January 2026

As I look back over the paintings I made in 2025, I can see some progress. The main thing I learned is this: use more paint and use more water.

When I’m stingy with paint and water, my paintings look scratchy and unconvincing. When I’m generous with the paint and water, they look robust, fluid, and unified.

A lot of this is confidence. When I’m confident, I use big brush strokes, lots of color, and big shapes. When I’m tentative, I paint in the outlines and fuss over details. I’m beginning to understand what it means to paint with confidence. The more I paint, the more confident I become, so my goal is to put in lots of brush hours in the coming year.

As I review my 2025 paintings, I notice that I produced better and better paintings as the year went on. A turning point was the two days in September when Katy and I went to Centralia, WA, for Katy to attend a writer’s conference. While she was at the conference, I painted barns in the surrounding area, and for some reason I seemed to loosen up and let the paint flow.

In January and February, I concentrated on portraits. I painted over 60 watercolor portraits and improved my skills. I still have a long way to go, but I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made.

In March, I took a watercolor workshop in Long Beach, WA, with my teacher, Eric Wiegardt, and in July I took another workshop with him. Both workshops were stimulating and helped me loosen up. Watching Eric paint with abandon is a joyful experience. In addition, I had a lot of fun with the other watercolor artists attending the workshop.

In April, I was accepted into Pacific Northwest Plein Air at Columbia Gorge. For four days I painted scenes in the gorge along with about 40 other artists. At the opening reception I was very impressed with the quality of the other painters, many of whom were extremely talented. I’ve been invited again this year.

I attended a number of plein air outings with Northwest Watercolor Society and Plein Air Washington Artists, and I enjoyed the camaraderie. A bonus for me this year is that my son, Guy, is starting to paint watercolors alongside me. He’s actually very good, even though he’s just a beginner, and it’s fun to watch him grow as a painter.

In July I was the facilitator for a PAWA paintout at La Push, on the coast. I enjoyed being with the other painters as we attempted to paint the dramatic scenery at the coast. In August I attended the Whidbey Island Plein Air event for the third year in a row. I especially enjoy painting the scenery near Coupeville.

In September, I traveled to Los Angeles, where one of my paintings was featured in the Watercolor West show at the Hilbert museum. It was humbling to see my painting among such distinguished art works when I attended the opening reception.

I December, I was the featured artist at a Poulsbo Artist League show at Treehouse Cafe on Bainbridge Island. I worked hard to assemble thirteen paintings, frame them, and hang them for the reception. It’s been very rewarding to see all my paintings in one place and hear comments. In addition, I sold four paintings. I hope the new owners enjoy their paintings for many years to come.

2025 was a good year for watercolors. Here’s to another good year in 2026!