Lelia

Pink Orchid

Pink Orchid - Original painting on Arches. I am a self taught artist. I believe that it is my advantage in my work. Though, I have studied and practiced many practical watercolor techniques, I am still drawn to the unconventional. I love creating work using almost pure pigments. My technique is straight forward. I do use glazing, but am drawn to the simplest approach. If I want a deep cobalt, Instead of layering several pale shades, I just apply the color I am desiring directly to the paper in full strength, most often using several brushed loaded with pigments at one time. It's like conducting an orchestra! I feel that the transparency of watercolor and it's ability to flow, complements my own personality. It is strong, sometimes unpredictable, yet controllable. I have to have a vision of the painting before I start, as watercolors do not lend themselves to mistakes. They seldom can be re-worked. They are immediate and direct. I would also say that the spontaneous nature of the medium is exiting. That is what my goal is when I create. That all these attributes can be discerned and appreciated by the viewer.