Congratulations to the NFWS Members whose paintings have been selected to win awards in our Fall 2025 Members Watercolor Exhibition.
Our judge Gary Tucker’s judge’s statement and individual comments about the award winning paintings are shared below. The award winners can now be seen at the Carnegie Art Center, 20 Goundry Street North Tonawanda, NY from October 3 through October 30, 2025. It’s a stunning show, beautifully juried, and hung. Thank you to Barbara Billittier, and Martha Rogala our NFWS Exhibition Committee, and to the Carnegie Art Center staff .
Again, congratulations to all artists who submitted their paintings. Keep painting
Gary Tucker’s opening comment: I want to the thank the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society for the opportunity to be judge and juror to the current exhibition hanging at the Carnegie Art Center in Tonawanda – The works submitted had a consistently high level in design and presentation. The Show comprised a wide variety of approaches to the media of watercolor which delights any juror because it makes the jurying process much easier – Conversely it makes judging the prizes more difficult. I defiantly admired a many of these paintings and had strong feelings towards others – these are listed beside each of the prize winners.
First Place Award – Louise Vacco’s “Rock On”
This piece surprised me with the confident brushwork bold approach. A simple landscape that conveys a sense of place and great observation of the light and its effect.
Second Place Award – Sally Treanor’s “Bouquet”
A resonating painting that holds your attention long after a first glance. The composition is thoughtful and the the journey the painter takes us on – through use of color and transparency reminds me of the mystery watercolor evokes.
Third Place Award – Jeanne Gugino’s “Migration”
A larger piece with and even larger theme – i was compelled by the transparency used in the formation of the herd – the sense of wandering and impermeable remained with me long after I stepped away from the painting
Honorable Mention Award – Barbara Fox’s “Bellissima”
A tender moment was caught by this artist – the technique is at such a high level in this painting that I had to look closely to remind myself it was not a photo.
Honorable Mention Award – E. Jane Stoddard’s “Sweat Pea”
I was drawn to the presence of age and use in this painting – I think achieved by the artist embracing the textural surface of boat and the surrounding beach scape. Like the portrait of an old friend, painted with love and compassion
Janet Ide Memorial Award – Anitha Balanchandran’s “Preserving Summer
A wonderfully full piece where the artist has tapped directly into her love of color and form – the fact we are looking at flowers in a vase is second to the passion generated by the forms and surfaces. A very honest piece
Board of Directors Award – Ronnie Lafferty’s “Exploring”
I really liked the composition of this piece because of the strong oblique of the trees moving out into the water – difficult to make this work but the soft edges at the trees tips and suggestive colors make this work – because of this combination a sense of unknown is left inside the viewer.
Judge’s Choice Award – Pamela Lynch’s “You Quack me Up!”
Anyone who sees this painting walks away with a smile. Joy is preserved in the moment, in the color and in the title –
Judge’s Choice Award – Ric Feeney’s “August Fawn”
A carefully balanced watercolor in which the subject of the fawn is seen and the not seen. Much like the experience we have when looking at nature. The touch of the brush throughout the painting is what I like most
Judge’s Choice Award – Carol Koziol Clark’s “See what Yellow and Blue Can Do!”
A meditative piece that begins in the slightly irregular moon and filters slowly downward into the wandering roots. Transparency is celebrated in this painting
Judge’s Choice Award – Martha Rogala’s “Sunrise over the Dunes”
A beautiful balance is achieved in this work – the slightly offset rising sun countered by the rounded sky – just the kind of feeling we would like to wake up with everyda
