"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!

"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.

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.