Watercolor Artist launched the Creativity Workshop in the October 2007 issue of the magazine with Nita Leland's challenge to "Get Real, but Not Too Real." And our readers responded with a flurry of submissions that demonstrate the benefits of bringing a little levity and imagination into the painting process. Since then, we've hosted a series of well-known watercolor artists who have inspired artists to simplify, bring creativity into their portraits and experiment with new processes and products and much more.

Recently, we introduced a new element: Not only will we publish a selection of reader-submitted paintings on our website, but we'll also reward the artists behind our favorite submissions with $100 gift certificates to Jerry's Artarama. The response has been phenomenal. Watermedia arists everywhere have answered the call with gorgeous watermedia paintings of every style and approach.

While many of these artists work on the activities alone in their studios, we're also hearing many reports of artists working in groups. Sheila Hill of Windsor, Ontario, for example, wrote to us regarding her adventures with the Creativity Workshop: "On June 30th, my watercolor art class of 24 eager students tried the Creativity Workshop, highlighting the use of teabags in watercolor art," she says. See photographs of Hill's students in action below. 
 




















If you'd like to share your painting group's adventure with the Creativity Workshop, send us an e-mail at wcamag@fwpubs.com.

Below you'll find links to the latest Creativity Workshop Activities, an archive of past installments and links to galleries of Creativity Workshop-inspired work. Find out how and where to send your paintings at the very bottom. Happy painting!

• In the December 2008 issue of the magazine, Bev Jozwiak challenges readers to go from dark and dramatic to light and loose in the same painting. Click here to read an excerpt of the column. And don't forget to enter your painting to win a $100 gift certificate from Jerry's Artarama. The deadline for entry is December 22, 2008.
• In the October 2008 issue of the magazine, Kathleen Maling challenges readers to take their work off-road. Click here to read an excerpt of the column. And click here to see the winners.
  
• In the August 2008 issue of the magazine, Kathy Collins challenges readers to find a fresh new look in just one sitting. Click here to read an excerpt of the column. And click here to see the winners.
  
• In the June 2008 issue of the magazine, Wendy Hill challenges readers to loosen up with a spontaneous background. Click here to read an excerpt of the column and here to see the winners of this contest.
• In the April 2008 issue of the magazine, Nancy Collins challenges readers to try a new painting process or a new surface, and she demonstrates the burnishing technique that opened a world of possibilities for her as an artist. Click here to read an excerpt of the column and here to see the winners of the contest.
  
• In the February 2008 issue of the magazine, Melissa Adkison challenges readers to experiment with elements of storytelling in their portraiture and she explores the creative possibilities of painting with gouache. Click here to read an excerpt of the column and here to see a gallery of reader responses.
• In the December 2007 issue of the magazine, Cathy Johnson challenges readers to harness the creative power of simplification by focusing on the basics. Click here to download a free pdf of the column and click here to see a gallery of reader responses.
• In the October 2007 issue of the magazine, Nita Leland challenges readers to bring imagination and invention into the painting process. Click here to see a gallery of reader responses.

To enter your Creativity Workshop Activity responses, send a JPEG image (with a resolution of 72 dpi) of your painting to us today. E-mail wcamag@fwpubs.com or send a disc to Watercolor Artist, Creativity Workshop, 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati OH 45236.