Everyone has a story mine - I'm a Mother of 2, who began painting late in life at around 38 when I lost my parents within a year of one another. My sadness had to go somewhere, so I picked up my little girl's watercolor box and painted my range of feelings in "Silent Sentry" a seascape with lighthouse. It was my first attempt at watercolor and it made me feel like I've never felt in my life. I felt an incredible spirit energy fill me as I painted. I've also tried painting music that I am listening to, that can be fun!
It would be the beginning of nearly a 100 paintings of which most were given away and of which I do not have photographs. I sold many as well. One was on an oversized watercolor paper of The Golden Gate at dusk, San Francisco, CA with a bank of fog wrapped around the top of each support. It was a gift for someone I worked with, as it was where she and her husband celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Another of a small infant perched upon a slatted bench, with palm trees either side. That too was for a coworker who was the grandmother.
The saddest was one of a hillside ascending to a sunset, for my dear friend Dee who passed away from breast cancer. She wanted it so she could focus on it when she was in pain and needed to be transported to another place that was peaceful. And yet another loving friend Sheila, that insisted she was going to own one of my favorites, she was struck down with cancer and yes, I gave it to her. It was a bitter sweet victory for her.
Bixby Bridge in Monterey, CA which sold to a dear friend for her husband as an anniversary gift.
Set of 4 Seasons /commissioned. The customer had a son that purchased his first home and it was depicted for each season. Several others are now in Europe or were sold at auction for a children's school such as a seascape of the Amafi Coastline in Italy.
Subjects include many land and seascapes, old farm houses and farm equipment, all sorts of vegetation, flowers,bridges across water, koi fish in ponds, Japanese Tea Houses, Many are a combination of realism and impressionism where I may feel driven to add more detail in the foreground as I believe it connects with the spirit of a person, in a different way.
I love many cultures and connect with some very deeply, almost spiritually. I have a deep respect for them all, for all of humanity.
When I paint it's like I am there in the painting with all my senses on high alert. It's a spiritual experience for me and I often have felt I channeled several of those who have since crossed over. It's hard to explain just that it's an overwhelming compelling push to create.
My work and videos can also be seen at https://www.youtube.com/user/Rainwatercolor
I took some time away from painting but I am back in full force so I'll share what my creations are as I complete them. I'm also branching out into mixed media and acrylic. - although my main focus is in impressionistic watercolors, so stay tuned :D
Namaste - Rain Leveille
