I haven't posted in forever, but I've been sick.  Twice.  So over the last eight weeks I've been sick for six weeks.  I just got over being sick the first time and about five days later I was worse than ever.  Geez. Anyway, when my ears finally unclog I will consider it a good day at last.  In the meantime, art wise, I continue to work and am pleased to share that one of my paintings will be in the Mid-Southern Watercolorists 49th Annual Juried Exhibit in the spring.  I love the HAM (Historic Arkansas Museum)!  It is one of my all time favorite venues and when I read that the show would be there again, I entered.  So it was a good day when I found out one of my paintingsI got in the show.  Also, I just (and I mean just) completed my latest painting.  It was a joy from conception to the last stroke of my signature.  I'll tell you more about it later.  Hooray!  

Also, I am about to finish my 50th book for the year 2018.  Except for one, I have enjoyed them all.  Most have been for my pure entertainment.  Of those I would consider books by Christopher Moore to have been my favorites:  A Dirty Job, Secondhand Souls, Lamb, Sacre Bleu, and Island of the Sequined Love Nun.  I have two more waiting for me:  Noir and Fool.  (You have to be in the mood - just saying.) Mysteries, I would have to say are my favorite genre and I completed 25 of those.  I enjoyed two books by Matt Goldman:  Broken Ice and Gone to Dust.    Also there were some pretty dry books about history, medicine and art, interesting to be sure, but entertaining....meh.  Novels: I'm not sure where The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert lands, but I enjoyed it.  A Gentleman in Moscow, and Rules of Civility by Amor Towles were both recommendation worthy.  For fun I reread Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne and Emma by Jane Austen.  James E. Ryan's Wait, What? was notable.  The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman was a whim, and I would recommend it to anyone.  Atlas of a Lost World by Craig Childs was at the top of my list for fascinating reading.  The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly was imaginative and I would recommend it as well.  After reading a few mysteries about art forgers, Breaking Van Gogh by James Ottar Grundvig was a great way to finish that genre.  A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is worth mentioning again, it was terrific.  Anyway, those are the highlights.  So what is 51 you ask?  I have a few waiting for me but I think it's a toss up between:  South of Broad by Pat Conroy, and Soul of An Octopus by Sy Montgomery.  I'll let you know.  Happy Reading everyone and now it's back to my brushes.  


When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength.  - Tecumseh

I'm pleased to share that my painting "A Weather Eye" has been awarded the Canson Heritage L'Aquarelle Combined Award at the 50th Watercolor West International Juried Exhibition at the City of Brea Art Gallery, Brea, California.  With this entry I received signature status with this organization and I am honored to add the initials WW to my signature line.  My thanks to the judge Katherine Chang Liu, the City of Brea Art Gallery, and everyone involved with putting this exhibit together.  Congratulations to all the exhibitors and to all the award winners.  Back to my brushes.  

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." - Zig Ziglar

I never aspired to be a center spread in a magazine, but not surprisingly in this instance I'm okay with it.  I hope you have a chance to read the article about my work in the December issue of Watercolor Artist magazine.  My sincerest thanks to writer and interviewer Rebecca Dvorak and editor Anne Hevener.  To purchase a copy you can click the link here: Watercolor Artist Magazine December 2018 or look for it at your local bookstore. Don't miss the Editor's Notes where I learned I have a kindred spirit out there in the watercolor world.  In mutual understanding, I tip my hat. Back to my brushes.  
 
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"I guess we all like to be recognized not for one piece of fireworks, but for the ledger of our daily work." - Neil Armstrong

I'm pleased to share that one of my paintings will be included in the Arkansas Arts Council Small Works on Paper exhibit this year.  This is a sweet little watercolor titled The Patterns of Home.  A landscape.  What...?  

Also, I am pleased to share that my painting In Line With 19 was awarded a Merchandise Award at the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's 39th Annual Exhibition.   Thank you to the judge and a big shout out to the Crary Gallery.  A truly beautiful venue and it looks as though everyone had a great time in the pics of the award ceremony.  Wish I could have been there.  

"Forget your perfect offering; there's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."  Leonard Cohen

I'm pleased to share that my painting A Measured Response received the Third Place award at the Artists of Northwest Arkansas Regional Show which is on display at Art Ventures in Fayetteville, Arkansas till the end of September.  If you are in the area, I hope you will pop in and see all the great work in this exhibit. My thanks to all those involved in putting on this event and a special shout out for the terrific catalog produced this year!  Thanks to all the sponsors and to Gary for his amazing, and tireless, fundraising abilities.  (By the way, loving this Princeton watercolor brush that was given out at the reception!)  A special thank you to the Bud & Marie Leding Memorial Fund, Pacmac, Celtic Construction, and Gary Johnson Fine Art for sponsoring the Third Place Award.  Also my thanks to the Jury of Selection:  Phil Starke, Simon Kogan, and Selma Blackburn; and finally the Judge of Awards Bill McNamara.  I couldn't have been more surprised.  Back to my brushes.  

"Perhaps the safest prediction we can make about the future is that it will surprise us."  - George Leonard

It's been a month since I posted and I thought I'd just jot a note here.  Two weeks ago my parents were in a car accident and the following day so was my youngest.  When it rains it pours.  Yes, It was raining.  Why is it always freaking water?  I suppose it must be the gods of irony.  Back to my brushes.  

"It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety."  - Isaac Asimov

My entry in the Watercolor West 50th International Juried Exhibition has been accepted!  My painting titled A Weather Eye will be headed to the City of Brea Art Gallery in Brea, California for the exhibit which will be on display from October 13th to December 16th, 2018.  My thanks to the juror Katherine Chang Liu.  If you plan to be in the area be sure to add this exhibit to your itinerary.  The opening reception will be October 13th, 2018 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Back to my brushes.  

"Every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure." - Irving Wallace

I will be exhibiting with the Artist's of Northwest Arkansas at the 24th Annual Regional Juried Exhibition.  Thanks to the jurors of selection:  Phil Starke, Simon Kogan, and Selma Blackburn.  I look forward to seeing the many talented artists from the area and meeting new ones as well.  This exhibit is a gem of the region and hosts all different mediums.  I hope if you are in the area you will stop by Art Ventures on the town square at 101 W. Mountain, Fayetteville, Arkansas.  The event opens September 6th and closes September 28th, 2018.  If you would like to meet the artists, stop by from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. the night of the awards ceremony and reception September 15th, 2018.  Back to my brushes.  

"It is the function of art to renew our perception.  What we are familiar with we cease to see."  - Anais Nin