Tag Archives: Transparent Watercolor

January Members’ Meeting and Demonstration by Carol Molnar

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome our own NFWS Signature Member Carol Molnar, an Elma NY artist whose paintings and other media creations have long fascinated all who know her. 

Artist’s Statement: “Watercolor is just one of several ways I find to get the art stuff out.  I taught art for thirty one years (1st-12th grade) so I see myself as a “jack of all trades and a master of none”.  It wasn’t until several years after retiring and joining NFWS that watercolors were given some extra space next to: sewing, gardening, painted wood creations, batik, stained glass and jewelry design.

I am not by any sense of the word a “disciplined” painter.  Weeks or even months will go by before picking up a brush.  The paintings are always worked on in my head long before being placed on paper.  Then the need to paint takes over and I will disappear into my workroom.

A future painting presents itself at any given time.  I am so thankful for camera phones to preserve the memory of that perfect composition.  Sometimes … well actually pretty often, I will view a scene and see it as if it was already a finished painting.  Objects from nature appear to be the work of assorted artists: a Burchfield tree, a Georgia O’Keeffe sky, a Picasso rock, (I have one in my garden), a composition by Adolph Gottlieb, and then the sun will quietly and perfectly cover a house for a painting by Edward Hopper.  I’m sure this happens because of all those years of teaching art history, the principles of design and the elements of art.” 

Everyone, member, not yet member and watercolor lover alike, is welcome to join us. We are a group that shares enthusiasm for watercolor and watermedia, welcomes  friendship old and new,  and  enjoys good snacks!!!

November 21st Members Meeting and Demonstration by Mick McAndrews

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome Mick McAndrews, an award winning, nationally exhibited watercolor artist from Downington, PA.

Mick’s award winning paintings strive to capture the mood and atmosphere of a subject, combining the magic of watercolor with reverence for the principles of design to create works of sophisticated simplicity. He is a signature member of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society (Crest Award), the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society (Sylvan Grouse Guild) and the Baltimore Watercolor Society. He is also an Artist Member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association.

Mick’s Demonstration: During this watercolor demonstration Mick will focus on working with plenty of water and pigment to exploit the wonder and intrinsic beauty of the medium. He offers – ” I will avoid the pitfalls of noodling with fussy details and instead focus on the importance of good design including interesting shapes, value contrast and variety of edges.  With this knowledge we will explore and experience the “magic” that makes watercolor so distinctive.”

Artist’s Statement

I am a passionate painter who believes that time spent painting is precious. My goal is to draw and paint every day and I believe that the fastest way to artistic growth is through the activity of painting. I  enjoy painting outside to take advantage of surroundings, natural light, and the sights and sounds that influence each painter’s creative nature. Outside in nature’s studio is where I find the greatest challenge and the greatest reward. I am challenged to capture the moment because light and its effect, reflection and cast shadow changes continuously. I am forced to simplify, to reduce the overwhelming complexity of what’s in front of me into only the most important shapes and values. My nature is to be spontaneous so working loose and impressionistically appeals to me. The magic of watercolor is found in the partnership between artist and medium, of finding a balance between the knowledge, technique and skill of the painter while leaving room for the magic that makes watercolor so distinctive. 

Recent Artistic Accomplishments: 

  • Winsor & Newton Award 2019 Wayne Plein Air
  • Honorable Mention 2019 Parrsboro International Plein Air
  • Accepted 2018 National Watercolor Society Member Exhibition
  • Feature Artist 2018 Door County Plein Air Competition
  • Judge of Awards 2018 Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Member Exhibition
  • Third Prize 2018 Bucks County Plein Air Competition
  • Canson Award 2018 Wayne Plein Air Competition
  • Best Use of Light Award 2018 Mountain Maryland Plein Air Competition
  • Third Prize 2018 Plein Air Brandywine Valley Competition
  • Demonstration artist and field painter for the 2017 Plein Air Convention & Expo
  • 17th National Exhibition of the American Society of Marine Artists
  • PWCS Plein Air Award and People’s Choice Award – 2017 On Location: Artists at Brandywine Plein Air Competition

Everyone, member, not yet member and watercolor lover alike, is welcome to join us. We are a group that shares enthusiasm for watercolor and watermedia, welcomes  friendship old and new,  and  enjoys good snacks!!!

Awards Ceremony and Reception, 14th International Exhibition of Transparent Watercolor 2019

The Awards Ceremony and Reception for our International Exhibition will be held at the Kenan Center House Gallery on Sunday October 27, from 2 – 5 pm. Our juror and judge is Iain Stewart.

These two paintings that have been chosen the postcard and the catalog are “Beckoning Ribbons” by NFWS Signature Member Sheila Reigh, and “Cortez Docks” by NFWS Signature Member Mike Killelea. Congratulations to Sheila, Mike and all of the NFWS Members whose paintings have been selected for the Exhibition!!!

 

NFWS 14th International Exhibition of Transparent Watercolor 2019

NFWS 14th International Exhibition opens October 20th and runs until November 17th, 2019 at the Kenan Center House Gallery in Lockport, NY. The prospectus is available to review, download and print here and on the Call for Work page. . Our Workshop Artist, Iain Stewart is the juror and the judge for awards. Stewart selected 50 paintings from 136 entries from 76 artists. The Awards Ceremony and Reception is Sunday, October 27, 2019, 2 – 5 pm. 

International Exhibition Prospectus Fall 2019 corrected 7.10.19

This is one of Iain Stewart’s idyllic transparent watercolor landscapes!

Fall 2019 Workshop with Iain Stewart

OUR FALL WORKSHOP WILL FEATURE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED WATERCOLOR PAINTER AND TEACHER IAIN STEWART

The Watercolor Workshop will be held at the Kenan Center, 433 Locust Street, Lockport, NY October 15 – 18, 2019, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.  

 Workshop Brochure with Registration Form is available for download here.

Iain Stewart Workshop brochure

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Iain Stewart is a watercolor artist / illustrator and a signature member of both the American and National Watercolor Societies. His work has received numerous awards in international competition and he is a sought after juror and workshop instructor. He is also an architectural illustrator with an international clientele- a business he has run for the last 20 years. Iain maintains a studio in Opelika, Alabama.

Artist’s Statement

I rely on instinct a great deal and my sketchbook when selecting subjects for my paintings. The lion’s share of my work is done in one sitting as my real struggle in painting is to capture the initial vision for any given piece. I am most often motivated by capturing a definitive lighting condition and how it influences shape and value rather than faithfully representing the subject as witnessed. Watercolor is uniquely suited for this task as “light” is reserved from the first brush strokes and must be protected throughout the painting process .

The underlying narrative in my work is not based on any theme in particular but quite simply how “place” is inhabited and used daily. 

I often use remembered atmospheric and lighting conditions in my work and would say that I paint from life and memory simultaneously. My watercolors are not only a translation of what I see, but more importantly, an expression of how I choose to view the world. 

   Web Site: http://iainstew.fineartstudioonline.com

 

A sale from the private collection of RITA ARGEN AUERBACH with opening reception September 14, 2019 3-5 PM Vern Stein Gallery Williamsville

RITA ARGEN AUERBACH has donated eleven fine works from her private collection which are being offered for sale. These framed watercolors range in price from $500 to $1400 and are by nationally recognized artists Stephen Quiller, Alvaro Castagnet, Skip Lawrence, Barbara Nechis, Tony Couch, Don Andrews, Milford Zornes, and Zoltan Szabo.  Please hover over images for sizes and pricing. 

These watercolors are by the nationally recognized artists with whom she has studied and who have influenced her work.  All proceeds benefit the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society.

All works are framed and available for viewing and purchase:

September 14, 2019 Opening Reception and Sale 3-5 PM at Vern Stein Gallery, 5747 Main Street, Williamsville, NY

September 14-28 at Vern Stein Gallery, 5747 Main Street, Williamsville, NY  

October 1-12 at The Main Frame, 1386 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY

To inquire about purchasing, please contact Tim at The Main Frame, 716-447-1107

14th International Exhibition of Transparent Watercolor 2019, October 20 – November 17, 2019 at the Kenan Center House Gallery

This NFWS Fall 2019  Exhibition of Transparent Watercolor is our 14th International/National Exhibition. Juried by Iain Stewart, the NFWS Fall 2019 Workshop Artist, Stewart selected 50 paintings from 136 entries from 76 artists. The Exhibition opens October 20th and runs until November 17th. The Awards Ceremony and Reception will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 2 to 5 pm at the Kenan Center House Gallery, 433 Locust Street, Lockport, New York 14094.

To learn more about this Exhibition, click here.

September 18th Members Meeting and Demonstration by Drayton Jones.

After a short and informative members meeting, we will welcome Drayton Jones, transparent watercolor artist and teacher coming to us from Fayetteville, New York.

Drayton Jones, a Fayetteville, NY resident, is an active member of the Cazenovia Watercolor Society, participates in local shows including St. David’s and The Dark Isle at Lorenzo and teaches various workshops. Recently he became a Signature member of Watercolor West, a nationally recognized Watercolor Society. He has studied under Nicora Gangi, a full time nationally award- winning painter/artist. Gangi says “Drayton Jones’ sensitive style of expression, through the medium of watercolor, poetically captures the drama of natural light on his subject matter, whether it be the soft rolling hills of central New York or the tranquil beauty of our surrounding lakes”. Jones also received acclaim by Syracuse Post writer, Katherine Rushworth, in her article, Sunday June 10th, 2007 declaring “one of the highlights in the show was discovering the work of Drayton Jones. His style is reminiscent of the great American watercolorist John Marin, but Jones is crisper and less abstract in his approach.” Ms. Rushworth called his work “fluid, bold” and “daring””.

Everyone is welcome to join us. We are a group that shares enthusiasm for watercolor and watermedia, shares friendship and good snacks!!!


Submission Period, NFWS Fall 2019 14th International Exhibition of Transparent Watercolor

The Submission Period for our International Exhibition is officially open. Iain Stewart, our Fall Workshop Artist, is the juror and the judge. You may view the Prospectus and submit on line by going to the Call for Work page. Mailed submissions are also acceptable following the instructions in the International Exhibition Prospectus Fall 2019 corrected 7.10.19.