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  • March 20, 2024 1:22 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    The 47th International Watermedia Exhibition (IWE) is on display in the gallery, a show about which judge Vlad Yeliseyev observed, “. . . rivals the American Watercolor Society show”.

    From an initial 273 paintings submitted by 135 artists from 6 countries and more than half the US states, eighty-eight chosen masterworks adorn the gallery through the end of the month. A total of $10,000 in 17 cash awards were given, and WAS-H is proud that 7 of the awards were earned by WAS-H members.

    Here’s a brief look at the opening festivities (Video) and don’t miss the opportunity to see the exhibition up close and in person until March 30, 2024! 


    1st Place


    Mehrdad Sedghi

    "'Ode to Joy' with Joy"

    Judge's comments: "Seemingly simple, but at the same time it gives me insight into the character. Masterfully executed with naturalness. Excellent rendering of light, where the light travels right up the painting."


    2nd Place


    Nishita Jain

    "Early Winter Snow"

    Judge's comments: "Museum quality piece. The composition of colors evoke the feeling of early winter. This painting depicts nature as given by God. This is so hard to do. Absolutely stunning!"


    3rd Place


    Dean Mitchell

    "Chavarria" 

    Judge's comments: "This shows masterfulness of composition and the medium. There's depth in the darks and transition of color in the face. This piece conveys character as art should."


    Odette Rubin Award


    Laurie Hammons

    "Flowers for Barbara"

    Judge's comments: "Naive presentation and composition that works really well. Beautiful brushstrokes and color presentation. It is like Cezanne at his best!"


    Margaret Scott Bock Award


    Adam Zhao

    "Mr. Brawn, Judge Emeritus"

    Judge's comments: "I love this work! The hand is expertly done and subdued. Your attention goes right to the face. It is translated just right."


    Jack Bowen Award


    John James 

    "Lightning Rod"

    Judge's comments: "Wonderful edges! I love that the border has depth but is not black. Beautifully composed."


    ET Kraycirik Memorial Award


    Kathleen Conover

    "Contemplating Flight"

    Judge's comments: "This one captivates me. It evokes a feeling of familiarity, like an artist's loft. It transports me. The cropping along the top gives immediacy to the work. The three colors work very well."


    In 2024, we had five members who achieved a new WAS-H status.

    New Signature Status:

    Fontaine Jacobs

    Michele Tabor Kimbrough


    New Signature Elite Status: 

    Alison Hendry

    Irene Sheytman

    Larry Spitzberg


    What is Signature and Signature Elite* Status?

    Signature and Signature Elite status are honors bestowed to those artists who have been selected for participation in the Watercolor Art Society-Houston's International Watermedia Exhibition (IWE) for multiple exhibition years and were active members of WAS-H at the time their eligible entries were submitted.

    In addition to the certificate presented at the annual awards ceremony, each artist with Signature Status may add the designation WAS-H to their professional competencies. 


    Signature Status = artist exhibited eligible entry in three IWEs.

    Signature Elite Status = artist has exhibited eligible entry in five or more IWEs.



  • March 20, 2024 1:12 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Kelly Medrano, Communications Director

    We were named a local expert on ApartmentGuide!

    Read the full article here: How to Make the Most of One Day in Houston, TX: Build the Ideal Itinerary 


    ApartmentGuide is a subsidiary of Redfin.com



  • March 05, 2024 3:40 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki, WAS-H President

    Dear WAS-H Friends,

    The International Watermedia Exhibition (IWE) will be on display in our gallery in just a few short days, opening on March 3, after the General Meeting. The volunteers for this event have already been busy, planning and preparing, and will be in full force the weekend the exhibition is installed and opens. I continue to be amazed with the enthusiasm from the many volunteers, the hard work and talent of the many artists in the exhibition and perseverance of our few members recently awarded Signature and Elite Signature Status. The big events at WAS-H are a wonderful time to enjoy the excitement and support of our arts community.

    Our March General Meeting will feature a “show and tell” demo with award-winning artist and IWE juror and judge, Vlad Yeliseyev, followed by the IWE Awards Ceremony, and then capped with a reception to celebrate the opening presentation of the IWE. The festivities begin at 2pm, on Sunday, March 3. The IWE will be on display until the end of March, so please make plans to come by and see it in person!

    Current members should look for an email on March 7 to vote for the officer slate for fiscal year June 2024 – May 2025. Click [HERE] to see the bios for the slate of officers. Voting will be recorded online, and close prior to the April General Meeting on April 7 at 2 pm. The results will be announced at that meeting.

    Paint-Ins are a wonderful member benefit! These 1-day classes are a great opportunity to take from a teacher to learn a new technique and have fun painting. Registration for the March 9 Paint-In with Caroline Graham is open, and registration for the April 13 Paint-In with Diann Zimmerman will open on March 12.

    We have many classes on the schedule for April and May -- see our full class list [HERE]. We continue to add more classes as the months go on, so please check the schedule regularly to see what is new. Registering for a class is a great way to enjoy the camaraderie of other artists and enhance your artistic skills. Our standard events such as Open Studio, Model Lab and Senior Group are going strong and welcome you to join in.

    Did you miss the recent 2-day workshop from plein air artist Richie Vios? Check out this short video filmed, narrated, and produced by WAS-H volunteer extraordinaire Jesse Castaneda, [HERE]. We are working hard to provide more opportunities to learn at WAS-H, including bringing in visiting artists -- saving you the cost of travel to learn from these talented artists.

    Next month I will have a long list of volunteers to thank as March is a busy month. So, this month, I would like to thank our current Board of Directors for all the hard work they do every day. Janet Traylor makes sure bills are paid and finances are well managed, Kathleen Cooper documents meetings and offers invaluable feedback, Laura McMahon has updated our voting procedures to be in compliance with our new bylaws, Kat Rodgers managed our fabulous Annual Members Exhibit, Yvonne Sternes keeps our building in tip-top shape including recent painting and AC repair, Kelly Medrano has vastly improved our communications and branding, Kathleen Church manages big receptions and our Senior Class, Cheryl Evans and Susan Giannantonio have developed the most robust and exciting class offerings we have ever had, Linda Flowers and Brian Flaherty run the best monthly gallery shows and receptions in the city of Houston, Jan McNeill offers sound advice and historical society perspective, Paula Fowler is always welcoming new members, Nancy Moody is enthusiastically recruiting new volunteers, and Donna Van Fleet has not only served as Vice President offering her vast non-profit expertise in addition to managing our general meetings, recruiting future jurors and major workshop teachers, she also managed our International Watermedia Exhibition which is a job in itself. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the entire Board of Directors! So much happens behind the scenes with our volunteer run organization, and these are the leaders that make it happen. If you see these good peeps at WAS-H, please thank them! We are always looking to get more folks involved, so if you have time and want to contribute, we could use your help with everything from ad hoc activities to leadership roles.

    I hope you will join with everything going on at WAS-H – thank you for being a part of our wonderful arts community!


    Warm Regards,

    Karen Houston Stopnicki

    WAS-H President


  • February 09, 2024 11:32 AM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Linda Flowers and Brian Flaherty, WAS-H Gallery Co-Directors



    The February gallery show theme is “Love Is in the Air.”  We asked artists to paint the things they love, going beyond the typical Valentine’s Day expressions and bringing out a broader focus and vibe.

    You’ll see many tender moments, including…

    • The depiction of love between mother and child, an older couple relaxing on a beautiful sunny day, and the love between brothers that is obvious to the observer.
    • Dogs, cats, and even a little frog prince jumped into the show reiterating their impact on our lives.
    • Best friends and grandchildren along with still life paintings adorn our gallery walls for an added spark of love.
    • One gallery wall is dedicated to florals! If you breathe in deep enough, you'll smell the flowers as you stroll through the exhibit.

    Stop by the gallery and see the show. You may even find a special Valentine’s Day gift (for a loved one or yourself!), as several of the paintings in this exhibit are for sale. This show is sure to bring a smile to your face and touch your heart.

    1st Place Winner


    Linda Flowers

    “Brothers...An Unbroken Bond”

    Judges comments: You can feel the emotion in this work! The power of the two brothers embracing is complimented through a softly painted work. The contrast brings out the tactile emotion of the embrace.

    2nd Place Winner


    Adam Zhao

    “Seasoned Tenderness”

    Judge's comments: Very nice impressionistic quality brought about through small brushstroke and the use of color. Images show togetherness complimented with a lighter feeling. Areas of bright white combined with the background boost the lightness of the subjects.

    3rd Place Winner


    Katherine Rodgers

    "Relationship Goals"

    Judge's comments: Lots to take in! Release your eyes, allowing them to move around the composition finding interesting areas of focus.  Notice the different technics used to bring out the feel of fog, rain, and metal chairs. Lose yourself in the painting, let it transport you to a favorite place and time.

    Honorable Mention


    Robin Avery

    "Perfectly Poised"

    Judge's comments: Love the use of negative space to create the cat's image. Focusing on the dark background you see the creation of the cat’s image. Emotions showing through and brought out even more with the use of the light and dark qualities.

    Honorable Mention


    Judith Lutkus

    "I Love...Nature Morte"

    Judge’s comments: Oh the texture! Enjoy the minimalist quality of the composition and the way the objects are painted. Very nice color palette, the combinations of color in addition to the presence of light bring life to the painting.

    Honorable Mention


    Kay Salem

    "Second Thoughts"

    Judge’s comments: Love the painting of all the details in the painting (eyelashes, lace, etc.) Take time to get close and really investigate the nuances. The abstract background compliments the realistic image.


  • January 25, 2024 10:31 AM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Brian Flaherty and Linda Flowers, Gallery Co-directors

    The month of January got off to a strong start at our first Gallery reception on Sunday, January 7. After the entertaining demo by outstanding artist Cheryl Evans, we went downstairs to get our first glimpse of the "Doors" show. There were 45 paintings, submitted by 28 artists. Our judge was Katherine Rodgers who shared her comments with us regarding her top picks. The winners, and the judge's words are shared below.

    First Place - Cheryl Evans

    “Acoma Pueblo - Door to the Ancestors”


    Judge's comments: Embracing a lot of symbolism as doors do! Lots of texture, use of tissue to pull you in asking you to get closer. Stepping back -- you appreciate it, but when you get closer there is so much mark making and detail. The use of pure pigments hit the mark; the blue of the door leading in and repeated on either side, as well as the red above and below. Lots of repeating lines in same direction, faded but there. Your eye bounces around looking for more. Lights mixed with the color, very nice!

     

    Second Place - Tamara Kontrimas

    "Open Invitation"


    Judge's Comments: Draws your eye due to the size of the canvas. Stepping back, you notice the restraint used in painting shadows and keeping it soft. Yellow brightens as the eye moves toward the door. Lots of texture in the door. I enjoyed the composition, where the door and ceiling are placed. The little rope. The repetition and patterns add to the interest. Wonderful job keeping the colors harmonious and subtle!

    3rd Place - Kay Salem

    "Amara's Door"


    Judge's Comments: Kay did a beautiful job connecting the door and the child. A green split complementary palette links the child’s dress and the door.  Reminiscent of child listening at a parent's door, almost comedic? I enjoy the balance of shadow and bright light, specifically on the doorknob.

     

    Honorable Mentions

    Fontaine Jacobs

    "Mi Casa"


    Judge's Comments: I liked the pattern happening on both sides, with the center a little offset, and the darker blue value traveling up the painting. Warmth is coming through the stained glass and the reflection off the handles.

    The composition was great, loved the reflections and texture. It makes one curious about what may reside on the other side.

    Glenda Lipp

    "Break on Through to the Other Side"


    Judge's Comments: I liked the composition of the painting and loved the grid pattern across the top. I found it inviting to see the sky poking through.  I Enjoyed the texture and the ink usage, with purples added in the shadows. 

    The dark areas pull your eyes into the painting and then you notice the scattered front.

    Philip Weigand

    "Mission San Jose"


    Judge's Comments: I enjoyed the loose aspect of this painting, it almost has a sketch or illustrative feel. There is a nice composition across the building. It feels like high noon. Makes you wonder how old it is. I loved the loose greens and composition across the top. Draws your eye in then swirls it around the painting.

    Looks like it was done on site, reminiscent of plein air style painting.

     

     

     


  • January 14, 2024 4:05 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Nancy Moody, Volunteer Director

    WAS-H is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers. Not just run by volunteers but enriched by volunteers. Our collective spirit of contributing time, talent and treasure makes our organization an amazing resource for our members and for the community at large. But just as we, the volunteers, enrich our organization, in turn we also are enriched by engaging in the WAS-H community. 

    Where else will you get an insider’s look at how gallery exhibits come together? And how else can you become better acquainted with the teaching artists you admire so much?

    We want you and we need you - as a volunteer. But what you may not realize yet is the enormous reward awaiting you when you join a volunteer team. It’s fun, it’s easy, it’s awesome! 

    Please consider joining one or more of our nine teams. Here’s the link to learn more about them and where you will find my contact information if you want to chat about it: https://watercolorhouston.org/page-1075378


  • January 14, 2024 4:02 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki, President

    Dear WAS-H Friends,

    Hello 2024 and Happy New Year! I hope you had a gentle and warm end to last year and are looking forward to a new year, with new activities and new adventures. We have so much planned at WAS-H, so keep some space on your calendar open for joining us this year.

    Our January Paint-In on the 6 with Les McDonald is almost full, so hurry and register if you are interested. The February 3 Paint-In with Alison Hendry teaching textures is now open for registration.

    The January General Meeting on the 7 will feature award winning artist Cheryl Evens. Cheryl is not only an accomplished artist, she also happens to be the Education Director for WAS-H. Following the meeting and demo, we will have the January Gallery Show awards presentation and reception with juror Katherine Rodgers. Come and ring in the New Year with your art family at WAS-H!

    Right around the corner is the deadline to enter the International Watermedia Exhibition (IWE) on January 13. With over $10,000 in awards and acclaimed watercolor artist Vladislav Yeliseyev serving as juror and judge, this is THE year to enter. Read the details prospectus HERE.

    In conjunction with the IWE, we will host a workshop taught by Vlad Yeliseyev. The workshop, Mastering Watercolor, is full, but you can get on the waitlist by registering HERE.

    We have many classes open for registration and will be adding more in February. See our full class list HERE. Registering for a class is a great way to enjoy the camaraderie of other artists and enhance your artistic skills. Our standard events such as Open Studio, Model Lab and Senior Group are continuing in the New Year at full force.

    Every year, Pantone introduces its Color of the Year. Last year it was a rich magenta. This year, it is light peach. To say I have never heard this much controversy about the Color of the Year is an understatement. I’ll be brave and offer my own opinion. While I have no plans to redecorate my home using this year’s color, I like to think of the color as a slice of a beautiful Texas sunset and find the joy in that.

    I want to extend a special thank you to everyone who donated to our Annual Fund. Our organization relies on the generosity of donations to operate, as our membership dues and portion of proceeds from classes and events do not meet our operational needs. It is not lost on me that the support you have offered makes us the wonderful community that we are. Thank you with tremendous gratitude.

    I hope you will join in more activities at WAS-H, and to see you soon. Thank you for being a part of our wonderful arts community!

     

    Warm Regards,

    Karen Houston Stopnicki


  • December 17, 2023 3:24 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    January 2024 Monthly Paint-In


    Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024

    Time: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

    Instructor:  Les McDonald

    Topic: Fence Field

    Country landscape with a nice wood fence to cross the painting. Simple sky and hills. There will be separation  between background hills and light foreground grasses.

    Limited masking will be used on the fence, so the green grass won’t contaminate the wooden fence.

    January 2024 General Meeting and Demo


    Sunday, January 7, 2024

    Starting at 2 pm

    Gallery Reception will follow.

    Cheryl Evans, WAS-H’s Education Director, popular instructor and Signature-level awards winner, will present the demonstration at the January General Meeting.

    A producing artist and active art educator, Cheryl is passionate about sharing her knowledge in workshops and demonstrations and she exhibits her works worldwide, where they are in public, corporate, and private collections in the United States, Norway, England, Mexico, and Japan.

    Cheryl received her BFA at Stephen F. Austin State University and a Masters of Arts degree from University of Houston Clear Lake. Cheryl spent 32 years teaching in the public school system and was named Art Educator of the Year in 2012 by Texas Art Education Association.


    January 2024 Monthly Show: Doors

    Entry Deadline: Wednesday, January 3 @ 3 pm.

    To view the prospectus, click Here

    To submit your entries, click HERE


    New Member Orientation

    Friday, January 26

    1:00 - 2:00 pm

    New WAS-H members are encouraged to join us for a brief introduction to the organization and all the benefits that come with membership! This session is free, but requires registration.

    Sign up Here




  • December 05, 2023 12:49 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki, WAS-H President

    Dear WAS-H Friends,

    As December begins and we are wrapping up 2023, I feel so grateful for our magnificent WAS-H community. We had a full year of classes, meetings, gallery exhibits, major shows, and a wonderful Art Fair. We had a year of more people visiting our gallery, coming to general meetings, taking classes, and becoming members. Really, it has been a full and happy year at WAS-H. And, the good news is, we have even more to look forward to in 2024.

    Our Small Treasures Holiday Show continues through December. The gallery is filled with beautiful art, smaller in scale, and attractively priced. If you want to give the gift of art, this is the best place to shop in Houston. The January Gallery Show is themed “Doors.” The theme is open for your interpretation and certainly doesn’t have to be literal. Check out the prospectus that is already online. Our February Gallery Show theme is Love Is in the Air, which again is open to interpretation to paint anything you love.

    The International Watermedia Exhibition (IWE) is right around the corner! Even though the IWE doesn’t begin until March, the deadline to enter is January 13. This is a world class exhibition, so if you're a serious water media artist, you should enter. Our juror and judge will be Vladislav Yeliseyev. The prospectus and entry can be found on the Café website, HERE.

    In conjunction with the IWE, we will host a 4-day workshop with Vladislav Yeliseyev. Vlad is well known for his breathtaking landscapes featuring natural light variations. If you want to learn more about the relationship of light and color in landscapes and cityscapes using a loose and bold brush style of painting, this is a must-take workshop. Registration will open on December 4 at 10 am. Our last two major workshops sold out in a week, so be sure to register early to secure your seat.

    We have a fantastic slate of classes for early 2024 – January, February and March – now open for registration. Taking a class at WAS-H is a great way to improve your skills, learn new techniques, and meet others who enjoy making art. And members get the benefit of a discount on classes and workshops.

    Keep an eye on our website for information about other upcoming events. We have Paint-Ins, Open Studio, Model Lab and Senior Group, all planned for 2024 with good will.

    If you have already made a donation to our Annual Fund, thank you, thank you, thank you! If haven’t yet and would like to, you can donate online HERE. WAS-H relies on the generous support of members and friends to continue with all the offerings we have.

    My December wishes for you are the following. Stay warm, enjoy your family and friends, have meaning to the holidays you celebrate and blessings for a New Year. I am appreciative to all of you for being a part of WAS-H. I hope to see you soon!

    Warm Regards,

    Karen Houston Stopnicki


  • November 05, 2023 3:25 PM | Kelly Medrano (Administrator)

    By Karen Stopnicki, President

    Dear WAS-H Friends,

    I feel so lucky to live in Houston, an area with a wonderful arts scene – and an abundance of arts activities. And I am proud of WAS-H, and all that we have to offer. We have the largest class schedule we have ever presented, with a wide variety of learning opportunities from in-person to online, morning, afternoon and evening, and single day to multiday classes. A monumental thank you goes to Cheryl Evans and Susan Giannantonio, our Education Directors.

    Our General Meeting on Sunday, November 5, begins at 2pm and will feature a fabulous demo by Ellen Orseck, who will show us how she paints underwater figures. Join us -- you will not want to miss this! Our meetings are a great chance to get together with others in the WAS-H community.

    We are looking forward to our Holiday Gallery Show! The opening reception is Sunday, November 5, following our General Meeting and Demo. The show will be up through the end of December and will feature smaller paintings priced to sell, making great gifts for friends, family, or yourself! The sales are cash and carry, meaning you can take your purchase even before the show ends!

    The last Paint-In for the year with Judi Coffey is tomorrow, (Saturday, November 4), and still has a few spots available. Judi is an award-winning abstract artist who paints primarily in acrylics.

    The January Gallery Show theme will be "Doors" and February Gallery Show theme will be "Love Is In the Air", so look for the prospectuses to be available soon. Speaking of shows, the International Watermedia Exhibit is now open for entry, the registration is HERE On Call for Entry.

    We have some key volunteer opportunities, so if you are looking for a way to participate at WAS-H please consider volunteering. Most immediately, we need a Paint-In coordinator for next year, a social media coordinator, and a group of gallery attendants. Please contact Nancy Moody, our Volunteer Director, if you are interested in a meaningful way to volunteer. Her email is volunteer@watercolorhouston.org.

    As I close, I ask you to look for the letter we will be sending to members asking for your support. As a non-profit organization, we depend on you to donate funds to maintain our facility, put on our current programs, and expand with more. Donations are the primary form of revenue each year, followed by membership dues. The bulk of the revenue from our classes support our teaching artists – helping them continue their art practice and share their knowledge. We are grateful to have so much to offer at WAS-H, and we would be thankful for any support you choose to offer. If you like, you can donate online HERE.

    As we enter November, I am sending you my warm wishes from home to home and from heart to heart to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am appreciative to all of you for being a part of WAS-H. I hope to see you soon!

    Warm Regards,

    Karen Stopnicki


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