Harper Dangler

Capturing Beauty, Light, and Our Places in Nature

I am a Vermont-born watercolor artist living in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. I grew up drawing and sketching, walking in the woods, swimming in lakes, playing the violin in orchestras, and singing in choruses. I have always been into drawing, but it wasn’t until 2010 that I fell in love with watercolor painting.

I create art because it’s the most honest way to express myself, my values, and connect with other people. Through my watercolor paintings, I hope to give my viewers a sense of peace, wonder, and appreciation for the beauty to be found in each day. My artwork expresses my love of nature, water, reflection, humanity, and light. Making art is also the way I honor my grandmothers’ artistry and the gift they passed down to me.

I am attracted to the ever-changing beauty, joy, and wonder found along the water’s edge and amidst the trees. I begin by sketching and taking photos of the scenes I wish to capture. Then I sketch out the composition and values using graphite. After the scene is set, I lift some of the graphite and put down the first washes of color to reveal the light. I follow this up by laying in some mid-tones, then add darks, and then add texture to the scene. A piece is finished when I feel that I’ve captured the values correctly, created the feeling I seek, and have achieved a sense of harmony and movement.

You can see more of my art at artofharper.com

• artofharper.com