"Beth and Billie: A Radio Flyer Day"

©Becky Brocato
"Beth and Billie: A Radio Flyer Day"
9" x 12"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

This commission is complete and has been presented to the family. I painted the kids using a photo taken when they were little. And the background was composed from one of my photos that I took of a pretty country road a few years ago. They are very pleased with how it turned out. The mom had this to say about the new painting, which will hang over their fireplace:

"This was one of my favorite photos of the kids when they were young; unfortunately the background was a dirty garage. The painting captures the kids perfectly and now they are surrounded by a scenic background. I smile every time I look at it!"

Thank you, Sherry and Paul, for entrusting me with this wonderful little moment in Beth and Billie's young lives!

By the way, blog readers, if you were going to have a painting done of a family member, would you prefer a formal portrait or a slice-of-life painting? Just curious.

"Gandering Geese" accepted in Visual Arts Alliance Membership Exhibit

My "Gandering Geese" original watercolor (see previous post), is included in the Visual Arts Alliance 27th Juried Membership Exhibit at One Allen Center, 500 Dallas Street in Houston, Texas. The show will be on display in this beautiful space from November 4 to December 4, 2009.

"Gandering Geese" at Rice University Water Conference Art Exhibit

©Becky Brocato
"Gandering Geese"
24" x 20"
Watercolor on Arches 140 CP

My watercolor painting, "Gandering Geese," is on display at Farnsworth Pavillion in the Ley Student Center as a part of the "Water-Effects on Life in the Houston Area" Conference at Rice University in Houston, Texas, USA. The art will be on exhibit until October 28.

About my painting: this watercolor was painted in 2007 using photos that I took at the Duck Pond on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, USA. I was really pleased with the way the sunlight was just glowing on this white goose. So fun to paint! And of course, the white of this goose is the white of the paper. This is a transparent watercolor painting.

"Mykonos in May" receives the Jack Richeson Merchandise Award!

©Becky Brocato
"Mykonos in May"
23.5" x 17.5"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

My watercolor painting, "Mykonos in May," has been accepted in the Watercolor Art Society-Houston 40th Annual Members Exhibit. It also received the Jack Richeson Merchandise Award, so I am very pleased that this painting has finally been given a nod of approval from a nationally known juror, Jan Fabian Wallake, author of Watercolor: Pour It On. I hope you will make plans to attend the Opening Reception on Friday, October 9, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at the WAS-H Gallery, 1601 West Alabama, Houston TX 77006. Wine and refreshments will be served. Judge Jan Wallake will be giving awards at 6:30 pm. This wonderful show will be on exhibit from Tuesday, October 6 to Friday, November 6, 2009, so if you are unable to attend the opening reception, try to make plans to see the show at some point over the next month. You will not be disappointed, I promise!

Fall is in the Air

©Becky Brocato
"Fall Mums"
7" x 7"
Watercolor on Arches 140 CP

This is a watercolor of a mingling of mums, in all the colors of a crisp fall morning! This image, titled Fall Mums, also appears in my set of Floral Seasons note cards in my Etsy shop.

I've also recently started on a new commission of a couple of cute kiddos, a sister and a brother in a little red Radio Flyer wagon. Such a timeless image! It is from a photo taken several years ago by my client. I think they are around 1 and 5 in the image. So fun! I will be posting that when it is complete.

I have been in two Art Shows recently, selling my note cards, prints, bookmarks, small pocket note books, etc. Both shows were successful, and I will be in two more this fall. I am looking forward to meeting and visiting with new people in my community, and sharing information about my art.

In the Garden - Caladium Note cards

I thoroughly enjoyed painting these four varieties of Caladiums: Gingerland, Miss Muffet, White Queen and Red Flash. The fused and blended colors of watercolor fit these lovely garden favorites to a T.

I just listed a set of note cards for purchase on my Etsy shop featuring these four paintings. I'm a bit of a paper snob, so the quality on these are premium: Classic Crest 80 lb Solar White with matching envelopes (not cheap see-through envelopes!). Blank inside for your personal message. They are great as a treat for yourself (everyone needs to send a handwritten note from time to time!) or as a gift for a special someone: teacher, new bride, birthday girl, gardener.

"King Me!"

©Becky Brocato
"King Me!"
18.75" x 12.5"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

As you may recall, I painted a portrait commission of Lily and her doll a few months back, "Breakfast With 'Nochio." Here are her two brothers, Tucker and Duncan, playing a game of checkers out on the back deck at their grandparents' home. Just another little moment in time. I hope the family will cherish these paintings for a lifetime!