Floral paintings created by Ames artist Monica Pate will transform The Octagon Center into a spectacular garden of watercolors this Saturday.

Pate will be working on the early stages of a new painting during the demonstration. Her art work will be for sale, and she will be available for questions.

Three years ago, Pate’s hobby of fabric painting on shirts motivated her to take a painting and drawing course at The Octagon Center. The newly found interest in watercolor painting soon became an obsession.

Most of Pate’s paintings reflect realistic images of flowers, while others focus on still lifes made with objects from within Pate’s home.

“I prefer watercolor over other mediums, because my work is very detailed from controlling the colors,” Pate said. She uses several layers of colors to add detailed shadows in her work.

Presently, Pate teaches “Painting Floral in Watercolor” at the Octagon Shop. Enrollment for the summer class has begun.

Pate said she plans to “learn as much as possible about watercolor painting.” She hopes to become a signature member in either the American Watercolor Society or the National Watercolor Society.

Pate will host a watercolor painting demonstration on Saturday, June 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Octagon Center, located at 427 Douglas Avenue in Ames.

The demonstration is free and open to the public.