WATCH YOUR STEP

Watch Your Step

36 x 29 inch watercolor

~~~

This is the largest watercolor I have ever painted and I did so because of the story behind the image. I wanted to document a larger than life memory. 

In 1976, Dennis, myself and our one year old first born, Matthew ventured to Florida. One of our first stops was Disney World, but the greatest treat for me was visiting my uncle. Uncle Harry was a very large man of 6 foot 4 inches. He graciously treated us to a trip to "old Florida," the Highland Hammocks State Park, which was untouched by human beings, except for the 1930's catwalk through this maze of jungle-like swamp of colorful birds, bird calls, reptiles, slow moving waters, and cypress trees that were shedding their orange Autumn growth. What made this adventure so memorable was that while the 4 of us slowly and carefully walked the narrow, single railed walkway, dear Uncle Harry carried our young son on his big, broad shoulders. Being a new mother, I was acutely aware of the dangers that lurked in the waters below our carefully placed footfalls, as we traversed the entire walk without incident. I trusted my uncle with my precious little one, but fear still lingered in my mother's heart! I was thankful to end that adventure! I guess when one is young, fear is present, but never limits the curious mind. I truly wanted to see around every corner of that age-old 1930's catwalk!

Two years ago, Dennis and I went again to walk that rickety catwalk. Our son, now 50, was not along for this venture and when we arrived, we were a bit disappointed to find that the catwalk is now closed. It is very old and is rotten in many areas. But, I was able to take photographs of the area.

 

 

This photo is actually a composite of several areas, and animals within the park.  I hope you can see how dangerous the catwalk is! There is a yellow tape and there are signs to keep people off this catwalk. I consider myself privileged to have once walked it!

~~~

I used a computer app to create this line drawing, which I transferred to the watercolor paper.

~~~

 

We have a local park/cemetery in Springfield, Ohio, which actually has the same cypress trees lining a pond. I took this photo in Springfield so I could better see the russet-red fall color of its lacy needles.

~~~

I then began applying watercolor. This painting had many details and took many months to complete!

~~~

Here is a close-up.

~~~

 

More time, more watercolor.

~~~

And finally, the finish:

WATCH YOUR STEP

36 X 29 inches