Original Watercolor by Becky Brocato "Sticking Close"

©Becky Brocato
"Sticking Close" 18" x 18"
Watercolor on 140 lb Arches CP

We had a great time at the Opening Reception of the Texas Watercolor Society 62nd Annual Exhibit in San Antonio, Texas, this past Saturday evening. It was held at the San Antonio Art League and Museum, which is located at 130 King William Street in the beautiful King William Historic District. I am so pleased and honored that my watercolor painting, "Sticking Close," is included in this Exhibit. A big "thank you" to all who came to the Opening Reception. I truly appreciate your interest in and support of my work! This Exhibit has around 50 beautiful water media paintings by artists from all across the United States, and it will be on display throughout the month of June, so I hope you will make time to go by and see it if you are traveling to San Antonio this month.

On Sunday, before heading back to Houston, we browsed the shops in La Villita Historic Arts Village in Downtown San Antonio. I totally enjoyed meeting and visiting with Ugur Kilic (photographer, graphic designer and web site designer) and Susan Carlin (artist and owner) of Nueva Street Gallery. This is one of my favorite galleries in downtown San Antonio, and they always have a wonderful variety of high quality art pieces from 19 amazing artists. The next time you are in San Antonio, you should definitely stop in.

New Family Portrait Commission "Attitude is Everything"

©Becky Brocato
"Attitude is Everything"
15" x 15"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

This is a recently completed family portrait commission. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. This family loves to go snowboarding together. They are very outdoorsy, so this fit them to a T. And they are very happy with it! What I love about this image is the attitude of the kiddo in front, ready to tear down the mountain!

Do you have a great family photo that would make an even better watercolor painting? I would love to create a family portrait to be featured in your home or office! Contact me for details. beckybrocato@earthlink.net

"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.

Runnymede Country Inn

©Becky Brocato
"A Fall Morning at Runnymede"
11" x 14"
Watercolor on Arches 140 lb CP

I completed the Runnymede Country Inn commission. Anne, co-owner of this elegant English-style country inn in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, says they will be hanging it on the wall above the guest book table. Very nice placement! And she has also ordered little fold-over note cards with the image of the painting on the front.

For reference, I used photos that I took last fall when my girlfriends and I spent a shopping weekend in Fredericksburg. The photos were taken in early morning on a crisp Novemeber day. You can see a slight pink glow behind this lovely home, fading up to a soft blue Hill Country sky. I really enjoyed painting this wonderful Bed & Breakfast!

"Summer Pals"

©Becky Brocato
"Summer Pals"
5" x 7"
Watercolor on Arches 140 CP

This little painting is a moment in time several years ago. The middle boy is my son, and the two other boys are our friends' two sons. Our two families were on a great summer vacation together in a rural area near Reliance, Tennessee, close to the Ocoee River. Great memories!

I love to paint people when they are engaged in something: doing a job, enjoying a walk with friends, playing a game of cards, playing a sport. I like to show a snapshot of someone's day. These types of paintings evoke such great memories in most viewers.

"Summer Pals" received an Honorable Mention award at the Watercolor Art Society-Houston July Monthly Exhibit, and will be on display there until August 2. The Watercolor Art Society - Houston is located at 1601 West Alabama in Houston, Texas.