“Military Macaw” (18 X 24 in)

The macaw is a beautiful and colorful bird that is found in the tropics. The diversity of the intense colors is what attracted me to this image. I didn’t want a background to conflict with the bird itself, so I deliberately left it blank. The head is turned slightly which separates some of its feathers. The long tail feathers with their vibrant colors are a perfect subject for a watercolor.

Robin Vander Hamm

I specialize in watercolors that are inspired by my world travels. My subject matter ranges from South American landscapes to the flora of California. The use of bright colors, original designs and exotic settings are components I bring to my paintings. The incredible range of transparent watercolor allows me to capture the fragile beauty of a single flower or the somber mood of a gray day. For me, an artist is only limited by their imagination and technical skill. The elements of control and spontaneity make it a challenging endeavor. The thought of ever mastering the medium becomes more and more elusive and perhaps a goal never to be fully achieved.

I find the process of creating watercolors very satisfying and it also provides many side benefits…the greatest of these is the ability to see beauty everywhere.

So please wander through these images. There is some text beneath each. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did creating them.