About Jo
Harford County
Jo Houtz is a former career federal employee who began painting after retirement. She studied with one teacher, Renate Shelley, for 20 years. She currently lives in Abingdon, Maryland but has displayed her works at regional are exhibits, shows and fairs from New York to Florida. She has won awards at many of these shows.
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Anomalies
This is a display of familiar subjects painted with a different look. The paintings are all watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa Paper.
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Tangled Nautulis.jpgThis is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper. The paper is soaked is crushed then soaked in warm water. It is then spread out and the background colors applied. This technique gives the painting a unique look and feel.
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Dare To Be Different.jpgAgain, this is a painting of watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper. The flower is a familiar sunflower but it's center is unique.
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Gene Explosion.jpgThese are familiar objects with a different look. The painting is watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Juiced Fruits.jpgThis again is watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper with familiar objects having a different look and feel.
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Ballet des Tulips.jpgWatercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper. The graceful sway of tulips and ballet dancers.
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Transgenics.jpgWatercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
The Ancient Series
This is a series of paintings meant to depict cave paintings. It originally followed the cave paintings in France until I decided to include some of our south west cave drawings.
The paintings are done on crushed Japanese Masa paper using watercolor paints. The crushing gives the impression of cave walls.
The paintings are done on crushed Japanese Masa paper using watercolor paints. The crushing gives the impression of cave walls.
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The Ancients-Bears.jpgThis is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper depicting many types of bears.
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The Ancients-Bison Spirit.jpgThis painting is also done on crushed Japanese Masa paper and depicts our early hunting for food.
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The Ancient Series-Catcher.jpgThis is a watercolor painting on crushed Japanese Masa paper. Crushing the paper and soaking it created a unique look to the background and images.
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The Ancients-Darwin.jpgThis is a watercolor painting on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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The Ancients-Eagles.jpgOur majestic symbols and spirit. This is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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The Ancients-Primal Soup.jpgThis is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper. The images are old and new.
Bird Things
Birds are incredible creatures with such variety of skills and color that I enjoy watching them and painting them. These birds are all painted on crushed Japanese Masa paper using watercolor paints.
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Barn Swallow.jpgThis is a barn swallow with it's distinctive purple coloring. The painting is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Bush River (at Rts 24 & 40).jpgThese are local swans that I have been watching for years. They are painted with watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Full Dress.jpgThis egret is displaying the bride veil that is visible during mating season for both male and female egrets. The painting is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Grande Canadian.jpgThis painting is different. It is painted on watercolor paper instead of my usual masa paper. I love the rich colors of fall.
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Long Eared Owl.jpgThis Long Eared Owl is perched and ready to snag his dinner. This painting is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Moonlight Courtship.jpgI called this picture Moonlight Courtship. You can see the veils hanging down and not spread for display. The painting is done on crushed Japanese Masa paper. The paper gives the painting a textured look.
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Red Tail Hawk.jpgThis Red Tail Hawk is often perched in one of my trees searching for his dinner. The painting is on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Three Canadians.jpgThese Canadians are taking a stroll in the snow instead of going south for the winter. The painting is done on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
Dragon Flies
This is a series of paintings of dragon flies. They often visit me when I am out doors doing my gardening or lawn work. Several times one would sit on my shoulder as I worked. It felt as though they were asking me to paint them for others to enjoy. All the painting in this project are watercolors on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Black Saddlebags.jpgThis is a common dragon fly that often appears in my garden.
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Black Widow Skimmer.jpgAnother common dragon fly.
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Blue Eyed Darner.jpgI love to see the rich color in some of these dragon flies.
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Calico Pennant.jpgAnother brightly colored dragon fly.
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Flame Skimmer.jpgThis one lives up to it's name---Flame.
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Ringtail.jpgThis one is a bright example of a dragon fly.
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Roseate Skimmer.jpgPretty in Pink.
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Widow Skimmer.jpgI don't know why it's called a widow.
Flowers
Flowers display very well on crushed Japanese Masa paper. The colors come through as well as the distinct features of each flower.
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Ad Infinitum.jpgThis is a common sight during the spring and summer. My grandmother use to make dandelion wine when I was a kid.
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Campbellii.jpgThis is a Japanese Magnolia. It is very delicate looking but beautiful and it proper name is Campbelli.
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Cowslip.jpgAnother attractive collection of color and nature.
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Daisy Fields.jpgThe Daisy Field is very inviting.
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Lavender.jpgThis is a wonderful color in nature.
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Morning.jpgA bright and cheerful way to start your morning.
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Scratchin For Lunch.jpgEveryone enjoys the things nature provides.
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Southern Charm One.jpgThis is an old beauty. Magnolia are very beautiful in bloom and quite stately when not blossoming.
Maryland Crabs
Maryland Crabs are a most popular subject for art, crafts and especially eating in a social setting. All the pictures are watercolors on crushed Japanese Masa paper. Have fun with the series.
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Home, Sweet Home.jpgThis particular picture outlines many of the most familiar Maryland icons. The original is done on crushed Japanese Masa paper but is readily available in prints and on tile.
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Maryland Icons.jpgAgain, three of the most recognizable Maryland symbols. The original is done on crushed Japanese Masa paper and is available in prints and on tile.
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Maryland, My Maryland.jpgThe painting has been one of my most popular. It was done on crushed Japanese Masa paper and is available as a print or on tile.
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Metamorphosis.jpgThis is how it's done, from blue crab to steamed dinner.
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Simple Pleasures.jpgSome of the things Marylander's like best. Available as a print or on tile.
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Summer Fare.jpgOn the deck with mallet in hand.
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Summer Fun.jpgThese two are also familiar symbols in Maryland. Available in print and on tile.
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Summer Supper.jpgAdd local corn and dinner is complete.
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Super Supper.jpgAll one needs to enjoy an afternoon on the deck.
Rural Scenes
This a a variety of rural views that we run often in our travels. The paintings are all watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Believe.jpgPerhaps we don't run across faeries every day but I like to think we could.
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Equinox.jpgThis is our season for intense color and the beginnings of colder weather.
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Knee Replacement.jpgYou might find a scene like this along a rural road and remember stories in the family about this type of card.
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Looking Back.jpgThis is another history lesson for all of us.
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Maybe Later.jpgThe eyes are what captures you. Cows are such gentle creatures and it shows in their eyes.
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Mile Marker One.jpgThe race is on for a place out of the coming cold.
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The Seven Leprechauns.jpgHere's a contest for you. There are 7 leprechauns in this picture. Can you find them. They do not come with a pot of gold.
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The Suburbs.jpgThe spider can certainly weave an intricate pattern.
Silly Fish
Let's have some fun. This is a collection of silly fish doing silly things. All the paintings are watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Always Something 2.jpgSo true to life, there is always something going on or happening.
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Aquarium Gothic.jpgJust for fun with a nod to Grant Wood. This is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Attitude Fins.jpgFish with lots of attitude. Watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Biker Bass.jpgWant a ride? Keep looking and you will see something new each time.
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Card Shark.jpgThese guys give away the hand.
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Fancy Fins.jpgWhile these are silly fish they also cover the color wheel for an artist.
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Funky Fish.jpgJust right for a place at the beach with lots of color.
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Ocean Roundup.jpgThe sheriff is busy with the round up.
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Reef Octet.jpgI'm not sure they are making beautiful music.
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Whale House Rock.jpgAn old favorite with many.
Local Sports
This is a collection of paintings reflecting some of our local sports icons.
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Been There Cropped.jpgMany of us hope we will go there again soon.
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Fabric.jpgSome of our most popular symbols on display. This is a watercolor painting on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Feathered Friends 1.jpgThese two are looking at this golf ball wondering what it is.
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Feathered Friends No 2.jpgYou give me my ball and I'll give you yours.
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Feathered Friends No 3.jpgFinally, we are all together and know who belongs to what.
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Local Colors.jpgSharing our colors.
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O's 2014-2.jpgWill we try hard next year?
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Ravin Fanatic.jpgWhat will happen this year?
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Terrapin.jpgAnd then there is this team. We do support our Terrapins.
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What's Next.jpgCan the crystal ball tells about the future?
Miscellaneous Paintings but just as important or fun.
Some of these paintings are done on crushed Japanese Masa paper and others on traditional watercolor paper.
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Painted Horses..jpgThis is a watercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Daydreams .jpgWatercolor on traditional watercolor paper. An afternoon nap.
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le gros chat orange.jpgWatercolor on crushed Japanese Masa paper. This fellow has been eating well.
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Off Duty.jpgThis is a watercolor on traditional watercolor paper. It stirs fond memories.
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Peaceful Co-Existence.jpgPainted on crushed Japanese Masa paper.
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Prisms.jpgThis is done on traditional watercolor paper. I had a challenge doing the many facets of glass.
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Quiet Mornings.jpgPrepare for the day. This painting is on traditional watercolor paper.
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Sentenial Transp.jpgThe season has changed but one can hope for next year at the beach.
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Time Travelers.jpgAgain the colorful reminders of childhood.
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Treasures.jpgWhat's hidden in your attic.