When I decided some 20 years ago to become a painter, there was never any question in my mind which medium I would choose. Watercolor has always fascinated me – the effects of pigment and water mixing on paper are so unique and challenging and the results are so beautiful. To me, watercolor painting is about making a direct statement. Too much forced control deprives the medium of its very essence. I believe the best way to engage a viewer is to pique their interest with strong shapes and a nice composition, then allow them to fill in the blanks with implied details. While learning, I painted strictly from photographs and I’m glad I took that route. There are so many pitfalls with watercolor, as it relies on timely wash control that can be affected by the weather. I now paint en plein air as well, which has reinforced my efforts for picking a strong, simple subject and working quickly – two important elements in what everyone considers a loose painting style.   —Andy Evansen