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!