"Obama" once and no more, I guess :)

"Dear Mr. Wang,

I live in Raleigh, nc and was on line tonight looking for the possibility of finding some portrait instruction in watercolor. I am new to watercolor and to painting in general, but I have wanted to watercolor since 1967. Since 1990 I have collected brushes, paints, books, paper, and equipment to pursue my dream. One year ago after seeing some photos that our daughter took, I decided that i wanted to paint our grandchildren and children at play. I have attempted to begin this dream. I stopped working so that i could devote good day time in this pursuit. To this point I have worked on drawing our grandchildren and am okay with these likenesses, but i am having a great deal of difficulty with the watercolor, both with technique and development of colors.

In the past 6 weeks I have been to Artspace in downtown Raleigh, have volunteered to studio sit (hoping that the environment and availability of art there would aid in this quest), and have contacted a local portrait watercolor artist there requesting the possibility of occasional lessons as her style is that toward which I wish to develop (at this point). Unfortunately, as she is working on commissioned pieces it is not in her best interest to instruct at this time.

I found your work on A Stroke of Genius and found your work exciting. You capture the heart of the subject. Although I do not live in Charlotte, our daughter lives in Huntersville and I do visit Charlotte. Do you instruct or can you recommend someone in your area whose style is similar to yours? With the realization that you are represented on this Genius site, I can believe that requesting any of your time might be similar to a novice politician requesting help from Pres. Obama. If you have a suggestion, I would appreciate any that you might share. In advance, I thank you for your time.

polly huber"


Dear Polly:
Thanks your nice compliment, I'm very honored. Since your aim is a watercolor artist, I assume that you might know that President F.D.R.had died before his watercolor portrait finished by a female artist.
My watercolor portrait experience was way back, a decade ago, when I was in a national theme park where gathered tourists from all over the world. I did hoards of watercolor portrait sketches in a year with none of which is rejected, a challenge for artists since pastel can be altered, watercolor can't. Before doing watercolor, you must have a sound drawing skill.
I do teach here and have no objection to travel to Raleigh couple of times if you recommend me to an art association, a frame shop, a church, and so forth. Besides that, we may have an on line course.
Best wishes!