In 2003, I began my study of watercolor with Phyllis Greenway at Peninsula Fine Arts Center (PFAC) in Newport News, and that same year attended a 10-day workshop with Leslie Rich in Venice, Italy. Since then, I have taken Virginia Watercolor Society (VWS) workshops with Cheng-Khee Chee on Eastern watercolor techniques, Carole Barnes on abstract acrylic painting, Skip Lawrence and Christopher Schink on colorist approaches in watercolor, Dan Smith on portraiture and John Salminen on water-media collage. For over a dozen years, I have taught watercolor classes and am currently teaching at the Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center and the Torggler Art Center at Christopher Newport University.

I’ve had work accepted in the Artists Who Teach, Small Works and Virginia Artists shows at Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center in Hampton; the Hermitage in Norfolk; the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg; Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Art Show in Suffolk; Norfolk Academy; Central Virginia Watercolor Guild in Charlottesville; Arts on Main in Gloucester; On the Hill Gallery in Yorktown; Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center; Halls of Art in Hampton and Suffolk Art League. I had work accepted in VWS Exhibitions in 2012-Hampton, 2016 - Gloucester, 2018 - Salem and 2021 - Portsmouth. In 2022, I was selected to judge the Veterans Art Show in Yorktown. My art has won awards in Charlottesville, Gloucester, Hampton and Suffolk.

I am a long-time student and teacher of design principles and am intrigued by what makes paintings successful—particularly value and composition. Experimenting with the wonderful techniques possible with watercolor is another passion. Ultimately, it’s how the work speaks to the viewer that matters.

I have a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA; a master’s from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA; and a Certificate of Advanced Study for post-master’s work at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. I have four grown children, 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren—all living in nearby states. I live in Hampton with my wife Carol.

The Francis Garden