ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Pat Howard, a watercolor artist and teacher.  Welcome to my blog, The Painted Prism!



Growing up in Ohio, my first art instruction was from my father, a commercial artist.  I received my formal education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Later, while raising my four sons, I studied art at the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, and at the Art Institute of Colorado.

I have been a professional artist since 1982, when I was an illustrator and graphic designer (WAY before computers, so I drew everything by hand with pen and ink).  I was introduced to watercolor about 25 years ago, and I haven't looked back.



I have a home and studio outside of Durango, Colorado, in the southwest corner of the state, where I paint my own paintings, write my blog, and conduct my watercolor workshops.            














My natural attraction to pattern and texture is evident in my paintings of people and places, fruit and flowers -- along with creative new approaches to the watercolor medium.  And, I continue to paint portrait commissions.




My paintings can be seen at Sorrel Sky Gallery, in Durango, and at Columbine Gallery, in Loveland, Colorado.



Making art is a soulful, personal process for all artists, and sharing my art and teaching watercolor to others, makes it all so much more rewarding.  So I'm very excited to share what I know through my blog, the Painted Prism.  It has been such a joy for me -- to connect with people from around the world.  And now, with my Mentoring Course, I can work one-on-one with students, via the Internet.  I'm currently working with 16 mentoring students, from around the United States, Canada, and even England.



When I'm not painting, teaching, or blogging -- I enjoy hiking and camping with my soon-to-be retired husband and our Black Lab/Newfoundland mix dog, in our new little camper.  Occasionally, we will travel further afield, on an airplane -- to Italy, this year!




















I also greatly enjoy yoga, reading, music, photography -- and, of course, visiting my kids, grandkids, and family/friends, as much as I can.







My sons are grown now -- two have children of their own.  So, of course we have even more artists in the family, now!



Here's my e-mail address, if you'd like to contact me: 

thepaintedprism@gmail.com






34 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing such talent and expertise. I'm trying to muster up the courage to paint in water color. I'm 85.

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    1. How great that you're wanting to try watercolor. I think being curious and learning/trying new things is what keeps us young, right? If I can help at all, please ask. No matter how long an artist has been painting or drawing, she/he remembers being a beginner. It's exciting and frustrating at the same time.

      I hope you find the courage to try. Just know that you don't have to show anyone your first attempts. Just buy some supplies, and start playing with them.

      And, check back to my blog -- I will be offering an e-course, called "Getting Started in Watercolor". It should be ready in a few weeks. Good luck -- you can do it!

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  2. Have just seen your page via Facebook and would like to thank you for giving your time to help us newbies to understand the value and tone! Thank you very much and I will be looking at your posts regularly from now on! Sue from the UK

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    1. Thank you, Sue . . . so glad that you found my blog. I will be posting more regularly, now that I'm back from a little sabbatical. I hope that you continue to get help and encouragement from the blog. I appreciate your comments! pat

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  3. Just found you through Pinterest. I am looking forward to trying some of your projects. I started painting 3 years ago and am always looking for step-by-step projects. Thank you!

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    1. So glad you found me and want to try some of the projects! Have fun with them . . .

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  4. Someone pointed me to your blog and I have made it a "Favorite" already. You make easy to understand these techniques and your work is superb. Keep up the excellent work.

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind comments -- I'm honored to be one of your "Faves"!

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  5. Hi from the UK. Trying to get back into drawing now that I am retired. Just discovered your blog which I hope will compliment the classes I've started. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Wonderful! Good luck with your drawing and the classes -- and I hope my blog helps a little.

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  6. I just saw your orange painting posted by Watercolor Painting Club on FB and I love it! I am also a watercolor artist and blogger-you have inspired me to go paint something orange! I love your blog and I am going to try to follow along with you. Is there a way to subscribe that I missed?

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  7. Yea!! Glad that I inspired you just a little. There are different ways to follow along with my blog. Look on the right-hand side, below the "Popular Posts" and the "Blog Archive". You can either "subscribe to" or "follow by e-mail" or "join this site" under "Followers". You could also "like" me on FB -- I have a Painted Prism page, as well as a Pat Howard Watercolors Page. And, you can follow my Painted Prism board on Pinterest. That is all WAY more information than you wanted, wasn't it? Let me know what your blog is, Elaine, so I can check it out, too.

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  8. Hi! I have recently discovered your blog and I absolutely love it. I have nothing to do with art, I just like watercolor. And you inspired me to try it. The simple way you use to present it makes the whole process of painting not so frightening:)
    Now I have a little collection of watercolor paintings. Thank you!

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    1. It was so nice to read your comment today, Olga! Thanks for taking the time to let me know that you're enjoying it, and painting! Hooray! (So, now you can't say that you have nothing to do with art.)

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  9. Pat, don't ask how, but I was most fortunate to find your blog.... It may have been through Pintrest and I am thankful for it. My watercolor painting experience is less than poor... I tried some live-TV websites and also purchased tutorial DVD's but I am totally confused with tonal values, underpainting, composition, analogous colors, wet in wet, wet on dry, ay, ay, ay.... I am definitely lost in the processes - too many, too confusing.- Your mentoring program appears to be just what I need but before I jump into it I may want to try some of your step-by-step tutorials. Where can I purchase a palette similar to yours?

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    1. Well, Maria -- I am so thankful that you found my blog. How nice to hear that you're enjoying it. Yes, learning to paint in watercolor can be overwhelming and frustrating -- I'd like to think that my blog and my mentoring program can help it be a little less daunting, and way more enjoyable! The palette that I use most of the time now, is a Stephen Quiller Traveler Palette -- plastic, with a lid. I bought mine from Daniel Smith, on-line.

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  10. Thanks for the information on the palette Pat. I will probably be registering for your Mentoring program next January, after all the hullabaloo of the holiday season is over. In the meantime, I will try a couple of your step-by-step demonstrations.

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  11. Thank you for posting about watercolor. I'm 18 years old. Your posts make me want to try watercolor painting. Thanks!

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    1. Oh, good -- I love hearing that! Hope you give it a try, and maybe my blog can be of help.

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  12. Wow! I' so happy I found your blog. Your work is so beautiful and inspirational. Spent way too much time today reading it so I guess I'll just have to subscribe now! Thanks so much for all the info you share.

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    1. Haha! I love your comment, Jane! And, I'm so happy that you found me! Here's to wasting time at the Painted Prism . . . Cheers!

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  13. Hi Pat; Thanks for all the Lessons. Have learned so much.
    On the Negative Painting, could I use a Feather. Have a few I collected, just don't know what color to use for
    a Background. One feather is yellow, one Blue and the other Gray..
    Thanks for any Suggestion.
    and again Thanks for all you have posted.
    Lois

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  14. Hi Pat,
    I just found your blog and am so happy I did! I've been taking watercolor lessons for about 6 weeks and have learned more here in the last few days. My biggest "aha" was the photo of the wash on the negative leaves project. I just couldn't understand how to get a clear wash and when you explained that you leave a drip (for lack of a better description) and add more paint to that, it all clicked. Prior to that I was getting so many streaks.
    I'm so enjoying the Leaves project! If I'd known it was going to turn out so cool I would have been a little more careful! I'm planning on doing all of the projects shown on the right hand side.
    Your instructions are so clear and easy to follow and it's wonderful to finally start learning how to paint with watercolor and end up with something beautiful!

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    1. Hi Susan! I'm happy you found my blog, too, and are having AHA! moments. Those are the best, when you're learning watercolor! When I learned about negative painting, years ago, something also clicked for me -- and I have been hooked on watercolor ever since. And, learning about picking up the bead when you are painting a wash -- it works! So glad that I could help some things click for you. Continued good luck on your painting journey!

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  15. Hi,
    I recently found your blog via facebook and I have to say that I love your workshops! A few months ago I enrolled in a beginners class in watercolour but after the class ended I've found it hard to find inspiration to paint again. Needless to say I think I've found it now. I have one small question though. Some of my friends have uttered an interest to buy paintings from me and I just wondered how I should do If said painting has been made during one of your workshops? Is there a good way to show that it isn't my original design? I wouldn't wanna claim ownership of something that I basically have copied.
    Again Thank you =)
    / Swedish girl

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    1. Hi, Stina -- Glad you like the blog and are having fun and success with the tutorials. I don't have a problem with your selling your work to your friends -- I think it is fine, even though you have followed along with my tutorials. They are still your paintings. What you should not do is enter them in exhibitions, publish them as your own, or display them in galleries. I offer these tutorials for free, and I am thrilled if you are learning to paint from them, and also selling your work. Eventually, your work will become more and more unique.

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  16. Recently found your web site while poking around on Pinterest and looking for watercolor tips. I am new to watercolors and find your examples easy to understand and helpful. We have visited Durango many times and wished I had known about your studio. Maybe next time we are in the area I will be lucky enough that you have scheduled a workshop.

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  17. I AM INTERESTED IN YOUR ONLINE MENTORING COURSE. I POSTED EARLIER BUT NO RESPONSE. PLEASE ADVISE...

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  18. Dear Pat, You are amazing.I am amateur from Serbia, and just started looking for instructions about watercolors and found your website.
    I hope You and Your family are in good health and happy.I wish You all the best .
    I will look for your instructions because they are so simple and easy to understand.

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  19. I love your clear obstructions. I am really blocked right now. Your mandala tutorial or lesson helped. My Mandalas aren't giving me the joy Like they used to years ago and when I restarted, just not feeling it. Your lesson helped me to just let go and paint.

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  20. Pat, I would like to show one of your painting in my college art class to illustrate a triadic color scheme using secondary colors. May I? I don't know the name of your painting, but it has orange lilies.

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    1. Hello, Colleen -- So sorry for the late reply to your request. Yes, you have my permission to show the Butchart Gardens Lillium, to illustrate the secondary triad color scheme. Thanks for asking!

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