Sousaphone in Bright Red

Bright red India ink cuts through lavender watercolor in this close study of a sousaphone’s valves and curving brass.

This sousaphone began with a photograph gifted to me by a band teacher at VMEA 2025. I cropped most interesting part of the instrument, outlined it unabashedly in Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay Bright Red India ink, and then painted it mostly lavender before returning to the red in the background.

My mom gave me a huge set of ink colors I never would have bought for myself. This piece challenged me to use an unexpected color, change my mind, rework the background, and stop worrying about whether the result counted as traditional watercolor.

I used to worry that mixed-media choices would keep my work out of watercolor societies or serious exhibitions. The goal now is creative freedom: enjoying these vibrant colors, breaking a few rules, and trusting that the work is still valid even when it is not officially just watercolor.

Original Artwork

• Medium: Professional watercolor and archival India ink on heavyweight 300 lb Arches hot press paper
• Dimensions: 11" x 7.5"
• Pigment Note: Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay Bright Red India ink
• Signed on the front and includes a certificate of authenticity.

Fine Art Prints

• Museum-quality 8" x 10" giclée prints capture the detail and texture of the original mixed-media painting.
• Printed on archival, acid-free fine art paper.