"Mykonos in May" receives the Jack Richeson Merchandise Award!

©Becky Brocato
"Mykonos in May"
23.5" x 17.5"
Watercolor on Arches 300 CP

My watercolor painting, "Mykonos in May," has been accepted in the Watercolor Art Society-Houston 40th Annual Members Exhibit. It also received the Jack Richeson Merchandise Award, so I am very pleased that this painting has finally been given a nod of approval from a nationally known juror, Jan Fabian Wallake, author of Watercolor: Pour It On. I hope you will make plans to attend the Opening Reception on Friday, October 9, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at the WAS-H Gallery, 1601 West Alabama, Houston TX 77006. Wine and refreshments will be served. Judge Jan Wallake will be giving awards at 6:30 pm. This wonderful show will be on exhibit from Tuesday, October 6 to Friday, November 6, 2009, so if you are unable to attend the opening reception, try to make plans to see the show at some point over the next month. You will not be disappointed, I promise!

Fall is in the Air

©Becky Brocato
"Fall Mums"
7" x 7"
Watercolor on Arches 140 CP

This is a watercolor of a mingling of mums, in all the colors of a crisp fall morning! This image, titled Fall Mums, also appears in my set of Floral Seasons note cards in my Etsy shop.

I've also recently started on a new commission of a couple of cute kiddos, a sister and a brother in a little red Radio Flyer wagon. Such a timeless image! It is from a photo taken several years ago by my client. I think they are around 1 and 5 in the image. So fun! I will be posting that when it is complete.

I have been in two Art Shows recently, selling my note cards, prints, bookmarks, small pocket note books, etc. Both shows were successful, and I will be in two more this fall. I am looking forward to meeting and visiting with new people in my community, and sharing information about my art.

In the Garden - Caladium Note cards

I thoroughly enjoyed painting these four varieties of Caladiums: Gingerland, Miss Muffet, White Queen and Red Flash. The fused and blended colors of watercolor fit these lovely garden favorites to a T.

I just listed a set of note cards for purchase on my Etsy shop featuring these four paintings. I'm a bit of a paper snob, so the quality on these are premium: Classic Crest 80 lb Solar White with matching envelopes (not cheap see-through envelopes!). Blank inside for your personal message. They are great as a treat for yourself (everyone needs to send a handwritten note from time to time!) or as a gift for a special someone: teacher, new bride, birthday girl, gardener.

"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!