International Artist – June-July 2019

Lorraine Watry

I

am fascinated by the random shapes,

patterns and colors that make up

reflections in water, glass and metal.

Reflections often go unnoticed because

we are looking at the object as a whole,

and not the shapes and values that

compose the object. Generally, what

we see reflected is different from every

point of view and can change quickly,

which creates an elusive quality. While

I paint a variety of subjects, I am a very

detail-oriented painter, and I continue to

return to those that include a reflection

of some sort. Depicting glass, metal and

water is a fun challenge.

I started down the path of reflections

with my water lily series. Even though

I don’t paint like Claude Monet, his

impressionistic water lilies were always

an inspiration. I explored unusual

patterns, colors and graphic shapes in

the water as the backdrops to realistic

depictions of the lilies. I found I like the

very graphic shapes juxtaposed with the

organic shape of the lilies.

The detailed nature of most of my

watercolors does not work to paint on

location. Therefore, I work from my own

photos and have learned to take a shot

quickly in case the moment flashes by. I

compose the scene with my camera, but

will later make additional compositional

adjustments to get the desired effect.

I use my computer to adjust my

photos, piece two or more images

together and enlarge or reduce my

(^94) http://www.InternationalArtist.com
WATER-
COLORUNITED STATES
DEMONSTRATION
Reflective Surfaces
Lorraine Watry finds unique challenges in painting
water, glass and metal
Cygnus Olor, transparent watercolor, 12 x 21" (30 x 53 cm)
The graphic reflections of the swan and the other shapes in the water make the scene interesting. I chose to keep the red-brown reflected in the water
because it is a nice complementary counterbalance to the green water.