Rockies West National
Juror Lorraine Watry
March 4 – April 9

This national juried exhibition is brought to you by the Western Colorado Watercolor Society. The WCWS has a long tradition of hosting one of the most competitive and versatile exhibitions in the medium. This exhibition brings in a multitude of talented watercolorists from all over the nation. Unlike oils and acrylics, which utilize canvas and hardboard as painting surfaces, watercolor requires use of hot and cold press papers and demands a level of added attention in managing the flow of water, as well as the timing associated with the absorbent quality of the working surface. Timing, paint consistency, and brush strokes determine the desired effect. The end results are stunningly vibrant, gestural, and organic compositions. These qualities make watercolor as a medium alluring to the artist and viewers alike.

The juror for this exhibition is Lorraine Watry. Watry writes in her artist statement, “Watercolors hold a fascination for me – the transparency of the paint allows a glow from the white paper; there is always something new to learn, or new to deal with because the water and color often have minds of their own.” She has been a watercolor artist for over 27 years, embracing the natural lighting, bright colors, and small details in simplistic scenes that could go unnoticed by a passerby. She focuses on highlighting reflective surfaces, welcoming the challenge of capturing the realistic elements in reflective objects and landscapes. She is a very active artist, participating in exhibitions nationally and internationally, as well as teaching classes and workshops in person and online. Want to learn the techniques that Watry has to share? She will be conducting a workshop in conjunction with this exhibition. For more information about the exhibition or workshop, visit the WCWS website here.

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”
-Leonardo da Vinci