Curtained Nest

Curtained Nest, 2009

Watercolor on watercolor stock, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

I'm often torn about whether to give names to these, or not. I could call all of them, or many of them, Untitled. But I love giving them titles.

At the same time as I love the naming, though, I don't want to lead a viewer strongly in a particular direction, a particular way of seeing a piece, when that person could be seeing it with fresh eyes, seeing things that I didn't see in it. I hope, if you see cliffs, or forests, or underground streams, or - who knows? - planets in deep, dark outer space, that you'll stick with your way of seeing this.

This is one of my favorites, somehow. It started out seeming rather unpromising, to me - rather impoverished colors; one shape I liked quite a bit with a bunch of boring parallel lines, and a couple of indifferent areas of color; some directional shapes and spaces that didn't seem to go anywhere. I still liked it, but couldn't see where it should go to come alive. I think the journey this one took shows the value in continuing when you can't see the road ahead - now I love it.

For me, it has a kind of sweetness, while still feeling light - the delicate taste of maple sap before it's been boiled down to maple syrup, rather than the thicker, warmer sweetness of honey. And along with its warmth, there's a cool, breezy feeling about it.

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Black Lightning

Black Lightning, 2008

Watercolor on bristol stock, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Now this one has more of that edgy energy, tangles and collisions, and elements dancing with each other. Earth colors framing a watery space, and that jagged black lightning bolt springing in from the left, and some bubbles peering at it.

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Rooting House

Rooting House, 2008

Watercolor on illustration board, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

This piece feels very rich to me, as if parts of it were gold leafed, decorated with filigree. The house seems to be extending its eaves out into the sky and the universe, the living air leaning up against it; and sending its roots down to infiltrate the earth.

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Haiku Sky

Haiku Sky, 2009

Watercolor on paper, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

It was really hard for me to leave this one as simple as it is. I always think more details, more work, more "bits" are needed. The gesture of this one feels very free, sweeping, swooping, soaring; with a little punctuation, a little spray, maybe, and the bare hint of green spring landscape below.

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Another Haiku Colors

Deep Moonrise, 2008

Watercolor on illustration board (cold press), 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

I like the simplicity of this one. For me, it has a feeling of ease and expansion, and the orange gives it vitality. Deep breaths, now...

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A new thing: Haiku Colors, miniature watercolors

Here's a new thing I've been doing lately. These are very small watercolors, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", painted on either illustration board, bristol stock, watercolor paper or something Strathmore calls textured paper; I call them Haiku Colors. I have been enjoying painting them. I work on a number of them at the same time, keeping them going over many sessions, feeling for what they need for balance, energy, aliveness and depth.

I will add a sidebar explanation of these pieces, soon. Above you see the first three I finished, with some other objects to give a sense of their size.

Here's a closer look at the first one:

Sky Dance, 2008

Again, this is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", watercolor on bristol stock. For me, this gives a feeling of lush abundance, liveliness and excitement, and stretching.

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