Monday, March 23, 2009

It's Springtime in Texas!














©Becky Brocato
"Texas Morning"
7" x 5"
Watercolor on AquaBord

I don't know about you, but I love Texas wildflowers! I posted a few new items to my Etsy shop today. One of my favorites is this little barn, which is so recognizable in the Texas Hill Country, or anywhere in Texas, for that matter. The original is available at Hanson's Art and Frame on Memorial Drive in Houston, and I am offering matted reproductions in my Etsy shop. I hope you will click over and take a look at my shop. The wildflowers only last a short time, but you can purchase a memory to be displayed in your home or office and enjoyed for many years!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Great first day of the Judy Morris Watercolor Workshop

Today, we learned a new technique for a smooth wash, very different and definitely faster than my old way! Can't wait to use it in a painting. Also, the use of different kinds of salts to make wonderful textures on subjects such as adobe buildings, rocks, etc. I already feel I've gotten my money's worth, and it's only the first day! Can't wait to see what is in store tomorrow....

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Judy Morris Workshop, Spring Azaleas and other things

















©Becky Brocato
"Spring Azaleas"
7" x 7"
Watercolor on Arches 140 CP

I am excited about attending the Judy Morris Watercolor Workshop next week at Watercolor Art Society-Houston. She is an amazing watercolorist, writer and workshop teacher, so I look forward to learning new things from her.

Today, I've been photographing my new note card series for my Etsy shop. I just listed them today. They are a series called Floral Seasons, and they are reproduced from four of my paintings depicting flowers of the four seasons: Winter Pansies, Spring Azaleas (shown above), Summer Zinnias and Fall Mums. I hope you will go visit my shop and look around at my latest items. Mother's Day is coming up. I know any mom would love these lovely little note cards. Go see for yourself!

And speaking of Azaleas! Mine are just beginning to bloom. I would say within a couple of days they will be putting on quite a show. I did have to replace one of my big azalea shrubs last week. It had slowly lost its leaves and passed on to the big garden in the sky, so Covington's Nursery got a little of my business this week.

I'll be finishing up my Runnymede Country Inn commission soon. It's coming along, but not quite there yet. I'll post it when complete, probably after the workshop at WAS-H is over.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Abstracts, a little different style for me


















©Becky Brocato
"Abstract Landscape 1"
3.5" x 2.5"
Watercolor on Arches 140 lb CP

Today I had a great time painting some small ACEOs for my Etsy shop. ACEO stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals, and they are 3.5" x 2.5". Collecting ACEOs is a great way to start a little original art collection on a budget. I had some Arches 140 lb watercolor paper left from a larger painting, so I decided to do a series of small wet-in-wet abstract landscapes. I used indigo, cadmium red deep, quinacridone gold and burnt siena. So fun! A bit different from my usual tight realism. I love the way the pigment blended and feathered. I tore the edges for a contemporary look. They would look great either float mounted or matted in a simple black frame. If you are interested in purchasing one or more of these little delights (four in all), visit my Etsy shop. Enjoy!