“BELGIAN WEDDING CARRIAGE” (18 x 24in.)

While visiting a friend in Holland, we decided to take a day trip to Belgium. Walking the streets is a wonderful way to get a feel for a place. We came across this carriage in the street but there was no one around. The black carriage was in stark contrast to the bouquets of colorful flowers decorating it. The day was overcast and gray (very typical for this part of the world) so the light is diffuse and all the colors are a bit muted. The uneven texture of the road is evident by the undulating brickwork…the sidewalk had settled a bit also.

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.