EP03: Ep03: Don Weller – The Art of Imperfection in Watercolor & Cowboy Narratives

Welcome to “Wet on Wet,” the podcast where we dive into inspiring artists’ journeys and extract valuable nuggets of wisdom for your creative path. In this episode, we’re thrilled to explore the world of Don Weller, a master of watercolor whose unique perspective and dedication have shaped a truly remarkable career. Don, an old watercolorist, was a commercial artist before primarily painting watercolors.

Join host Sunil Kalbandi as he sits down with Don Weller, exploring his journey from being raised in Pullman, Washington, with an architect father who was an amateur watercolorist, to his 25 years as a commercial artist in Los Angeles. Now based in Utah, Don focuses on watercolor paintings of horses and cowboys, a hobby he’s pursued since childhood. Discover how Don’s impatience aligns with the immediacy of watercolor, allowing him to quickly assess and move on from a painting. He emphasizes the critical roles of composition and value in creating a good painting, often drawing inspiration from his personal adventures and friends. Don also shares insights into his writing career, which began during COVID-19, and offers valuable advice for aspiring artists, particularly the importance of persistence and a brave, non-timid approach to watercolor.

People from the Episodes

• Don Weller’s father (an architect and amateur watercolourist)
• George Fippen (cowboy artist) https://www.instagram.com/phippenmuseum/
• Ted Kotsky (watercolourist and author) 
• Cha-Cha (Don Weller’s partner/friend)

Don Weller Books

•   Tracks: amzn.to/3yGixXY
•   Sunrise Surprise: amzn.to/3yxmYbW
•   Snap Chance: amzn.to/3yGm3Xv
•   Appaloosa: amzn.to/3yFOLyQ
•   Painting Cowboys: amzn.to/3R4FUSx
•   Watercolor Cowboys: amzn.to/4dQZ5yO
•   Stone Creek: amzn.to/3yFPhNP
•   Pride in The Dust: amzn.to/4dR7Kh0
•   Overseas Marketing and Selling: amzn.to/3yFMDHo

Institution/Places/Companies

• Washington State College (now Washington State University) – https://wsu.edu/
• Art Center School in Pasadena – https://www.artcenter.edu/
• National Football League (National Football League properties) – https://www.nfl.com/
• University of Utah – https://www.utah.edu/
• Pullman, Washington – https://www.pullman-wa.gov/
• Los Angeles – https://lacity.gov/
• Utah – https://www.utah.gov/
• Newmarket, UK (near Cambridge) – https://www.newmarket.gov.uk/
• Dubai – https://www.visitdubai.com/
• Singapore – https://www.visitsingapore.com/
• Hong Kong – https://www.discoverhongkong.com/
• Yosemite National Park – https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm
• San Francisco (South of) – https://sf.gov/
• Japan – https://www.japan.travel/en/

Concepts

• Watercolor Medium (Immediacy, Impatience, Difficulty)
• Commercial Art & Illustration
• Drawing & Sketchbooks
• Composition and Value in Art
• Artistic Process (Experimentation, Boldness, Dealing with Frustration)
• Subject Matter (Horses, Cowboys, Western themes, Dogs)
• Artistic Inspiration
• Perseverance & Persistence in Art
• Art Education & Mentorship
• Art Market & Sales
• Writing as an Extension of Art

Products/Brands/Services

Paints

White Nights – whitenights-watercolor.com
Daniel Smith – danielsmith.com
Winsor & Newton – winsornewton.com
Camel – kokuyocamlin.com/camel

Paper

Arches – arches-papers.com

Lanaquarelle – hahnemuehle.com

Brushes

da Vinci – davinci-defet.com
Escoda – escoda.com

Palettes

Mijello – mijello.tradekorea.com
John Pike Palette – johnpikeart.com

Time Stamps

• Introduction to Don Weller & Watercolor Journey: 00:00
• Early Life & Artistic Beginnings: 01:00
• Transition to Commercial Art & Watercolor Preference: 02:00
• Drawing Practice & Formal Training: 05:00
• Making a Living as an Artist: 08:00
• First Sales & Artistic Philosophy: 11:00
• Composition & Value in Watercolor: 14:00
• Artistic Process & Boldness: 18:00
• Materials and Tools: 21:00
• Advice on Composition & Value for Beginners: 24:00
• Studio Work vs. Plein Air & Painting Schedule: 29:00
• Writing Career: 32:00
• Dealing with Frustration & Criticism: 34:00
• Importance of Drawing & Successful Paintings: 39:00
• Subject Matter & Commissions: 45:00
• Preferred Brushes & Pigments (Recap): 48:00
• Favorite Artists & Influences: 50:00
• Reflections & Parting Words: 54:00

Quotes from Don

• “Watercolors and not some oils, but mostly watercolors over the years.”
• “I draw mostly horses and cowboys and cowboy activity because it’s just a hobby of mine.”
• “I had a drawing teacher in college that said, if you want to learn to draw, can’t just sit in drawing class. You have to draw all the time.”
• “I ended up in watercolor I tried in the very beginning I tried some oils too slow and I… watercolor is better for my personality because I could do it and get it finished and then throw it away or you know, do it and get it finished and save it depending on the success.”
• “I think that composition and value is probably what make a good painting.”
• “But I think the personality of impatience helps because I do see, I taught some classes from time to time, not water-collecting classes, but illustration classes. there’s a, if you approach watercolor too timidly, that’s what you get is a kind of a tentative looking thing.”
• “And I don’t commit to the size and shape. That’s one difference between if I do oil painting or watercolor.”
• “The opinion that matters is your own opinion.”
• “I think composition and value are what make it a good painting. And color and subject matter are what make it get sold to somebody.”
• “But 90 % of it, persistence.