Michael Verbenec

My subject for most of my Southwestern series is Bent's Old Fort, in southeastern Colorado. Now a National Historic Site, this adobe fort was once a trading post on the Santa Fe Trail.

I was originally drawn to this structure by the strong two dimensional designs created by its lights and shadows.

I find the medium of Watercolor to be particularly well suited to this subject matter for several reasons. For instance, the texture of the paper itself can be utilized in the representation of the adobe surfaces. Also, as the white of the paint reflects light back through the wash, it gives the thin layer of paint a glowing effect.