Unlike oil and acrylic, watercolor can often feel like it has a life of its own.
Cavanaugh received a degree in painting from Michigan’s Kendall College of Art and Design, specializing in oil.
It wasn’t until 10 years after graduating that she fell in love with watercolor.
For me, there was a sharp contrast between the two mediums, Cavanaugh tells My Modern Met.
Watercolor is light and airy.
I have more control.
Cavanaugh’s watercolor portraits depict people that are a part of her life.
Certain moments jump out to me and those are times that inspire me to paint, she continues.
Each subject floats in a delicately-made composition, shrouded with layers of pale, translucent colors.
Their enigmatic expressions are hard to pin down to one emotion.
Scroll down to see more of Cavanaugh’s amazing watercolor art.
Artist Ali Cavanaugh creates expressive watercolor portrait paintings of introspective subjects.
She turned to watercolor painting after many years of working in oil paints.
Cavanaugh’s watercolor portraits depict people that are a part of her life.
Their enigmatic expressions are hard to pin down to one emotion.
