In September 2021, I took part in a 6-month Artist-in-Residency at the Historic Horlock House in Navasota, Texas.

  • The Monarchs of Brazos Valley

    Watercolor and colored pencils on 140lb paper

    Inspired by the local flora and fauna of my Navasota, TX artist-in-residence at the Horlock House, I have been exploring the relationship of the region’s wildlife with abstracted maps of the area. One of the many beautiful frequent visitors to the Victorian Horlock House is the majestic monarch butterfly, which has inspired many past artists-in-residence to pay tribute to this elusive creature. My painting pays homage to both the creature and the wonderful legacy of this artist-in-residence program.

  • Texas Bush Katydids

    Watercolor and colored pencils on 140lb paper

    Inspired by the local flora and fauna for my Navasota, TX artist-in-residency, I have been exploring the relationship of the region’s wildlife with abstracted maps of the area. One of the first creatures I encountered regularly was the hard-to-spot Texas Bush Katydid hiding among my basil plant. This creature’s long narrow limbs perfectly mimics the busy highways of the region.

  • The Land of Milk and Honey

    Watercolor and colored pencils on 140lb paper

    After moving to Navasota, Texas as part of my Artist Residency, I quickly learned that the local area was famous for its plentiful cows and bees. Long ago the region had been dubbed “The Land of Milk and Honey.” My piece pays homage to this moniker.

  • The Forests of East Texas

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    This painting is in tribute to the many beautiful national forests of East Texas. In close proximity to each other are four unique and wonderfully wild destinations: Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Sam Houston National Forests.

  • The Streets of Navasota

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    Navasota, Texas is unlike any place I have been; it’s a vibrant artsy city with a charming small-town feel and its own unique brand of Texas-living. This piece is in tribute to the many beautiful places and people of this unique locale.

  • The Highways of Houston

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    The biggest learning curve I encountered while living in Texas was conquering the city’s many massive highways. With their layered 50-ft-high on-ramps and 80+ mph driving, Texas driving is not for the faint of heart.

  • Texas Pride

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    As a deeply religious state, the LGBTA+ community was often hidden in plain sight while living Texas.

  • Gulf Coast Toad

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    Among the many fascinating creatures found in Navasota, Texas, I quickly became enamored by the adorable gulf coast toad. While walking along the quiet sidewalks in the early evening or pitch black night, I quickly realized that I had a tiny hopping companion for my leisurely walks.

  • Lone Star State

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    Unlike any other state, Texas truly is a lone star after nearly 10 years as an independent country. And nearly 180 years later, that spirit still shines brightly in Texas. This painting pays tribute to its unique place between its former country of Mexico and its current country, the United States.

  • Electric Bluebonnets

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    Created in tribute to the famous Texan bluebonnet, this piece radiates with intense color, bringing to life this unique blue-purple flower that blooms on the Texan countryside each March.

  • Electric Katydids

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    Created in tribute to the elegant long-limbed Texas Bush Katydid, this piece abstracts and integrates these unique creatures into a complex maze-like graphic painting.

  • Bees and Bluebonnets

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    This painting pays tribute to the Brazos Valley region’s many industrious bees and beautiful bluebonnets. Each March, the purple-blue bluebonnets bloom, blanketing Navasota’s many meadows.

  • Cemetery Toads

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    The Navasota Theatre Alliance’s “Lanterns and Legends” play at the Oakland Cemetery was an early highlight of my stay in Navasota. As a bonus, I also got to walk along the dark cemetery roads with many surprised Gulf Coast Toads.

  • Bee Pattern

    Watercolor and colored pencil on 140lb paper

    One of the famous creatures of the Navasota, Texas area is the honeybee. So much so that some of the very best mead in the country can found in Navasota (Wildflyer Mead Co.).

  • Multi-Texas

    Watercolor and colored pencils on 140lb paper

    Within Texas, there can be found so many different and separate worlds - some existing within the same town with vasty divergent viewpoints.

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