Going with the flow of watercolor

Bill Hudson’s skill in the most recent annual family talent show was playing Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show’s song “Cover of the Rolling Stone” on his five-string banjo, but his genuine flair is watercolor.

Family has long been an artistic motivation for Hudson, a father to eight children and grandfather to five. Many of his maritime paintings are inspired by time spent as a young boy with his grandparents in the small fishing village of Greenbackville, Va.; fishing on the Oregon coast with his children; and accompanying his son Luke, a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, to spring training in Florida.

“They’re always pushing me to do stuff,” Hudson said, referring to his large, tight-knit family.

When his job took him to Palmdale in 1994, Hudson — who had long been painting with oils — took a watercolor class in his time off and was instantly addicted to the new medium.

“I like the surprises you get with watercolor,” he said. “Each time you do it, you can’t completely control it, and you don’t want to.”

Following retirement in 2003 from his 35-year plus position as an aerospace engineer for Boeing, Hudson has been able to devote the majority of his time and energy to his favorite pastime. Though he took a short break last year from painting after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma — a treatable but incurable bone marrow cancer — Hudson recently returned to his artwork.

Through the Orange County Fine Arts Assn., his marine watercolor series “The Lives of Watermen” will be on exhibit at the Orange County Public Library’s Mesa Verde Branch through the end of February.

As a member of the arts organization, Hudson helped build its Bear Street Gallery, where he maintains his studio and formerly served as director.

Marie Taggart, who serves on the association’s gallery committee, said art has been an important part of Hudson’s cancer treatment. She selected him for the library’s exhibition for his artistic integrity and ability to capture feelings of nostalgia in his works.

“For Bill, art is a focus and gives him something to think about that is constructive and beautiful,” Taggart said. “You have to like what you’re doing, and he does.”

Growing up catching oysters and crabs in the Chesapeake Bay with his father and grandfather, Hudson appreciates the opportunity to combine his love for the ocean with his love for painting. He said the craft transports him to the marine scenes he depicts.

“I never liked living in crowded areas, but if you sit down to paint, it gets you away from where you are,” the Fountain Valley resident said.

Hudson enjoys the challenge of working with watercolors. He plans each painting meticulously — long before applying paint to a canvas — though he said it’s important to let water and gravity have their effect on the outcome.

His desire for detail and control in his work led to him invent an artist tool, the Mahl Bridge, which serves as an armrest and holds stencils to help artists paint curves and straight lines more precisely. With the backing of two of his sons, Hudson has started a small business selling the device, of which the patent is pending.

At 62, Hudson is content with maturity — he just received his first Social Security check — and encourages all seniors to stay active.

“I don’t mind getting old,” he said. “You’ve got to have something to do, and art’s a good hobby.”

IF YOU GO:WHAT: Bill Hudson’s “The Lives of Watermen”

WHERE: The Orange County Public Library’s Mesa Verde Branch, 2969 Mesa Verde Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Now through Feb. 28

COST: Free

INFO: For more on the Mahl Bridge, visit www.mahlbridge.com.