Virtual Gallery of Design by Amanda Herod

Watercolor Gallery

Other Art Media Gallery

Thank you for visiting my online art gallery. If you have any question, please feel free to email me at rainydiva@hotmail.com. Thank you for visiting!

I visited New York City on my senior class trip (back in.. nevermind). One of the "must sees" for me was the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. I love fountains, and that's why it was important that I see this one. I later turned it into one of my favourite watercolors. I hope you like it as much as I do!

One of my favourite places to visit in Florida is the charming town of Seaside. When I was about 17 I went on my first vacation with out parents, with my dear friends at Spring break. I happened to capture on film this little guy who was climbing a "Slow Children at Play" sign (kids playing slowly?), and later turned it into a watercolor painting.

During college I had the fortunate experience of studying for a year at Newbold College in England. They are renouned for their century old grounds, especially Sylvia's Garden. This was one of my favourite places to study, read, and paint. Even now, years later, I find it awesome that I had this place in my backyard.

When I attended Newbold College, I almost spent more time in this room than my own. It belonged to my dear friends Valinda and Julie, to whom I dedicate this painting. We watched shooting stars from the “balcony”, spent hours talking, and may even have studied a bit.

Ahh, yes the Emerald Isle. As unofficial tour guide, I lead my three dear friends Julie, Deborah and Adriel on a trip to Ireland back in 2000. While there I was able to visit my friend Scott who was serving as a missionary there. This is one of my favorite paintings, as the color purple and the reflection of the moon on the freshly fallen snow make it seem magical. Though it wasn't snowing while we were there, it was still a magical place.

I love painting flowers, especially ones that seem to reflect our human emotions. Usually the reflected emotions are those of happiness, joy, and celebration, but sometimes heartache as well. This was painted at one of those times for me, although I currently think a bright yellow daisy more aptly reflects my current state of mind.

This subject matter was not chosen by me. It was chosen by my watercolor teacher and we all had to paint it. It was good though, because it enabled me to develop skills and attention to detail that I dont often acquire in my other watercolor paintings. Not all art is pretty and rosy, but can be appreciated.

I bought the vase in this painting from a pottery shop in Nevada. The quirky shopkeeper was amused when he threw it on the ground, I gasped in surprise, and the vase did not break! That was definitely pottery I could use, so I bought it. When I had to chose an object for a still life in watercolor class, this was a natural choice.

I visited Phoenix, AZ, where my mother had grown up, in June 2003. It oddly enough felt like home, though I have only been there one other time in my life. Famous for their sunsets, I painted this one for my grandmother, so that she could see a Phoenix sunset any time she wished. It was a really special trip for me, and my affinity with the west.

On to the other works of art!