"Watercolor is so exhilarating when you get all the problems resolved in your work," says Jay.  "I am at peace when doing this marvelous yet fugitive medium -- I find it fascinating because of its challenges.  Not being able to use white paint, one must find ways to isolate the whites in the picture -- that's one of the big challenges.  And you have to corral the water, match values and, of course, draw with the brush. 

     "One cannot make big corrections with transparent watercolor -- that's another major challenge.  Some artists plan their paintings with light pencil marks.  I generally don't do that.  I begin to paint with my colors and block in the shapes.  This tests one's drawing skills to the limit."

     Jay is also currently making a lot of pottery.  He works in a variety of shapes and glazes.  "I've taken several pottery workshops since I retired and I really enjoy expressing my painting in this medium too."

     Jay has studied watercolor with Michael McGuire at the Valdes Studio for several years.  He is also a faithful member of the Tuesday life drawings at the Joe Basiste Studio.  Jay earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and two master's degrees -- in teaching and in painting -- from C.W. Post College on Long Island in New York.