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!
Wow Bill ! You are super productive and busy. I firmly believe you need to put in the hours to get good at whatever you do. I love seeing your work. Irene
Thanks, Irene. I find it difficult to create a discipline and stick to it. That’s one reason I do these reviews, to see how I’m doing. Glad you like the watercolors!
My favorite book about art is Robert Henri’s The Art Spirit. I first learned of it in an English course when I was working on my Ph. D. at Penn State. It’s not about technique. It’s more about the capacity for a meditative consciousness. I have a couple different editions of it–the hardcover, from my Penn State days, copyright 1951, by Violet Organ; copyright , also, by J.B. Lippincott Co. I read small parts of it at a time, and think of them as meditations that I have the privilege to listen to and just BE with. Robert Henri was an artist himself, but he also taught art. He died long ago, but he feels very present, and deeply alive, to me.
Thanks for the reference, Nancy! I can see it’s provided a lot of meaning for you. I ordered a copy and I’m looking forward to reading it. “Art when really understood is the province of every human being.”
You have definitely shown progress over the course of the year. I congratulate you. I like the idea of “freedom to paint,” how your confidence grows with large strokes. I’m glad you’re getting some notice for your hard work. I predict this new year will bring you more confidence and notice. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Warren! I appreciate you following my posts.