From the President
Greetings from Suzanna Winton
I hope this newsletter finds you well and you are as excited about the upcoming Tri-State Exhibition at LeMoyne, as I am. Even if you didn’t enter, come see what was chosen to be in the show and enjoy the beautiful art and camaraderie. Hand-delivered work is due at LeMoyne Saturday, May 10, 11am-2pm. Please plan to attend the opening Reception Thursday May 15, from 5:00-7:30. Please bring a light refreshment with you to share.
The Kathleen Conover workshop is coming up as well, there is still time to get in, if you do it quickly. If you’re interested go to the TaWS website and sign up.
On another note, our Brush Strokes Juried Member Exhibition is coming up soon and is another opportunity to enter your work. So, get those paint brushes moving and plan to enter. Dates for entering along with the other pertinent information will be sent out soon.
I look forward to seeing you all at Tri-State and our next General Meeting May 18, at 2:00 pm. Our very own talented and award winning member Sherry Allen is our Speaker, and you won’t want to miss it!
Upcoming Exhibition Opportunities:
Florida Watercolor Society
- Entries Accepted: April 28-June 9
- (must have paid dues by March 31)
- Notification of Acceptance: July 8
- Shipped work: August 4-8
- 54th Annual Reception: September 12
National Watercolor Society
- Entries Accepted: April 1-May 23
- List of Accepted Artist posted: June 16
- Exhibition Dates: Oct 1-November 2
Gadsden Arts Juried Exhibition
- Enry Deadline: May 16, by 5pm
- Notification of Acceptance: June 20
- Art Due: Tuesday July 22, 10-4
- Opening Reception: August 1, 5-7
Suzanna Winton, President TaWS
Brush Strokes 2025
Brush Strokes is the Tallahassee Watercolor Society’s Fall Members’ show. It is held at City Hall in downtown Tallahassee each year. The prospectus and rules are different from the Spring Tri-State show. This year’s juror is Danielle Figueroa, a local watercolorist and instructor with studios in Tallahassee and Monticello. Members are encouraged to apply
Here are some key dates:
- Show runs October 3 to December 1
- Reception and awards ceremony October 16
- Prospectus and application should be available on line in early June. Look for an e-mail with the announcement
- Application deadline in mid July
We plan to offer a similar drop off and pick up service as last year. Whereby you can meet someone out in front of City Hall to avoid parking and going upstairs. More information to follow.
Happy Painting.
May General Meeting Topic:
Wildlife Photography /Wildlife Painting
Sherry Allen’s presentation will focus on her journey as a wildlife photographer and wildlife painter. She will show some of the images that she photographed initially with a point and shoot camera and the subsequent paintings from those images. She will talk about zoos, wetland preserves and the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine. She will discuss her progression to better camera and lenses and photography tours to Kenya, India, Botswana, and the Falklands and the paintings related to those tours. She will discuss the differences between good photograph images versus good paintings. She will also discuss her future photography tours and why she chose those tours.
Kathleen Conover Watercolor Workshop
May 13 - 15, 2025
Katheen Conover has put a lot of time and effort into planning a good workshop. She knows some students and members are detail oriented, so she has given this some thought. "Just knowing they are “detail oriented” allows me to focus on helping them in their detail interests." writes Katheen. I’d like to emphasize that the colors, textures and patterns that we start with on day one are great backgrounds for very detailed imagery. These are examples of actual paintings (all 11x15” we all start with) that I’ve completed from the workshop starts.
For more information, email Mary O at maryosmith7@gmail.com or call at (912) 266-5720
From the April General Meeting
Art Supplies Donation Update
Thanks very much to all of you that so generously donated to the artists that lost everything in Hurricane Helene.
We sent 3 boxes of art supplies to help our fellow artists! This is the thank you note that we received.
Dear Elena,
Your box of supplies just arrived. THANK YOU on behalf of artists in need.
I am going to send the boxes to our Asheville store where they have been helping artists restock from the River Arts District that was washed away.
All the best to you and your society.
Anita Norris
Kie Johnson
My Painting, “Curious” was selected by jurors Mathew Bird and Brienne M Brown to receive an Award of Excellence in the 2025 Transparent Watercolor Society of America Exhibition. Many thanks to the exhibition chair, Sheryl Fletcher Coons and all the hard working TWSA board members who make this exhibition possible. I am also delighted to share that this years entry has earned me my signature status with TWSA.
Diane Schmidt
Diane Schmidt is exhibiting with other members of the historic women's art group The Petticoat Painters at Sarasota's City Hall for
1 year. The group was honored by the Mayor at the opening. The group exhibited at the State Capitol
In Tallassee in 2008. Diane became a member of TaWS in 2000 and was encouraged to enter Tri State. " Tri State was my first out of town exhibit. I give credit to Tri State for starting me on the path to AWS and NWS signatures. If I lived in Tallassee I would be a more active member for sure. The artists and their work inspired me and continues to do so. TaWS is a wonderful society and I am grateful to all of the members who work hard for it's success" Diane Schmidt AWS, NWS, FWS-D, ISEA-M
Beverly Harding
Thank you to Proof Brewing Company for honoring me as Artist of the Year for their 2025 can label and to LeMoyne Arts and especially Powell Kreis for all her help and guidance. The unveiling of my Chain Of Parks painting on the Utility Box at Calhoun and E Park Ave was a great honor. A special thanks also to Bob O’Lary for the use of his wonderful photography as my reference.
Robin Lee Makowski
Robin Lee Makowski's painting, Optunistic, was selected for the prestigious Western Federation of Watercolor Societies Annual Exhibition, hosted by the West Texas Watercolor Society in Lubbock. It won her the M. Graham & Co. Merchandise Award, and also appeared with an article about the New Mexico Watercolor Society in the current issue of Art of Watercolour Magazine, May/June 2025. She will also receive Signature Status from TaWS with her acceptance in the 2025 Tri-State Exhibition with 5 O'Clock Shadow.
Art In Gadsden Juried Exhibition
Applications Now Open
The Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition is an annual tradition that began more than three decades ago to promote the work of our region’s artists, and bring fine art to families in Gadsden County. Artists living within 200 miles of Quincy, Florida, or former Gadsden County residents, are invited to apply to participate in Art in Gadsden. This exhibition draws visitors and patrons from across the region each year, showcasing art by the area’s top artists. New and returning, established and emerging artists are welcome to apply.
Applications close: May 16, 2025.
2025 Bloom into Art Member Exhibit
The 2025 Bloom into Art Member Exhibit will run May 10th - June 4th 2025 at the Thomasville Center for the Arts with our Exhibition Opening Party on May 10th from 12 - 2pm. Back by popular demand is the People’s Choice Award! Invite your friends, family, and fans to vote for your artwork on May 7th through 9th!
Prizes:
- First Place $1,000
- Second Place $250
- Third Place $75
- People’s Choice Award $750
- All hanging artwork must be wire hung.
- Maximum dimensions for 3D art is 18 inches.
Artwork will be for sale online.
The first week of the show, we will encourage the public to attend the exhibit and vote for their favorite piece. The People’s Choice Award will presented at our Exhibition Opening Party on Saturday, May 10 from 12 - 2pm.
A Lifetime of Creativity Deserves Recognition
The journey of an artist isn't measured in months but in decades of dedication, which is why the Artists Magazine Over 60 Art Competition celebrates the extraordinary work of artists who've proven that creative growth knows no age limit. Whether you've devoted your life to your craft or balanced your artistic passion alongside career and family obligations, this prestigious competition offers more than just substantial cash prizes—it provides a platform for your artwork, personal story, and hard-earned wisdom to inspire readers in a special 2026 issue of Artists Magazine. With the final submission deadline approaching, don't miss this rare opportunity to have your lifetime of creative achievement honored among peers who truly understand the artist's journey.
Award-Winning Inspiration: Picture Your Work Here
Inspiration abounds in the 2024 November/December issue of Artists Magazine!
Discover 14 ways to encourage creative collaboration. And meet the 15 award winners of our 3rd Annual Artists to Watch competition.
Download the digital issue or order your print copy today!
LAST CHANCE: Don't Miss Your Artistic Breakthrough
Your studio masterpieces deserve their moment in the spotlight. With the May 6 final deadline just days away, this is your last opportunity to enter the 4th Annual Artists to Watch Art Competition and place your work before the art world's most influential tastemakers.
This is your final chance to join 15 diverse artists in the pages of Artists Magazine—connecting your unique vision with an audience that truly appreciates meaningful work and opening doors to new creative possibilities.
Your talent demands recognition. This life-changing opportunity closes on May 6. Submit now and complete the final step toward the artistic breakthrough you've been working toward.
How to create a flower using the Winsor & Newton Mixed Media Watercolor set
Step 1
Pencil & clear wash of water.
Step 2
Promarker, wide tip, in yellow.
Step 3
Promarker, wide tip, in purple.
Step 4
Watercolor in reds and oranges.
Step 5
Fineliner dots, lines and dashes.
Step 6
Promarker, thin tip, final dots and dashes.
TAWS has a Suggestion Box at each TAWS meeting.
The TAWS Board encourages members to submit suggestions, recommendations, ideas, etc. The members can submit anonymously or sign their name. This is a great way for the TAWS Board to know what its members would like for their Society.
Example of Questions/Suggestions:
- How does the Board respond to the suggestions? Privately, if a name is given or all suggestions read at the meeting with the Board's decision.
- Should food be discontinued at meetings? Only have water available.
- Do members want door prizes? If yes, what kind?
- What type of presentations do the members want? What draws them to the meeting?
- Members can recommend presenters, jurors, etc.
- Should the newsletter have a format so members can easily find certain TAWS info. What do members want in their newsletter?
- Can non-voting Board Attendees not attend?
- What changes or features would you like to see on the website.
You can make suggestion and take our survey by going to our website under About TaWS or by the below link.
Credits:
Created with images by TWS Members