Judging New Braunfels Art League Show

It was an honor and a privilege for me to be asked to judge New Braunfels Art League Gallery’s “Small Works for the Big Holidays” Show. A fun and diverse exhibit of beautiful paintings and functional and wearable art perfect for Holiday gift giving. Check it out! The show runs from Nov 15 - Dec 31, 2018.

Three different types of watercolor painting in "The Many Faces of Watercolor" Exhibit

For this special exhibit by eight artists from Waterloo Watercolor Group in Austin, Texas, I chose to submit three different types of watercolor paintings to show you some of “The Many Faces of Watercolor”. At the Reception this Saturday, Sept 15, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Lost Pines Art Center’s Main Gallery, 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop, Texas 78602, I will be demonstrating painting transparent watercolor on gesso-coated paper as shown in my third entry below. This show runs August 3 – Sept 30, 2018.

Exhibited in this show is Red Within Yellow No. 2 is an example of the combination of transparent watercolor with opaque watercolor gouache painted on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper. This still life painting is an award winner of mine that shows my enjoyment of the combination of patterned fabric with transparent glass. $950.00, Image 21 3/4” H x 29” W, Framed 30” H x 38” W

My second entry Wine Time is also an award winning example of transparent watercolor on YUPO synthetic paper. This slick, slippery surface makes for wonderfully flowing pigments. When painting on this surface, one is always surprised with the outcome! $400, Image 23”H x 16”W, Frame 29”H x 22”W

My third painting in this exhibit, Sunlight on Pears is an example of transparent watercolor on gesso-coated 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper. This technique offers more subdued colors and allows the artist to lift color easily to achieve interesting lighting effects. $250, Image 10”H x 13” W, Frame 16”H x 20” W.

"The Many Faces of Watercolor" Exhibit at Lost Pines Art Center, Bastrop

This show runs August 3 – Sept 30, 2018 and is located at the Lost Pines Art Center’s Main Gallery, 1204 Chestnut St, Bastrop, Texas 78602. During our Reception this Saturday, Sept 15, 2018, I will demonstrate painting transparent watercolor on gessoed paper.

Commissioned Painting

When my art patron was a nine year old child, her mother's friend had a vision about her walking ahead of Jesus in a field of white daisies. She was picking only the damaged flowers and handing them to Jesus. My art patron wished to have this vision, foretelling her future of healing through physical and massage therapy, be the inspiration for this painting that she could display in her physical and massage therapy clinic. She selected features from some of the many, varied ideas that I submitted to her. I combined her choices in a Photoshopped idea which she loved. It looked very similar to this finished painting. The finished painting is very textured, comprised of gel and rice paper collage, and acrylic paint.

Her mother's friend's vision:

Various proposals for ideas for the painting:

Preparing the canvas for painting:

Rice paper collage and gel on canvas, beginning to paint...

Working on the painting...

Detail of the painting as I worked on it...

The finished painting hanging at Enhanced Performance Therapy in Austin, Texas.

Juried and Win again in the Texas Watercolor Society!

I am pleased to be juried and win an award for a second year in a row in the Texas Watercolor Society's 67th Annual National Exhibit! My 2014 trip to India was so visually inspirational. This year's winner, Bangalore Street Scene, illustrates the congested city street near the KL Market. Color sparks through the neutrals in this painting capturing the hazy atmosphere. This painting won the Waterloo Watercolor Award, juror Frank Francese. This show runs April 1 - May 25, 2016 at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery, 239 W. San Antonio St, New Braunfels, Texas.

2015 Texas Watercolor Society's 66th Annual National Exhibit

I am honored to have my watercolor painting Bangalore Bus Ride juried into this exhibit with artists from 22 states represented! Internationally renowned artist and instructor Steve Rogers was the juror and I was awarded the Dick Blick Award! This painting was inspired on my trip to India in 2014. April 13 - May 29, 2015 at The Radius Center, 106 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, Texas.

Bangalore Bus Ride, watercolor, Image 16”H x 29”W, Frame 24”H x 36”H

Commissioned painting

Looking for a unique abstract painting that went with their decor, taste, and specific dimensions on their living room wall, an Austin couple commissioned me to paint this large 36" high x 60" wide acrylic painting on gallery-wrap canvas. They enjoyed seeing this painting progress at its different stages - viewing it in my studio, on their wall, and even out on my dock one evening!

Colored Pencil Demonstration & Workshop

February 12 & 14, 2014  Martha gave a demonstration and workshop in colored pencil drawing techniques for the Canyon Lake Arts Guild, Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 S. Access, Canyon Lake, Texas 78133.

Commissioned Painting for Horizon Bank Lobby

December 2013. Stop in to view my newest painting! Framed and installed in the lobby of the Horizon Bank in downtown Austin, Texas on the northwest corner of Congress Ave. and 6th Street is a commissioned 30"H x 44"W watercolor painting. The theme is the Capitol of Texas, located in Austin, surrounded by some of Austin's classic live music venues: Stubb's Bar-B-Q, The Continental Club, Scoot Inn, Donn's Depot, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Armadillo World Headquarters, Carousel Lounge, and Ranch 616. The bank is located at 600 Congress Ave G-260, Austin, TX 78701.

Martha's painting in North Hills Gallery's Permanent Collection

My watercolor painting Guadalajara Mariachis was purchased as an award by the North Hills Gallery in Austin, Texas in 2007. See this painting and the exhibit which includes the seven Artists of the Permanent Collection Aug. 1 through Sept. 2, 2013.