This is a painting of one of my grandsons in front of a mosaic wall.  I had done a similar painting of my niece and it was accepted into the National WC show, so I did this one as an entry for the American Watercolor Society.  Whether it gets in or not, I am happy with it and like the fun effect of the mosaic.

This is a small painting, titled Trash Day.  I went to judge an art show at the Goggleworks in Reading, PA last winter, during a snow storm.  I know I’m kind of crazy to drive when the roads are mostly blown shut, but I wanted to also take photos of the town during the storm.  Some people don’t get the day off, even during blizzards – our poor, unsung heros, the garbage man.  This painting is currently at a juried exhibition in Illinois and here’s an email I received -

 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.

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!

Lancaster Art Exhibit Worth Seeing

This painting, “Workhorse” will be included in the Women’s Expressions 2009, an invitational art sale.  This exhibit is put on by Lancaster General Hospital and is open to the public on Sunday, May 17th from 2 – 4:30 p.m. at Womens and Babies Hospital on Good Drive in Lancaster PA.  This exhibit will continue through June 5th, then the artwork will be auctioned off.

Want to Enter Yellow Springs’ Art Sale?

Yellow Springs is an art community near Philadelphia that has an art sale as their fundraiser each year, selling thousands of dollars worth of art.  (I sold some, and bought one from another artist.)  They will jury on October 1, 2, and 3, 2009 for new artists.  If you want to apply, visit their website or call 610.827.7414 for an application.

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Get-Togethers

I feel like a workhorse sometimes, so I’m planning some fun things for my artist friends.  I started a blog for PWS activities.

If you sign up to receive the blog (click at the bottom where it says “Subscribe to” and follow the directions) you will get new blog posts by email and keep up with all that’s going on.  (People who are going to attend – please post a comment that says you’re coming.)

Activities include  paint togethers on posted Sunday mornings at the York Art Association at 220 S. Marshall St. York PA.  & get togethers for painting and/or photographing and a bag lunch at different places with beautiful gardens.

Two of my favorite places are:

1. The Amos Herr Homestead in Landisville PA at the junction of Harrisburg Pike and Nissley.  This is always open and free – you drive towards the municipal building and turn right, parking by the homestead.  I have about fifty photographs of irises and the gardens that I took there last year on my Flickr site, if anyone wants to paint them, feel free.

2.  The Conestoga House & Gardens at 1608 Marietta Ave, Lancaster PA.  This will open on June 17th and is free to the public on Wednesdays from 1 – 8 p.m. during June, July & Aug.ust  They allow painting on site (just don’t set up on the walkways) and have tables for bag lunches (please take your trash with you when you leave).

The Pennsylvania Juried Exhibit’s deadline for entries is coming up fast.  As chairperson, I work closely with the judge, and I think my entering is a conflict of interest.  Other artists said, “oh no, it’s not”, so  I emailed John Salminen, who show and judges a lot,  for his advice and he had the same feelings about it that I did.

I’ll save my entries for other juried exhibits I’m not involved with.  Luckily for me, there are tons of juried exhibits in the spring anyway!