“REFLECTION” – BADWATER, DEATH VALLEY (18 x 24 in.)

Death Valley has an austere beauty that appeals to many people. Badwater is the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere…almost 300 feet below sea level. The alkaline water in the foreground is undrinkable but it does provide a reflective surface for the figures and the Panamint Mountains in the distance. The highest peak is called Telescope Peak and is over 11,000 ft in elevation. Rarely can one see over two vertical miles in such a short distance. The effects of erosion are obvious by noticing the alluvial deposits at the base of the mountains. For me, as an artist, the quality of light and the various earth tones are what I find fascinating in this environment.

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.