Katy Market Days, August 16, 2014

"Texas Gothic"

Original Watercolor by Becky Brocato

I painted this from a photo that I took

of the little church on the grounds of

the Antique Rose Emporium, just north

of Brenham, Texas.

I will have a booth at the Katy Market Days, in Katy, Texas, on Saturday, August 16, from 10 am to 5 pm. I hope you will stop by if you are in the area. I have note cards of my original watercolor paintings, which make great teacher gifts for Back to School Night! Also, my open edition prints are matted in standard frame sizes, making it a snap to pick out a frame at Hobby Lobby (they will frame it for you while you wait, if it is not a real busy framing day). But wait, there's more! I also have a few framed prints and originals that are ready to hang on your wall or brighten a corner of a bookshelf. Hope to see you there!

"Sweet Cherries", my demo for the Intro to Watercolor Workshop on Thursday, July 31

"Sweet Cherries"
Original Watercolor by Becky Brocato
Arches 140 lb Cold Press
5x7"

Just a quick update on the Summer Boredom Buster: Introduction to Watercolor One Day Workshop last Thursday, July 31. I had a great class of five eager and enthusiastic learners. We started out with the basics:

•how to tear the full sheets of watercolor paper down to quarter sheets for a lovely deckled edge
•how to tape the sheets of paper to the base board (Gatorboard)
•how to mix water and paint on the palette to fully load the brush
•several basic techniques to get the paint onto the paper
•basic wash techniques
•how to use a "thirsty brush" to control the excess water in a painted shape
•glazing

Then I took them step by step through the painting of "Sweet Cherries," while the class painted along. This 5x7 painting utilized the basics that were covered, with emphasis on the "thirsty brush," and how to keep an eye on the bead of paint at the bottom of a painted shape, etc.

Mark your calendar now for Thursday, September 18, 2014. I will be teaching another Introduction to Watercolor One Day Workshop at Katy Contemporary Arts Museum in Katy, Texas. It will build on the same techniques, helping to reinforce those basics to complete another small painting to take home and hang proudly in your home. Stay tuned!

Summer Boredom Buster!

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching a one-day "Introduction to Watercolor" workshop at the Katy Contemporary Arts Museum School of Art on July 31, 2014. You know the summer starts dragging and getting way too hot to be outside, so come enjoy a fun day of playing with the paint and keeping cool in this awesome art space!

Here is a link with all the details:

http://kcamschool.com/calendar.asp?pageid=114&calid=285

If you are in the Katy, Texas area, you should really visit/join this beautiful new art museum and take advantage of all it has to offer the community!

See you at Kcam on July 31?? I hope so!

Becky Brocato
Watercolorist

"Santa Fe Sky, Early Evening"

I have recently started painting again after a bit of a hiatus. Life got in the way, as they say. So here is my most recent effort. I took a workshop from Iain Stewart at the Watercolor Art Society-Houston a couple of weeks ago, and I really enjoyed learning from him! I love his teaching style (very laid back and FUN!) and his work is just phenomenal. I am feeling revitalized in my art.

"Santa Fe Sky, Early Evening"

Original Watercolor by Becky Brocato

10 x 8

©Becky Brocato

"Mo," a recent pet portrait

©Becky Brocato
"Mo"
11" x 14"
Watercolor on 300 lb Arches CP


This pet portrait commission that I recently completed is of an amazing Chocolate Lab named Mo. He was such a special pet for his family for many years, so after he passed, his owners wanted a really special remembrance of him. The lady of the house was especially close to Mo because he was her constant and faithful companion when the kids were at school and her husband was at work, which included a lot of business travel. I was so happy when she received the portrait last night and she teared up. She said I had captured his image, his personality and the light in his eyes. Mission accomplished.

I used several photos as reference material for this painting. The out-of-doors background was not in the original photo, as it was taken inside their home. Also, the lighting was from a flash, which flattened out his features and changed the color of his eyes. So I really had a challenge making the shadows, highlights and his eye color look more natural. I really enjoyed painting this portrait, and I am very happy with the results!

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.

A watercolor portrait of three sisters

©Becky Brocato
"The 3Cs: Carli, Celbi and Cirby" 11" x 14"
Watercolor on 300lb Arches CP

I really loved painting this portrait of three sisters when they were young. They are in their late teens and early 20s now, so it's a poignant look back at their childhood, as they enjoyed a beautiful fall day in the Texas Hill Country. It was so fun watching them come to life with paint and brush!

"Spring Azaleas" in Watercolor Art Society-Houston January Exhibit

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

Although I completed this a while ago, I'm finally entering it in an exhibit. "Spring Azaleas" is a reminder that it will soon be warming up here in Houston, and I can't wait! I am not a fan of cold, rainy, dreary days like today! I painted this from a photo I took of the azaleas in my front yard. They put on quite a show in my flower garden each spring! This painting is custom framed in a simple black contemporary wooden frame with museum quality materials and an 8-ply white mat. Framed size is 14" x 14" and ready to hang.

I hope you'll come by the WAS-H Gallery sometime this month and enjoy the watermedia art exhibit. The show will be on display until February 10, 2011. The opening reception is Friday, January 14, 2011, from 6 to 8pm. Light refreshments and wine will be served.

"Texas in Springtime" Is In the Watercolor Art Society-Houston Small Paintings Exhibit

©Becky Brocato
"Texas in Springtime"

•SOLD•

7" x 5"
Watercolor on Aquabord

I love painting images of the Texas Hill Country, and this little gem is on view and for sale at the Watercolor Art Society-Houston Small Paintings Exhibit until January 6, 2011. I hope you will make plans to attend the Opening Reception and Silent Auction on Friday, December 10, 2010 from 6 to 8 pm. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome, so bring the whole family. The WAS-H Gallery is located at 1601 West Alabama (at Mandell), Houston, Texas 77006, 713-942-9966.

The WAS-H Small Paintings Exhibit is a wonderful opportunity to purchase original art at GREAT prices! And 10% of all sales will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisana.

UPDATE Saturday, December 11, 2010:

My little painting, "Texas in Springtime," sold last night at the Small Paintings Exhibit Opening Reception. So happy that it has a new home!

Watercolor Painting "The 12th at Augusta"

©Becky Brocato
"The 12th at Augusta"
8" x 10"
Watercolor on Aquabord

This painting, aptly titled "The 12th at Augusta", depicts the 12th (Golden Bell) hole at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. This particular hole is in a segment of the course which is known as the Amen Corner. Since 1934, this famous golf club has played host to the annual Masters Tournament, one of the four major championships in professional golf. The painting is now in the collection of an appreciative winner, as it was in the lineup of prizes for the Williams United Way Golf Tournament yesterday at Blackhorse Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

This was a fun painting to create. Lots of color in the azaleas made it a pleasure to paint. The real challenge was getting a variety of greens in the trees and foliage, and I think I achieved that.

Watercolor Commission "Marcus at 9"

©Becky Brocato
"Marcus at 9"
12" x 9"
Watercolor on 300lb Arches

Here is my most recent portrait commission. Marcus is my niece's son, so he's my great nephew. My source was a photo that his mom said is one of her favorites. Marcus is now 13, so this is a sweet reminder of when her little man was not a teenager!

Here's what she had to say: "You are amazingly talented!! I LOVE my painting "Marcus at 9"."

Red Rose

©Becky Brocato
"Red Rose"
5" x 5"
Watercolor on Aquabord

I've recently completed a set of four small paintings of roses. They are on Ampersand Aquabord, very cool surface! it really holds the brilliance of the watercolor pigment. This is the "Red Rose," which grows in my yard. It is a Don Juan rose, and they climb up the side of my fence, so lush and red, in the spring. The other three paintings are "Yellow Rose," "Pink Rose," and "Peach Rose."

I also finished a portrait commission, but the client does not have it yet. I'll post it soon!

Watercolor Portrait Commission

©Becky Brocato
"Steve: To a Well-Lived Life"
8" x 10"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

This is a very special portrait commission that I recently completed. It is titled "Steve: To a Well-Lived Life." The subject of this painting passed away suddenly several years ago, and it was such a shock to his family. When his sister, Chris, commissioned me to paint a portrait from one of the last photos that was taken of him, I was a bit nervous at first, hoping that I could capture the essence of his personality.

The photo had been taken by a friend while on a vacation to Lake Travis, so it was a fun and relaxed time. I simplified the background to make his image the focal point of the painting. I am happy to say that the client was very pleased with the completed painting. Here is a note from Chris: "...I wish I could express how much joy this project has brought me. I hope for you as an artist, you will find satisfaction and happiness not only in your incredible artistic ability but in how profoundly you will touch the lives of our entire family by bringing this portrait to life."

This is one of the reasons I enjoy doing portrait commissions. It really means something to the person who commissions it. If I've done a good job, it brings them joy. That is indeed fulfilling.

Opening Reception for Visual Arts Alliance Exhibit

We had a wonderful evening at the Visual Arts Alliance 27th Open Juried Exhibit at the Williams Tower Gallery. It is a great show, lots of interesting and beautifully crafted works. It is on exhibit until May 28, 2010. I hope you will take the time to go see it. I feel very honored that my watercolor painting, "Teamwork," is in this show. It was painted using source photos that I took at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo while watching the Team Penning Event.

"Teamwork" in Visual Arts Alliance Exhibit

My painting "Teamwork" ( see previous post on March 6, 2010) has been accepted in the Visual Arts Alliance 27th Juried Open Exhibition at the Williams Tower Gallery in Houston, Texas USA. The opening reception (free of charge) is Thursday, April 29, from 6 to 8 pm. Wine and refreshments will be served. The amazing teacher, photographer and 2009 Texas Medal of Arts recipient, Keith Carter, who juried this exhibit, will be on hand to give awards.

The Williams Tower Gallery space is located in the front and back lobby areas on the ground floor of the Williams Tower, 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056. It is free of charge and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm. The show will be on exhibit from April 26 to May 28.

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

"Teamwork" accepted in International Exhibit

©Becky Brocato
"Teamwork"
18" x 18"
Watercolor on Arches 140 CP

My original watercolor, "Teamwork," has been accepted in the 33rd Watercolor Art Society-Houston International Exhibit 2010. As this is my third painting to be accepted in this prestigious exhibit, I will now be awarded Signature Membership status at the Opening Reception on Friday, March 12! I am very pleased and honored to finally reach this goal.

This painting was composed from a photo that I took at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo a couple of years ago. The event that is depicted here is the Team Penning Event. Perhaps these three fellows were discussing the competitors on the arena floor, or talking over strategy for their own go at it. Whatever the situation, I loved painting this composition, lots of fun shadows and highlights in their shirts and jeans.

Here's the info:
Watercolor Art Society 2010 33rd International Exhibit
March 12, 2010
Opening Reception and Presentation of Awards
6 to 8 pm
WAS-H Gallery
1601 West Alabama
Houston TX 77006

This show is on exhibit until April 9, 2010.

I hope you can come to the Opening Reception or stop in sometime soon to see this fabulous exhibit of some of the very best in watermedia art!

"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.