Sunday, December 11, 2011

NAWA at Strathmore Mansion


North American Watercolor Artists (NAWA) was formed in 2010 to represent the United States in international watercolor exhibitions, and is the only group of its kind in the country. Kathleen Alexander, Carol Carter, Mark Mehaffey, Thomas Schaller, Nicholas Simmons, and Keiko Tanabe have already shown their paintings in Mexico City and Madrid, and continue to receive exhibition invitations from around the globe.

Each member has gained a reputation as a leader in the development and critical acceptance of the watercolor medium, and each has been highly recognized for their art, garnering prestigious honors and media attention. NAWA enjoys a combined worldwide audience that includes virtually every watercolorist working today.

Their backgrounds -- personal and professional -- are as eclectic as their paintings, which demonstrate an impressive range of genre and approach: realism; impressionism; abstraction; figures; city, land, and seascapes; florals and botanicals; images depicting locations and cultures from Europe to Asia, as well as compositions that defy category or description.

Contemporary watercolor is a demanding and intensely competitive field, requiring one to maintain a personal vision amidst countless painters who consistently expand the limits of technique and creativity. That six artists should unite with a shared purpose is a testament to the camaraderie and mutual respect fostered by their common bond. Standing on the shoulders of the greats who have preceded them, they blaze a trail that promises a bright future for their beloved medium.



NAWA feature in The Art of Watercolour #5

9 comments:

Sandy Maudlin said...

An excellent gathering of unique talent. Love watching where you're going.

JANE MINTER said...

...are there any plans for the group to exhibit in italy in the near future nick ?

Nick said...

Sandy - wish you were a bit closer to this area, it would be nice to see you there

Jane - no, I'm sorry to say. Which brings up something I've wondered about many times: why so little watercolor going on in Italy, one of the artistic hubs of the world??

JANE MINTER said...

hope it changes...it's low key ..here's the link to italian watercolour society http://www.acquerello-aia.it/home/... wishing you and your family a very happy christmas nick ...buon natale ! ...j ans family .

Billie Crain said...

Nick, thank you so much for the invitation! It's too far for me to make it but I certainly wish I could. I hope you will post photos on your blog so those of us that can't attend will get to see it. Can't wait to see that self portrait. You've never done one before, have you?

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Best wishes for the opening and show; it looks most exciting!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Nick! What an illustrious group of artists; most exciting! Best wishes for a successful opening and show!

Hailey Herrera said...

Congratulations! Thank you for inviting me. I wish I can attend the opening and show so I can enjoy watching amazing masterpieces the group created. ... I am still kind of hard to imagine you with a short hair. :)

Hailey Herrera said...

Congratulations! Thank you for inviting me. I wish I can attend the opening and show so I can enjoy watching amazing masterpieces the group created. ... I am still kind of hard to imagine you with a short hair. :)