Series of family portraits in watercolor

Watercolor portrait from a 1960s era wedding photo by J L FleckensteinWhile I was still living in Los Angeles, a couple commissioned me to create a series of portraits of various family members. First, there was a portrait painted from the grandparent’s wedding photo, which was presented to the grandparents as an anniversary gift.

Then, separate portraits of the couple’s three sons.
These paintings are all watercolors on 140 lb. Arches cold press watercolor paper ranging in size from 20″ x 28″ to 15″ x 18″. All were completed in 2004.

Watercolor portait of a child by J L Fleckenstein

Watercolor portait of a child by J L Fleckenstein

Watercolor portait of a child by J L Fleckenstein

The Children at Easter

The Children at Easter a Watercolor Painting by J. L. FleckensteinSOLD

When my children were little (they are young adults now) my family used to gather each Easter at my sister’s house. We all lived close to each other in Southern California at the time, sharing many happy holidays together. With three brothers and my sister, the spouses, the grandchildren and my parents we enjoyed lovely and loving gatherings over and over again.This painting reflects a favorite memory of one such Easter, as a handful of the children sat together on the lawn in my sister’s beautiful backyard, sorting through the treasures gathered during their Easter egg hunt.

The painting is approximately 20″ x 28″, watercolor on 140 lb. coldpress watercolor paper. It hangs in a private collection in Colorado.

Copyright © 2007 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Any Soldier

Any Soldier a Watercolor Painting by J. L. Fleckenstein

PRIVATE COLLECTION

[Note: Please click post title to see the painting.]

Two years ago I painted this watercolor after reviewing many photographs sent in letters to my family from pen-pal soldiers serving in Iraq. I fashioned this soldier’s face from the images in my mind conjured not only from the photographs, but from their letters as well.

The title of the painting, “Any Soldier”, was chosen because of the “Any Soldier” letter writing program in the United States Military. Any civilian may write a letter addressed to “Any Soldier”, and the letter will go into a bin, box, or basket for soldiers to pick from at random.

This soldier is my tribute to the brave men and women serving in our armed forces, to show my gratitude and appreciation for their selfless service and devotion to the ideals and values held precious in the hearts of generations of Americans, regardless of and held separate from political opinions.

Copyright © 2005, 2007 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Watercolor Study of an Easter Lily

Watercolor Study of an Easter Lily by J.L. Fleckenstein

SOLD

[Note: Click on post title to see the painting.]

This is a watercolor study of an Easter Lily. I painted it in the spring of 2005 in California.

The finished size is approximately 15″ x 22″; it is painted on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper.

I am offering it for auction at eBay, with a low starting bid, no reserve, and no Buy It Now, so that perhaps one of the readers of my I Live on a Farm blog might have a chance to purchase it.

I thought it would be nice for this painting to find a new home before this Easter.

Click here to see the completed auction for this painting.

Copyright © 2007 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Best friends

Best Friends Watercolor Painting by J. L. Fleckenstein

FAMILY COLLECTION

[Note: Click on the post title to see the painting.]

This is a watercolor painting of my son and his cousin. They were born three months apart and grew up as best friends. I cannot remember them ever having even one conflict between them.

I love this painting because it captures a precious moment when they were taking a break from play to eat peanut butter sandwiches together, sitting on a brick wall at my sister’s house.

Such good buddies.

The painting is 18″ x 24″; painted on 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper.

Copyright © 2006 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Big Catch

Big Catch … A Watercolor Painting by J. L. Fleckenstein

SOLD

[Note: Click on the post title to see the painting.]

This is a painting I was commission to create several years ago, by the aunt of the girls featured in it. The girls in the painting were very active, athletic, outdoors-men, so to speak. The fish you see lying at their feet … they caught all those fish. I love their sun-burned faces and the wonderful look of pride at their big catch.

The painting is 20″ x 28″, watercolor on 140 lb. coldpress watercolor paper.

It hangs in a private collection in Los Gatos, California.

Copyright © 2006 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Carol with Child

Watercolor Painting by J. L. Fleckenstein

SOLD

[Note: Please click on post title to see the painting.]

This is a watercolor painting of a dear friend of mine, walking at a favorite spot on the beach with her little boy, pregnant with her second child.

The painting is 20″ x 28″, painted on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper.

Copyright © 2006 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

House on High Cliff, North View

Watercolor Painting by J. L. Fleckenstein

AVAILABLE

[Note: Please click on the post title to see the painting.]

This is a watercolor painting of the north-facing view from a home I lived in with my children in California. Our home was situated on a high, steep hill. We had a beautiful, panoramic view of the Angeles Crest mountains from the third floor deck of the house.

That particular home was a place of solace and much happiness. This particular view was my favorite, and I could see it from the studio space I painted from there.

This painting is 15″ x 22″, on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper.

Copyright © 2006 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Road from Najaf

Watercolor Painting by J. L. Fleckenstein Road from Najaf

AVAILABLE

[Note: Please click on the post title to see the photo of the painting.]

This watercolor painting is of a soldier who fought during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003/2004. My family wrote letters to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and this soldier became a good friend of ours. His unit had been down in Najaf late in the summer and were in a convoy on their way back to Kirkuk when a buddy captured a photograph of him … tired, hot, and dirty but happy to be returning safely from a difficult security operation.

This painting is 22″ by 28″ and was painted on 300 lb rough finish watercolor paper. It was painted in late August of 2004.

Copyright © 2006 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Watercolor portrait of a little boy

Watercolor Portrait by J. L. Fleckenstein

Adam

FAMILY COLLECTION

[Note: Click on the post title to see the painting.]

This is a watercolor I painted of one of my nephews. I love his happy expression and the scrumptious dimples in his cheeks.

The piece is 15″ x 20″, painted on 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper.

Copyright © 2006 J.L. Fleckenstein ALL RIGHTS RESERVED