Watercolors

Danny Wheeler is a gifted painter whose career is thriving, but his relationship is fraying under the weight of a first love he cannot let go. Years earlier, in high school, the shy, closeted Danny was paired with Carter Melman, a popular swimming champion who needed help with his schoolwork. Danny tutored Carter; Carter drew Danny out of his shell, and the two fell into a first love that ended in tragedy when Carter took his own life. Now the adult Danny has promised never to paint the boy again, and keeping that promise may be the only way to hold on to the man he is with. Told in flashback and framed by grief, David Oliveras's debut feature stars Tye Olson as Danny and Kyle Clare as Carter, with Greg Louganis as the swim coach and Karen Black in support. The film won the Outfest Audience Award for Outstanding First Dramatic Feature in 2008, along with a jury prize for Olson, and took Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director at the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.