Watercolor Paintings from the 1990s
There was a time in the mid-1990s when I had gone through my second divorce and was waffling between careers. I was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, an artist's Mecca. I signed up for a watercolor class in the evening, joining a room full of mostly women (mostly older than I was) as we learned about paper, paint, color, and shape. I had no art training whatsoever.All of my paintings were made from photographs, except the "goddess" paintings. They were inspired by postcards I found on a trip to Maui. I loved the original images, and, wanted to use them as inspiration but not to exactly copy them. I wish I had the originals as I would like to credit the artist who inspired me.I diminished my work, because the paintings were created from photos and not "plein air style" or purely from my imagination. Now that I'm older, I choose not to get on my case in that way and I actually appreciate the work here. They've been stored in a box for nearly 20 years. It's amazing how feelings can change, opinions can change, when I get off my case.You may see some signed as "Annie Benton." That was my given name/nickname. I changed my name from Mary Anne Benton to Roxanne Benton Darling in December, 1999. I wanted to make a change in my life, do something, get out of the boxes of the 1900s, and launch myself in the year 2000 freer and less confined. I suppose it could be considered part of my coming out as an artist, a type of performance art giving myself into a new persona.I threw a lot of other paintings and drawings away as I've moved over the years. I'm really glad I kept these. They represent many of my favorite experiences - traveling in Italy, boating in Lake Powell, taking a peak into the Divine Feminine on Maui. Feel free to drop me an email to share your feelings and ideas.
Watercolor Paintings by Roxanne Darling
