Texas-based artist Laurin McCracken is a realist watercolorist, recently having won International Artist’s latest Still Life Challenge for his painting Black, White and Red.Working with subjects often set against dark backdrops, McCracken’s artwork is reminiscent of the Old Masters, yet rendered in the fluidity and expressive nature of watercolor.
A Very Personal Collection, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300 lb soft-pressed paper, 28 x 40 in.“When I look at the world and think about what I might paint, I am reminded of the quote from Henry David Thoreau: ‘It is not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.’ Then I ask myself, “Can I paint that in watercolor?” he asks.
His painting Oranges & Clear Plastic Bag—depicting vivid color against a reflective, transparent bag—is a prime example of an instance in which the artist pushed himself on a technical level. “I am always on the lookout for interesting subjects that appear to be too hard to paint in watercolor. Then I see if I am up to the challenge,” says McCracken.
Three Apples on Foil, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300 lb soft-pressed paper, 13 x 20 in.
Another is Three Apples on Foil. “My goal here was to create a Dutch style still life using objects that bridged between the 17th century and today,” he says. “The combination of apples and aluminum foil created that bridge. It also fits my desire to paint objects that are deemed too difficult for watercolor.”
A signature member of more than a dozen watercolor societies including the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America and the Southern Watercolor Society, McCracken’s artwork has been exhibited across the world, from China to Thailand to Italy.
Chair, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300 lb soft-pressed paper, 25 x 20 in.
Black, White and Red, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300 lb soft-pressed paper, 38 x 28 in.
“Not every artist can see things uniquely, but it is imperative that an artist sees things differently and with a certain clarity that the average individual might have,” says McCracken. “That is the value we bring to our craft. It is the combination of those abilities and a fundamental mastery of the craft that makes us artists.”
McCracken believes there are three basic aspects that contribute to being a great artist: seeing, drawing and mastery of the craft.
Silver Service with a Magnolia, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300 lb soft-pressed paper, 13 x 20 in.
“You must be able to see things in a fresh way. You must see things in a way that reveals new ways of seeing to others. Walter Anderson said, ‘Everything I see is new and strange.’ From that he created art that attracts our attention, warrants our attention and astounds us,” he says. “The fundamentals of art are all about drawing. They are the way we artists transfer our unique way of seeing into any medium. The more one draws the easier it gets and the better one draws.”
He continues, “An artist must be able to be facile with the tools of the medium if you are to successfully transfer how you see to others. Without mastery of the craft of painting, your audience will not be able to read the message you are trying to communicate about what you saw and drew.”
Oranges & Clear Plastic Bag, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300 lb soft-pressed paper, 15 x 20 in.
McCracken is the past president of the Watercolor USA Honor Society and was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award with the Watercolor Honor Society. He lives and paints in Fort Worth, Texas, and teaches workshops worldwide. —
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