BIO OF VERNA RICHARDS
 VERDE CREEK STUDIOS

I grew up on a small farm on the banks of Dickinson Bayou in Galveston County, Texas. Each day and night I was immersed in sights and sounds of the farm animals and the creatures that inhabited the bayou. But most of my life has been lived in a rural setting in the amazing beauty of the Texas Hill Country, with its contrasts of southwestern terrain and cypress-lined rivers and creeks. My studio overlooks one of those creeks, Verde Creek.

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

MY INTERESTS

In my adult years, I have been an avid gardener and landscaper, just doing it with my, and my husband’s, own two hands and a shovel.  Gardening and planting are such an integral part of my life and the flowers and plants bring much happiness for our family and friends.  The plants also draw so many critters – honeybees, butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and many other birds.  I feed the birds year-round and watch them out of my studio window as I paint.  I feel like my life is really very simple, close to the earth and close to God.

MY PASSION

Several years ago, on a whim, I bought a cheap set of watercolors at a local store. I improvised with these few colors but was hooked – and challenged! And I grew to LOVE watercolors! They are so luminous and seem to just glow. They are a little unpredictable and I like the fact that I can paint “loosely” and be creative and not be constrained to only paint inside the lines. This style meshed with the way I garden, cook and generally live my life – planned chaos! Somehow it all works.

MY PAINTING

I paint subjects that have meaning to me, that are part of my inner self – animals, landscapes, seascapes, gardens, nightscapes, and other things that I love from my everyday life. Inspiration comes from simple things like listening to music, reading the Bible, good times with friends, places we have been, my grandchildren, and just observing the world around me. I think painting and drawing are my love language, to express what I feel for the awesomeness of God’s creation. There is a Psalm that says, “I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Just substitute the word “paint” for the word “sing.” That’s me.