Seattle Demo


I was invited to demonstrate how I use the Cradled Panels to attach my watercolor paintings and finish them for display, using acrylic products, at the National Art Education Association Convention in downtown Seattle, March 18th. The panels are made from birch by American Easel, in Salem, Oregon and they are available at Art Media in Portland. I use Golden acrylic mediums to protect the art.

The event was at the Seattle Convention Center, which has several art exhibits, included the glass, below.

Opening night party was at the Music Museum which was amazing! As was the Space Needle by moonlight, next door.

My friends Beth and Russ went with me to Seattle. Beth is photographing the museum’s glass entry. 

My demo was on Friday at the NASCO booth. I felt like I said the same thing a million times, as folks wandered by, but people were interested in the process, the samples and my handout.  They also enjoyed asking questions.


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Exploring Textural Watercolor — 3-day workshop

Some watercolorists strive for even, flat washes while others prefer the look of texture. I’m firmly in the second camp — any way I can make it happen. In part, I love the surprises — the paint unpredictability than can happen when you allow or encourage texture.

Join me March 24, 25 & 26 at Oregon Society of Artists for a playful introduction to the many textural effects of watercolor in conjunction with acrylic mediums. You will…

∆   Experiment with several techniques for creating almost sculptural surface texture on watercolor paper before you paint.

Here is an example of texture built-up on the substrate.
I’ll be using the value study on Aquabord, below, to demonstrate at the workshop.

 ∆   Learn which pigments granulate easily and techniques for layering rich texture into a painting. Create washes with flowing texture for interesting backgrounds or to enhance a subject.
Below, I’ve poured paint — onto paper mounted on cradled panel — to create the illusion of natural seascape…

… then lifted unwanted areas of color

and added paint to create the sky and rocky shore.

∆  Put your experience to work on watercolor paper, which we will adhere to a 12 x 12 inch cradled birch panel. You will learn how to finish it without using glass and take it home ready to hang on the wall. Here’s a detail of a self portrait hanging in the gallery at OSA this month.


Register by calling Art Media 503-223-3724 OR 1-800-990-3364
You don’t need to be an OSA member!

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Out of the Frame – Onto the Cradle


To show a painting in the WSO exhibits, a frame with plexiglass is required. So I invested in one for this painting, with the plan of ditching it for a cradled board later. Notice the reflection off the plexi. I’m also reclaiming the border that was hidden behind a thin mat inside the frame.

This birch cradle is made by American Easel in Salem Oregon. Here I’m preparing the wood by sealing it with Golden GAC 100, so the art will not discolor over time.

I’ve rubbed the perimeter with green hued acrylic paints mixed with open medium to slow dry time. It’s a bit bright so after it dries I add a very thin coat of magenta to tone it down.

Ready to attach to the board! Notice the paper is a bit smaller than the cradled board. Revealing a bit of the front panel accentuates the framed look.


This freshly cradled piece “Free as a Fish” exhibited last weekend at the Celebration of Creativity in Beaverton.

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