Milford Zornes was recognized as a leader in the California Style watercolor movement which began in the early 1930’s. Zornes’ style differed from the traditional use of watercolors in which color was added to detailed pencil drawings. His work is characterized by the application of transparent washes of color to large sheets of paper, allowing the white to show through and define shapes.

“I could not claim to have painted great watercolors on location. That would be a matter of opinion. But I am sure that I have painted many of my best ones that way because the adventure of that brief hour or two, entranced by a scene or a dramatic gesture of nature, an effect or mood or form is what I look for…”

When Milford Zornes passed away in 2008 he left behind a wonderful collection of material about his WWII experience in China, Burma and India (CBI). Most importantly he left behind 40 to 50 portraits of soldiers. Researching these soldiers would weave a story of where Milford was in CBI, some of the things he did and the people he interacted with.