Lakeside Sweatshirt

Much of my work is "tight", exacting to a point, detailed. This is one of several small paintings I created using only my fingers and fingernails with watercolor. My signature is the only use of a brush. I tried to complete each one in 30 minutes or less. An excellent exercise to "loosen up", more suggestive, less defined. I discovered I need to allow longer fingernails to achieve better branches and grasses! .

In 1969, Monte Toon began his career as a watercolorist. He credits the late Charles Sanderson of Wichita, Kansas, with setting him on his life-long path of watercolor painting. Sanderson inspired new approaches and techniques. Later, the works of Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper would influence Toon's work. More than 54 years experience has defined Toon's style in his exclusive use of watercolor. In 1991, a turning point occurred in Toon's work. Travels in Canada, New England and the east coast broadened his range of subject matter. By setting goals and directions of purpose, Monte enhanced and elevated his works to new heights resulting in numerous solo shows of merit. He refers to this change as a re-dedication to...