The February 2010 issue of Watercolor Artist features the award-winning paintings from 22 top watercolor societies in 2009. Learn what made them stand out to the exhibition jurors below.

Rocky Mountain National Watermedia
Socked In (watercolor on paper, 22x30) by Thomas Owen



"Above the basic elements of design, composition and the painter's craft that are basic to the selection of a painting, I search for the individual mark and uniqueness of vision in the statement. I feel that this is truly what art is about.

"In Tom Owen's painting there is a sensitivity for soft atmospheric light that I can see, and almost feel and smell. Although in the end it's a representational work, it's a beautiful abstract composition as well—a nice arrangement of varying size and shapes of rectangles. The mid- to high-key neutrals that fill most of the painting set off the pure hue complements of red against green. A great painting helps the viewer to see the world more deeply. This work does that. It makes a seemingly ordinary backyard scene quite extraordinary."
—Stephen Quiller, juror


 
Transparent Watercolor Society of America
Amish Buggy (watercolor on paper, 10x14) by Rose Sinatra



"As a juror, I look for paintings that excite me first and then continue the dialog with the arrangements of elements and connecting links that make me say to myself, 'I wish I had painted that one!' A painting may have caught my attention with outstanding design or a great color chord. I look closely at each painting for evidence of well developed skills and a thoughtful painting process that brings joy to the act of painting.

"When I viewed Rose Sinatra's painting, Amish Buggy, three phrases came to my mind: simple elegance, spontaneous brush strokes, and feeling the essence of time and place. I didn't know it would be the top winner, but I found myself coming back to look at it over and over again—and each time I viewed it, I felt a stronger attachment to the painting. Finally, I knew I had to honor it with the top award.

"Amish Buggy seems to be a simple complementary color chord of blue and orange; the artist may have used burnt sienna and French Ultramarine to achieve color and value harmony. As a viewer, I appreciated this simplicity of color choice. I also admired the technical quality of her brushwork, which showed control of the media. Finally, I was given an intimate view of a subject that appealed to the artist."
—Judy Morris, juror



Watercolor West
Siena (watercolor on paper, 18x24) by Dick Cole



"Dick Cole's painting, Siena, caught my attention when it was first placed on the floor up against the wall of the Riverside Art Museum. The strong band of light, formed by the shadowed exteriors of two buildings, drew my eyes down to the two central figures in the walkway. The fact that I could see this from across the room was testimony to the excellent design. The washes in the dark areas were soft, but with enough detail to explain their shapes. The cool shadows on the left were complemented by the warm shadows on the right, combining for a very rich painting.

"I've always been a fan of good design, whether it's the placement of the figure in a portrait or the arrangement of many objects on the paper. I look for this criteria first and then get up real close to see if the paint has been applied with confidence. I look for indecision and overworked washes, and begin eliminating images from the pack. The use of color isn't as important to me as the placement of values, darks and lights (even if the painting is on the pale side) that help define the overall design of the watercolor.

"The emotional content of a painting (not necessarily human emotion) grabs me as a person and not necessarily as a juror. Colors that I wouldn't use in my paintings, or subject matter that makes me think beyond the art itself, are elements that allow me to enjoy the art rather than critique it."
—Scott Moore, juror



Society of Watercolor Artists
Straw Hat (watercolor on paper, 25x34) by Ann Winchester



"Ann Winchester's painting, Straw Hat, was one that elicited an immediate response. It was the beautiful handling of the light and shadows in the work, the spontaneity of the moment, the joy of the subject and the fresh unlabored paint handling that made this an award winner. Ann also used a compositional approach that broke away from the traditional 'rules of design' with the subject thrown so far to the left and looking to the left. Yet the viewer was never made to feel concerned about the balance in the work. The artist also had the skill to show far more than a conventional child's portrait; she captured the personality of the subject and the joy of the moment." 
—Mary Ann Beckwith, juror




2010 Juried Exhibition Deadlines
* Note: When requesting a prospectus by regular mail, be sure to include a No. 10 SASE.

Arts Center Old Forge
Deadline: Was April 2009
Prospectus: Visit www.artscenteroldforge.org or call 315/369-6411

American Watercolor Society
Deadline: Was Nov. 16, 2009
Prospectus: Visit www.americanwatercolorsociety.org or write to AWS, 47 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10003

Baltimore Watercolor Society
Deadline: Jan. 30, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.baltimorewatercolorsociety.org

California Watercolor Association
Deadline: Feb. 20, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.californiawatercolor.org

Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour
Deadline: TBA
Prospectus: Visit www.cspwc.com or write to Joan Cohrs, CSPWC, 258 Wallace Ave., Suite 102, Toronto, ON M6P 3M9

Florida Watercolor Society
Deadline: TBA
Prospectus: Visit www.floridawatercolorsociety.org

Illinois Watercolor Society
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.illinoiswatercolorsociety.org

Louisiana Watercolor Society
Deadline: Jan. 22, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.LWSart.org or write to S. Martin, 3109 Clifford Dr., Metarie, LA 70002

Missouri Watercolor Society
Deadline: Jan. 19, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.mowsart.com or write to Missouri Watercolor Society, 1406 Kenwood Dr., Fulton, MO 65251

National Watercolor Society
Deadline: Unknown
Prospectus: Visit www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org

Northern Plains Watercolor Society
Deadline: TBA
Prospectus: Write to NPWS, P.O. Box 9724, Rapid City, SD 57709

Northwest Watercolor Society
Deadline: Feb. 2, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.NWWS.org or write to NWWS, Attn: Open Exhibition Chair, P.O. Box 50387, Bellevue, WA 98015-0387
 
Pennsylvania Watercolor Society
Deadline: Was June 1, 2009
Prospectus: Write to PWS Dir, P.O. Box 626, Mechanicsburg, PA

Philadelphia Water Color Society
Deadline: June 7, 2010
Prospectus: Available for download in March 2010 at www.PWCSociety.org, or write to 407 Hessian Dr., Kennett Square, PA 19348

Rocky Mountain National Watermedia
Deadline: TBA
Prospectus: Visit www.foothillsartcenter.org

Society of Watercolor Artists, Inc.
Deadline: Jan. 22, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.swa-watercolor.com or call Judy at 817/504-1900

South Carolina Watermedia Society
Deadline: Aug. 1, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.fineartsemporium.com or e-mail scwatermediasociety@gmail.com

Southern Watercolor Society
Deadline: Was Dec. 1, 2009
Prospectus: E-mail suzannefine@charter.net

Texas Watercolor Society
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.texaswatercolorsociety.org or write to Anita Diebel, 1003 S. Austin St., Rockport, TX 78382-2305

Transparent Watercolor Society of America
Deadline: Jan. 15, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.watercolors.org or write to Lenox Wallace, 2829 W. 183rd St., Homewood, IL 60430

Watercolor U.S.A. Honor Society
Deadline: March 30, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.springfieldmo.gov/egov/art or call 417/837-5700

Watercolor West
Deadline: June 30, 2010
Prospectus: Visit www.watercolorwest.org or write to Francesca Brayton, 3961 Toland Circle, Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Western Federation of Watercolor Societies
Deadline: TBA
Prospectus: Visit www.wfws.org


Visit our watercolor society directory by clicking here.


See award-winning watercolors from other society exhibitions in the February 2010 issue of Watercolor Artist.

 

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