<p>Virginia Blackstock focuses on powerful designs that show the effect of lights and shadows.</p>

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The luminosity of transparent watercolor and the rich darks that are possible with their staining pigments are a constant fascination for me. I strive to keep my colors clean and fresh, to let them mix wet into wet on the paper in order to bring my closely focused still lifes and natural subjects alive. At the same time, I try to use striking value contrasts to move the viewer’s eye around and through the painting; or to bring more focus to the center of interest.

My plan is to make a powerful design as it is affected by light and shadows. An unusual perspective of a usual scene or object gives impetus to my purpose of action and lends power to the painting. Patterns, colors and textures all call upon my skills to invest life into the subject.

The negative area or background often becomes the crucial space in the composition, as do the shadows. Sometimes a spectacular shadow is my inspiration, as it was in my demonstration painting Midnight Marvel. At other times I’m challenged to capture the feeling of tranquility by depicting the strong light on petals or objects drenched in sunlight.

I find much joy in the appreciation of the viewer, when the viewer feels that kinship which I found in the hours of creating it. It is my hope to bring forth in painting, the things I see in life that I hold precious. If my brush has enriched the thoughts and memories of others, it increa