Michael Payette - Peaceful Easy Feeling

Watercolor painting by Michael Payette.

Artist statement: I am drawn to the detail and subtly of the image, but I am also very much caught by grand gesture and broad expressions. This is a paradox for me as well as a challenge. I am drawn to detail yet want to explode with looseness and freedom of expression. To color outside the lines. This is why I am drawn to watercolor painting as it allows both wide open expression as well as the fine details of the subject all expressed in the same piece. The grand gesture, but boiled down to the small but significant details. I find birds and waterfowl and painting water are subjects that permit this expression. I love to draw and paint the human figure as well.