Loving the luminosity of underpainting with watercolors. The immediacy of the element of water and the light, reflective surface of the paper inspire a freshness in color and line. The above paintings, Aqua I & II, done for Site Unseen 9 at Site Santa Fe, were actually painted poolside on a spring break jaunt to look at colleges in Florida, inspired by water itself.
After these pieces, I have been experimenting taking them to the next level by creating a barrier layer and then painting back into them with acrylics in the studio. I'm always thinking in layers, adding and removing paint and the subtle patinas of layering color. The watercolor underlayer provides the foundation and the challenge is retaining the immediacy and freshness of the original idea and sketch.