What Makes a Watercolorist?

Our story of a particular watercolorist begins all the way back in Bavaria sometime prior to 1872, when two young men decided to avoid being conscripted in yet another of the Kaiser Ludwig’s many wars, and fled for America.  They arrived in California only to learn the gold was depleted and opportunities to make a living were limited.  However, they learned that land was available in Texas, but before they went to Texas, one of them sent for his bride-to-be, the sister of his friend.  They were married in 1872 in San Francisco.

These were the paternal great-grandparents of our artist.

How they got to Texas is still a mystery, as other members of their families went north to Canada.  Perhaps, since they were mostly farmers, the open available land of North West Texas appealed to them.  I do wonder though if they were prepared for the harshness of that barren Comanche Indian country.  They settled in Clay County, near where Wichita Falls is now, and began growing a family.

The Germans who settled in Clay County consisted of only a few families, but they had many children—probably because many hands are needed to manage farm lands and because they could acquire more land if they had workers/children to work it.

I found a picture of the remains of what was a typical German sod home in the Henrietta, Texas area that could have been much like where our young couple started their family.

Now, meet Linda Franklin, my neighbor and new friend as well as an acknowledged watercolorist.

I recently became aware of Linda when her painting "Freckles In Arabia" was accepted from over 250 applicants from all over the country to be among the 50 to show in the 58th Annual Membership Exhibition at the Southwestern Watercolor Society in Allen, Texas.

And guess who won first place?

This is no paint-by-number watercolor!  She explained the many intricate steps and time consuming process of this art work.  Evidently the judges appreciated what they saw.

Linda was an art major her first two years in college, before realizing that might not be the most financially supportive career path for a young woman.  She then majored in English and French and taught English, writing and literature in the Dallas area for 40 years.

As a single mom in 1992, a friend invited her to attend a 4-session watercolor class and that led to other more lengthy and detailed classes.  It was in one of these that she met and studied under the artist, Jane E. Jones.  This was the beginning of a 25 year association and continued study with this amazing lady.

It has been at her feet that Linda has become a recognized watercolorist in her own right.  She learned from Jane valuable lessons such as "It is always important to do it well," and to always "give yourself permission to have fun."

Victoria Nightscape

Five years ago, Jane E. Jones and Linda began a partnership of writing a text book for art students.  It was completed this year and is now waiting to be published.  This 172 page manuscript will provide invaluable information not only for the beginner art student but an old "slather'r of paint" like myself.

This is a painting of Linda's maternal great-grandmother entitled "Great Grandmother and Her Chicks."

The baby is Linda's mother.  I will let Linda fill in some of the story here:

   "I consider my (Anglo) maternal grandmother to be the source of whatever creativity I have.  I stayed with her frequently as a child and she taught me to knit, to cook a bit, to sew a bit, and to be disciplined about whatever I tried to accomplish.  Neither she nor my mother was artistic, but Momma was college-educated, quite eloquent, and she encouraged me to draw and paint.  The discipline necessary to get things done, whatever the task, comes from the examples and love of these two women." 

The Hare

Now, for a bit of trivia.  Did you know that among the earliest examples of watercoloring is one by the iconic German artist Albrecht Durer dating back to 1502, the Renaissance period?  He is recognized as the pioneer of watercolor painting and best known for his painting "The Hare."

Is it coincidental or could it be much more than that?  Were Linda and her sister destined by ancestry to paint with watercolors?  We will never know, but doesn't it make an interesting side story?

Speaking of stories, all of Linda's paintings have a story and many are from their travels and personal experiences.  The one above is especially meaningful to her because it portrays the interests of her 15 year old granddaughter.  It is appropriately named, "Mandala for Olivia."  One can only imagine the hours Linda spent making sure each detail of this amazing painting was done perfectly.

This Italian lady, spotted while on a trip in Italy, is remembered for her attitude.  This too sounds like an interesting back story.

While walking a street on a Sunday afternoon in an Italian village, Linda saw these four ladies sitting at a table, which she assumed was a normal thing for them to do following Sunday Mass.

This is such a study of expressions.  Linda explained that the one on the end above, was the talker and since I'm telling this part of the story, it is my guess that these other three friends had heard her stories a few too many times.

Berry Branch

Spying Eyes

This last one was taken at the Japanese Garden in Ft Worth, Tx.  How many spying eyes can you find?

Don't you love meeting new people and learning their story?

Thank you Linda Franklin for allowing us into your story.

If you would like to see more of Linda's works, follow her on Facebook:

Linda B Franklin Watercolors