JULY 2020

NEWSLETTER

Our Lady of Paris by Iain Stewart

NWS 50 Stars Exhibition

2020 Centennial celebration exhibitions.

100 YEARS STRONG The February winds blew in our Visions
DENISE WILLING-BOOHER
Adjoin Exchange Exhibition which
celebrates the National Watercolor
In 1920 a few artists, like us, who were Society’s 100th and the Canadian
passionate about watermedia, created Society of Painters in Watercolour’s 95th
the California Water Color Society. As anniversaries. This powerful exhibition
the reach and scope grew, the name celebrates the American and Canadian
changed to the National Watercolor cultural influences.
Society. Artists members like Millard
The spring opened with our masterful
Sheets, Rex Brandt, Phil Dike and George
National Watercolor Society Members’
James painted and exhibited together.
exhibition celebrating you, our talented
The only difference between those artists
watermedia member artists. The show is
and you and me is our age —of course—
unique and remarkable.
and they are a just a little more famous.
100 years later we are still celebrating our Hot summer nights will bring out our
passion for watermedia together with our National Watercolor Society 50 Stars
Exhibition, opening online July 9th. It Video message from Denise
celebrates the United States watermedia Willing-Booher, NWS President
societies and our member artists. This
exhibition is exceptional and diverse in
medium, voice and style. Watch for details
on the virtual opening.
When the world paints itself in color this
October, our 100th National Watercolor
Society International Open Exhibition
begins. Entries came in from all over the
world numbering more than a thousand.
Watch for an announcement with details
about our Virtual Opening! This exhibition
is the best of the best and is stunning!
In November, the National Watercolor
Society: First 100 Years Exhibition at
Hilbert Museum of California Art will
open. It will feature paintings of current
NWS members alongside works by early
California master artists from the Hilbert
Collection. Entry is now open to NWS
members through July 31 on CAFÉ, so
please enter. This is your chance to hang 2020 Calendar
with the masters of the decade.
As members of the National Watercolor July 9 50 Stars Exhibition – Stars of the
Society, we are all united—as artists—with US Watercolor Societies, opens online
a passion. We stand together, 100 Years 18 NWS 50 Stars Virtual Opening
Strong.
October 1 100th International Open
All our exhibitions are online at Exhibition Opens Online
nwsexhibition.com as well as
in video form on our website at 17 Virtual LIVE Opening
nationalwatercolorsociety.org Annual Board Meeting
Jurors & Judge Presentations

14 N
 WS The First 100 Years at The
Hilbert Museum, Opening Reception

Denise Willing-Booher December 20 1

 00th International Open
President, NWS Exhibition Closes

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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NWS 50 Stars Exhibition 2020

Our NWS 50 Stars Exhibition is wonderfully diverse

in medium, voice and style. We are very proud to
showcase watermedia societies throughout the USA
and our joint artist members and their artwork. The
artists were juried into this exhibition by their home
state society. Ruth Rossman, President 1975 Award $500
Christine Alfrey Wisconsin Watercolor Society
For 100 years NWS has encouraged innovation
in watermedia through education, outreach
and exhibition. We are excited to promote the
advancement of watermedia and inspiring watermedia
artists for the next decade.

Special thanks to the US Watercolor Societies’

presidents and board members who partnered with
NWS to make this remarkable exhibition happen. Many
thanks to Bruce Bobick, NWS, our Juror of Awards. It
was a pleasure working with you. Congratulations to
the Award winners and artists for making the cut and
inspiring all of us! View the exhibition here! v

Pat Berger President 1973 Award $1000 Phil Dyke President 1938 Award $500
Myrna Wacknov, California Watercolor Association Carla O’Connor, Northwest Watercolor Society

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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National Watercolor Society Hilbert Museum of California Art
P R E S E N T

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY:

THE FIRST
CALL
FOR

100 YEARS
ENTRY!

by Ken Goldman

his November, as a final

T culmination of our 100-year
anniversary celebrations, the
National Watercolor Society is collaborating
with the Hilbert Museum of California Art
to create a top-tier exhibition featuring
paintings from current NWS members in
conjunction with masterworks by early
California artists from the Hilbert Collection.
NWS members’ paintings will be selected
by past NWS presidents Gerald Brommer
and Ken Goldman and will feature up to
95 artworks displayed in close proximity
to famous 20th century “California Scene
George Gibson (1904-2001)
Painters.” It was this “Scene Painter” Foggy Morning, c.1960
group which originally formed the California Watercolor 20 x 28
Watercolor Society in 1920 with a goal The Hilbert Collection
of arranging high quality exhibitions of
watercolors to help further the appreciation internationally, the board of directors voted
and understanding of work done in this to shorten the society’s name to National
medium. Watercolor Society (NWS).
From the late 1960’s through the 1970’s, The early California watercolors in this
the California Watercolor Society grew exhibition collectively document the many
larger and because it was becoming innovative approaches that members of
nationally known, in 1967 the name the California style watercolor movement
was changed to the California National developed from the late 1920’s to
Watercolor Society. In 1975, as the 1990’s. Their art began receiving
membership increased nationally and recognition in the early 1930’s and was the

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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first nationally acknowledged art movement
born in the state of California. All of the
key practitioners of this style of watercolor
painting were members of the California
Watercolor Society.
Entrants should not feel compelled to
restrict themselves to works resembling
Scene painters, but instead show just how
much creative evolution has taken place
since the early pioneering days that began
in 1920.
The idea of this exhibition is to highlight
NWS’s 100 years of continued excellence
by featuring a wide range of museum Robert E. Wood (1926-1999)
quality paintings by current National Mexico Tropics, 1948
Watercolor Society members. v Watercolor 13 x 20
The Hilbert Collection
Enter Now!
ScholARTship — Exciting New NWS Enrichment Award
BY STEPHANIE GOLDMAN

he NWS Centennial Celebration is As NWS Director of Education, I am thrilled

T founding a new enrichment award
for our exhibiting members. Three
to have initiated the new ScholARTship
enrichment program and will be starting a list
accepted entrants (receiving no other award) of Master Artists who would like to donate a
will be eligible for a ScholARTship with an Critique, Portfolio Review or Mentorship to
esteemed professional if they have checked future NWS ScholARTship awards. Please
the box in their acceptance packet. These new email if you would like to be considered as a
ScholARTships are generously donated by ScholARTship donor. v
Master Artists who are giving their time and
professional experience to NWS members. All For more information please email:
of the ScholARTships are conducted online Stephanie Goldman, NWS, SDWS
via a digital platform i.e. Facetime, Skype, Director Education Special Projects
Zoom, email, etc. [email protected]
I would like to personally thank our very first
Master Artists who enthusiastically volunteered
to initiate the new ScholARTship awards.
Linda Daly Baker, NWS, AWS-df — As a
full-time professional artist, Linda has painted,
competed, and taught for the last 30 years.
She has signature status in most of the
venues, won awards, been published, is an
author and creator of an art mentoring venture.
Kathleen Conover, NWS, AWS-df,
TWSA-ma, ISEA-nf — Exhibits her work,
juries exhibitions, gives demonstrations, and
teaches in-depth workshops. She has been
juried into more than 100 exhibitions, receiving
national and international recognition for the
vision, innovative techniques, and fearless
expression that give rise to her unique designs.
Janine Gallizia, International Artist, Juror
and Art Director of Art of Watercolour
Magazine — Watercolor is NOT just about
painting, all professional artists know that the
ART of the Business behind a great career
is essential. Knowing which painting will
sell or pick up a prize in which show is the
foundation, but it goes further; learn how to
create and control your own market!

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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NWS Centennial Celebration Timeline Part One
COMPILED BY JOSEPH CIBERE 1920 – 1940
he National Watercolor Society essential to organize in order to show their
T has been a primary force in the
phenomenal growth of watercolor
work. Out of the group containing De Kruif,
Bartlett, Garnsey and Hansen came the first
painting in America. It was formed as a CWS president Dana Bartlett.
professional organization for the purposes of
promoting interest, support and appreciation With an exciting vision and a new appreciation
of watermedia painting and related forms of art for an old art form, the California Water
through the arranging of exhibitions. Color Society was founded in 1920. As the
country grew, painters found inspiration in
NWS has grown from a small, Los Angeles the expansive western lands and were, in
based organization to a society of global their way, pioneers of a new spirit. The
proportions. name of the society has changed twice since
that time: first in 1967, to California National
The idea came about in the twenties and the Watercolor Society; then in 1975, when the
California Watercolor Society was formed. The members voted to become simply the National
California group has heavily contributed to Watercolor Society.
the progressive development of watermedia
painting and has infused this ancient medium While maintaining the same high standards of
with expansive vitality. It was first formed in excellence begun 100 years ago, the National
1920 and held it’s first exhibition in 1921 with Watercolor Society encourages innovation
just 14 participants eleven members and 3 in watermedia through education, outreach
guest artists. P. Dana Bartlett, Henri De Kruif, and exhibition and are excited to promote it’s
Hansen Puthuff, Donna Shuster, Eduard advancement, inspiring artists for decades
Vysekal and Karl Yens. to come. v
The “Eucalyptus School” was a largely SoCal
To learn more, check out The California Water
phenomenon that nurtures and /or prompted
Color Society: Genesis of an American Style
a spin off group of painters who found it
by Janet Blake Dominik

Dana Bartlett – First CWS President First Annual California Watercolor Society

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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Finding Yourself as an Artist
BY DENISE WILLING-BOOHER

inding yourself as an artist is a journey, “Having a true connection, purpose, and

F especially today due to a lot of

pressure coming from social media
intention for the subjects that I paint. I’m always
in search for what makes us human and fragile.
with the constant parade of posts by artists These two combinations along with technique,
as to their accomplishments. Personally, I mastery and design will propel you to greater
can paint something exactly as it is, but the clarity and fulfillment as an artist.”
question for me is: Am I fulfilled by doing that?
When I paint innately with abandon, I love Dean Mitchell, NWS
painting and I marvel at each painting I do even 100th NWS International Open
if it is just a small section that I like. When I Exhibition Juror
am more structured in my approach, I find it “The secret to being both successful and
work. There is a price to pay for painting with fulfilled as an artist is knowing what is essential
abandon; it is being vulnerable and also having to you. Instead of focusing on what you are
faith in your skill and voice. Of course, skill good at, focus on what makes you different.
comes with practice and practice brings innate Herein lies your greatest strength and—
skill. ultimately—the potential for your most original
Our esteemed NWS 2020 Jurors of our work and greatest happiness.”
yearlong 100th Anniversary celebratory Mary Whyte, 100th NWS International
exhibitions answered three questions. My hope Open Exhibition Judge of Awards
is that they inspire you to grow and reach as
an artist. Have fun on your artistic journey of a Is there one thing that an artist can do to
lifetime. become a better artist in your opinion?

Denise Willing-Booher, NWS President “First, work every day and you can’t help but
get better. Second, look at as many other
artists’ works and approach them with an
What one thing helped you become a open mind, looking to see what was done with
successful and fulfilled artist? technique, composition and, most importantly,
idea-wise. What is the artist saying/expressing
“The single thing that helped me to become in their work? Third, have the courage to
successful and fulfilled was that I have never follow your own interests. If you love dogs,
felt successful and totally fulfilled. I always make paintings of dogs, but make your dog
feel I can and should do better, much better. paintings different from any other dog painting
I keep inspiration; sketches, photos, studies you have ever seen. When you do this,
or quotes to motivate me for the next more painting is fun. Last, listen with an open mind
successful work. When I finish a painting to what people have to say about your work.
that satisfies my vision and is better than Really think about it, even if it hurts. If you
my last, I feel good. I probably will never feel agree, follow it. But if, after serious thought
fulfilled because I have so much more to do. about the comments, you don’t agree, then
Unfinished ideas are like promises not kept. forget it. You don’t have to counter with an
They give me the incentive, the push, the argument, nor do you have to justify what you
drive, and keep me motivated to continue on are painting. It’s your work. Forge ahead.”
that path to fulfillment and success.”
Bruce Bobick, NWS
Mary Ann Beckwith, NWS Visions Adjoin NWS 50 Stars Juror of Awards
Exchange Exhibition Juror NWS
NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020
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“To me what makes an artist stand apart is the to share your exposure is a difficult thing to
idea. We need to find our own idea and stay achieve.”
with it, until all traces of anyone else’s influence
Jean Pederson, NWS, CSPWC
disappear from our work, then we’ll find our own
Visions Adjoin Juror - Canada
voice. Until that day, we are always the clone.”
“I believe the best way to become a better artist is,
Katherine Chang Liu, NWS

simply, paint more. As obvious as this seems, it’s
(NWS Past President)
the most effective way to achieve a breakthrough.
100th NWS International Open
In “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell contends that
Exhibition Juror
10,000 hours of “deliberate practice” result
“Two things: Work really, really, hard and always be in the acquisition of expertise. In addition to
true to yourself.” logging hours in the studio, time spent in critical
observation and analysis will also yield improved
Ken Goldman, NWS (NWS Past President)

results. Look honestly and critically at each
NWS: The First 100 Years at the Hilbert
finished piece and find its strengths. Build on the
Museum of California Art Juror
aspects of your work that excite you the most.
“Question what is presented as “this is how you do The more you paint, the more you will want to
this,” instead go about finding your own methods, paint, and, inevitably, your paintings will benefit
media, material structures and general approach from your acquired skills. Best of luck and have
to art making. There are plenty of techniques that fun!”
I’ve picked up and benefited from, but I’ve found
John Salminen, NWS
that my own studio practice thrives when I pick
100th NWS International Open
the things that work through trial and error and
Exhibition Juror
invent or tweak the ones that need to be more
tailored to me.” What makes a painting speak to you?

Carlson Hatton “Art is born out of the encounter. Each work

NWS Members Exhibition Juror of art expresses itself in its own unique way. I
approach each painting as a living soul, and I find
“Wherever you are on your artist’s journey, continue
it important to stop and listen to its symphony.
to observe and learn about design in everything.
While immersed in the process I allow the artwork
With strong understanding of design, you can
to guide me through various dimensions while I
give freedom to your personal expression and
listen to it playing its melody. Rest your materials
have confidence that your familiarity with design,
from time to time, stand back, meditate, and allow
without conscious thinking, will intuitively make
the painting to speak.”
your expression stronger.”
Rayne Tunley CSPWC
Robbie Laird, NWS, (NWS Past President)
Visions Adjoin Juror – Canada
Visions Adjoin Juror – NWS

“Becoming a better artist is not about learning

more techniques, buying more art supplies or Be safe in these uncertain times and find solace in
selling more artwork. Becoming a better artist painting.
is about peeling back the layers of yourself
My sincere thanks to the 2020 Jurors and Judge
and not being afraid to show yourself honestly
of Awards. Special thanks to the NWS Board of
and authentically through your work. Honesty
Directors for the dedication and teamwork making
resonates with the viewer. Honesty with all of its
this centennial year spectacular. v
warts and bumps is beautiful. Owning the courage

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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 NEW NWS ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
March 1 — July 1, 2020

Chaitanya Alli TX Elwin Joseph Virgin JL Schwartz FL

Jan Becker NJ Islands Carol Shahbaz MI
Anna Bellenger PA Teresa Jorda Vito Spain John Shevenell NH
David Blackwell LA Dori Josimovich MI Xinzhi Shi China
Mark Bonnette MI Milton Knapp IN Han Shu China
Anita Breett MI Molly Knorr CA Lynne Sims CA
Roberta Burruss MT Jing Lan China Barbara Smith ID
Kay Byfield TX Rachel Lattimore IN Lera Smith CA
Weiwei Cai China Sandi Lear Australia Mark Smith CA
Xinglu Cao China Liya Liang China Beckie Renee Souza FL
Ziyi Chen China Bowen Liu China Jo Ann Stepien HI
Elaine Chiu Hong Kong Jiafang Liu China Liz Strange Savage VA
Laura Corle OH Steve Ludeman OR Tim Swartz PA
Yvxin Cui China Donny Luke NC Kristine Thielen IA
Joseph Cuticelli CT Lin Luo China Tamberley Thomas TX
Todd Daniels MT Jian Lv China Elaine Trei CA
Zhiya DONG China Valerie Mann MI Gang Wang China
Thomas Dorsz MD Lisa Martineau AZ Hong Wang China
Dan Finnell KS Robert Masla MA Hui Wang CA
Paul Foster CO Catherine McClung MI Jing Wang China
E. Franklin MN Lisa Mcknett CA Lung-Kai Wang TW
Marga Friberg NM Ann McRae CT Cynthia Webb LA
Junshan Fu China Anne Miller Strandoo WA Sue Welsby Fl
Barbara Fudurich CA Diane Mitchell SC nicki Wight WA
Stefan Gadnell Sweden Deborah Montgomerie WA Susan Wilhelm OK
Xing Gao Gansu Greg Newman NC Ann Williams CO
Jose Garrido FL June Ni NC Xian Wu China
Susan Gleason AZ Cindy Norrick Turner IN Xia Xiao China
Nancy Graham NM JiangLong Pan China Yao Xiao China
Faping Guo China Sunny Patton CA Hui Xie China
Tracy Hebert LA Rosienid Pere Puerto Rico Yunting Yan China
Angela Herbert-Hodges MD Patricia Perkins AZ Jingyu Yang China
Charlotte Highers TN Peggy Petrali CA Yuegang Zhi China
Yun Hong China Lawrence Raffanti IL Tong Zhou China
Judith Howard AL Sudha Rajderkar CA Shiqin Zhu China
Mimi Huang MO Anthony Roebuck France Yongtai Zhu China
Richard Humphrey CA Susan Routledge CA Xin Zhuo China
Margaret Hunt SC Julie Rydberg MN
Tiantian Ji China Carlos Scandiffio FL

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NWS Board Member Profile: Nancy Swan, (aka N.C. Swan)

What motivated you to join the board of NWS? in college I didn’t already know. She said I would
NWS put out an email request to the membership always be an artist. After learning Spanish and
looking for someone to do their Newsletter. I had French plus some German, I thought I might
been a computer graphic artist for years and I had work in the State Department, be a translator.
the needed skills, so I raised my hand. I have always I was adventurous, working for the CIA sounded
been a volunteer in the non-profit community, but exciting … for about 5 seconds, until my Dad
now it would be a win-win for me to volunteer in an explained what that meant. What? No thanks.
area of my passion. I could give back, meet more
watercolor artists and learn from the best. Making I applied to Graduate school as well as an
friends was a big part of why I was motivated. Now, international airline so I could use my language skills
as Membership Director, my artist friends have and travel. I could have been a Spanish teacher
multiplied 100-fold. Thank you NWS. in California, but the day I graduated I said, “YES!
now I can go be an artist!” That was what I always
What inspires you as wanted and no one was going to tell me I couldn’t.
an artist?
The daughter of an artist,
my inspiration started when
I was 2 standing in front of
an easel with poster paint
and brush in hand. It was
just plain exciting to create
with color and contrast,
dripping paint on paper. I
knew right then I wanted to
do this for my whole life.
Fast forward, I loved growing up on the coast, and
as I saw my beach town growing and changing,
I wanted to capture those old familiar places, like
the Salt Works I passed every morning on my way
Low Tide Laguna
to high school, with its piles of salt sparkling in the
morning sun, and seven bays of sea water reflecting
light. It met its fate one year in a torrential rain storm What piece by another artist is your favorite, or
washing away 7 years of drying time, never to most memorable?
return. I poured my emotions into each cherished, The list is long as I grew up surrounded by art, the
disappearing scene. Our life and times are quickly family “loo” was called the “Louvre.” My mom filled
being re-invented, along with the way we live it. It’s the walls with framed postcards from the museum,
not just about nostalgia though, change just makes artist names and titles included. We would get an
for more to discover and embrace. It’s painting who art history lesson every time we used the “Louvre.”
we are, and creating a snapshot of how we live that In the end, it actually was a book I found by
inspires me. accident that had the biggest impact on me, Nita
Engle’s How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself. I
If you couldn’t be an artist, what would you thought it was about making paint because I read
have done instead? the title quickly as “How to make watercolor-paint
I was an avid reader, couldn’t get enough books. itself.” What I found inside instead, were amazing
A natural mimic, I studied foreign languages and watercolors that just ran into realistic paintings. I
literature. My mom advised me to learn something

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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was inspired, wonder-struck, and wanted to see
with my own eyes how she did that. Determined
to find her, it was six years before I found more
than paintings for sale. On that memorable day, a
workshop popped up, a rare fundraising effort for a
children’s art charity in Michigan. She stayed hidden
because she was a recluse, living in the woods of
the Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior. I got myself
to the U.P. pronto for that workshop, then five more
times as the opportunities came. I was privileged to
be invited for one of her last workshops, when she
made her last video.
What is your happiest art moment?
The answer is any Ah-ha moment. I’m happiest,
whenever I get an epiphany of any sort that gives me
that longed-for quantum leap. I remembered seeing
words written on a modern art gallery wall in Carmel
“It’s not what you are looking at, it’s what you see.”
It was a gallery of non-representational paintings.
I thought it was giving me permission to interpret
the art any way that was personally meaningful to
me. Maybe that’s what the quote meant there, but
years later, in a Nita Engle workshop I drew a whole
new meaning from those words. She was going
to take us to paint “her” waterfall. To my surprise,
the “waterfall” turned out to be a broken water
main flowing around a pump station, tumbling over
some rocks then disappearing under the bridge of
a busy highway. The painting that emerged out of
those elements was an enchanting waterfall in the
wilderness. It wasn’t what she was looking at, it was
what she saw! The Ah-ha moment changed the way
I would see things forever. Another happy moment
was getting accepted into the Festival of Arts and
Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, a happy
checkmark on my bucket list.
What advice can you give someone wanting a Surfer Sundown 1
career in the arts?
Just go for It! Learn by doing. My advice is don’t
focus too closely on what other artists do, and don’t
let yourself get intimidated. Just do what you love N. C. Swan serves as the
to do, the way you want to do it. My artist mom had Membership Director and
taught me not to be afraid, “There will always be manages all membership
someone better than you, that’s not a reason not to functions, dues, renewal,
recruitment and maintains
do it yourself.” And if I thought I was too old to start
membership records for
trying something new, she would say “And how old the society.
will you be in X years if you don’t do it?” v

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 NEWSLETTER GUIDELINES
We are proud that our members receive so many accolades;
however, we are limited in what can be included.

WE PRINT the following for Signature and Associate

members:
• Awards (only from national or international exhibits
Catherine Hillis, is one of 30 artists juried into open to all artists. No “members only” shows.)
En Plein AirTEXAS in San Angelo, Texas. Her
Indicate the award[s] you received.
painting Seaside Geometry was awarded
• Recent publications that include your work
7th Place and the Peach Award in the
Georgia Watercolor Society’s Annual National • Special honors (i.e., signature membership to
Exhibition. Her work is featured in the June national art groups; serving as juror; having work
2020 PleinAir Magazine portfolio “Inspired by added to permanent collections, etc.)
Trains and Automobiles” and in the April issue • Inclusion in invitational, solo or two-artist exhibitions
of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, “A Bouquet
For Spring.” Her article, Marsh Madness – WE DO NOT PRINT:
Painting the South, was featured in American
• Your workshops or websites
Watercolor Weekly.
• Your inclusion into exhibits (unless you get an award
Gina Judy, Associate Member, received the and it is in an exhibit open nationally to all artists)
First-place Award in the Alaska Watercolor • Items more than 6 months old
Society National Show, and achieved Signature Submitted material will be edited if it does not conform
membership. She was included in the to the above criteria OR in order to fit space available.
invitational exhibit at the Stifel Fine Art Center,
Wheeling, WV, entitled Presence held in early
March 2020. REQUIREMENTS:
• Indicate your member status (signature or associate)
Kim Minichiello, AWA, FWS, GWS, LWS, • ACCOLADES: Submit your information PROPERLY
PWS, was awarded The Southwest Art FORMATTED and in the 3rd person. Use the
Magazine Award of Excellence in “Making Accolades section in this newsletter as a guide. Be
Their Mark: American Women Artists,”
specific about titles and dates.
exhibition at the Booth Western Art Museum for
her painting A Different Perspective. • ARTICLES will be reviewed for content and
relevancy. NWS reserves the right to accept or reject
Annie Strack, Associate Member, articles and to edit the contents to fit.
won a Merit Award in the Mid Southern • IN MEMORIAM: NWS will publish one submitted
Watercolorists 50th Annual International Juried photo, space permitting.
Exhibit for her painting The Gossipers.
• CALL FOR ENTRIES: Submitted and applicable to NWS
will be posted on our website.
• WE REQUIRE A PERSONAL SUMMARY OF YOUR
ACHIEVEMENTS. A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER WILL
NOT BE GLEANED FOR CONTENT.

DEADLINES:
Spring: March 1; Summer: July 1; Winter: November 1.
The 99th Annual Catalog
is available for purchase. ONLINE PREFERRED | [email protected]
Contact us to buy this or (Indicate “NWS Newsletter” in subject line, or it may
past editions: be missed.)
www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org/store MAIL-IN | NWS Newsletter Editor, 915 S. Pacific
Avenue, San Pedro, CA 90731-3201

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY • JULY 2020

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 In Memoriam
Joan F. Krathaus, NWS, 1935 - 2020
Joan Krathaus, a longtime member in the artist community in the Capital District,
passed away peacefully on March 26, 2020, at the Teresian House in Albany.
She had been under their care for the last few months with congestive heart
failure. She was 85 years.
Joan was born on February 18, 1935, to Joseph C. and Marion F. Betz in
Buffalo. She lived in Buffalo until 1967 when she moved with her husband James
R. Krathaus to Delmar, where as a young mother became involved with not only
raising her two children, but a variety of passions that fueled and filled her soul.
Above all, it was her art that brought her the most happiness. In her late-40s,
she went back to college and enrolled in The College of Saint Rose to pursue
a degree in painting. Creating hundreds of works over the decades, with her
early paintings of realistic landscapes and scenes from region, but shifting into
her signature abstract mixed media collages with layers of explosive color and
abstract forms. The delight for her in these abstract collaged works was the
pursuit of the unknown, akin to unlocking a mysterious story that unfolded over
time with experimentation. Instinctively, she would layer and weave mundane
print clippings and various other bits into the work and then veil them in swaths
of rich, saturated color.
She continued to paint everyday until quite recently when her health was in
decline. She said she was “ready to go” when she couldn’t create anymore. She
will be remembered for her wacky sense of humor, her strong feminist ideals,
her extroversion and fierce determination, and her passionate love of all things
beautiful.
Joan was a Signature Member of National Watercolor Society, Albany Artist
Group, Bethlehem Art Association, Colonie Art League, Oakroom Artist Group,
and her favorite “Friday Painters” group. She was in numerous group shows in
the region and won countless awards for her works.
(Excerpt from the obituary published in Albany Times Union from Apr. 2 to Apr. 5, 2020.)

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