When I first started painting watercolors in 1991, with a background of 25 years as a graphic designer, my aim was simple: create a realistic rendering that brought a feeling of happiness to the viewer. But the more I explored and experienced, the more I realized that light and the sense of form it creates were what was important. I now create illusions of shapes which inspire the viewer to become involved in the passion of the painting. My florals seem to project a sense of intimacy - an enhanced realism; I play bright colors against dark for impact. Design and composition are extremely important as is the painting's emotional quality. Over the years my eye for detail has developed a keen sense of seeing what is beyond the surface and into the very soul of my subject matter. My watercolors are looser, more textured, and include a rich combination of color complements and dramatic values.

I'm a graduate of Kutztown State University, PA, with a BS degree in Biology, minor in Fine Arts, and lots of on the job experience as a commercial graphic designer, illustrator, publisher, and organic gardener. My work has been featured in numerous publications, and can be found in many private collections and corporate product lines. I'm a past member of Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County (WASCO) and participate in several juried exhibitions. My awards include three Best of Shows and a People's Choice Award.

Pennsylvania with its green hills, manicured "woods" and picturesque farm lands were a great start but I now choose to live in the mountains of Northern CA, in Mendocino County: a true paradise on this planet Earth. Among the giant redwoods, valley oaks and madrones, one gets a sense of self and their place in the Universe. I am excited by flowers, nature, the land, and their promise of a slower passage of time, of quiet observation and pleasure, and of their "be present" message. My admiration of the natural extends from the personal to the political: I live my dreams, grow my flowers, paint and nurture them as a way of life.

My work is becoming more abstract, although many paintings still retain representational elements. I am also interested in developing scenes that depict humans' adaptation to their environment, or creating that environment we have forgotten about. Remembering our roots. Old cars and tractors discarded in empty barren fields become the metaphors for the emptiness we experience in our lives. Yet their beauty shines through as nature reclaims our discards.

Recently, I've been working on relationships including myself. Not a bad thing if one considers the extent some people go to promote themselves or talk to therapists. Mine is more of a spiritual discovery and placement in the whole of things. My dreams become reality on a personal level and I get to express them in paintings. Contact is welcome at jkoelle@pacific.net.