“Glen Canyon Dam” (18×24)

In some political circles today it is not fashionable to glamorize dams because of their controversial nature, still this image captured my imagination. As a man-made structure its scale and ramifications are quite impressive. From a artistic perspective there are three parts to this painting…the dam, behind the dam and then the natural world beyond. The gentle curve of the dam with its weathered cement provide a surface for the shadow of the bridge which crosses in front of it. On top of the dam are vehicles which give a sense of scale to the painting. Behind them is the reservoir itself reflecting the rock sides and the blueness of the sky. Towards the top one is able to view to the horizon the majestic colored rock and distant mountains of the desert. And finally the dynamic quality of the sky …a mixture of cumulus clouds allows pieces of clear blue sky to be seen in between.

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.