Bill Gavin—A Watercolor Painting Journey

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

Side tracked thoughts

2011-10-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

I wish I didn't get side tracked so easily. Today I went to Worlds End, Boston Harbor. Oh how I love anything to do with the ocean/surroundings. In all the years living in the area, I never visited the local treasures. My daughter brought all these to my attention–What have I miss all these years? Anything with the ocean just melts my being. I have so many fond memories of being near the ocean that I could dwell on them forever. No, to many more to enjoy. I have to do my paintings one at a time... forever.

Next painting

2011-09-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

SOUVENIRS OF SUMMER--Little Picture Show

2011-06-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 26, 2011 is the opening of the Rhode Island Watercolor Society's SOUVENIRS OF SUMMER, Little Picture Show/Sale. The Paintings are no larger than 16" x 20" (frame size). The Show/Sale will run until July 14, 2011.
I will have 3 painting entered in the show.
Click on images for larger views.

Beach Rocks

Beach Fence

Granite Point, ME--Posing seal

Founded in 1896, Rhode island Watercolor Society (RIWS) is one of the oldest watercolor organizations in America. With over 300 members, RIWS provides artists and the general public the opportunity to view, purchase, exhibit and learn about watermedia art. RIWS offers classes, workshops and demonstrations by nationally and regionally acclaimed artists. RIWS also organizes educational trips to art exhibitions. Located in a historic lakeside “boathouse” in Slater Memorial Park, RIWS features an art gallery, library and studio space. The gallery hosts 15 shows per year, including a National Watermedia Competition. www.riws.org

Thank you all for coming to the opening of the show

2011-06-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

The Rhode Island Watercolor Society 5-artist show was a good day.
It was a beautiful day for the park and people were constantly coming in to view it. If you haven't been yet, please stop by. See the directions below on another post.

I'm getting ready for the up coming show—Souvenirs of Summer—a small works watercolor sale, everything under 16" x 20" frame size.

Rhode Island Watercolor Society Show

2011-06-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

Our Show opening at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society, June 5th, was great. Lots of people came in and I heard positive statements about the work displayed. Three rooms of art to ponder over. The Rhode Island Watercolor Society is in a park setting and is in an old beautiful boat house on a pond. The day was perfect and the park was filled with people enjoying the day. Across the street from the society is a carousel which children of all ages enjoy. It's a place inside a city which is far removed. If you are in the area, please stop by and enjoy this nice part of Rhode Island.

Picking is a hard

2011-05-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

Picking 10 or more paintings for an upcoming show is proving to be difficult. When you have drawers full of unmatted and unframed paintings, it is hard to pick. Some have personal meanings and are hard to put up for sale. Should I put a high price on them, just to show them and hoping they won't sell. After you have painted a number of paintings, it gets to a point where you have to sell some to continue--they are part of you...and you wish them well.
In this show/sale, there will be paintings from my last 30 years. I think they will look like paintings from several artists. I will try to post the final selections in June.

Anything Goes

2011-04-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

Click on image for a larger view.

I am part of this 5-person art show which will have around 60 peices of our art for sale.

Oh

2011-04-14T01:47:00.000-07:00

Oh, watercolor

Click on image for a larger view.
Just because.
Watercolor 13" x 19.5"

A Good Life

2011-04-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

People do have to eat. As long as the animals have some kind of a good life, then , I don't know...as long as they don't suffer...

Watercolor on Arches 140# water color paper 13" x 19.5"

I Love Maine

2011-04-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

The Maine Coast is a wonderfull place. I could just stay there all the time.

This painting gives me the feeling of being there. The cold water, the crisp air...nothing like it.

Watercolor on Arches 140# water color paper. 13" x 19.5"

In The Field

2011-02-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

This is a late night painting...after a n 18 hour day...the paint calls.
Click on image for larger view
Watercolor 13.5" x 8"

Concord River Ducks

2011-02-22T19:40:00.000-08:00

Concord River Ducks, Concords, MA

I joined a painting group at—Treetop Studio, Attleboro, MA. This is a fun time to get together and paint. I can't wait to go out and paint when the warm weather comes.

Click on image for larger view
Watercolor 11 x 15 on Arches 300# watercolor paper

Ireland 3

2011-01-29T19:47:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view

Watercolor 11 x 15 on Arches 300# watercolor paper

January 2011

2011-01-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view

Watercolor 21 x 28 on Arches 140# watercolor paper
Snow doesn't mean blue gray images. It can mean the warmth of a fireplace or a feeling that you get with someone you love.

Nude 1

2011-01-18T22:57:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view—a life study

Watercolor 16 x 20 on Arches 140# watercolor paper

After Skiing

2011-01-11T21:45:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view

This is a view of coming back from skiing.

Watercolor 16 x 20 on Arches 140# watercolor paper

Boston, North End

2011-01-11T20:59:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view

This is a moody view of Boston's North End.
Watercolor 16 x 20 on Arches 140# watercolor paper

North End 1, Boston

2011-01-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view
Underpainting, in progress. I don't like colored drawings...fill in between the lines. I am only talking about my work. Everybody's art is personnal and should be respected as it is their view. To have someone like your art is very satisfying... this is a work in progress--thanks.

Boston, North End-In Progress

2011-01-05T01:08:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view

Underpainting, in progress.

Concord Gate

2011-01-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view.
I use to drive past this gate. Too bad it is gone. Some people just don't know what they have. I hope they bring it back.

County Clare, Ireland

2010-12-19T21:35:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view.
Not far from where my daughter had their Honeymoon.

Rine, Ireland

2010-12-12T19:05:00.001-08:00

Click on image for larger view.
Not far from where my daughter had their Honeymoon.
Watercolor 12" x 16" on 140# Arches watercolor paper.

Arizona Highway

2010-11-30T18:44:00.000-08:00

Click on image for larger view.
I would like to visit Arizona again...Fall is a nice time of year to go hiking.
Watercolor 12" x 16" on 140# Arches watercolor paper.

Another Version

2010-11-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

Another version of Black Sheep

Sheepish

2010-11-21T23:47:00.000-08:00

Click on image to view larger
Water color 12 x 15

After Rio

2010-11-19T23:35:00.000-08:00

Click image for a larger view.

Rio de Janeiro

2010-11-17T20:39:00.002-08:00

Click on image for larger view.
Painting for VirtualPaintOut
Watercolor 12" x 15.5" on 140# Arches watercolor paper.

Broaching

2010-11-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

Click on image for larger view.
North Atlantic oops.

Reflections

2010-10-29T21:38:00.001-07:00

Click on image for larger image.
I still keep coming back to the simple. It's a struggle. I love the simplicity.

Boat Yard

2010-10-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

Click on image for larger view.
Summer is over...and oh yes it is just about November. Lot's have happened. Aside from just the every day struggles, my daughter got married. This was truly a magical day. We even took dance lessons for the Father/Daughter dance... a swing dance... and, we did it! :)

Very Frustrating when Google doesn't work

2010-08-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

Comments are still being messed up.

Apache Mountains, AZ

2010-07-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Watercolor 9" x 12" 140# Arches watercolor paper.

The Walk

2010-06-30T23:46:00.001-07:00

Click on image for a larger view.
Watercolor 9" x 12" 140# Arches watercolor paper.

July 4th is more than fire works and hot dogs.

2010-06-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

As a veteran, I think the Star Spangled Banner's second verse should always be included when sung!
YouTube Link

Grounded Buoy - Jamestown, RI

2010-06-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

Click on image for a larger view.
Watercolor 9" x 12" 140# Arches watercolor paper.

Jamestown, Rhode Island

2010-06-21T21:08:00.000-07:00

Click on image for a larger view.
Watercolor 9" x 12" Mostly Plein Air on 140# Arches watercolor paper.

Charles River South Natick, MA

2010-05-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

Click on image for a larger view.
Watercolor 15" x 21" on 300# Arches watercolor paper.

RIWS National Watercolor Show

2010-05-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

I am working on a couple of paintings for their National Watercolor show. One is a painting of the bridge at South Natick, MA—looking up stream under the bridge. The other is going to take some planning. It is a Civil War scene. Kind of a behind the scenes view in an encampment.
Don't forget to view the demos at the right. I added a couple more.

RIWS National Watercolor Show is coming up

2010-05-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

It's time to do some serious thinking about what to submit. I have a couple of ideas in mind— one is drawn out on watercolor paper. Things have been slow lately and I am preparing for cataract surgery. Maybe after, I will be able to see and paint better.

I paint with Holbein watercolor paint. Before, I used Windsor Newton and some paint would dry hard in the tube. With Holbein, they stay moist—even on the palette. This is ideal if you go outside to paint. You can put some color in those metal paint boxes or on a butcher try and be on your way. The colors that usually comes in portable watercolor tins is hard and it takes a lot of work to get some usable color...scrub, scrub, scrub. Holbein will stay nice and moist. You need a lot of paint on your brush in order to push it around.
I do have a lot of old paint and I will try to use it up—scrub, scrub, scrub.

Feeling Nostalgic

2010-04-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Click on image for larger view. I painted this mostly on location...a long story, a past life—20 years ago. I remember chasing the sun across that roof. I think I want to revisit this time and paint as I did then.

Ascension

2010-04-17T22:56:00.000-07:00

Click on image for a larger view.

Monhegan Island

2010-04-15T23:17:00.001-07:00

Click on image for a larger view. See how I painted this.

Canary Islands 2

2010-04-09T22:26:00.001-07:00

Click on image for a larger view. Go see how I painted this HERE.
Watercolor 12"w x 9"h. This is a painting for Bill Guffey's Virtual PaintOut

Canary Islands

2010-04-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

Click on image for a larger view. Watercolor 12"w x 9"h. This is a painting for Bill Guffey's Virtual PaintOut

Stavanger, Norway

2010-03-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

Click on image for a larger view. Watercolor 12"w x 9"h. This is a painting for Bill Guffey's Virtual PaintOut

Hellooooo!

2010-03-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

Country Road

2010-03-27T23:44:00.001-07:00

Click on image for a larger view. Watercolor 12"w x 9"h. This is a painting done for A Painting a Month Club.

Boston Common Ducks

2010-03-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

Click on image for a larger view. Watercolor 24"w x 18"h. This is one more step for a paining I am doing. I will replace it as it progresses (the final will be shot in better light). At the end, I will show all the steps—Follow along for Boston Common Ducks.

If you missed some of my strugglng steps, no bother, I will be posting them all after completion. Maybe I will end it right here! I kind of like it and I might go too far. Maybe a few more refining strokes...you think?
I don;t think it is working the way I want...we will see!

Bread

2010-03-04T22:35:00.000-08:00

Expecting a watercolor? Sorry—I was thinking about other things. Not to bore you...but many years ago when I served in the Navy, bread was made at sea around 12:00 midnight. If your watch ended and you were up and watching a movie, bread was placed out in the ships mess to cool. There is nothing like fresh bread. Years later when I moved back home, I found in the attic an old bread maker. Nothing but a galvanized pail with a crank and dough hook. I followed the bread directions on the bag of King Arthur Flour and it came out great. I made this bread for many years . After a while, as life goes, I fell away from it, I started making bread again and had a lot of trouble. I think I found the problem. Today the recipe calls for water instead of evaporated milk. I switched back to evaporated milk and the bread is fantastic again.
Bread is easy to make. All the time comes from waiting for the dough to rise. If you are around anyway,it's no time at all. It only takes about 15 minutes to mix.
If you would like this recipe...let me know. BREAD IS GOOD! So Good. E-Mail me and I will send a text file. Click Here.

Know Your Staining Colors

2010-03-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

Some of the watercolor paints are staining. This means that they will not lift off the paper. Some might lift more than others—but not totally. This can be handy at times. If you mix Burnt Sienna and Thalo blue and paint a tree trunk, the paint, before dry, can be scraped with a palette knife. The Thalo Blue will stay on the paper while removing the Sienna— leaving a nice texture effect. The same is with Alizarin Crimson. I like to use this for distant skies—once down, it won't move. Play with your colors and don't pick too many. You can always lighten and tone down a color. Try to brighten it and...forget it. Play with your paints until they become your friends. Paint with bright colors!

One more Before I Start

2010-03-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

Click for larger view. I hope I ccan keep it loose

Still Exploring...or Having Fun

2010-02-26T23:29:00.000-08:00

Click for larger view. Exploring ideas for a larger painting

You would think I would know better!

2010-02-26T22:06:00.000-08:00

I soaked my 18" x 24" watercolor paper and stapled it to foam core (Double layer), thinking that the double layer would hold it. Wrong. The double layer wasn't strong enough to keep the watercolor paper from bending and creasing the foam core as it dried. The problem is that I don't have a piece of Gator Board that large. Gator Board is like Foam Core but very strong. It will hold staples quite well and can be used many times. I was thinking of just taping the paper to a piece of bathroom wall masonite, which makes a nice, cheap board for painting on. No, mabe not. Taping watercolor paper to a board is a pain and it usually lifts. I will just go and buy some Gator Board and be done with it Must be getting late, I rambling.

Getting Started

2010-02-24T00:08:00.000-08:00

Click image to view larger. Exploring how to paint this subject.
I believe a lot of getting anything done is just —starting it...hard to practice. :)
This is my thought for Boston Common Ducks color values...may change.

Flower Fantasy Show

2010-02-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

I picked up my New Member Show paintings and found out that my Flower Fantasy Show painting Yard Roses was juried in...great. Sad to hear that 100 other artists were noi.:(

Picking up paintings today

2010-02-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

Today I am taking a trip to the RIWS to pick up my paintings from the Artist Member's Show.
I forgot to write down the number of my painting that I submitted to the Flower Fantasy Show, which starts next week—Feb 21-Mar 12. The ones that got acceptrd were listed on the web by number. I could call, but it will be fun to ask when I get there. Did I say fun? Actually I believe it is one of my less labored paintings (tgp). I hope nobody buys it because a lot of people like it and I might give it as a gift??
Actually, it is hard to give a painting away. Do they like it? Are they being nice? Too much pressure—just pick one you like!
2:00 am and finished with other work. :(

Boston Common Ducks

2010-02-08T21:01:00.001-08:00

This is the start of a large watercolor painting. I am posting this as a way of forcing myself to jump in and tackle it.

Thinking of a Turner landscape

2010-02-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Some papers take the paint in a different way. In art school, one of our assignments was to get 10 or more different types of paper and paint some watercolor on them. It was to show us that paper can make a big difference.

MORE PAINTINGS TO THE RIGHT>

New Show--Flower Fantasy

2010-02-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

RIWS is now accepting entries to their Flower Fantasy Theme. I am submitting my Yard Roses.
Yard Roses

Paintings delivered

2010-01-29T13:55:00.000-08:00

I managed to get 4 paintings delivered for the RIWS Show....very cold outside.
One that I wanted to put in didn't get framed—next time.
The show opens with a reception Sunday at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society.

Got a good tip today for carrying Framed art. Get some of that foam pipe insulation used on water pipes. It has a slit on the edge so it can be placed over existing pipes. Cut some short lengths and put it over the edges of the frame. The frames won't bump each other and can be carried in the car safely.

Old Stuff

2010-01-27T23:45:00.000-08:00

While trying to shake this cold I'm posting some old portraits I did.
Click Here

:(

2010-01-26T12:30:00.000-08:00

After spending a week in NY, I came home with a bad cold. Totally knocked me out for days. I'm on the down side now but still coughing. I need to get one more painting framed for the New Artist show before Friday.

Getting ready for a show

2010-01-11T07:04:00.000-08:00

In 2009 I became an Artist Member of the Rhode Island Watercolor Society. This has a requirement of getting in 3 juried shows. Their New Artist show is coming up and I can hang 4 of my paintings. Now the job of picking 4 that will show a range of my work.

Day 3

2010-01-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
My favorite colors. They brings out the kid in me.

Day 2

2010-01-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Day 2, Not much tonght
I am thinking about the Apache Mountains, Arizona.

Day 1

2009-12-31T19:31:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Thinking about warmer weather where more time is spent outdoors.

So Free

2009-12-30T21:39:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
One of my daughters early watercolors.
Such a happy painting!
Watercolor 8.5" h x 11" w

Kid

2009-12-29T23:28:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
I don't know why I called this Kid.
It is based on a dog. Playing with color.
I think the New Year should bring a different approach.�
Watercolor 12" h x 16" w

?

2009-12-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
This painting scares me a little. I don't know where it came from. I was listening to the song Last Christmas. Oh well...Happy Holidays, or as I like to say Merry Christmas.

Boston 2 or 3

2009-12-21T21:22:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Bosrton Harbor same scene. Which one is preferred, Traditional or Stylized?
Don't be shy.

Subliminal Stimuli

2009-12-20T02:11:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Or not.

A Place To Go

2009-12-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Sometimes one needs a place to go.
I wish I could get the colors to be right on the web...either too dark or too light. The original has a greater range.
Watercolor 9" h x 12" w

Swan Song

2009-12-13T23:45:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
It's too bad these beautiful birds are killed just because they are not native to the area. Most of the people living there are not native either!
This was painted on a paper that I don't think works very well for the way I paint.
Watercolor 12" h x 16" w

Yard Roses

2009-12-07T17:45:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Click HERE for the 3 steps I used to paint this.
Is it too early to think of Summer? We just got our first snow 4.6" and I do like the snow. But, I also like the sound of the bees and the Chickadees that inhabit this birdhouse.
A small painting, smaller than I usually do.
Watercolor 4" h x 6" w

City Scape

2009-12-04T21:02:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Watercolor 12" h x 16" w

Buddies

2009-12-02T02:08:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Watercolor 12" h x 16" w

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T23:09:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Mixed feelings
Watercolor 9" h x 12" w

A painting I have to paint

2009-11-26T20:25:00.000-08:00

This is a rough painting on velum. I'm exploring how to paint this. Spenser was our dog and had a great life. Maybe I should just paint and let it happen. I have been putting this off long enough.

Boston Harbor Islands 2

2009-11-25T00:21:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Parts of the harbor islands can take you to a time gone by. When I go there it transports me to a calm and peaceful place. The rangers that live there experience what most don't. They can see the Boston skyline—but it is a world far removed. I wish I had a boat so I could visit anytime.
Watercolor 9" h x 12" w

Marsh

2009-11-19T23:21:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Another 2;00 am painting...Go to bed Bill!
Watercolor 9" h x 12" w

Dancer

2009-11-18T12:13:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
What do you see?
Painted around 2:00 am. Watercolor 9" h x 12" w

Airport Travelers

2009-11-16T22:51:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
9" h x 12" w

Hoping

2009-11-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

Hoping to get into the Rhode Island Watercolor Society Winter show. I submitted 2 paintings and if 1 gets in, then I can apply for Artist Membership... wish me luck.
My "Snow Cap" painting was selected for the show. Click Here

Also this Sunday, November 22nd, 15th 7-9 pm will be the artist reception for the Zullo Gallery Annual juried show...I will be there. My painting "Lovell's Island" will be shown.
Zullo Art Gallery
456A Main Street
Medfield, MA

Thanks for coming by.

Fire & Ice

2009-11-08T22:07:00.001-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
9" h x 12" w

Canada Goose

2009-11-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Visitor to The Boston Public Gardens
20" h x 14" w

Snow Cap

2009-11-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Out my side door. No snow yet this year...I know it's coming!
14" h x 10" w

Ipswich, MA

2009-11-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Cox Reservation, Ipswich, MA Watercolor--140# Acid Free Cold Press Watercolor Paper.
10" h x 14" w

Holiday Shows

2009-10-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

Holidays are approaching. Six paintings need to get done for next month. I haven't even thought about what to do yet...yikes.

New Show

2009-10-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

One of my paintings was selected for a show.
Zullo Gallery's 15th Annual Juried Exhibition
November 14-January 10
456A Main Street
Medfield, MA
Click to View

Phantom Farm, RI

2009-10-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Some fun needed. Phantom Farm, Cumberland, RI. Watercolor--140# Acid Free Cold Press Watercolor Paper.
10" h x 13" w

Blackstone River, RI

2009-10-21T23:25:00.001-07:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Painted for the most part on location. Watercolor--140# Acid Free Cold Press Watercolor Paper.
10" h x 14" w

San Fran Roof Tops

2009-10-21T20:01:00.000-07:00

Click Image To View Larger.
Roof Tops. A challenge painting for DSFDF Watercolor--140# Acid Free Cold Press Watercolor Paper.
14" h x 10" w

Prints

2009-10-19T16:26:00.000-07:00

I added a link to the right for some prints. LINK. I think the best option is --Matte Print UV. These prints have non fade inks (100+ years) and the quality is excellent.
I'll have some paintings posted soon.

Painting outside

2009-10-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

To me painting outside is tough and I have to work on it. I had two days painting outside with a group from the RIWS. The first day was cloudy and cool and I almost fell into the river. Followed by a sunny day at an apple orchard and still had slow paper drying. These will have to be converted to studio paintings, Another show is coming up—"Winter Wonderland" and don't want to miss it.

RIWS National Juried Show

2009-10-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

The Rhode Island Watercolor Society's National Juried Show is underway—October 4-29.
One of my painting made it into the show. Painting link click here.
Just getting over cold/flu?? I had no energy for over a week. I now feel like I can start painting again.

Thoughts

2009-09-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

My pallette is drying out. Not really because I am using Holbein paint. :)
As you know, I do Graphic Design and it is either feast or famine. Lately the flood gates opened and have taken a lot of my time--it helps pay the bills. These gates will close, as they always do and that will give me more time to paint. I think it's time to decide what is important.

New show

2009-09-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

I recently joined the ALL, Arts League of Lowell, MA. The current show has two of my paintings.
If you are in the area, please visit my friend Steve who owns and runs Van Gogh's Gear art supply store.

Exploring

2009-08-20T00:26:00.000-07:00

Exploring a possible new painting of Lovells Island, Boston Harbor. This is a nice place if your enjoy walking the beach. The building was used to store oil for the navigational lights... it's slowly vanishing.