Watercolor Society of AlabamaPromoting and supporting watermedia since 1939
Watercolor Society of Alabama began in 1939 with an exciting vision to promote, create and inspire painters in the art of watercolor media. We embrace that vision by holding juried watercolor competitions each year: WSA Annual National Exhibition and Statewide Alabama Members Showcase.
We offer workshops taught by nationally and internationally known artists. Vibrant Newsletters, published quarterly, keep members informed and connected.
2019 NATIONAL ANNUAL EXHIBITION
April 13 – Artists Accepted List and Acceptance Letter with Shipping Instructions posted
May 20 – May 24 – Shipped Work Due at ACA, 133 Ave NE, Decatur, AL
May 25 – Hand Carried Work Due (10:00AM-1:00PM)
May 30-31, June 1, 2019 (Thur-Sat) – Workshop with Keiko Tanabe
June 2 – Award Ceremony and Opening Reception – (1:00PM-3:00PM at ACA)
June 2 – August 2, 2019 – Exhibition Dates
August 3 – Hand Carried Paintings to be picked up (10:00AM – 1:00PM)
August 5-6 – Paintings packaged and shipping begins
Laurin McCracken is a retired architect. He has put the skills learned over the years in drawing, photographing and observing to use as a watercolorist. He studied with Gwen Bragg at the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia and with Alain Gavin at the Art Institute in Chicago. He has paintings in corporate and private collections, including McGraw-Hill’s Corporate Collection and the Urban Land Institute. He also has photographs in the Graphics Arts Collection, Princeton University. Born in Meridian, Mississippi, he holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University and a Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning from Princeton University. McCracken is an award-winning artist whose paintings have been exhibited in juried shows coast–to-coast including the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, California Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, Southern Watercolor Society and the American Watercolor Society. He is a signature member of more than a dozen watercolor societies including the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Southern Watercolor Society, Watercolor Society of Alabama, Texas Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Mississippi Watercolor Society, Watercolor Art Society – Houston, and the Louisiana Watercolor Society. He is the President of the Watercolor Honor Society.
Mostly self-taught, Keiko Tanabe embarked on a professional art career in 2005. Since then her paintings have won awards in many exhibitions across the Americas, Asia and Europe and have been published in leading art magazines in the U.S., Europe and Japan. She has self-published six books and is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and a founding member of NAWA. Since 2011, she has offered more than 90 workshops around the world. Watercolor could be the most exciting medium but is often said to be unforgiving or difficult. Keiko’s workshop is for those who refuse to believe that myth and are determined to have fun. You will love Keiko’s “no fear”, direct approach: “Keep it simple, yet strong.” This unique method will be explained thoroughly in her daily demos on a variety of subjects, which take place in the studio. The process of simplification begins with visualization. Through various exercises and step-by-step demonstrations, Keiko will show you how to take your initial inspiration through a simplification process to create an expressive painting that is simple in content and strong in composition.
This workshop by Keiko Tanabe is designed for those who would like to gain a better understanding of methods and techniques to make a watercolor painting that is simple yet strong. The goal is to capture the essence of the subject matter while conveying a certain mood and atmosphere. This is Keiko’s legendary expertise! (Members $400; Non-Members $440.) For workshop information contact: Jaceena Shepard (256 810 9240; jaeshep@aol.com).