Botanicals

Mid-Summer (detail), watercolor, 30" x 40

I collect roadside, field, and bedded plants from my garden. My botanicals are observed, and detailed. Pieces of knock-out color placed next to each other within a web of plants provide daily excitement and interest in painting.

Four Seasons

watercolor, 40" x 60"

I hyperfocus when I paint. The rest of the world disappears and, for hours, leaves me with only plants and painting.

Autumn Walk

watercolor, 30" x 40"

A live plant is examined, drawn, and painted, then another drawing of live plant is added. Most plants only live a few days when cut; they are quickly incorporated. Most of a painting is done from left to right. I draw and paint a plant or a couple of plant parts and then continue across the paper as nature’s seasonal progress continues.

Joan Becker's studio in preparation for Pursue at Gross McCleaf Gallery in 2025.