Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society

January 18, 2024 Members Meeting and Demonstration by Rick Surowicz, all on Zoom!
2024-01-18 16:00 - 19:00 UTC | On Zoom
Following a brief Members Meeting we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by the popular watercolor artist and teacher Rick Surowicz, from Medina, Ohio.
This will be a Zoom event, held at 4 pm on Thursday, January 18th. A Zoom link will be sent by email to all NFWS Members on the Monday before the Thursday afternoon Meeting.

Artist Biography
Rick Surowicz, a painter currently living in Medina, Ohio, discovered how much he enjoyed the challenges of transparent watercolor in 1992. His paintings have been juried into exhibitions of the American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Louisiana Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, and Splash 21. Watercolor Artist Magazine did an eight-page feature article on his work in their 2021 Summer edition. His YouTube channel has over 65,000 subscribers with over 4.8 million views. Rick is a signature member of the Ohio Watercolor Society, and a current Trustee. He keeps busy with his online instruction.
Artist Statement
To look where others don’t look, to see what others don’t see, to say without saying inspires and challenges me as an artist. I look through underbrush to see the river, I see beyond the flower to behold the foliage, and suggest the tree by painting the woods. I seek to portray that which is not obvious. It’s not my intent to replicate but to interpret through the elements and principles of design. I enjoy the beauty of transparent watercolor and continue to learn and evolve with every painting, with every brushstroke.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_RHSK_GEIoVTF-QNKDRvgA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsurowiczart
Website: https://rsurowiczart.com/

February 15, 2024 Members Meeting and Demonstration by Michael Holter, all on Zoom!
2024-02-15 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
Following a brief Members Meeting we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by the popular watercolor artist and teacher Michael Holter, from Plano, Texas!
This will be a Zoom event, held at 4 pm on Thursday, February 15th. A Zoom link will be sent by email to all NFWS Members on the Monday before the Thursday afternoon Meeting.
MICHAEL HOLTER
https://www.michaelholter.com/
Michael Holter is known for his dynamic watercolor portraits, landscapes, and workshops. After a successful career inart education, advertisingdesign and creative leadership, Michael began focusing more seriously on his painting in 2011. Michael is a signature member of numerous national watercolor societies. His work is widely published and he has received numerous national and international awards. He has released four DVDs from Creative Catalyst Productions: 7 Steps to Landscape Painting in Watercolor, 7 Steps to Portraits in Watercolor, Watercolor Landscapes from Photos and Paint the Town. Although Michael has been painting most of his life, his work experience spans a wide range of creativity, from high school art teacher, advertising creative director and businessman. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education and an MA in Visual Communication.
Michael says, “My work is impressionistic. I like to represent people or places and allow the painting to evolve from the recognizable. The challenge is to balance the care needed to make the representation interesting… and perhaps believable, with the freedom, looseness and painterly quality that makes a painting so expressive.”

March 21st Members Meeting and Demonstration on Zoom by Alexis Lavine.
2024-03-21 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
Following a brief Members Meeting we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by award winning North Carolina artist and teacher Alexis Lavine. /We will email links to this zoom event to all members on the Monday before March 21st.

Here is Alex’s statement about her work:
Making art is an essential and defining part of who I am and how I live. I see so much that intrigues me, and I am endlessly challenged to paint what I see and how I feel.
My watercolor paintings appear to be realistic … but they are thoughtfully conceived, strategically designed, and carefully drawn around abstract shapes, values, colors, movement, and positive and negative spaces. I believe that my approach gives my work a more contemporary feel, and results in paintings which convey my personal reaction to my subject, not merely the visual facts.
I was a passionate “plein air” painter for many years. Recently, I have been working more in my studio, where I can slow down my brush and take more time to design and craft my paintings with the utmost of care, to create the most impact in my work and communicate with my viewers as effectively as possible. I have discovered a new fascination with the clothed human figure, and have been focusing on telling stories, through the use of grouping, cropping, and placement of the figures within my picture plane.
Education is tremendously important. I earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree, before embarking on my path as a painter. I continue to study art whenever possible, and I also teach painting and drawing classes and workshops. I love to speak about art, share my experience and knowledge, and help my students achieve greater success.
I am a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, Watercolor Honor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Watercolor West, North East Watercolor Society, and Southern Watercolor Society. Recently honored as “One to Watch” by Watercolor Artist Magazine, my paintings have been published in Splash, The Artistic Touch, The Best of Watercolor, Watercolor Artist, and The New Palette. Creative Art Press has published a five-DVD instructional series, called “Creative Watercolor Painting Using Photos” featuring my watercolor demos. My work can be found in galleries in the mid-Atlantic and Southern states, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can see many of my paintings and learn more about my art and my teaching by visiting my web site.
To contact Alexis directly: alexislavineartist@gmail.com 336.684.2578 (cell) www.alexislavineartist.com www.facebook.com/alexislavineartist

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April 18th Members Meeting and Demonstration by Shelley Prior!
2024-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
After a brief Members Meeting catching us up on the Spring’s Events, Exhibition, etc., we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by Burlington, Ontario artist and art instructor Shelley Prior!

Shelley is a full-time artist and art instructor. She has written that her watercolour painting style has evolved into a highly realistic style covering a variety of subjects which may include birds & wildlife, nature, portraits, floral, still life & landscape. Subjects with reflective qualities like glass and metal are especially intriguing to me. “I’m a very active instructor teaching regular classes as well as travelling to teach workshops throughout Ontario, Canada and occasionally in the US which I’ve done for about 30 years. Although I paint in acrylic and oil as well, my main medium is watercolour.”
Artist Statement:
I love the transparency and luminosity of watercolour. It’s something that is unique to only watercolour. Every subject presents new challenges and pushes me to try new techniques and different methods. Many years of experimentation (and yes, lots of failures) have taught me to use quality materials and plan ahead in my painting, as watercolours are less forgiving than other mediums. Every success is a real triumph though and I love to share what I’ve learned with other painters.
Light is a crucial element in almost everything I paint. For me, it’s the life of the painting. I always strive to have interesting lighting in my work and try to create it through the application of subtle glazes and deep rich shadows.

Spring 2024 Workshop with Richard Stephens
2024-05-14 09:00 - 2024-05-17 16:00 | Castiglia Art Center, 21 South Grove ST, East Aurora, NY, 14052, United States
Our NFWS SPRING 2024 WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP was
Lighten up, Loosen Up with Richard Stephens!
May 14 – 17, 2024 at the Castiglia Art Center at the Historic Roycroft Campus, 21 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY.
Richard was as promised – an awesome, inspiring, person and artist. This workshop was terrific! Here are a few photos. As we collect more from the participants, we will post them here.

May 16th In Person Members Meeting and Demonstration by our Spring Workshop Artist, Richard Stephens.
2024-05-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
After a brief Members Meeting catching us up on the Spring’s Events, Exhibition, etc., we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by this spring’s NFWS Workshop Artist, Richard Stephens.

• Richard Stephens has enjoyed a successful 45 yearcareer as a freelance commercial artist/graphicdesigner in the advertising/marketing industry.• For 20 years Richard has been teaching work-shops around the country and serving as jurorfor numerous watercolor competitions & shows.• In 2005 “Watercolor Magic Magazine” namedRichard one of the top 10 emerging watercoloristin the country in their annual “Ones to Watch” issue.
“It is the quest for the excitement, that rush,understood only by other artists that have beenblessed (or cursed) with the experience, thatgives me reason to continue in the elusiveprocess of making art. ‘Making Art’ certainlymeans producing my own work. But it alsomeans sharing with my students my knowledge,experience and passion for watercolor. I love toteach. I have discovered that through teaching,more than any other endeavor, I continue to learn.”

Awards Reception for the NFWS 2024 Spring Members Exhibition
2024-05-18 12:00 - 14:00 | Artists Group Gallery, One Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14209, United States
WNYAG is hosting this year’s NFWS Members Exhibition from May 18 through June 21, 2024. The Awards Reception will be Saturday, May 18 from 12 noon to 2 pm. The Awards Juror is Richard Stephens NFWS’ Spring Workshop Artist. The exhibition includes 42 transparent watercolor paintings from NFWS Members, an awesome display of Members’ talents and creativity, and their joy in showing their works to the arts community on the whole.
This image has been selected for the program. It is Matin by Geraldine Meday.

This is the postcard featuring Janet Ide’s painting Lisianthus.

June Members Meeting and Show Your Art Show
2024-06-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
June Members Meeting.
SHOW YOUR ART SHOW! In person at Amherst Community Church
With Comments by Jennifer Koury and Marty Kutas, 6:00 pm, JUNE 20, 2024. Pizza at 6:00, Art Show at 7:00
Bring one painting, matted or framed and ready to share.

Jennifer’s Watercolor from 2022 Spring Show. Marty’s Watercolor from 2022 Spring Show.

Board of Directors and Committee Volunteers Meeting
2024-08-20 16:00 - 19:00 | Sally Treanor’s Home, 756 Richmond Avenue, Buffalo, NY
Our August 20th meeting will be in person from 4 til complete at Sally Treanor’s home! It’s potluck. Bring your favorite potluck deliciousness.

Members in person Meeting and Demonstration by Judith Haynes Levins
2024-09-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
After a brief Members Meeting catching us up on the Fall’s Events, Exhibition, etc., we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by popular Cazenovia NY artist and instructor Judith Hayes Levins,

Artist Statement:
Judy knew from the beginning that art was her passion and her place in the world. “I see beauty in our world and try to convey that with brush, paint and paper. My medium is watercolor and I express with it in an energetic, bold manner. Art is a form of communication and by painting my world and having others feel something when viewing it, we have shared a moment together and that is a wonderful thing.”
Artist Bio:
Judith’s art education began at home with her mother’s love of art instilled and nurtured in her children. Judy continued her passion at Boston’s New England School of Art & Design, where she majored in Fashion Illustration. After graduation she taught figure drawing and textile rendering with The School of Fashion Design while she pursued her freelance art career.
Life has taken her up and down the East coast, currently putting down roots in Cazenovia NY, a charming lake community tucked into the pastoral landscape of Central New York. She is a member of CazArts and has volunteered as President of the Cazenovia Watercolor Society (CWS) for three years, as Secretary for two and serves as social media/website Chairperson. She keeps her brushes busy by joining the Adirondack Plein Air group, Mountain Air Painters, on weekly painting adventures as well as participating in numerous plein air groups.
Judith teaches her love of watercolor in her private studio at the historic Atwell Mill in Cazenovia NY. She holds workshops with CazArts, and travels to watercolor societies & art groups for demonstrations/workshops. Students have described Judy’s love of the medium as “contagious”. She says she wants her teaching to plant little watercolor seeds, then sit back and watch her students bloom.
Judy is an award winning artist that has gained Signature Gold status with the Central New York Watercolor Society (CNYWS), as well as filling a chair on their 2017 -24 Board of Directors. She sells her work from her Gallery/Studio and exhibits with the numerous groups she participates in throughout Central New York.
You can follow her painting adventures on social media Facebook and instagram.
For more information contact Judy, jhlevins@icloud.com or here on her website jhlevins.com

NFWS 2024 Fall Workshop with Brienne Brown
2024-10-23 09:30 - 2024-10-26 16:00 | Kenan Center, 433 Locust Street, Lockport, NY, 14094, United States
“Creating Dynamic Watercolors: Bringing the Everyday to Life”
Dates: Wednesday October 23 to Saturday October 26, 2024
Location: Taylor Theater Meeting Room at The Kenan Center in Lockport, NY (behind Kenan House – accessible ramp), 433 Locust St., Lockport, NY 14094
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: Members: $460 Non-Members: $500

To for more information on the workshop and to register, view and print the attached Registration Brochure:
Brienne Brown Brochure
About the Artist:
Much to her mother’s indignation, Brienne owned little clothing that was not covered in paint. From a young age, Brienne showed talent in art and music, but wanted to pursue a career in the sciences. She started her education at the University of Utah as a double major (Art and Chemistry), eventually receiving a BS in Chemistry and finishing with a Master’s degree in 2004. After graduation, Brienne worked in a Toxicology lab. Though she painted some by taking an occasional class, as the years wore on, she realized she wanted more art in her life than a career in science would allow. She was surprised and delighted to find great fulfillment in painting. In fact, it became a necessity.
After leaving her job as a toxicologist to raise her first child in 2008, Brienne had the opportunity to paint more consistently. Prioritizing painting and taking workshops from artists she admired paid off. Soon she was not only exhibiting and entering shows regularly, but also winning awards. Brienne holds signature membership status for the National Watercolor Society, American Impressionist Society, and several other watercolor societies. Every year, she participates in several national juried and invitational plein air events, teaches workshops all over the country, and holds online courses. She has won several top awards in many plein air and watercolor competitions across the country. Her work has been published in Splash 17 Best of Watercolor: Inspired Subjects, PleinAir Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, and Watercolor Artist Magazine.
See Brienne’s website: www.briennembrown.com for more information and images.
Coordinators: Betty Stanton (stanton.elizabeth9@gmail.com)
Jeanne Gugino (jeannegugino@icloud.com)

October Demonstration by Workshop Artist Brienne Brown
2024-10-24 | Online on our YouTube Channel, NY, United States
Because of a scheduling conflict at our usual in person meeting and demonstration venue, the Amherst Community Church, we will not be able to invite you all to see a demonstration by our Fall Workshop Artist, Brienne Brown. We will, however be able to videotape her demonstration, and will post it on our Youtube Channel as soon as it is edited. We are so sorry that this anticipated Thursday night event has been cancelled, but are grateful for technology and social media! We will send out an email with a link to the video on our Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society Youtube Channel as soon as it is posted.

Board of Directors and Committee Volunteers Meeting
2024-11-12 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
This will be a zoom meeting beginning at 4 pm on November 12, 2024.

November 21st Member Meeting and Demonstration by Watercolor Artist Carrie Waller.
2024-11-21 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
Following a brief Members’ Meeting we will be treated to a watercolor demonstration by Carrie Waller who currently works from her Arkansas studio after returning from Tokyo, Japan where she resided for the last 8 years.

Carrie Waller is a watercolor artist working in a realistic, detailed style. Her studies in Interior Design and Graphic Design as well as her time spent living in Europe and Asia have influenced her as an artist. Her unique works are bold, vibrant, and dramatic.working in a realistic, detailed style. Her training in Interior Design and her studies in Graphic design as well as her time living in Europe and Asia have influenced her as an artist. Her unique works are bold, vibrant and dramatic.
Carrie is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, San Diego Watercolor Society, Louisiana Watercolor Society, Mid-Southern Watercolorists and the Watercolor USA Honor Society. She teaches workshops and private classes.
Carrie has won numerous awards and has had works published in many publications including Watercolor Artist Magazine, The Art of Watercolour, Pratique des Arts, Southwest Artist’s Magazine, International Artist Magazine, Artist’s and Illustrators (runner up for Artist of the year), and The Artist’s Magazine. Most recently Carrie’s painting “Denkyu” won Best of Show in the 2023 Women in Watercolor International Competition, her painting “Abundance” was awarded the Grand Prize in the American Women Artists, Making Their Mark exhibition. Her painting “Banned” received the Dana Bartlett top award in the NWS member exhibition. “Celebration” and “Denkyu have received the Gold Medal award in the Mid-Southern Watercolorists Annual Juried Exhibitions. Her work has also been published in Splash, The Best of Watercolor editions 16 – 23.
Artist’s Statement
I have always had a fascination with watercolor. The difficulty of the medium challenges me and the transparent layering cannot be replicated with any other medium. I challenge myself to push the medium by creating saturated colors and let the white of the paper sparkle through to create my dramatic lights. I love the process of being a still life painter. Conceptualizing the perfect painting in my head, the hunt for the props, setting up my finds in a dramatic composition utilizing natural lighting and seeing my idea come to life. My intention is for the viewer to be captivated by the beauty and light of the piece and for it to give them an amazing visual experience. My goal is to make the ordinary, extraordinary.

January Members Meeting and Demonstration by Vermont Artist Michael Ridge
2025-01-16 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
OnThursday January 16, from 4 to 6 pm we will be treated to a watercolor demonstration by Michael Ridge!

February 20 Members Zoom Meeting and Demonstration by Moh’d Bilbeisi
2025-02-20 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
February’s Meeting and Demonstration will be a Zoom Event. All NFWS Members will receive a link to the Zoom Call by email early in the week of the event.

Following a short Members Meeting we will have the inspiring opportunity to welcome Moh’d Bilbeisi an imaginative professor, architect, illustrator, and watercolorist who is driven by an incredible passion for self-expression through art. His works are often noted for their unique dynamism, elegance, and technique. Moh’d has developed an innovative style that blends precision with abstract expressionism. His use of vibrant watercolors and expressive brush strokes make his work an excellent choice for a wide range or projects and purposes.
Moh’d is accomplished in using watercolors, ink, and graphite/pencil as well as modern digital techniques. His work is highly collected by individuals, nationally and internationally. In addition, corporations and other entities such as Ducati USA, BMW, SKFGroup, Oklahoma State University, Emirates Air, and Hilton Intl. have utilized Moh’d’s talents for graphic illustrations and ads. He is also a noted author of several books such as Graphic Journaling and co-author of Words and Colors, Firmitas, among others.
Moh’d’s works have been featured in many exhibitions, nationally, and internationally. He also conducts graphic workshops throughout the globe. His illustrations have appeared in numerous publications, books, and journal ads.

Artist’s StatementI view my work as an extension of myself, always trying to understand what is physical and non-physical through drawing and painting. This led to unique and individual attempts for self-expression through the artistic medium. The complexity of today’s life and issues, personal andnon-personal, demanded a more complex artistic medium that is dynamic, expressive, and hardto master.Three powerful forces meet in my work; a passion for geometry, a delight in the free movementof watercolor and an ebullient physical energy. In paintings that range from flowers pieces, tointeriors, to cityscapes, the artist presents his subjects in flux, their forms and outlines editedand sometimes distorted as they emerge from a flurry of calligraphic strokes and dissolvingblooms of watercolor. Direct, fresh and decisive, these works harness watercolor at its mostpure, using its natural inclination to soak, flood and bleed in a free and open fashion. “I aminterested and only interested in harnessing the natural disposition of the medium tocommunicate the idea or the message,” says the artist. “I believe that watercolors demand thattheir wetness, fluidity, chromatic interaction, and application express their nature, which issuspended colored particles in an aqueous solution.I frown at any watercolor painting that does not address this important issue.” Of course, thechallenge is to allow the medium its freedom and at the same time structure it to achieve thedesired image. In other words the artist must strive to balance order and chaos. “I favorprecision but not accuracy.” “I also favor looseness versus rigidity.” Painting the thin linebetween the chaotic nature of the medium and the rigid nature of shapes is what distinguisheswatercolor painting from other artistic modes of expression. Chaos and order are two sides ofthe same coin. Favoring one versus the other is limiting and prescriptive. I opt for a mediationbetween the two in which both sides exist at the same time.”

March Members Meeting and Demonstration by Marilynne Bradley on Zoom
2025-03-20 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
Following a brief Members Meeting, we will be treated to the inventive approach to watercolor by Missouri Artist Marilynne Bradley.
Artist’s Statement
Over the years my work has slowly moved from the representational area towards the impressionist area and continues to invent itself in a structured geometric cubistic style. It is a journey, and I suspect that there will be no final destination.
My primary focus is on expressing myself with abstract design, color, line, texture, pattern, and mark-making. My paintings are shaped by life experiences, memories, and what is imagined. They evolve through a trial and error process of deliberation, experimentation and improvisation.
They evolve through a trial and error process of deliberation,experimentation, and improvisation. Every change leads to a new discovery, and the process continues layer by layer until I see something that seems to work. I am searching for an image that feels alive with movement.

Board of Directors and Committee Volunteers Meeting
2025-04-08 16:00 - 18:00 | On Zoom
This will be a zoom meeting beginning at 4 pm on April 8, 2025

April 24th In Person Members Meeting and Demonstration by Dan Meyer
2025-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
After a brief Members Meeting catching, we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by popular Western New York artist and teacher Dan Meyer.This meeting and demonstration will be IN PERSON at the Amherst Community Church on Thursday, April 24th from 7 to 9. Please note that this is the 4TH THURSDAY, not the 3RD. Hope to see lots of members there as we reconnect in person after a long winter.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Dan utilized his artistic skills in the advertising, aviation and packaging industries. After more than 30 years in the commercial field, he left to pursue a fine art career as a wildlife artist and illustrator. Dan has exhibited his paintings at wildlife art shows primarily in the northeast and has won numerous awards including being twice named Artist of the Year by Ducks Unlimited, Buffalo Chapter. His illustrations have been featured on posters, adorned consumer packaging and accompanied national magazine articles. Dan is a charter member and past president of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society and honorary member of the Central New York Watercolor Society. Recently, Dan’s days of traveling to participate in art festivals has been relegated to a few select local art festivals. Most of his artistic endeavors have been to share his knowledge of watercolor through classes in the Western New York region. Dan has instructed classes in watercolor and drawing over the past 20 years which have since grown to include Williamsville Continuing Education, Amherst, Clarence, Akron and Orchard Park Senior Centers.Dan says, “A good painting is the result of trial and error, repetition, experimentation and practice, practice, practice!”

His original watercolors, giclee reproductions, show and class schedules and email contact are on line at www.danmeyerwatercolors.com

ARTIST STATEMENT – Changes in Attitude

The years have taken their toll, I like to think in a favorable way. The intensity of deliberate, calculated strokes have evolved into relaxed gestures of pigment between brush and paper. My transparent watercolors are directed at allowing the creative senses to collectively assemble an image that says “This is how the artist saw it”.

Spring 2025 NFWS Workshop with Carl Purcell
2025-05-12 09:30 - 2025-05-16 16:00 | Castiglia Art Center, 21 South Grove ST, East Aurora, NY, 14052, United States
Spring 2025 Carl Purcell’s
Workshop – Painting the Patterns of Nature
Registration opened on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Respond with your registration quickly as our workshops fill up fast!
Attached is your REGISTRATION FORM for this Spring’s Watercolor Workshop with renowned artist, author and instructor Carl Purcell.
Registration Form for Carl Purcell’s Spring 2025 Workshop
This inspiring workshop will be held at the Castiglia Art Center at the Historic Roycroft Campus, 21 Grove Street, East Aurora, NY 14052, Monday, May 12 – Friday, May 16, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.

May 15th Members Meeting and Demonstration by Carl Purcell, our May 2025 Workshop Artist
2025-05-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
After a brief in person Members Meeting, we will have the pleasure of a demonstration by our May 2025 Workshop Artist Carl Purcell. This meeting and demonstration will be IN PERSON at the Amherst Community Church on Thursday, May 15th from 7 to 9.

Carl Purcell taught painting and drawing at Snow College in Utah for 30 years. He is currently retired from the college but is a popular painting and drawing workshop instructor, having conducted workshops throughout the West, from Alaska to Arizona , and in Great Britain.
Carl is the author of the North Light publications, Painting With Your Artist’s Brain (a watercolor book) and Drawing With Your Artist’s Brain. In addition his art has been featured in numerous articles published in The Artist’s Magazine and in Splash I. He has been invited to jury exhibits in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Michigan and Califonia.
Carl has achieved signature member status in the National Watercolor Society and was given honor member status in the Utah Watercolor Society for his contributions to watercolor in the state. He has won numerous awards, including a purchase award in the 2008 National Watercolor Society’s international exhibition. In 2009 Carl was chosen as one of the panel of three judges for the National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition.
“Stone Cadence” is one of a series of paintings I have been working on that explore the rhythmic patterns I see and feel in rock surfaces. I am drawn to the contrast of vertical fissures and cracks that cut through the horizontal layers of rock strata. To me these counter thrusts are like the unplanned events that cut through the well-laid plans of our lives. I see these rocks as living forms, moving and dancing to the rhythm of life.”
While his primary medium of choice is watercolor, Carl also loves to work in oil and acrylic. Carl lives with his wife Nan in Manti, a small town in central Utah. His paintings reflect his love of nature, especially the rock canyon country of Utah.

June Members Meeting, Show Your Art Show!
2025-06-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
SHOW YOUR ART SHOW! In person at Amherst Community Church
With Comments by Sherryl Perez and Sandy Ludwig, 6:00 pm, JUNE 19, 2025. Pizza at 6:00, Art Show at 7:00. Bring one painting, matted or framed and ready to share.

Sherryl’s Watercolor

Sandy’s Watercolor

Submission Period, Fall 2025 Members Watercolor Exhibition
2025-07-05 08:00 - 2025-08-15 23:30

September 18, 2025 In Person Members Meeting with Demonstration by Mike Killelea!!
2025-09-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
Our first Members Meeting of the year, in person on September 18, 2025 from 7 – 9 pm at the Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Snyder, NY. ( Lots of parking behind the facility.) Snacks provided by our Hospitality Committee.
After a brief Members Meeting welcoming everyone back, highlighting the upcoming events for 2025-26, and reviewing the work of a busy new Board of Directors, we will be treated to a demonstration by our Signature Member and Program Chair Mike Killelea.

Killelea’s plein air paintings, headlined as “exquisite watercolors” in American Artists’ Watercolor magazine, have appeared in print, museums and exhibitions. “I am a fanatic about painting in plein air. There are great scenes all around us, and even under our noses,” Killelea said. “By forcing an artist to choose a subject from an endless variety of options, their design and color skills are strengthened.”
Michael Killelea is an artist, author, teacher and traveler.
His work and biography have been included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Library for the American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery, the Library of Congress, the Watson Research Library at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and those have become the basis for permanent files on him. He has been included in the Burchfield Penney Art Center data base as one of 215 best past and present artists in Western New York. He has traveled extensively and painted in plein air almost everywhere he’s been.
He is the former Secretary and a Signature member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA). He’s also a Signature member and Program Committee chair of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, a former Board member of the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center in Niagara Falls, and a signature member of the Buffalo Society of Artists. Until Covid ended it, he painted year round in plein air with the All Weather Gang. Killelea is a graduate of SUNY Farmingdale and has attended Pratt Institute and the School of Visual Arts. His work is in numerous private collections, has been reproduced on book and magazine covers, posters, prints & greeting cards and is featured in two books he wrote and illustrated about Long Island’s rural North Fork.
His website is www.killeleart.com, and he posts a new painting every week on the Killeleart Facebook page.

Fall 2025 Workshop with Gary Tucker, Mood and Atmosphere in Watercolor
2025-10-14 09:30 - 2025-10-17 16:00 | Kenan Center, 433 Locust Street, Lockport, NY, 14094, United States
Dates and times: Tuesday, October 14, to Friday, October 17, 2025, 9:30 – 4 pm
Location: Taylor Theater Meeting Room at The Kenan Center in Lockport, NY (behind Kenan House – accessible ramp) 433 Locust Street, Lockport, NY 14094
Fee: Members: $400 Non-Members: $460 (see application for details)
Here’s your link to the Workshop Page and the Registration Brochure.

October Members Meeting and Demonstration by Gary Tucker!
2025-10-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Buffalo, 14226, United States
Our October Members Meeting will be in person on October 16, 2025 from 7 – 9 pm at the Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Snyder, NY. ( Lots of parking behind the facility.) Snacks provided by our Hospitality Committee.
After a brief Members Meeting bringing us up to date on our Fall 2025 Exhibition’s Reception and Awards Ceremony on October 18th, and, highlighting other upcoming events for 2025-26, we will be treated to a demonstration by our Fall Workshop Artist, Gary Tucker.
About the Artist:
Gary started to make art his life path while still in high school under lifelong mentor Anita Fahs. Eventually Gary was drawn east to Boston where he met Professor Kaji Aso at the SMFA. Professor Aso introduced eastern aesthetic, calligraphy and sumi painting. Gary graduated to the media of watercolor and found he could achieve more subtlety, power and expressiveness in his painting.
Artist’s Philosophy:
What is the place of the artist in society? I feel the artist to be caretaker of the heart. Human beings have empathy for each other, for other creatures, even for plants. The artist values this empathy. This empathy leads them to the heart of human beings, and the artist seeks to move the hearts of others through their artwork.
To communicate through any medium, we need to understand how to employ our craft. We learn this through immersion. We study nature, we look to the great art of our predecessors, we train our eyes, our ears, our mind and our heart to become more perceptive, more sensitive so that we may say something more. A good teacher will emphasize the fundamentals until the student becomes the artist. The fundamentals are constant through every culture, every medium and every masterpiece.
See Gary Tuckers’ website: www.GaryTuckerartist.com for more information and images.

Reception and Awards Ceremony, Fall 2025 Members Watercolor Exhibition
2025-10-18 12:00 - 14:00 | Carnegie Art Center, 240 Goundry Street, North Tonawanda, NY, 14120, United States
Our reception and awards ceremony will be on Saturday, October 18th from 12 to 2 pm at the Carnegie Art Center, 240 Goundry St., N. Tonawanda, NY

Board of Directors and Volunteers Meeting
2025-11-11 16:00 - 18:00
The meeting will be at 4 pm at Sally Treanor’s Home, 756 Richmond Ave., Buffalo. Potluck!!

November Members Meeting and Demonstration by Tanis Bula on Zoom!
2025-11-20 19:00 - 21:00 | On Zoom
Our November Members Meeting will be on Zoom on November 20, 2025, from 7 – 9 pm. We will send an email to all members early in the week of the Zoom call.
After a brief Members Meeting bringing us up to date on our late fall/early winter upcoming events for 2025-26, we will be treated to a demonstration by our Internationally renowned watercolor artist Tanis Bula.

About the Artist:
Tanis Bula is an internationally renowned watercolorist. She is the winner of
numerous awards and has been featured in Watercolor Magazine. She has
exhibited in Europe and Japan as well as the US, and her work is included in
corporate as well as individual collections. In Japan, she was one of three
American watercolorists selected for individual shows. For three diﬀerent years
she went to Japan to sign paintings and meet with buyers.
Tanis studied at Iowa State University and the Kansas City Art Institute and has
participated in workshops both nationally and internationally. She has painted in
France, Italy, Portugal, Japan, the Caribbean, and Mexico. She was the owner of
an award-winning graphic design firm in Denver before gaining the recognition
that allowed her to turn to painting fulltime. She has painted a variety of subjects
including landscapes and is best known for her vibrant florals.
Artist’s Statement:
Somewhere, some place, someone is having a terrific time! For me, that often
means being struck by the incredible beauty of nature. Nature oﬀers an
abundance of complex shapes, textures, patterns and colors. The constant
shining of light makes each moment unique. I capture this moment in my
painting. Flowers especially exhibit this feeling in nature, incredible beauty
constantly in transition. Their fragility and delicacy lends itself uniquely to the
light and transparency possible with watercolor. I love bright colors and strong
contrasts, and this too is reflected in my art. My joy is to bring a wonderful
moment to life in a way that can be shared and returned to me again and again.

Tanis Bula graciously sent us a photo of the iris she will paint and a list of the pigments on her palette. Thank you, Tanis. We look forward to your demonstration.

January 2026 Members Meeting and Demonstration by Andy Evansen
2026-01-15 19:00 - 21:00
Our January Members Meeting will be on Zoom on January 15, 2026, from 7 – 9 pm. We will send an email with a link to all members early in the week of the Zoom call.
After a brief Members Meeting bringing us up to date on our winter’s upcoming events for 2026, we will be treated to a demonstration by our nationally renowned watercolor artist Andy Evansen.
