1999 - 22.375" x 9.75" - Watercolor, Arches Aquarelle watercolor paper
Some of the paintings I had been working on prior to this one included figures wearing various kinds of robes, which gave them an air of mystery. The figures themselves were totally out of my imagination, and had intentionally distorted features.
In my next painting, I wanted a more realistic approach in the handling of the figures, so I asked my son Nick to wear my hooded sweatshirt (which was large on him at that point in time) to give me reference material. I took several shots of him among some pine trees.
Perusing the resulting photographs, I playfully put three of them together and laughed about my “three Nicks.” The idea had merit, though, so I worked with the photos and the drawing of the artwork until I had three mysterious Watchers in the Woods.