This is an 8 x 10 oil on board – my first attempt at clouds.  I realized that this is the third painting I’ve done of railroad tracks – must be subconscious because I’m certainly going places this summer.

New Watercolor ‘How To Paint’ Article

Currently, I’m working on a new painting project – demonstrating how to paint snow for Watercolor Artist magazine, December’s issue.  (Of course, I’m using my new paper from St. Cuthbert’s Mill in England – I’ll let you know how I like it.)  I’m doing a new video to go along with it.  The painting will be a snowy alley at dawn, with a snow covered  truck and paper boys on their route. 

 Shows Worth Seeing

I would recommend the Portrait Exhibit at the Brandywine Museum in Chadd’s Ford and the Lancaster Art Association in Strasburg, PA  juried exhibit - many interesting pieces of art.  While I was in New York, I took in the Rockwell Western Museum, which I discovered has nothing to do with Norman Rockwell, (but the National Gallery in Washington has an exhibit of Rockwell’s work that lasts until January, so I’ll get to see that, too.)  Being self-taught, I try to see the best art I can, often.  

I’ve been spending a lot of time immersed in learning about oil painting, trying different things, reading about how to paint and seeing great paintings.  It’s a busy summer.    After I get the video and article done, I will be finishing another snow scene for the upcoming Berk’s Art Alliance juried exhibit in Reading, PA and have a commission to paint my dentist’s horses.   Saturday, July 31st, I’ll be one of two judges for the Lititz Outdoor Art Exhibit - another great local show to visit, and this one has free admission.  Hope to see you there.

Taking the Baltimore Watercolor Society’s bus trip to NYC to see the AWS exhibit with friends was a great, fun adventure. 

AWS Exhibition – Subject and Style 

101  paintings were on display, with styles and subjects ranging from realistic Alligators to Zany cats, but the show was dominated by figurative and landscape scenes. 

 John Salminen has set the standard for city scenes and was the top winner again this year.  Since he’s done so well, the painting of city scenes has flourished across the nation and AWS had them in abundance, especially in the award winners.

And Where Have All The Flowers Gone?  There were no florals at the show this year.  As a subject, flowers are the kiss of death for artists entering  juried shows, but there’s usually a token flower somewhere.  Not this year. 

Is Photorealism Dead in Watercolor?

Since the fiasco with the top AWS winner a few years back, photorealism has been missing from many juried exhibits.  (Maybe we should put it on a milk carton.)   Painterly is what you see now and while it’s beautiful, I would have liked to see one photorealistic piece.  Still life also, was almost absent, with only one or two small works.

Transparent VS Opaque and Does Size Matter?

There was a nice mix of tradition transparent watercolor and completely opaque paintings.  Fritz Briggs, also on our bus trip, won an award for his traditional piece, done on a quarter sheet.   While most of the winners were still full sheet or larger, there were more small pieces than I’ve seen in the past few years, and less ’big’ framing.  With oversized shipping costs at an all time high, maybe everyone is cutting back a bit. 

New Talent – There were definately a lot more asian artists making a splash at AWS this year, and they can really paint.   65 of the exhibiting artists were AWS signature members - I think, fewer than other years, with a bit more ‘new blood’ getting in.   Maybe one day, I’ll be there myself.  In the meantime, congratulations to everyone who did get in – it was an impressive show. 

 My painting, The Garden Gate, was chosen by judge for an award!

 I joined the Strathmore Mansion as an artist member.  I was impressed by the number of paintings they had sold at their juried membership show.  I’m always looking for good places to sell work.

My husband, John, took my paintings to the Yellow Springs 37th Annual Art Show on Tuesday – (I was teaching class).  The sale is open to the public April 24 – May 9th and well worth a drive just to take in all the great art.

At Yellow Springs, I’ll have four paintings for sale, including Buchanon Ave, here on the left.  I painted this from another Lancaster scene during the fall of the election.  I wonder if anyone will spot the tiny Obama sign I put in.

And today I’m hanging a small, one woman exhibit of watercolor paintings at the York Art Association, which will continue through June 14.  YAA has a brand new look in it’s gallery – fresh paint, new flooring, ceiling and lighting!  I’m planning to be at the opening (for at least part of the time) on Sunday, April 18.

And about the new beginnings part, I’m looking into how to do some oil painting on the side.  I haven’t done it for years, but think it might be a nice addition to my portfolio.  Many of the shows and galleries exclude watercolors, so I’m thinking a few oils wouldn’t be so bad.

•  ’Just Passing By’ will be at the Philips Museum of Art at the Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, opening April 30th
• ‘The Race’ is at the Newman Gallery at 1625 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA until April 24th.
• ‘Car Show’ is going to Illinois fine arts center The Next Picture Show  May 7 – June 1
• ‘Early Flight’ and ‘Parking in the Back’ are in Middletown NY until March 26
• ‘Art At Rest’ is going to Louisianna, ‘Fry Guy’ went to Missouri, & ‘Bubbles’ is in an online exhibit

While my artwork is traveling, I’ve been home doing yard work and remodeling an upstairs bathroom.  I replaced a tub & surround and laid new flooring in the bath and the hall.   I haven’t gotten much painting done, but will get back to it in April, as soon as I get the tub to stop leaking…

The watercolor painting of the bunny and hydrangeas was sold last year, but I have another bunny painting on the drawing board, this one with old fashioned roses.  I have lots of neighborhood bunnies willing to model for carrots.

Sitting In The Shade – The newest watercolor painting in my ‘Fast and Furious’ series of class demonstrations.  The image is 7 1/2 by 10 1/2″.  This shows how to successfully create natural green colors in a painting.  The best time of year for green is, of course, summer, when flowers rule the yard.  This painting is available for sale on eBay – click here to view.

I’ve scheduled many of my Fast and Furious demos on sale with eBay, so you’ll find a selection of sizes and prices and different subjects each week.  With Mother’s Day fast approaching, I’m putting lots of the floral and flower paintings on.

Art At Rest 

This original watercolor painting (of a messy artists studio at the Goggleworks, Reading PA) was accepted into the Louisianna Watercolor Society’s 40th Annual International exhibition and will be going to New Orleans shortly. 

It’s tough to stay focused in the modern world, because there’s so much to do and learn.  While  there are tons of good information at your fingertips on the internet, there’s also tons of bad information.  How do you sort it all out? 

Art Marketing NOW 

If you want to learn about all the ins and outs of art marketing I’ve discovered - Kelly and I are giving a one day workshop at the York Art Association on June 5, covering art marketing in person and on-line, with space for 45 students.  We’re still putting the details together, but you can put your name on the list to reserve a spot – just call or email YAA at (717) 755-0028 or yaa1@comcast.net .  I’ll be giving you more information on it as it gets finalized, and sharing a lot in this blog.

Juried Show Opportunities – One for now and one for later 

Deadline fast approaching - the Baltimore Watercolor Society’s 2010 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibit  (last year $8,000 in awards and over $15,000 in sales.)   My award winning original watercolor painting above, Wannabe Lap Dog, was accepted and shown in their 2009 exhibit.  Also, the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s juried show prospectus is available on-line, for anyone who wants to get an early start. 

The Adirondacks 2009 National Art Exhibition opened August 21 and I was there!  On the left is me and the judge of awards, Dean L. Mitchell.

A huge crowd turned out for the opening and ribbon cutting. It was eye opening to see that out of the best paintings in the nation, many were from artists in our area, including Denny Bond and Carole Pickle, who both won awards.

Dean Mitchell gave a gallery talk on Saturday morning to a packed room.  He commented on what he liked about the award-winning paintings and his thoughts on art in general.  In the current art world where anything goes, it’s validating to find a top artist who shares your point of view.

Cheap Joe’s and Art Blogging

Next, I’m on the road to Cheap Joe’s to teach my first workshop there, and my daughter, Kelly, is finishing her first ebook on blogging.  (I’ve already learned a lot of things, just by proofreading.)  I’ll keep you posted on when the e-book is available and how my week goes.

“Fry Guy” — New Original Watercolor Painting

I took a workshop with Mary Whyte at Springmaid Water Media in Myrtle Beach, SC, last year and loved her watercolor paintings with steam rising.  Here’s my version.

“Fry Guy” is from the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in Harrisburg, PA.  I used the cadmium red light (as suggested by an artist in an early blog post) with cobalt blue, raw sienna and perylene green for a dark.  I don’t usually use opaque colors, but I liked the red!

I just entered Fry Guy in the Berks Art Alliance Juried Art Exhibit.  The lady who was supposed to be checking the frames for damage said, “Wow!” when I took it out and spent a long time looking at the painting instead of the frame…  Now that’s a compliment!

Hope the judges feel the same way, but I won’t be upset if it’s declined.  There is such a variety of good art work at these juried art exhibits, the artists who win one year are often declined the next!

My First Art Museum Exhibit!

After meeting with director Stella at the Ratner Museum in Bethesda, MD, I have an exhibit booked for 2013!  The Ratner is a small museum and it is a group showing, but I’m still thrilled.  And believe it or not, they don’t take any commission.

This is Dussman’s Auto, a small watercolor of the view from my local convenience store in Lancaster, PA.  I take a lot of photos when I run out to pick up milk or other odds and ends – morning and evening are the best photo times.

Good Advice For Watercolor Artists

Years ago, Dean Mitchell advised wannabe artists to enter the juried art exhibits and keep trying to improve your painting skills until you can get in.  That’s what I did.

Lots of times in the beginning, I didn’t get in.  I studied the accepted art, took classes and  worked hard.  Now my entries are accepted in the juried art exhibits more often than not, and I’m winning awards!   Now what?

Currently, I’m looking at exhibiting in art museums and contemporary art centers.  I feel it’s the next step.  Watercolor artists need to keep in mind that there are only steps in an art career, not destinations.  Even the most respected artists in our great nation are only known to a handful of people. There are no “rock stars.” You keep working or you’re history.  So enjoy your painting, whatever level you’re at. That’s the best advice.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Last week, I went to Virginia to the Contemporary Art Center in  Virginia Beach and the Chrysler Museum of Art.  There are so many places to see and think about, it’s overwhelming.

What do you do in that case?  Look for a mentor: someone who has been there and done that.  On an artist friend’s advice, I contacted the Ratner Museum in Bethesda, and I’m going today to talk to the director.   I’ll let you know what happens!

There’s still time to enter, so download the prospectus and send your entry in today!  If you have any questions, just drop me an email at debiwatson@comcast.net.

Want To See ALL My Recent Paintings?

I also downloaded a bunch of my paintings to my Flickr site, so if you want to see a wide variety of my work, visit there and click on the paintings group.

American Artist posted the winners of their Hot 100 competition. Thank you everyone, for voting me best watercolor teacher!