"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you never want to lose."

Lost in Lost Lake

10/2011

Watercolor, ink, and pencil

This paining is from a picture taken at Camp Neyati. We hike out to "Lost Lake," lots of times at night, and sit on the hill. I love being at camp, and especially sitting by Lost Lake. It's so peaceful and nature stretches as far as you can see. Camp is definately the best week of my summer, so I had a lot of love for the place to put into my painting. The quote, "Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you never want to lose," perfectly describes all the time I have spent at Neyati. I have some of the best memories and amazing friends from my weeks at camp.

The technique/look of this painting was inspired by the artist Des Murphy. (You can see his work at reddogcards.com!) He puts a lot of his artwork on greeting cards, but I just loved the way he simplified everyday landscapes and used vibrant watercolors accented with ink. I tried to mimic this style in my painting. Also, the trees in the background of my painting are painted with a sponge to achieve the leafy look and the reflections in the water have a little bit of pencil to make them blurry.

When I look at this painting, I am taken to the hill looking over Lost Lake with people I love. I hope this painting takes you to somewhere you never want to leave, too.