Water & Color: A Love Story

I think it has something to do with it being the most accessible way of creating. 

 

When my kids were younger, the first thing they would ask for when they wanted to communicate visually was a pencil and a sheet of paper. It was the same with me asking my mother. In fact, I have a distinct and sweet memory of her showing me a new way to draw ‘cooler’ stick figures and houses on paper. I remember watching with her make confident lines that turned into recognizable elements with amazement, “…wowwwww…mommy, you can draw!"  From that point on, I drew my people and houses as my mother did. Simple, sure..but they were an upgrade from the very basic stick figures. 

 

It's funny, but I do believe that watercolor is the type of paint we are introduced to as kids, maybe because of our inclination to make a mess, and water based paints are easy to clean up. I do not remember using watercolor, I'm sure that I did - I just don't remember. 

 

I do remember being introduced to watercolor through a professor at Auburn University's Architecture Program. This professor lead a class where the students  created the most beautiful compositional drawings of classical buildings on watercolor paper. These drawings were called Analytiques. I remember being in awe of the very delicate pencil lines that outlined the shape and structure of the buildings and the seamless integration of watercolor. Layers and layers of watercolor. The watercolor brought the pencils lines to life by communicating shadow, depth, tone…mood. 

 

I never took the class, but I do remember falling in love with watercolor from that peripheral introduction.

 

Water and pigment on paper.  

 

There is something so beautifully basic about that. The process of tearing paper to get a textured, deckled edge and then watching, guiding and learning from the movement of water and color on paper. This simple act has always brought me so much joy and calm. Its as if the medium subtly transfers its visual output and serene process to the creator.