Virginia Watercolor Society 37th Annual Exhibition

May 20, 2016 through June 25, 2016

See the list of accepted artists here!

Juror Mel Stabin, AWS, NWS

Workshop May 16-20, 2016

Demonstration May 21, 2:00pm

Pushing the Envelope in Watercolor:  Express Yourself

A workshop with Mel Stabin, hosted by The Bay School

Challenge yourself and go beyond your boundaries in watercolor!  Mel will encourage you to experience the magical, spontaneous, and transparent qualities of watercolor and will help you discover that watercolor is at its best when it is set free.  Emphasis will be placed on gaining more confidence by simplifying your approach to subject matter and painting with energy and focus.

Watch Mel demonstrate each morning in his loose, representational style as he discusses principles of design and composition and shows you how to capture the essence of the subject.  With Mel always welcoming questions, the demo is spirited with an easy, open dialogue between Mel and students.

After Mel's morning demonstration, students begin to paint.  Personal attention and one-on-one instruction will be given while you paint.  Students enjoy a break for lunch and some relaxation before continuing to paint in the afternoon.  A critique is given at day's end of the paintings done during the day.  The critique is an important phase of your painting experience because we learn from each other.

This workshop of painting landscapes and people in landscapes is designed for beginners to advanced painters.  Mel's workshops are casual and friendly... an enjoyable experience for all.

Here's an example of Mel's painting style             "Bloomin' Ireland"

 Congratulations to these 2015 award winners!      

Best In Show |Virginia Watercolor Society Award | Gari Stephenson | Hanging On To Time | Acrylic + Mixed Media

Second Place | The Lucretia and Robert Carter Award | Elaine Nunnally | On the Way to Orange | Watercolor w/Acrylic Ink

Third Place | Gerrie Brown Memorial Award | Janice Ulm Sayles | On a Sunny Day | Watercolor

Fourth Place | Marie P. Lawson Memorial Award | Lisa Boardwine | Traces Remain | Acrylic

Katie Hill Vaden Memorial Award | Chris Krupinski, AWS, NWS | Lemons and Grapes on a Quilt | Transparent Watercolor