Monday, March 7, 2011

Watercolor............PANIC!


Watercolors…..

I’ve been painting forever. I’ve learned a few things during those years and a great number of those things are now under the heading of “Don’t EVER do that again!” It seems that I am one of those hard-headed people who won’t take advice from those who “know”; unfortunately, I have to learn the hard way.

As I scan down that list of things to not try again, I see “Watercolors”. I added that to my list so many years ago that I truly think it happened when I was in high school! I have never been a fan of painting with watercolors, but I admire watercolorists greatly! Anyone who can keep their strokes clean, crisp and pure is to be put on a pedestal. David Gross, my studio partner, is one of those. Not only can he keep those strokes perfect, but he is prolific. I spoke with him around noon today and he had completed 8 paintings this morning!
A month ago, David convinced me I should give it a try. In typical Kay fashion, I needed to have my hand held, needed to be shown exactly how to do it….I was paralyzed the moment I picked up the brush! It is indeed strange how desperate I am to not look stupid! David commented on my hesitation; he said “if that was a new recipe you would dive right in!” How right he was. Cooking is in my comfort zone….
watercolor painting is not.

Now that I have spent the last few weeks working exclusively in watercolor, the panic feeling has disappeared, but I still hesitate before I dip that wet brush into a pan of vibrant color.

So, why am I telling you this? I’m not sure, other than I think I am having fun! It turns out, as I thought in the beginning, I am not a watercolorist, but I am, as I always knew, a freak for collage. As the stack of failures piled up on my desk, I knew I had to salvage them some way. David had provided wonderful (and very expensive) watercolor paper for me to work on and I simply could not just toss them in the trash. Out came the scissors, the glue, the markers. My first watercolor collage is above.
It isn't too impressive, I know, but it is a start.  I just keep repeating those words, my new mantra....
"Clean, crisp pure....Clean, crisp, pure..."
Who knows, it might work.



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Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
oil painting by Kay Tucker

Somerset Autumn on Wea Creek

Somerset Autumn on Wea Creek
Oil Painting by Kay Tucker, Private Collection

Floral

Floral
oil painting by Kay Tucker

Kansas Storm

Kansas Storm
oil painting by Kay Tucker, Private Collection

Watercolor Collage

Watercolor Collage

Tempo al Tempo....All in Good Time

Tempo al Tempo....All in Good Time
48"x36" sculptural painting by Kay Tucker