I am just thrilled to be one of the newest "Signature Members" of the WV Watercolor Society!! 

To earn this designation, here is what one must do:  "Signature Members: Juried Members who have been granted the  privilege of using the West Virginia Watercolor Society initials (WVWS) in  conjunction with their signatures by the Membership Jury. To earn Signature  status, a candidate must have work accepted in two juried WVWS shows in a  six-year period, and submit four additional paintings images (other than slides  of paintings that have been juried into past WVWS exhibits), for review by the  Membership Status Jury.  Signature Status may also be granted to any watercolor  artist who is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the  National Watercolor Society, or whose work has been accepted in any AWS, NWS, or  Watercolor USA exhibit."

I have 3 main teachers to thank for this.  Anna Hogbin, who I studied with the longest and she went to great measures to help me grow, always giving me encouragement.  Lynn Ferris, with her degrees in art, former commercial artist, and member of National Watercolor Society taught me about using light and shadows to make a strong composition.  And Laurie Goldstein-Warren who finally got the concept of values thru my head and get me to the next level.  Thank you, Ladies, from the bottom of my heart!!

Here are the 4 paintings that I submitted.  The jurors liked "Caboose Camping - Durbin, WV VI the best.

I've been wanting to paint this for awhile, and this is my second attempt - first was way too dark under the tents!  I tried to make it all about George, hence the buildings and remainder of people are rather muted.  I like George, but I rather miss the brighter buildings after learning to use Laurie's techniques and palette!

This is my first portrait after Laurie Goldstein-Warren's class.  I waited until I got new camera (Canon Rebel T3i) and had a chance to watch several videos and try to learn how to operate it!  I set it up on tri-pod with self-timer to do several shots at a time of myself until I found one I liked.  I painted the first one and forwarded it to Laurie for feedback.  The second one is result after her suggestions of greying down the eyes, teeth and re-doing the hair without all the colorful strands!  Much better!  I'll keep doing these as they are really, really fun to do and the more I do them the better I will get!!!

This is a combination of Karlyn Holman's techniques for flowers and Laurie Goldstein-Warren's technique for backgrounds!  I think it really makes the flower pop!!!  Leaves could use improvement and that will come with time.  Overall, I'm pleased with this one and encouraged to do more, as always!!!  Thanks to two AWESOME TEACHERS!!!!!

So, upon recommendations of Laurie Goldstein-Warren, I bit the bullet and invested in a Canon Rebel T3i.  I began taking photos as young girl with Kodak Instamatic!  I then upgraded to some 35mm cameras that weren't very sophisticated, but did require focusing!  10 years ago I got into digital "point and shoot" cameras and reluctantly gave up the film.  Love the instant gratification of not having to wait to develop pictures, and have certainly saved a fortune by not printing photos I would never keep! 

So, this SLR is a whole new world!  I watched the DVD that came with the camera 5 times by myself and then once with my tech-savvy husband who helped simplify things so that it made sense to me!  I sort of understand the depth of field/appeture number needs to be lower if I want to focus on object in front, and larger if I want the entire picture to be in focus.  And I sort of understand the TV needs to be smaller if objects are moving really, really fast like race cars and slower if not moving so fast like crowds walking.  And the exposure comp/AEB is to avoid over exposure if subject is in direct sunlight or to increase exposure if subject is in the shade with back lighting.  And that's about as far as my little brain will go today!!!

We took the camera to Harpers Ferry and took some photos of "street scenes" and tried out the big zoom lense on the beautiful horizon.  I was hoping to get photos of people dressed in historic costumes providing tours, but they weren't working.  Next time - and by then I will have more practice.

I know this process will make me a better artist and is well worth the time this is taking.  Lord give me patience!!!!

Have a great day!!!

I just can't thank this teacher enough!  Laurie Goldstein-Warren...love the palette and love the techniques!!!  So much more depth - and so much more color!!!  Gone are my faded washed out paintings!!!  I'm wainting on delivery of new camera with zoom lense to capture close-ups of people and try her techniques on them!!!

I finally "get" the concept of values!  Laurie Humble used to tease me that just because I change colors doesn't mean I change values!  Laurie Goldstein-Warren brought it to life!!!

I'm having so much fun using Laurie Goldstein-Warren's limited palette and techniques.  These are for the upcoming Holiday Show at the Charles Town Artists Co-op December 8th thru the 31st! 

What an incredible class!!!  I totally LOVE her style of painting and choice of colors.  And she gives so freely of herself with helpful tips on every aspect of being an artist!  I can't wait to take some photos - thinking Civil War Reenactments; maybe Williamsburg???  Costumes make for so much more of a story!  I'm going to enjoy watching Laurie get the recognition she deserves - nationally and internationally!  She's the best!!!