for. The light attracts us and calls to us. We must not be overcome by darkness but rather follow what leads us to "The Light."

Lenten Series 2009

This colorful woman seems appropriate for the story of the "Woman at the Well" because this woman is somewhat pensive and quite unusually attired! The woman at the well who spoke to Jesus was perhaps rather daring and saucy in her dialogue. She was willing to take a risk which is what I was doing when I painted this image. It has lead to new watercolor explorations and the woman at the well certainly understood life in new ways after her encounter with the Messiah.

Lenten Series 2009

This watercolor of a distant mountain as seen from a hillside town in Italy relates to the location of many stories of scripture where something special happens. Often the mountain is a place of an encounter with God. It always seems to be a place where inspiration occurs. Separating oneself from usual day-to-day activities and becoming quiet allows for new perspectives to flow to the mind.

Lenten Series for Spring 2009

"Sea Bird" suggests the dove that Noah sent to determine if the waters had subsided from the face of the earth. It is a symbol of the hope for a better tomorrow which God promises.

This small painting is layers of rice paper with inclusions adhered to a background and painted with water color.