Throwback Thursday – Bearded Barbet Transparent Watercolor

This painting was especially fun to work on. I took numerous photos of Bearded Barbets at the Toledo Zoo. Images taken in zoos have their limits. Often the backgrounds leave a lot to be desired. After a lot of research, … Continued

Eastern Screech Owl Transparent Watercolor Step-by-step

posted in: Finished Paintings, Step-by-Step | 2

This drawing sat on the back burner for a long, long time before it made the transition into a painting. I did the sketches for this at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2000. That may be my all-time favorite natural … Continued

Mya: Mixed Breed Dog Step-by-Step Transparent Watercolor

posted in: Finished Paintings, Step-by-Step | 0

It was fun to work on this commissioned painting. Mya is not only a very pretty dog, but she has an interesting back story. She was discovered in Mexico where she was living on the streets and “counting down her last … Continued

Throwback Thursday– Smooth-billed Ani Transparent Watercolor

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Here is another “Blast from the Past.” I finished this painting in 2002.  I especially enjoyed painting the Everglades-looking scrubby vegetation and the bronzy colors of the Ani. Although the Smooth-billed Ani looks a bit like a grackle, they are … Continued

Throwback Thursday–D’Arnaud’s Barbet

I was revisiting some old artwork while creating my new website.There are about 170 watercolor paintings to go through. Some I almost forgot, but not this one. It was always a favorite because of the unusual background. D’Arnaud’s barbets are … Continued

Throwback Thursday– Maui Amakihi Transparent Watercolor

Old? Yes, this one is from 1998. This painting shows a pair of Maui ‘Amakihi. I got the reference photos of these energetic little honeycreepers at Hosmer’s Grove in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui. The birds were … Continued

Male Dimorphic Jumping Spider on Daisy Transparent Watercolor Step-by-step

Most spiders get a bad rap. Almost all are beneficial, devouring garden pests and presenting no harm to humans whatsoever. Sure, some have a sinister look to them, but they mostly live their lives hiding out, waiting for their next meal. In … Continued

Spur-winged Plover Transparent Watercolor Step-by-step

posted in: Finished Paintings, Step-by-Step | 0

The boldly patterned Spur-winged Plover (Vanellus spinosus) is a fairly common lapwing from Africa and the Eastern Mediterannean. The bird has a loud call to match it’s in-your-face plumage, described as sounding like “Did he do it?” Of course this just leaves me with more … Continued