What Makes Art Special: Exquisite Details

What makes art special? 

For my watercolors, it's the attention to exquisite details that sets them apart.

Beautiful Papers

Every painting starts with selecting a paper individually to bring out the essence of the painting’s subject and colors.

I use either classic Western papers created by a company founded in 1492 or traditional Asian papers handmade by skilled artisans and part of a living tradition dating back thousands of years:

• Western papers are 100% cotton watercolor paper, either classic 140 pound weight or heavyweight 300 pound paper. All have a beautiful natural grain and are cold pressed for exquisite, even texture. These acid free papers retain their luster and vibrance and stand the test of time, remaining beautiful for centuries without conservation if stored and handled properly. 
  
• Asian papers generally are either authentic shuen paper or 100% mulberry paper (or occasionally traditional rice paper or unusual specialty papers). These archival papers show off watercolor pigments in full color and retain their luster and vibrance to stand the test of time; like Western papers, they remain beautiful for centuries without conservation if stored and handled properly.

Among the handmade Asian papers you'll find in my paintings are rare premium examples such as vintage aged papers; colored papers in a range of hues from pale and delicate to dark and bold; and specialty papers enhanced with “snowy” sparkles or metallic flecks.

Hand Mounting

For all paintings on Asian papers, I hand mount the artworks on archival mounting paper using time-honored techniques. This mysterious and challenging mounting process smooths each painting while strengthening and preserving it over time.

The World’s Finest Watercolors

Every painting comes to life thanks to the highest quality professional grade paints to ensure vibrant, super-saturated color.

Using the world’s best, most finely ground watercolors gives each color high intensity and purity. It also allows paint application all the way from delicate, nearly invisible transparency through deep, nearly opaque intensity.

Signatures And Seals

I hand sign each work of art.

For paintings created on Asian papers, I also include a name seal and often one or more mood seals that reflect the painting’s spirit.

Placing a seal involves tapping the head of a hand carved stone seal (sometimes called a "chop") into an oil based seal paste. Traditionally, artists used red paste, although I have a variety of colors and use whatever fits best with the painting and the paper on which it was created. 

Premium, Museum Quality Framing

Each of my paintings is finished with professional custom framing, so it's ready to hang for you to enjoy it immediately in your home or office.

I personally consult with framers to hand select the perfect mat and frame for each painting so it is not only protected but enhanced and showcased within its beautiful protective enclosure.

Every framed artwork reflects the highest professional quality and museum grade attention to detail, from special framing techniques such as “float framing” to archival mats to conservation glass.

Provenance

Many of my paintings have been exhibited in multiple juried art exhibitions.

See my curriculum vitae for a list of my exhibitions and other relevant experience and adventures in my artistic and creative life.

Media Coverage

My work has received extensive press coverage over many years.

See my curriculum vitae for a list of media coverage and appearances throughout my career.