Silverblade-**
**Thanks for the nice words! Let me use this opportunity to say a few words  In 'defense' of the watercolor technique :
I know the concept of watercolor paintings conjurs up images of pleasant landscapes,  dainty little flowers or thatched cottages with climbing pink roses,  painted by refined upper class ladies (or prince Charles).  Being that I had very little art knowledge and  no formal art education, I used to think that too - watercolor is a whishy-washy  pass-time.  I changed my mind when I saw the type of bold watercolor practiced by Californian artists . And in time I discovered others, like Winslow Homer in the US, and Graham Dean in the UK,  just to name a couple. These artists do not use the watercolor technique as an illustration method. They use it for expressive descriptions and  to convey emotional statements. For these purposes, not only is watercolor as good as the more respected oil - it may have the advantage. It is quick, dynamic and direct. It is easier to get a fresh and lively look  - one just has to be free and bold enough...
I dont mean to sound pretentious and imply that my paintings are in the same category as the examples I gave, but I am glad when people that see my paintings change  their mind a bit about the nature of watercolor paintings.
Please continue to look at watercolors with an open mind:)

Eonite:
Thanks! and yes my avatar is part of one of my older watercolor paintings, titled 'Moody Fish'.
The rest of the painting isnt very good, but the fishy represents me quite well - I look almost as good and often act  as grumpy:)

"I paint that which comes from the imagination or from dreams, or from an unconscious drive. I photograph the things that I do not wish to paint, the things which already have an existence."
Man Ray, modernist painter
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