I had been in the Loire Valley on a painting trip for two weeks and ended the trip by going to Paris with a companion for four days. She was familiar with Paris as she lived there when she was young. She was a great tour guide and we did a whirlwind tour of the city with only four days to take it all in. We went to Montmatre and this cafe was just so colourful and full of life that I took reference photos and then painted it in watercolour later. This painting was included in my second solo show "Reflections of France ". I felt that watercolour was an extention of my feelings about being in the City of Lights...like watercolour was an apt medium to depict this scene. " Cafe on Montmatre " is a Watercolour on Windsor Newton paper 15 x 22 inches

Name:Heidi Hirtle

Bio:Heidi Hirtle was born and raised in beautiful Rural Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia Canada. From a very early age she developed a deep love of nature that evolved naturally into her life's true passion of photography. Over the years Heidi occasionally dabbled in drawing and painting but devoted the vast majority of her time to her camera. In 2015 Heidi was stricken with a rare neurological disorder (Paroxysmal Dystonia) that severely limited her ability to get out and about with her camera. As a form of meditation, to pass the time and continue her visual love of nature she again picked up her paints and pencils, and with a great deal of passion, surprisingly little practice (and even less training), she was able to create the artwork you see here. Heidi now happily resides in Bridgewater with her husband and stepdaughters, and spends her time painting. This artwork is created by an indomitable spirit and love of the world around us.

Story:The inspiration for this piece began some years back prior to the onset of my illness in 2015. As you already know from the biography I shared about myself; photography was my true love and passion in life. My husband and I spent many hours on the open roads in Nova Scotia exploring and capturing the beauty and history of our amazing province. It was during one of these said advantages back in September of 2013 we found ourselves exploring the small seaside town of Shelburne, Nova Scotia. We spent several hours exploring the streets and waterfront along this breathtaking town and it was during this outing that I took a photograph of an old fishing shack that had seen better days; it clearly had been beaten and battered over the years by the many storms that passed alone our coastline. I always admired the image I captured that day, it has so much history and a story to tell. So in 2018 when trying my hand at watercolor for the first time I thought this would be the perfect image to recreate happier times from our days of meandering throughout Nova Scotia. "Retired" - 9" x 16" created on Strathmore Watercolor Paper with Winsor & Newton Professional and Cotman Watercolor.

Name:Rosemary Bennett

Bio:Rosemary Bennett has been painting since childhood. She has travelled to Europe three times on painting trips ...twice to France and once to Tuscany. She lives in Calgary, AB and is very active in the art scene in southern Alberta. She is proficient in many mediums but did paint exclusively in water colours for twenty years. She is more an illustrationist with watercolour but uses all the techniques with the medium to produce the end result she desires. With watercolours one can be as loose, or as tight, as one desires. It is a very fluid medium, of course. Rosemary is the President of The Group Art Society of Calgary, an Active member of The Federation of Canadian Artists, and Secretary of PastelArtist.ca. She continues to create and enjoys her time with art.

Story:I had been in the Loire Valley on a painting trip for two weeks and ended the trip by going to Paris with a companion for four days. She was familiar with Paris as she lived there when she was young. She was a great tour guide and we did a whirlwind tour of the city with only four days to take it all in. We went to Montmatre and this cafe was just so colourful and full of life that I took reference photos and then painted it in watercolour later. This painting was included in my second solo show "Reflections of France ". I felt that watercolour was an extention of my feelings about being in the City of Lights...like watercolour was an apt medium to depict this scene. " Cafe on Montmatre " is a Watercolour on Windsor Newton paper 15 x 22 inches

Name:Cheryl Barrett

Bio:i have always wanted to learn how to draw and paint, i have been taking classes for 2 years now and have come so far , i took a color theory class last spring and was introduced to water color. I love working with water color and exploring what you can do with it, I am a cake decorator and working with my icing painting is similar to water color what i have learnt i have been able to apply to my cakes. i love to paint find it so relaxing it is my time to come down from my busy day clears my mind and very calming its my chance to escape,

Story:i painted this owl i call Sisters Love, as i painted this for my sister, my sister moved away when i was 8 and she was unable to visit often or call much so we never had the opportunity to get close. She moved back home 4 years ago and we have been so close w have tried to make up the time . she loves owls and collects allot of unique owl items . i wanted to paint her something special that came from my heart , painted on Winsor & Newton cold pressed 140 lb water color paper

Name:Pinky Pamila Christy

Bio:Hi Friends.. I'm pinky pamila. First of all thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to express my interest in art. Painting is my hobby and I love to paint conceptual arts. I have learned to paint by myself during my childhood days. After so many years I've started again to paint. I have used water colors as a medium. The artwork which I have attached consists of textures, technics and concept in it to provide digital effect using traditional methods. Hope you enjoy it.

Story:The artwork which I have attached is all about the peaceful golden fishes. Recently there are lots of issues going around in the world. One of the most important problem is that the oceans are getting polluted. Finding to get rid of the pollution is quite difficult, because there are lifes underneath. Hence, I would like to say that before polluting and wasting water just think of this picture in your mind. In this artwork we can see the beauty of the golden fishes which has been clouded by pollution. It is drawn in an abstract form using traditional medium to make it more simple and appealing.