"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!

Summer is on its way-Caladiums!

©Becky Brocato
"Caladiums-Miss Muffet"
Image size: 5" x 5" (12.7 x 12.7cm)
Paper size: 8.5" x 11" (21.59 x 27.94cm)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb acid free card stock
Unmatted and Unframed

I just listed some new items in my Etsy shop. They are reproductions of several varieties of caladiums that I painted in watercolor. This one is my favorite - Miss Muffet variety. I loved painting these! The colors were fun to blend and fuse.

I also painted on Duncan and Tucker's portraits today. They are looking nice! Will post when completed, and after delivery to their family.

Fiery Abstract 1, ACEO

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

I just posted four little Fiery Abstract Landscapes on my Etsy shop. This one is my favorite, but they were all great fun to do! Lots of wet on wet technique, layering and fusing. These little paintings are ACEOs, which stands for Art Cards, Editions, and Originals. They are miniature works of art the size of a trading card or playing card - 2.5" x 3.5" (6.35 x 8.89cm) - and they're an inexpensive way to buy original art.

I have the approved drawing ready for Duncan and Tucker's portraits, so I'll be starting the painting tomorrow.

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!

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!

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....

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.