“Abandoned” (8×12)

This is a painting of a photo a friend sent me. I was intrigued by the various components of the image and thought that it would translate well into a watercolor. It is a cold overcast day with a hoar frost settling on chaotic weeds in front as well as on the window sill and rim of the old wringer washer. The weathered wood came out nicely adding to the texture and overall mood of the painting. The contrast between the jumble of weeds at the bottom and the very linear perspective of the wood panels seem to work together.
Some viewers will remember that this was once a high tech way of doing laundry (and the horror stories of kids who got their arm stuck in the wringer). Like all technologies it had a life, served a purpose but eventually was replaced…only to be abandoned behind some shed. Hopefully through my painting it will live a little while longer.

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.