About BEA

When my husband Tony retired in 2009 at 72 years old, we decided to develop a hobby which we could enjoy together. We tried golf but that "didn't take"... painting and drawing did.

I got hooked on watercolor painting while living in Chicago during the early '90s. We lived in Old Town within walking distance of the Art Student's League where I met a wonderful group of painters who graciously shared their knowledge with me, a rank beginner. During our 5 years in that remarkable city, I painted there weekly and learned the basics.

Moving to Moutlonboro, New Hampshire in 1997, I took courses in acrylics and drawing from Sandy McDermott and through a "Scratch Art" workshop, discovered Estelle Smith. Botanical drawing classes at Wellesley College fascinated me but I yearned to add color to those detailed pencil drawings.

Watercolor had become my medium of choice; the translucency and surprise element of watercolor is intriguing and challenging.

What do I paint? An avid gardener for all the years in lived in MA, PA and NH, I find myself attracted to flowers, their color, shape, texture and scent. On our frequent 'moseys' around New England, I enjoy photographing other people's gardens, barns and landscapes, always looking for a 'story' to paint.

Moving from the Lakes Region to the Upper Valley in 2012, Tony and I studied with Ann Lindsey, Lian Zhen and local artists Patty Dean, Stephanie Reininger and Nancy Dean. We still travel weekly to study with Estelle Smith.