DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT

The Kentucky Watercolor Society is once again having an exhibit during a pandemic. Fortunately however, this year we are having a live exhibition at the Living Arts and Science Center in Lexington, Kentucky.  We will still be wearing masks but are so happy to be having an in person exhibition.

We are pleased to have Iain Stewart as our juror. Iain is an award-winning watercolor artist and signature member of the American and National Watercolor Societies with other state and international entities. He is a sought-after watercolor instructor and juror and has been published in numerous books and periodicals.  We appreciate his selection of paintings that make up this year’s extraordinary exhibit, as well as his evaluation of the award-winning paintings.

The Kentucky Watercolor Society would like to express sincere appreciation to all the participating artists, our sponsors, our members, and the Aqueous committee. Thank you all for your time, work and dedication.

Let’s keep painting,

Peggy Charmoli and Connie Tucker
Co-Directors, Aqueous USA 2021

JUROR’S STATEMENT

To say it’s been a difficult year and a half for all of us would be an extreme understatement. As a juror, my typical duties have been completely altered and I find myself in uncharted waters. One of my favorite aspects of selecting an exhibition is the initial “meeting of the paintings.” This is when I step inside the gallery and all the digital works I’ve seen take on scale and a physical presence that can only be understood by viewing the piece in person. Suffice it to say I will not be able to meet your paintings this year which leaves me to make my choice of awards a quiet and thoughtful time to myself as I project the exhibition from my laptop to my television. I do this to get a sense of scale and how your work is altered by viewing closely on my laptop and at a distance on my HD television. It is the best way I have found to replicate a virtual gallery experience.

My responsibility is to select the very best works from an exhibition that fully represents what water media, in expert hands, can be. This means that my own preconceived ideas about technique, subject, style, and merit must be balanced by the knowledge that I do my utmost to view the body of work from a neutral ground. My criteria in judging exhibitions are design, execution, treatment of subject, and finally, how the painting speaks to me. I look for a new viewpoint- a new story. Breaking a painting down into these somewhat clinical categories and judging them is not what makes a painting good. It is only a means to an end and furthers my understanding of each work on a level I can then expand upon. Truly great paintings have something intangible and unique about them that, I feel, cannot fully be expressed in language.

From one artist to another I would like to thank you for putting your work forth for consideration. Understand that I have done my utmost to jury this exhibition with integrity and professionalism. I would like to thank the board members and volunteers that make these exhibitions possible. In normal times an exhibition of this caliber takes a tremendous amount of “behind the scenes work.” These are not normal times. Your society has been gracious and patient while the choices they can make are limited and ever-changing.

I accepted the invitation to be the juror of Aqueous 2021with great honor. I often say this is the hardest part of what I do. I understand that I am being trusted to treat your work in the same way I would want mine considered and do my best to adhere to that conviction. 

I would like to congratulate you all for your fine work. My real regret is I will not be able to see it in person. I think we can all relate to similar circumstances in our lives at this specific point in time. 

Iain Stewart, AWS, NWS

KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY GOLD AWARD

KWS PRIZE $1,200 CASH

Chris Misencik-Bunn, Fredericktown, OH

“Distancing”

NFS, 22x29

KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY SILVER AWARD

KWS PRIZE $900 CASH

Stephen Kuhlman, Louisville, KY

“Dock #3”

NFS, 21x28.5

KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY BRONZE AWARD

KWS PRIZE $700 CASH

Fealing Lin, San Marino, CA

“Softly She Smiles”

$1,800, 16x12

KENTUCKY SIGNATURE ARTIST AWARD

DANIEL SMITH PAINTS AWARD $200 / BLICK ART MATERIALS AWARD $500

Gary Brooks

Amelia, OH

“Red Star Feed”

NFS, 24x18

kentucky artist award
PAT HAGAN MEMORIAL AWARD

KWS CASH AWARD $200 / PAT HAGAN MEMORIAL AWARD $100
PRESTON ARTS CENTER AWARD $250 / CHEAP JOE’S ARTS STUFF AWARD $150

Dennis Albetski

Lexington, KY

“Flemingsburg”

$1,250, 10x15

M. GRAHAM & COMPANY AWARD $350 18 COLOR WATERCOLOR SET

Elaine Daily-Birnbaum

Madison, WI

“The Shape Things Take”

$3,600, 22x22

ARTIST & CRAFTSMAN AWARD $350

George Schoonover

Yachats, OR

“Dance Gossip”

$2,500, 29x22

HONORABLE MENTION
KWS $100

Susan M. Stuller

Midlothian, VA

“On Angles Wings”

$2,000, 29x21

HONORABLE MENTION
KWS $100

Larry Hughes

Memphis, TN

“Until Coyote Cries”

NFS, 15x30

HONORABLE MENTION
KWS $100

Kris Parins

Sarasota, FL

“Carousel”

$2,800, 29x21

HONORABLE MENTION
KWS $100

Carolyn Hibbard

Villa Hills, KY

“It’s Monday Somewhere”

$700, 20x15

HONORABLE MENTION
KWS $100

Z.L. Feng

Radford, VA

“Winter Tree”

NFS, 30x22

HONORABLE MENTION
KWS $100

Patricia Ritter

Louisville, KY

“Floral Trilogy”

$900, 15x22

CLAUDIA M. GEORGE MEMORIAL AWARD
$500

Max Robinson

Knoxville, TN

“In the Middle of the Marsh”

NFS, 29x21