The Florida Watercolor Society’s “Creative Confinement Challenge” Online Exhibition – Original And Affordable Art For Everyone

What happens when 100 watercolor artists are cooped-up and concerned about shows, sales, and funding for not-for-profit arts organizations like the Florida Watercolor Society? FWS came up with the “Creative Confinement 64-Inch Challenge”! Members were challenged to “confine” their work to 64-square inches (8″ x 8″), creating an original water media artwork to express their feelings or experiences during the “safer-at-home mandate”. The Challenge gave the artists inspiration to create, a place to show and now, sell their work, and the entry fees raised money for the FWS Healing Arts Award for the 49th Annual Exhibition.  This virtual exhibit is showing now through August 15, 2020. The Rickie Report gives you a sneak-peek of some of the images and urges you to hurry to make a purchase! The prices are affordable and the images offer diverse subject matter! We also include information about the FWS 49th Annual Exhibition and upcoming virtual workshops, demonstrations, Convention & Trade Show. There will be an online Exhibition Review by Michael Reardon, judge & juror for the 49th Annual Exhibition. The Rickie Report includes the details.

 

 

 

 

 

floridawatercolorsociety.org

About the Florida Watercolor Society:

 

The Florida Watercolor Society is the largest State society in the United States with nearly 1000 members. Our mission is to promote the art of watercolor and to educate the public as to the importance of watercolor as a creative and permanent painting medium while contributing to the cultural atmosphere of the state of Florida.

 

 

FWS’ Annual Awards are among the most outstanding of the major state water media organizations in the country. They are made possible by sponsors including individuals, businesses, and memorial gifts from the estates of members who have passed. The annual cash and merchandise awards usually total over $20,000, including two $1500 purchase awards. One of these is sponsored by Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, a major sponsor and great friend of FWS. The other is the Healing Arts Award given by FWS to purchase a painting from the Annual Exhibition to be donated to a medical facility of the current President’s choosing. This year, the painting is going to Bay Pines VA Hospital in St. Petersburg where the annual events were to be held before COVID-19 came into the picture. Since their live annual Fall events were canceled, FWS came up with the Creative Confinement Challenge to raise funds for the Healing Arts Award!

 

 

FWS’ main events each year are an Annual Exhibition, Convention & Trade Show every fall in various locations throughout Florida. FWS also hosts an Online Show for our Non-Signature members. At our Convention, we host two 4-day workshops and at least one 1-day workshop taught by invited internationally-known artists. During Convention weekend, demonstrations by noted artists are presented hourly, as well as critiques, silent auctions, raffles, and a host of other wonderful activities. There are Member and Non-Member rates to register for the Convention, however, the Trade Show is free and open to the public.

THE 2020 FWS ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE  SHOW GO VIRTUAL

Since the cancellation of 2020 fall events, the FWS board has been working very hard to create virtual offerings during the week the Convention & Trade Show would have taken place.  While this could never substitute for a live gathering, there will still be a Convention featuring demonstrations by noted artists, workshops, interviews, and even opportunities to purchase art supplies from our Trade Show vendors! 

There will even be an online Exhibition Review by Michael Reardon, judge & juror for the 49th Annual Exhibition. 

The schedule is on the FWS website

Work is being accepted from FWS Members for the 49th Annual Exhibition through August 15, 2020  

 

 

 To see the Prospectus for rules and details visit the FWS website:

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Elliott Museum Hosts Florida Watercolor Society’s 2018-2019 Traveling Exhibition. Enjoy Reception, Meet Artists, Live Demos November 8 To January 27

The Elliott Museum in Stuart, FL will host the first leg of the Florida Watercolor Society’s 2018-2019 Traveling Exhibition.  The Florida Watercolor Society (FWS), one of the largest and most prestigious organizations of its kind in the US, holds an Annual Exhibition in different areas of the state. The public is invited to an Artists’ Reception on November 15th and Live Watercolor demonstrations every Tuesday for the duration of the show (Except for holiday weeks).  The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks.  Congratulations to all of the artists and the Elliott Museum for this eye catching exhibit which runs November 8th, 2018, through January 27th, 2019.  Some of the work is available for purchase with sales benefitting both the Elliott Museum and the artists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  825 NE Ocean Blvd.  Stuart, FL. 

Hours: Daily 10 am – 5 pm

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Days

Regular General admission,  Museum Members free   

 772-225-1961     ElliottMuseum.org 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTISTS’ RECEPTION:

Thursday, November 15, 2018

5:30 – 7:30 PM

Reception admission is $5 per person

Exhibit Available November 8, 2018 – January 27, 2019

 

 

The Florida Watercolor Society, now in its 47th year, is one of the largest and most prestigious organizations of its kind in the country.  Each year, about 600 artists submit their work hoping to be among the 100 artists selected for the FWS Annual Exhibition.  .  More than 40 of the paintings are traveling onto two additional venues, and the Elliott Museum is proud to once again host the first stop for the FWS Traveling Show.

 

 

 

 

Robin Lee Makowski – “Symphonic Sea Grape”

 

 

 

In conjunction with this very special Exhibition, the Elliott’s own Robin Lee Makowski will give a live watercolor demonstration each Tuesday* from 1-3 pm in the Changing Gallery. *Except for holiday weeks.

 

 

 

 

Pat Dews – “Ink Spot”

 

 

On Saturday, December 15th from 1-3 pm, award-winning artist, Pat Dews, will give a demo on her abstract painting techniques in advance of her two-day workshop, Abstracting Nature, on January 26& 27 at the Elliott Museum.

 

 

 

Edie Fagan – “In the Spotlight”

 

 

 

 

This year, judge Tom Schaller had his work cut out for him!  The FWS 47th Annual Exhibition was held at ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton from September 7th through October 26th.  Participating artists have the option of having their work travel onto two additional venues in different parts of the state.  The Elliott Museum hosted this show in 2015 and is proud once again to host the 2018-2019 FWS Traveling Exhibition.  

 

 

 

Carol Staub – “Celestial Expression”

 

 

 

 

 

FWS, now in its 47th year, showcases the best of the best in Florida watercolor and watermedia artwork in their Annual Exhibitions.  Artists vie for a coveted place in the show and compete for over $20,000 in awards.  Participating artists must be FWS members in good standing whose work must conform to strict rules in execution and presentation.  The Annual Exhibition is hosted in different venues around the state depending on the location of the FWS President for that year.

 

 

Helen Burkett – “Sun & Shadow”

 

 

 

The 2018 Annual Exhibition was held in Bradenton, FL under the supervision of Jerome Chesley, 2018 President.  ArtCenter Manatee hosted this event.  FWS is one of the only organizations in the country to host a Convention & Trade Show in conjunction with its Annual Exhibition & Reception offering demonstrations by noted watercolor artists, critiques, and a Trade Show where artists can get great deals on art supplies and see demos by noted artists working with new supplies offered by vendors.  This year, the festivities were held at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on joining the Florida Watercolor Society, visit http://www.floridawatercolorsociety.org

 

 

For more information about this exhibit, upcoming exhibits, classes and workshops :

Robin Lee Makowski, Art Studio & Exhibitions Coordinator
The Elliott Museum
825 NE Ocean Boulevard    Stuart, FL 34996
772-225-1961, ex 121
www.elliottmuseum.org

 

 

Start Your Engines!  Get ready for Octane & Opulence II: Gentlemen Prefer Race Cars in the Changing Exhibitions Gallery, February 7th – April 7th, 2019!

 

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Make Your Reservations For Florida Watercolor Society Annual Convention And Trade Show

The Florida Watercolor Society will be in Coral Springs this year to celebrate its 46th Annual Exhibition, Convention, and Trade Show. FWS is one of very few organizations of its kind in the country to hold an Annual Convention and Trade Show. The Convention kicks off Thursday evening, September 14th  with a two-hour painting demonstration by Iain Stewart. Many more demos, as well as critiques, raffles, silent auctions, and a Paint-Around are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 15th & 16th. All of these events are included with the $20 registration fee. Other instructors include watercolor artists Bev Jozwiak AWS, NWS and Sue Allen AWS, NWS.  The Trade Show is free and open to the public. The Rickie Report shares the details here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Florida Watercolor Society Convention & Trade Show 2017

September 14th – 17th

Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Hotel-Coral Springs

11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33321

954-753-5598

46th Annual Exhibition

Opening Awards Reception/ Art Exhibit:

Friday, September 15th

5:30 – 7:30 pm

Coral Springs Museum of Art

2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065

954-340-5000

Exhibit dates: Sept. 9th – Nov. 18th

 

 

The Exhibition judge, artist Iain Stewart AWS, NWS

 

The Exhibition judge, artist Iain Stewart AWS, NWS, reviewed nearly 600 entries to select the 100 watermedia paintings that will show from September 9th through November 17th at the Coral Springs Museum of Art, 2855 Coral Springs Drive in Coral Springs. Iain also selected 35 paintings from the show to travel on to two additional venues. Bonita Springs Center for the Arts will host the first stop, showing November 21st through December 28th. The second stop will be the Gadsden Art Center & Museum in Quincy, FL, from January 12th through March 24th, 2018. Both Traveling Show venues will host a reception on opening night.

 

WORKSHOPS:

 

Two workshops held in conjunction with the 46th Annual Exhibition still have space available. Iain Stewart’s four-day workshop, held September 11th -14th, 9am – 4pm still has a few spots open. Sue Allen NWS, FWS will teach a one-day workshop on September 14th from 9am-4pm. The workshops will be held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Resort, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd. in Coral Springs.

 

 

FWS is one of very few organizations of its kind in the country to hold an Annual Convention and Trade Show. The Convention kicks off Thursday evening, September 14th from 7-9pm at the Marriott with a two-hour painting demonstration by Iain Stewart. Many more demos, as well as critiques, raffles, silent auctions, and a Paint-Around are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 15th & 16th. All of these events are included with the $20 registration fee.

 

TRADE  SHOW:

 

 

The Trade Show, held Friday and Saturday, September 15th & 16th from 9-4pm, is free and open to the public. Vendors from around the country will be selling art supplies at significant discounts. Also, vendors will be demonstrating new products and techniques on the Trade Show floor.

 

 

 

About FWS


The purpose of this society is to: Educate the public as to the importance of watercolor as a creative and permanent painting medium. Contribute to the cultural atmosphere and standards of the State of Florida. Support and educate members of FWS and other watercolor organizations in their worthwhile endeavors in watercolor painting.

For more information, a complete schedule of events, and to register, please visit our website:

www.floridawatercolorsociety.org

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

46th Annual Florida Watercolor Society Convention And Trade Show September 14-17

In preparation for the upcoming Florida Watercolor Society’s (FWS) 2017 Annual State Convention & Trade Show, The Rickie Report shares the details and opportunities to have your work critiqued, get great deals on art supplies and see artist demonstrations.  The events take place in Coral Springs, September 14 – 17th.  In conjunction with the Convention, the 2017 Florida Watercolor Society will hold its 46th Annual Opening Awards Reception/Art Exhibit on September 15th.  Special thanks to Lois Perdue, who interviewed Iain Stewart, one of the workshop presenters.  Get your calendars out and make your reservations!  The Trade Show is free and open to the public on Friday, September 15th and Saturday, September 16th.  Other instructors include watercolor artists Bev Jozwiak AWS, NWS and Sue Archer Allen AWS, NWS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.floridawatercolorsociety.org

 

 

 

2017 Florida Watercolor Society Convention & Trade Show 2017

September 14th-17th

Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Hotel-Coral Springs

11775 Heron Bay Blvd,  Coral Springs, FL 33321  

954-753-5598

 

 

46th Annual Exhibition

 

Opening Awards Reception/ Art Exhibit:

Friday, September 15th

\

 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Coral Springs Museum of Art

2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, FL  33065

954-340-5000

Exhibit dates: Sept. 9th – Nov. 18th

 

 

Detailed information about the Convention and Trade Show as well as opportunities to register for critiques follows this interview of Iain Stewart by Lois Perdue

 

Iain Stewart

Iain Stewart by Lois Perdue

Iain Stewart shares, “Painting my reality is with lines and light.”  It is not only about how the light influences his paintings, but to the award-winning watercolor artist and architectural illustrator, it’s about the lines, too.  Born in Glasgow, Scotland and raised in North Carolina and later, Alabama since the age of six, Stewart holds numerous international awards, is a signature member of the National and American Watercolor Societies and holds a degree in architecture.  For the first time, Stewart, has been invited to be one of three artists who will be teaching a four-day workshop at this year’s Florida Watercolor Society (FWS) Convention & Trade Show. “I get a great deal of satisfaction teaching workshops,” he said. “I can communicate my ideas both vocally and visually in a manner that will, hopefully, remain with the artists and be repeatable by them.”

 

“6th Street Train” by Iain Stewart

 

Now 46-years-old, Stewart was fortunate to have had a head start in the field of art. He grew up familiar with renderings and architectural drawings as his father, Muir Stewart, was a Professor of Architecture at Auburn University until he retired in 1987. In addition, the senior Stewart has been a watercolorist his entire life and still continues an active career as an architectural illustrator and artist.  “There is friendly competition between us,” said Stewart.  Stewart, who will also hold one-on-one critiques during the convention weekend, said he learned some valuable lessons about critiquing art by example.

 

“My father has an uncanny ability to give scathing critiques, but they are correct,” he said. “What I do then is, if it’s fixable, I fix it, or I just start all over again” he said. “We now critique each others’ work which can become quite interesting at times.”  Stewart says, however, his own critiques are gently delivered, also productive and intended to help students learn.  “For myself, I like to use my ruined efforts to start the ‘barbeque’,” he said. “Successful paintings teach us very little. It’s the hand to the hot stove, the sting of the bee–the ruined painting that makes you look inward and seek out where you went wrong. I ask my students to create a written step-by-step process for a ruined painting—to go back and do a plan, find a point of reference of where and why they did it. Then their task is to go back and rework it and try to avoid making the same mistake twice.”

 

“Gothenburg” by Iain Stewart

 

Stewart, who has been published numerous times, most recently in Plein Air Magazine, (April/ May Issue) teaches both studio and plein air workshops on a regular basis throughout the United States and Europe. Other publications in which Stewart has been featured include Watercolor Artist, The Art of Watercolour, Southern Living, Cottage Living, Better Homes & Gardens, The Robb Report and the French publication Pratique des Arts. He also has a three-DVD set available through northlightshop.com.  Always a watercolorist, Stewart enjoys the process of protecting light from the beginning. He admits his real struggle is to capture the initial vision.  “You have to see the works’ glow from the start,” he said.  Stewart added that he is most often motivated by capturing a definitive lighting condition and how it influences shape and value rather than faithfully representing the subject as witnessed. “The lion’s share of my work is accomplished alla prima,” said Stewart. “Watercolor is uniquely suited for the task of capturing light and must be preserved from the first brush strokes and protected throughout the painting process.”

 

 

Watercolor by Iain Stewart

Stewart maintains a studio in Opelika, Alabama for his duo career as a fine art watercolorist alongside his 20-year career as an architectural illustrator with an international clientele. Stewart says he is hired to create scenes that showcase the designer’s intentions in the best way possible. Clients have ranged from the Georgia State Capital to the Dublin Zoo. Once a year he heads to his alma mater, Auburn University, where he is an adjunct professor, to teach a course called “Architecture in Watercolor”.  “The course I teach is reviving and combining the use of watercolor presentation in the age of computer- dominated presentation techniques,” Stewart said.

 

Stewart does agree that his style has changed over the years and says it was gradual.  “I moved away from the tightness of my rendering style to a more expressive way of painting”, he said. “My work changes yearly and I noticed this when I began to focus more on my sketchbooks to bring the liveliness I experience when working in them to my studio work. It is less about accuracy and more about the feeling of being in a certain place. I have moved in a more painterly direction and continue to embrace the changes when they come. If I painted the same way year after year my personal work would become dull very quickly to me. In architectural illustration it’s all about the line work. When I paint for myself I never let a line tell me where to put my brush.”

 

 

“North Queens Ferry” by Iain Stewart

 

Stewart says he ruins more paintings when working on something new as his style changes but there is a benefit in that.  “That means I am on to something new and to follow it as far as it will take me. You would be surprised at how many people think that once you begin receiving awards, jurying, and getting into major publications that you somehow stop creating works that are not up to your idea of what constitutes a good painting,” he said.  To achieve the uniquely dramatic, sometimes moody strokes in his award-winning paintings, Stewart says he often uses imagined atmospheric and lighting conditions in his work and paints from both life and imagination.  “Watercolors are not only a translation of what I see, but more importantly, an expression of how I choose to view the world,” he shares.  As for his workshop teaching style, he believes that some students struggle, but Stewart takes delight in this.  “It is those times when they see the larger picture and have one of those “ah ha moments” and not just see the technical side of the demonstration,” he said.  “A light comes into their eyes and smiles appear on their faces and that is priceless to me,” he said. “It’s the moment of understanding and it’s a wonderful thing to see and be part of.”

 

Iain Stewart’s 4-Day Workshop is Mon., Sept 11-Thur., Sept. 14; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

&

Sue Archer Allen’s 1-Day Workshop is Thurs., Sept. 14; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both workshops have spaces.

Please visit FWS’s website to see about availability.

(Bev Jozwiak’s 4-day Workshop on Mon. Sept. 11 – Thurs., Sept 14 is filled.)

2017 Florida Watercolor Society State-wide

Convention & Trade Show

 

September 14th-17th

PLUS

BEST DEALS ON ART SUPPLIES AT THIS TRADE SHOW

 

Friday, September 15th

 Saturday, September 16th

9 am – 4 pm

Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Hotel-Coral Springs

11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33321

954-753-5598

 

 

Free & Open to the public

 

 

 

“Exhibitors come from all over the United States as well as Europe,” said Rita Szopinski, president of FWS. “It’s a very popular event and a chance for the experienced artist as well as the beginner artist to be introduced to new and exciting products being promoted by the various vendors.”  And, the “price is right” at FWS’s trade show.  “Vendors offer “discounted” pricing to attendees so it is a great opportunity to stock up on art materials,” said Szopinski. “As you get excited about the demos and the products the workshop instructors are using, you can run to the trade show and purchase many of the items from one of the many booths. As you wander through the booths you will find a demo here and there as an added bonus. Visit the FWS website for updates on the trade show and demos.”   Many product experts will be introducing new products, holding demonstrations and answering artists’ questions throughout the weekend of Florida Watercolor Society’s 46th annual state convention.

 

 

46th Annual Awards Reception/ Art Exhibit

Friday, September 15th, 5:30 – 7:30pm  

Coral Springs Museum of Art

                                        2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, 33065

 

This year’s Opening Reception promises to be chic and will not only applaud the exceptional talents of FWS artists but will also celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Coral Springs Museum of Art. Guests will enjoy music, fine wine and server-passed hors d’oeuvres. Ticket prices are $15 per person.  You can purchase your Reception ticket online when you register for the Convention, or when you check in at the hotel. Deadline to purchase tickets is Thursday, September 14th.  

One-on-One Critique: Iain Stewart

Friday, September 15th

Artists who select this opportunity will be asked to submit 10 images either by e-mail or from their website in advance to the artist of their choosing, and will be scheduled for a 30 minute session. This is your chance to obtain valuable feedback so necessary to improve your painting, and increase your chances of being accepted in or receiving awards in national exhibitions. Charge is $50 per session. Scheduling will be mutually convenient.

Digital Critique by Bev Jozwiak

Friday, September 15th

Bev Jozwiak will be leading a critique of art images that have been submitted to the digital director at fws.show.entry@gmail.com specifically for this critique. All artists, members or non members, are welcome to submit up to 2 images by deadline date of September 14, 2017. Each image is $6 which can be paid in online checkout. Images should be cropped and sized according to standard submission rules of 300 DPI and longest edge 1800 pixels. You may have your images prepared for you by the digital director for $5/image, payable at checkout. The critiques will take place on Friday, September 15th.

Exhibit Review With Iain Stewart 

Saturday, September 16th

There is a $6 attendance fee to participate in the Iain Stewart review of the 2017 Annual Exhibition on Saturday, Sept 16th, as space is limited. Please pay the attendance fee with your convention registration. This is your chance to hear first hand how Iain chose this year’s images and learn what a juror may be seeking in judging such a large and competitive show.

One on One Critique: Sue Archer Allen

Saturday, September 16th

Artists who select this opportunity will be asked to submit 10 images either by e-mail or from their website in advance to the artist of their choosing, and will be scheduled for a 30 minute session. This is your chance to obtain valuable feedback so necessary to improve your painting, and increase your chances of being accepted in or receiving awards in national exhibitions. Charge is $50 per session. Scheduling will be mutually convenient, but all critiques will be held on September 16th.

For more information about membership, monthly meetings well as availability of workshops please visit:

www.floridawatercolorsociety.org

 

For media information about the FWS Convention contact Lois Perdue at 954.812.1860 or email her at : runner12@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986