Watercolors

Huitlacoche, also known as corn smut, is actually a fungus (ustilago maydis) that takes over certain corn species. In Mexico, it is known as huitlacoche and is delicious filling in quesadillas and tacos. 

Watercolor painting of a corn taken over by huitlacoche. 

Oyster mushrooms, aka pleurotus ostreatus, are yummy and amazing. Not only can you eat them, but they can also break down pollutants in soil and restore environments.

Watercolor painting of an oyster mushroom cluster. 

A traditional botanical study of a wild lily species, lilium alexandrae. 

Watercolor painting of the pistil, bud and bloom profile of lilium alexandrae. 

The king trumpet or king oyster mushroom (pleurotus eryngii) is the largest species in the oyster mushroom genus, pleurotus, and are absolutely delicious.

Watercolor painting of a king trumpet clump. 

The dragonfruit, also known as pitaya, is the fruit of several cactus species indigenous to the Americas. It is delicious, nutritious and absolutely beautiful. 

Watercolor painting of a dragonfruit. 

Starfruit, also known as carambola, is the fruit of the Averrhoa carambola tree, a species native to South East Asia, Nepal, India and the Seychelles off the coast of East Africa. They are beautiful, tart and often bring a small smile to all who see them. 

Watercolor painting of a starfruit. 

The cactus family, cactaceae, comprises of some 1,750 known species. This might be of the opuntioideae subfamily. I spied it in the Estufa Fría in Lisbon, Portugal, a beautiful greenhouse, and knew those curves had to be painted. 

Watercolor painting of an unknown cactus.

Keeps the dullness away. 

Watercolor painting of a Fuji. 

Hand of Buddha Fruit, also called the fingered citron, is an unusually shaped citron variety. It is called Buddha's hand in Chinese (佛手柑), Japanese (仏手柑), and Korean (불수감). It is carried or placed in the home for good luck, happiness and longevity. 

Watercolor painting of a hand of buddha fruit. 

Pink oyster mushrooms have a more pungent aroma than regular oyster mushrooms, along with their beautiful pink hue.

Watercolor painting of pink oyster mushrooms.

In preparation to paint a cover for Sheriff Nottingham magazine, Rochelle did a study of crystals.

Watercolor painting of a crystal formation.

In preparation to paint a cover for Sheriff Nottingham magazine, Rochelle did a study of crystals.

Watercolor painting of a crystal formation.

Cobalt is an important ingredient to batteries that power everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to our cell phones. However, 60% of the world’s cobalt is mined from the Congo, an area known for using child and slave labor. The delicate relationship between development and exploitation, both of nature and other people, is a key theme behind this painting.

Watercolor painting of raw cobalt mineral and blue quartz.