Ha Long Bay
Photos by Jerry Mayfield

As you may remember, Jerry is never without his sketchbook on our trips and his sketches often segue into watercolor paintings. He travels with a sketchbook, palette, a few favorite brushes and a loose leaf binder with watercolor paper.

This blog features some of my favorite paintings from his Southeast Asia sketchbook and notebook. I asked him to comment on his work.

Ha Long Bay – “These rocky islands, with their extreme vertical interfaces, combined with the atmospheric perspective of light and dark, prompted me to do this painting.”

Tonle Sap  boat -“The strength of these boat people, combined with their agility to maneuver every kind of boat, was the inspiration for this painting.”

Bangkok khlong – “This painting, primarily painted with a water soluble ink and an accent of watercolor, was inspired by the TV satellite dish in contrast to the old wooden structure.”

The famous tree at Ta Prohm Wat – “This tree, spreading its massive roots  and its towering trunk, inspired this painting, as it crept over the old temple ruins.”

Coolie in the street – “The transport of objects in this on-the-shoulder method seen everywhere in Hanoi, was the key to this painting.”

Monk going to pray in Angkor Wat – “The contrast of the red-orange monk’s robes against the gray of the temple ruins prompted this painting.”

River people – “The conical hats are everywhere in Southeast Asia, on both land and sea.”

And that’s a taste of what keeps Jerry creative when we travel. My multi-talented husband!

– Paula Rath