Visit with amazing watercolorist Mark Stewart

Mark brought some of his beautiful painting into Morton Street Gallery yesterday.  His work is always amazing.  He had just returned from his Gallery in Marble Falls where he had collectors waiting to buy.  They took him to their place in Spicewood.  It is always so exciting to meet with your collectors and exchange thoughts on art.   He and I got to talking about galleries and artists.  It has been a tough time for galleries, but there are people out there still eager to find good art.  I have been working on several 4'x5' pieces recently.  We got to talking about Chuck Close.  (Kenneth Pierson had a drawing of him sitting in front of his work)  As most of you know after a terrible accident he now uses a hydraulic lift to help him create his immense works.  There is a video about it I understand.  Anyway, that sounds like a great idea.  At the moment my budget doesn't allow such luxury, but I'll keep it in mind.  Mark is also one of the nicest people I know.  If you're not familiar with his work, google him.  "Mark Stewart Watercolors".  He is also an architect and has a website, so be sure to mention "watercolors"

"Zinnias in Glass Vase", oil, 11 x 14 $450

My challenge set up!

Challenges

I decided to set some challenges for myself.  I'm not completely happy with the results, but it's a beginning.  One is some beads in a cellophane bag, and the other is a hydrangea in a clear glass vase with colored marbles in the water against a blue green background. 
I'm curious if some of you who see this are more successful.  I would love to see some similar work that you might have done.  At least, I would love some comments on what I could do better.

Hydrangeas and marbles in glass vase

Cellophane bag

"Night View", O/C 16"x20", $ 400 unframed + s&h

"Almost Human" O/C 24 x 12, unframed $ 350 unframed + s&h

"Shadows" O/C 11 x 14, $300 unframed + s&h SOLD

"Early Morning Fog" O/C 18"X24" $ 750 uunframed +s&h

Available Recent Paintings

Although I work in several media, most of my recent work has been in oil.  Lately I have substituted Trees for my figurative work.  Trees are, to me, living creatures of great beauty.  I think about them bravely standing tall in all kinds of weather, and am fascinated by the older or mishapen trunks.  And I love that they provide shelter for so many small creatures and welcome shade to us humans on our hot, sultry days. That said I hope you enjoy some of my "treescapes".