WELCOME TO MY WATERCOLOR JOURNEY!

"Capturing the Spirit of Wildlife and the Environment"

Hi,

I'm so glad you're spending time with me today!  I wanted to share my story with you.

I began my watercolor journey at Age 5, painting with our Artist Mom.  We would paint together for hours; I used watercolor paints, and she used oil paints.  Over the years, we shared stories of what motivated us to paint specific subjects. During adulthood, our Mom became my Art Consultant, critiquing my paintings. What a wonderful, loving relationship we had!  Invite you to visit, wildlife painting, "Follow Me", 3 Elk, a tribute painting to our Mom.  It was her last painting, as my Art Consultant. 

https://www.deenajharkinsart.com/works

Since our family moved a lot, I experienced a wide variety of United States landscapes. As we moved, my painting subjects changed, from coastal scenes to mountains. Growing up in our YMCA family, camping vacations to State and National Parks were important. These experiences introduced me to amazing wildlife and diverse landscapes. As a result, my interest in painting wildlife grew.

Teaching has always been an important part of my life, from training animals to teaching children. As a result, my first career, Elementary Art Teacher, Texas Public Schools. My love of teaching continues to grow. Starting 2022, I'm teaching Zoom Online Drawing and Watercolor Workshops. What a thrill to work with students all over the United States, and potentially in other countries!  

October 2022, I participated in a unique event: Triple "D" Artist Event, Kalispell, Montana. I photographed 9 large species of wildlife in natural settings and participated in instructor led drawing exercises. My favorite species is "Storm", Snow Leopard!  November 2023, I finished my first  11" x 14" watercolor of this impressive Snow Leopard!

With my love of wildlife and Art, I wanted to teach at Triple "D"!  So excited, I taught a unique Artist Workshop:  June 16 - 18/19, 2023, Triple "D" Artist Workshop, Kalispell, Montana! Students photographed "Baby Wildlife Animals" and three large species, Storm, Snow Leopard, Thorn, Artic Wolf and Bruno, Grizzly Bear in natural settings, participating in instructor led drawing and watercolor exercises, and created watercolor paintings using their reference photos. 

With our October 2024 relocation to Cheyenne, Wyoming, I'm now teaching in-person Watercolor Workshops. May 2025, I taught my 1st Adult Beginner Watercolor Workshop, Cheyenne Creativity Center. Thanks to 3 impressive Artists for enrolling! Stay tuned, planning on teaching a 2nd Adult Beginner Watercolor Workshop, Cheyenne Creativity Center, Fall 2025.

June 7, 2025, teaching 2-hour Watercolor Workshop, AVA Community Art Center, Gillette, Wyoming. So excited for this opportunity to work with local Watercolorists! 

Stay tuned, you'll see more watercolor paintings of Triple "D" Wildlife, Storm, Snow Leopard, "Baby Wildlife Animals" and other large species! Would you enjoy seeing my 1st watercolor of Storm, Snow Leopard?  Select: Watercolor Paintings: Wildlife

To follow my Watercolor Journey, and view my paintings, here's a few suggestions:  

If you're a wildlife/animal lover, and seeing them makes you smile:   Select: Watercolor Paintings: Wildlife

https://www.deenajharkinsart.com/works  You'll see my 1st painting of Storm, Snow Leopard, who lives at Triple D Wildlife, Kalispell, Montana! 

Wildlife Story:  While hiking in the United States National Parks and State Parks, I look for opportunities to photograph wildlife in their environment.  As I photograph, I observe and record the unique behavior of animals. To create a watercolor painting, I use multiple photographs from my reference collection. It is important that my paintings capture the animals’ spirit and behavior.      

Maybe, you love a peaceful landscape setting: Select: Watercolor Paintings: Landscapes:

https://www.deenajharkinsart.com/works

Landscape Story:  I am inspired to visually record the magnificent wilderness of United States National Parks and State Parks by creating paintings of landscapes. My interests in traveling, hiking, tent camping, canoeing, fishing, and photography gives me the opportunity to explore new subjects to paint. 

If your a scuba diver, fisherman, or love marine life: Select: Watercolor Paintings: Marine Life and Coastal Scenes:

https://www.deenajharkinsart.com/works

Marine Life and Coastal Scene Story:  My interest in creating watercolor paintings of marine life started after 1980 certification as a scuba diver.  Taking underwater photographs and protecting environmental reefs inspired me to preserve the vibrant colors, dynamic lighting, and beauty of marine life through my paintings.  As a scuba diver, traveling to Cozumel, Bonaire, and Florida Keys I photographed a variety of marine life in their environment.  After relocation from Florida to Arkansas, my painting subjects changed to landscapes and wildlife in their environment. A few original watercolors and Fine art Giclee prints are for sale in my Marine Life and Coastal Scenes collection.

Customer Testimonials:  Watercolor Paintings: 

C.J. - I first saw Deena’s watercolor paintings in 2007 when she launched her Art business, Wildlife in Watercolors.  Her first paintings were of sea life and being a sailor, I had seen some of those fish close and personal.  Those paintings are very clean and representative of the subjects that she painted.  The lines are clear, crisp, and gave her subject matter movement.  I continue to follow Deena’s work over the years and own several paintings, both originals and fine art Giclee prints of her paintings.  I look forward to more paintings as she expands her portfolio from her many travels and hiking expeditions.

E.T. – Deena is very talented; her paintings and skills have given me inspiration and motivation to excel in my love of painting and drawing the beauties on this world. 

If you're interested in Art Instruction: Drawing & Watercolor Workshops: 

Click:  https://www.deenajharkinsart.com/workshops

- You'll see a variety of Zoom Online Workshops (Beginner - Advanced).

Customer Testimonials:  Teaching Art Classes: 

E.W. – Thank you for building bridges of ideas and creative spirit.  Developing artist talents expands peoples’ problem-solving capabilities, enhances their appreciation for beauty and life, and helps them communicate ideas and values that inspire all of us.   I am truly impressed with your gifts and teaching abilities.      

D.K. – You were a very fine Elementary Art Teacher to me!  You were instrumental in helping me to win a summer scholarship with the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum.  It was a great experience!  Thank you!

If you're interested in learning more about my Watercolor Journey, then read About Me: Deena Harkins - About the Artist (deenajharkinsart.com).

Before you leave, don't forget to join my Collectors Club: Deena Harkins - Newsletter (deenajharkinsart.com) 

We'll be able to keep in touch and you'll hear about new paintings and workshops.  You'll be the first to know about my latest paintings of Triple "D" wildlife!

Thank you!

Deena J. Harkins, M.Ed. & B.F.A.

Watercolorist & Instructor