Watercolor paintings exhibition flyer by Brent Clowater featuring two watercolor artworks: an urban scene with railway tracks and buildings, and a nature scene with a stream in a forest.
The word "current" written in cursive script in gray on a white background.
The word home written in gray cursive font on a white background.

Most of these paintings were produced prior to 2017 for my two solo exhibitions, Wander Away and Tourist.

The paintings exhibited in Tourist, my second solo show, were largely inspired by my travels through Europe. I had just returned from a three-month road trip with my partner, Michelle, and found myself processing those experiences while trying to regain my place in Vancouver. The resulting paintings contrasted bright, sunlit European locations with dark, rainy Vancouver street scenes.

Tourist built on ideas I had begun exploring in my first solo exhibition, Wander Away. At the time, I was spending a lot of time walking around English Bay and downtown Vancouver with a point-and-shoot camera. I became particularly intrigued by the mid-century apartment buildings throughout the area and began documenting and painting the places I encountered.

Both exhibitions were painted in watercolour, but my approach to the medium evolved between them. The works in Wander Away were painted on Arches paper and presented as framed 11 × 13 inch pieces. With Tourist, I became more experimental, creating works on paper mounted to panel as well as painting watercolour directly onto wooden panels prepared with absorbent ground.

These explorations laid the foundation for the work I’m making today. They taught me to deeply observe my surroundings and to translate not only what I see, but what I experience and feel, into paintings. It has taken me nearly two decades to fully understand this part of my artistic practice, but I now recognize how deeply my work is rooted in my own experiences.

Watercolor painting of a street market stand with boxes of oranges, a large umbrella, and warm lighting, with a sign in a foreign language and brick walls in the background.
Text reading "Tourist selected works" in stylized font

golden market - 18 x 24” - watercolour on panel - sold

golden hour light on an orange vendor in chinatown.

Night watercolor painting of a city street scene with a statue in the center, surrounding luminated trees, a parked car, and buildings with lit windows.
Watercolor painting of cityscape with train tracks, buildings, and a bridge during sunset.

Time is Precious - 24 x 48 “ - Watercolour on panel - sold

the brick lined water street in gastown reflects the light, wet from the relentless autumn rain.

Watercolor painting of colorful buildings with a church tower in the background and laundry hanging between the buildings.

refined sugar - 24 x 35 “ - watercolour on panel - sold

crossing the bridge into hastings sunrise, a part of vancouver that is overlooked but culturally rich.

Watercolor painting of a building facade with neon signs reading "RENO" and another sign with a red cross, featuring large windows and a red awning.

island of lace - 13 x 19” - watercolour on panel - sold

Exploring Burano island near Venice. the beautiful multi coloured homes, painted to match the fishing boats.

Watercolor painting of the entrance to a building with a curved sign that says 'Brickhouse Brichhouse,' a black gate, brick walls, a round window, and outdoor lighting fixtures.

keefer rooms - 8 x 10” - watercolour on panel - sold

the sound of majong tiles being shuffled while fluorescent light radiates out from the backroom. .

brickhouse - 8 x 10” - watercolour on panel - unavailable

The ambiance of this place was dark, conversation hung in the air deep into the night while drink after drink was poured.

Watercolor painting of a lifeguard tower on a beach, with a red kayak in the foreground and ocean waves in the background.
Watercolor painting of a wooden house illuminated by a large round streetlamp at night.

Rescue station - 13 × 19” - watercolour on panel - sold

We needed a place to spend the night somewhere near Ravina, the beach was empty, abandonded by the summer crowds.

Watercolor painting of a street scene featuring a storefront with a pink and orange facade, colorful string lights, a tree with green and yellow leaves in the foreground, and a window with a grid of panes.
Watercolor painting of an interior scene featuring a staircase with wooden railing, a window with pink curtains, and a patterned area rug on the floor.
Watercolor painting of a city street scene at night with a woman walking, trees with autumn leaves, streetlights, and buildings illuminated with colorful lights.
Watercolor painting of a cafe or small restaurant with a glass front, dark green lower panels, and neon lighting, possibly at night.
Watercolor painting of a forest scene with a narrow, winding creek surrounded by tall trees with sparse leaves, under a bright sky.
Text reading "Wander away selected works" in stylish script font.

bowen island marsh - 11 x 13” - watercolour on paper - sold

a quick ferry ride from horseshoe bay, a welcome place to wander mid-week.

Watercolor painting of a lighthouse on rocky shoreline at night, with stars in the sky.