When A Gondelier Image Won’t Let Go

Back in early May 2025, I captured a photo of two Italian gondoliers emerging from one of the many tunnel walkways in Venice. The image has stayed with me for nine months. I kept returning to it, asking myself: how could I take that fleeting moment and turn it into a powerful painting?

For me, the dramatic black and white and the aged brick walls were what made the scene compelling. The contrast, the texture, the sense of history — those were the elements I wanted to interpret with paint on paper.

Painting # 1

For my first attempt, I pulled out a full sheet of watercolor paper (30" x 22"), one of my favorite ways to work — big and bold. Before beginning, I spent time on small trials, attempting to capture the character of the old brick walls.

In this version, I expanded the scene and created a brigade of gondoliers marching out through the narrow tunnel.

The Start

March of the Godoliers
30" x 19
Transparent Watercolor

Although the painting was successful in many ways, I felt I could say more. The idea wasn’t finished with me yet. 

Let's Try it again! 

The next step was to create a study. I wanted to find a new approach — one I felt confident about — before committing to another large sheet of watercolor paper.

I was more satisfied returning to just two gondoliers, closer to the original image that had first captivated me. But the bricks still weren’t convincing, and the squared-off top of the tunnel entrance didn’t feel right.

So I paused and reflected on the many tools and approaches I’ve gathered over the years — from workshops, critique groups, and long hours experimenting in my studio.

A Week of Play 

It became clear that painting the brick walls traditionally wasn’t giving me the depth and texture I wanted.Collage, however, can introduce complexity and surprise, so I began experimenting.

Digging through my supplies, I found newspaper — a paper weight I enjoy using for collage. I painted the pieces with black gesso and let them dry. Then I made a couple of simple stamps and pulled out some old corrugated wrapping material tucked away in a corner of the studio.

Using the corrugated cardboard, I stamped brick-like lines in reds and whites over the gessoed newspaper. Once again, there was waiting involved. Layering takes patience.

It may not have looked like much at first — but I’ve learned to trust the process.

Maybe it doesn't look like much now, but wait.

Next, I revisited the first gondolier painting and realized the tunnel needed an archway rather than a square top. An arch felt truer to the architecture of Venice and added a stronger design element.

I pulled out crackle paste, thinking it would create the aged surface I was after. Once applied, it takes about 24 hours to dry and crack, producing a beautifully weathered texture.

Twenty-four hours later, the surface had transformed.

24 hours later

The Results of a Week's Work

Venetian Workers (working title)
Mixed Media
30x22

This second painting pushed me beyond watercolor alone. The addition of collage and texture gave the bricks the age and character I had been searching for, and the archway grounded the figures in a more believable space.

Sometimes a painting requires persistence. Sometimes it asks for play. And sometimes it simply asks us to keep looking until we truly see what we are trying to say.

From a Quiet Studio to New Paintings

A Dedicated Year

Exploring the Pond

As many of you know, I typically work in a series. That means that in my art, I try to focus on the same topic or theme over a period of time. I may paint outside of that theme on occasion, but my main focus is exploring ways to talk about one place, person, or landscape.

Last October, after a wonderful weekend with two close art friends, I chose the theme of the small pond just outside my studio. The pond has great personal meaning, and beyond that, it is home to creatures and plants that tell a different story each day.

Below, I am sharing all the paintings from this series. Feel free to scroll through and leave comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

From Water to Silk
Transparent watercolor
29 x 21

 

From Water to Silk #2
Transparent watercolor
29 x 21

Round and Round They Go
Transparent Watercolor
28 x21

View From Above
Mixed Media
16 x 12

The Flow of Things
Transparent Watercolor
21 x 15

Fish
Transparent Watercolor
22 x 18

Now You See Me, Now You Don't
Transparent Watercolor
22 x 18

Kawasemi Kimono
Mixed Media
29 x21

Guilty as Charged
Mixed Media
29 x21

Reflections
Transparent Watercolor
9 x 12

Jeremiah and Friends
Mixed Media
11 x 14

Feed Me
Mixed Media
11 x 14

Lunch in the Pond
Transparent Watercolor
16 x 20

Come On In
Mixed Media
16 x 20

Hide and Seek
Mixed Media
11 x 29

Working on this series has been a journey of observation and reflection. The pond, small as it is, holds a universe of life and stories that change every day. Through these paintings, I hope to share a glimpse of that beauty and encourage everyone to look closely at the small wonders around them. Thank you for taking this journey with me.

A Busy, Busy Fall

As October winds down, I’m hoping for quieter days — and more time in the studio. I’m itching to paint again!

A view of our home as the willows turn yellow.

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Watercolor Society of Oregon Convention

So where did October go? Early in the month, I spent four wonderful days in The Dalles for the Watercolor Society of Oregon’s Fall Convention. Mike rarely attends, but since we lived in The Dalles nearly fifty years ago, he wanted to revisit the past.

We picked up our friend, Karen Kreamer, and shared the cost of an Airbnb. Both Karen and I had paintings in the show, so we volunteered to deliver several other artists’ pieces to The Dalles Art Center.

From Water to Silk — now accepted into two shows.

A funny thing I realized this morning is that I completely forgot to take photos at the convention! So here’s the painting I had hanging in the show — From Water to Silk — which has now been accepted into two exhibitions.

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A Visit to Maryhill Museum of Art

What I did photograph plenty of was our visit to Maryhill Museum of Art. I hadn’t been there for many years, and my memory had faded. I was surprised by what a fantastic place it is!

Out in the “middle of nowhere,” about 30 minutes from The Dalles, Maryhill is a place where you can easily spend an entire day. The collection is incredible — especially the large gallery of works by Rodin.

Karen and Mike at the museum entrance

Rodin considered every piece of the human body art!

There were also paintings including a wonderful Thomas Hart Benton piece.

Thomas Hart Benton.

And an impressive room of Native American Art.

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Stonehenge and the Gorge

We ended our day a few miles down the road, where Sam Hill created a concrete replica of Stonehenge — a fascinating and unexpected sight.

Sam Hill’s Stonehenge.

Trust me — the rest of this busy month wasn’t nearly as interesting and exciting!

The Columbia River Gorge.

Looking Ahead

After such a full October, I’m grateful for the art, the memories, and the quiet moments ahead — brush in hand.

Stay tuned for the paintings soon to come.

The End of Summer At Sitka

As many years of teaching taught me, summer does end on August 31, regardless of what the calendar says. Vacationers generally head home, families have their last vacation before school starts, and of course, the leaves begin to change color. So in the last three days of summer (August 2025), I took great pleasure in teaching art at Sitka Center for Art and Ecology on the Oregon Coast.

In this 3-day workshop, I was sharing many ways to include pen and ink marking with watercolors. This group of 10 fellow art devotees really soaked up the ideas I presented. My goal, as always, is not to have participants paint like me, but to give them various ideas and tools to go home with. 

Day 1: Use a still life set up to paint loosely, then use pen and ink to finish it by containing the painted image in an artistic way.

Teacher's work: 
Garden on a checkerboard

I brought a vase and greenery from home, then painted like a wild woman. I never want my participants to just "watch," I want them to get ideas and go for it! 

I did not bring a tablecloth, but I felt like my bouquet needed to sit on something more substantial than a white table.

As you can see, the participants brought their own style to the

assignment. 

Day 2: On the second day my theme was "No matter where you are, no matter how blah your hotel room is, you can find something to paint. (ABSTRACT!)

Van Gogh's Chair

If Van Gogh painted a chair that now sits in the National Gallery of London, we can use a mug to create a piece of abstract art.

Take a mug then draw it from many angles. Put lines over one another.  Add patterns, colors if you wish, then step back and be in awe!

Day 2 Afternoon: This was a chance to go outside and find an area of the beauty of Sitka to sketch. I emphasized looking for small, medium and large shapes in the trees and shrubs.

Teacher's work
A Stone on the Walk

Sharing What Was Learned

Day 3: I asked participants to come to class with a quote or poem to be the theme of the day's art. I chose a small poem by Mary Oliver. Others used words that represented their goals. Some chose very personal words written by a deceased loved one. 

Teacher's work
Go Outside and Sing

Concentrating

Joy

I hope to return to Sitka next year to share art and art making.  A bonus is that my husband can join me and launch his boat every day!

My Doves

Last April doves appeared on our property for the first time. They were not our native morning doves, but rather the Eurasion collared doves. I was taken by the soft colors--you know the "dove" color you might buy in paints or clothing. I loved their flights in and out of the driveway and trees, so I painted them in an abstract lyrical way. I began with a gold gessoed paper, which requires painting with gouache (opaque watercolor), rather than transparent watercolors. I entered it into one competition where it was not accepted, then stuck it in a drawer where it was mostly forgotten.

Delicate Doves

This year the doves were back, as well as a small flock of morning doves. They renewed my interest in the flights, wings, cooing and gentleness of their appearance. Then I came across a poem written by Louisa May Alcott titled, "My Doves." As I read it I found many of her words related to my own feelings about these creatures. Not only did her words refer to doves, but how I would like our world change to be more full of "contentment, joy, and peace."

After a workshop with Jean Pederson, I've been thinking about how to personalize paintings as she emphasized. It's not enough to just paint a pretty painting, but I have a goal to make it "my" painting--different from others. So yesterday I pulled out the painting and put an archival spray varnish on the piece to prepare it for the words I put on today. I like using pen and ink, so that is how I chose to apply passages from the poem onto the art. Now, should it be hanging in a gallery or exhibit, the viewer will have to get up close to read the words and hopefully become more engaged with the painting and its deeper meaning.

My Doves
29 x 21
Gouache with Pen and Ink

My Doves

By Louisa May Alcott 

OPPOSITE my chamber window,

On the sunny roof, at play,

High above the city's tumult,

Flocks of doves sit day by day.

Shining necks and snowy bosoms,

Little rosy, tripping feet,

Twinkling eyes and fluttering wings,

Cooing voices, low and sweet,-

Graceful games and friendly meetings,

Do I daily watch and see.

For these happy little neighbors

Always seem at peace to be.

On my window-ledge, to lure them,

Crumbs of bread I often strew,

And, behind the curtain hiding,

Watch them flutter to and fro.

Soon they cease to fear the giver,

Quick are they to feel my love,

And my alms are freely taken

By the shyest little dove.

In soft flight, they circle downward,

Peep in through the window-pane;

Stretch their gleaming necks to greet me,

Peck and coo, and come again.

Faithful little friends and neighbors,

For no wintry wind or rain,

Household cares or airy pastimes,

Can my loving birds restrain.

Other friends forget, or linger,

But each day I surely know

That my doves will come and leave here

Little footprints in the snow.

So, they teach me the sweet lesson,

That the humblest may give

Help and hope, and in so doing,

Learn the truth by which we live;

For the heart that freely scatters

Simple charities and loves,

Lures home content, and joy, and peace,

Like a soft-winged flock of doves.