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Astor Place by Emily Falco, watercolor painting,
14 1/2 x 14 1/2, 2009. |
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It warms my heart when I hear artists expressing excitement
about their chosen painting medium because artists are the ones in the business
of knowing all the ins and outs of their materials. For them to articulate such
positive responses about their paints, pencils, and brushes validates the
artistic process and stirs an equal amount of enthusiasm in me.
Emily Falco works in watercolor, and according to her, she
"thinks" in it as well. "It's a magical medium-the paints can dry out but be used
again; the light is contained in the paper; and the colors blend and separate
in the most unique and surprising ways," she says.
Falco's success in working with watercolor is all about
embracing the washes she can achieve and their corresponding drips and
fluidity. For her, this started with large-scale acrylic paintings though she
eventually transitioned to watercolor art to save space. "I was drawn to the
idea that I could keep many paintings in a portfolio—which takes up the same
amount of space as one canvas," she says.
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Q Train by Emily Falco, watercolor painting,
9 x 12 1/4, 2009. |
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So that she never misses a scene that inspires, Falco always
travels with a camera. "I often combine elements from different photographs in
a single painting," she says, though she also savors the opportunity to paint
en plein air as well. And she has learned to go with her gut—if something
catches her eye and moves her, Falco acts on it with her work—but she never tries to force or speed up the process. "I'll walk away for a few
minutes," she says. "I like every painting to happen in its own time."
For more on Falco and so many other artists who specialize
in water-based painting and have techniques and tips to share, check out the
Winter 2012 issue of Watercolor
magazine. It is the first issue that will come straight to your door with your
subscription, so get it while you can. Enjoy!
