Shows
The entry fee is $35. Accepted mediums are watercolors, acrylics, and water-based inks.
The Art in Me | Watercolors and Acrylics
January 22 – March 5, 2025
My World in Color
Take-in: Friday, January 31, from 9:30-11:00
Pick-Up: Friday, February 28, from 9:30-11:00
Reception: TBD
Life is Art | Watercolors Only
Take-in: Tuesday, November 26, from 10-11:30
Pick-Up: Monday, December 30, from 10-11:30
Reception: Saturday, December 7, from 12-2
(The Parkland Library) 6620 N. University Drive, Parkland, FL 33067
Judge's Statement
I want to thank the Palm Beach Watercolor Society for inviting me to judge their exhibition at the Parkland Library. It is an honor and pleasure to be a judge, allowing me to view the many works of some of their members, who present various styles and motifs painted in watercolor.
They are all technically gifted and produce excellent work, which made it difficult for me to choose them for this award. I congratulate the artists for their desire for this artistic expression and for achieving excellent results with this sensitive medium. Because of this diversity of
creative expression, I committed to looking at them as a spectator to express my feelings and emotions in front of these works.
Awards
1st: Pauline Runkle – “Sunset On The Back Shore” An explosion of brushstrokes defines and makes visible the light of the end of the day somewhere in the distance. These beautiful brushstrokes contrast with the reflections of the water and its rocks, where the precise ones and some more are freely executed to reveal a poetic form of the coastline at sunset.
2nd: Lee Krull – “Caribbean Carver”The subject of this artwork has a natural spirit, complemented by the artist’s watercolor technique and lightness— a mastery of the method that defines the theme of the composition with its simplicity to portray the day of a craftsman.
3rd: Ann Piekarz – “St. Remy Du Provence” This composition uses greens and more greens, freezing a moment rich in textures. Leaves, light, and light wind vibrate and add to the texture of this painting, fixed in a moment for our contemplation.
Honorable Mention – Mac Johnson – “Light Of The Morning” Like a moment of hope for the future, the day is illuminated by a tree branch that sprouts from this dense garden, making the buds of a new plant visible.
Honorable Mention – Jeanne Landau – “Morning Light” When I saw this piece, it was untitled. It is like an intimate and routine domestic scene revealed through a window, examining a poetic nocturnal atmosphere. The dense application of colors reinforces this atmosphere.
JR: – Bobbin Salisbury – “Loc En Season D’Automme” The masterful superimposition of transparencies evokes different themes of interest to the
observer, who can delve into these layers of color that softly suggest a coastline on the horizon, a mountain range, or an abstract composition where color transparency dominates with its lightness.
The Colors of My World
NOVEMBER 15TH – APRIL 2025
JURIED SHOW AT THE BRiC
Awards
1st: Nadine Saitlin; “Red Desert” – I chose this piece because of the complexity of the composition. The design is complex which keeps me engaged in the painting and makes me want to explore more. The other elements in the design add to the emotional content which was brought to life and emphasized by the use of the warm hues, the value shifts, and the variety of shapes that make up the composition.
2nd: Mac Johnson; “Remember These Shores” – The work caught my attention because of the drama of the sunrise/sunset that was presented and expressed in this piece. Beautifully crafted and composed and the use of a complimentary colors palette adds to the emotional content.
3rd: Karen H. Salup; “Violet Limelight” – The hardest part of painting in abstraction is how does one keep the viewers’ attention and interest in the painting for a prolonged time. This painting has a complexity of forms, hues and movement creating a very emotional painting, as well as the required foreground, middle ground and background giving it a great sense of depth and strength.
Honorable Mention: Tamara Seymour; “Date Palm at Dusk” – I chose this piece for its handling of color, unusual layout and the complexity of the design. This does not look like a typical watercolor in terms of concentration of pigment and the layering of the hues to get more depth and interest in the work.
Jeanne Landau Cohen; “Monumentum” – Often watercolorist work in small scale but this piece made me take notice and it reached out to me and told me to take notice and explore. The freshness that was preserved in working in a large scale was accomplished by the total loose application of the brush marks and color selection.
Juror’s Choice: Adrienne Walker “In The Eye Of The Beholder” – I chose this piece because of the humorous reaction it
elicited from me. The graphic approach, the textures applied, the palette used make this an exciting portrait interpretation. I want to meet the subject of this piece and I am sure I would enjoy meeting her.
Colorful Visions Watercolor Only
Parkland Library 6621 University Dr. Parkland, FL 33067
Juror's Statement
The exhibition of the membership from the Palm Beach Watercolor Society at the Parkland Library is a strong collection of works, showcasing a wide variety of talented artists well-versed in a wide range of styles of watercolor painting.
aire experience.
All-in-all, a very strong showing of artworks from the Palm Beach Watercolor Society.
Jeffrey Wiener
Juror
Awards
1st: Lee Krull; “Rooted In Old Florida” –First place goes to Lee Krull, whose large, vertically formatted watercolor painting pays homage to Florida’s rich history. This colorful scene presents a Florida back-woodsy collection of household items: a rifle, hat, boots, and jacket, featuring themes from the native Seminole people’s culture. Showcasing delicate, lovingly painted details, this painting is a great example of what makes watercolor paintings such a joy to look at. Krull’s choice of colors, and the application of JUST the right amount of pigment, allows light to pass through, keeping the colors pure, and giving the whole scene a pleasant, quiet ambiance.
2nd: Judy Nunno; “Garlic Crabs” –Second place goes to Judy Nunno, whose large scale work “Garlic Crabs” presents a still-life with plenty of ambitions, all handled deftly, with Nunno conquering textures, shadows, strong light, and refracted light! I love those crabs in particular, as they are crystal figurines filled with prisms, with beams of light going in all directions. A testament to observational skills and the discipline to follow through on the details observed.
3rd: Charles Passarelli; “The Boys In The Band” – Third place goes to Chalres Passarelli and his “Boys in the Band”, a large-scale scene presenting three drummers in Afro-Caribbean attire, all confronting the viewer, expressions of pride on their faces, and solidarity in their stance. I can see the party. I can almost hear the music. Perhaps they are ghosts of the islands, in this mesmerizing dream-like scene of rich, floral colors.
Honorable Mention: Bobbin Salisbury; “Chute De Eau” – A lovely, colorful abstraction of a lanscape with water streaming throughout. Why I love abstractions is that they either work or they don’t – on a gut level. I don’t know whether this scene is a waterfall or a fountain, but I FEEL it.
Honorable Mention: Regina Lerman; “Tough Cookies” – The other honorable mention goes to Rgina Lerman’s “Tough Cookies”, whose figurative study presents four female soldiers (Israeli) in uniform. I like it as a feminist statement as well as a figurative Modern realism. I also think it’s a brave work to submit during these times, and thus deserves an honorable mention.
Judges Choice: Jeanne Cohen; “Venice” – The Jurors Choice goes to
“Venice” by Jeanne Cohen, whose work reminds me of John Singer Sargent’s looser travel scenes. Cohen’s brush strokes have no fear, filled with courage and fluidity, giving the entire piece the feeling of a plein aire experience.
Color My Rainbow
Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Awards & Juror's Remarks
“I want to thank the Palm Beach Watercolor Society for inviting me to judge the member exhibit. I found
that the work represented the high level of technical proficiency of the guild members, and a wellrounded
variety of subject matter and styles. To differentiate among such an array of proficient work, I
view the art through set of criteria to determine which works I feel best exemplify the medium, subject
and compositional qualities.
After viewing the entire exhibit, I go through a second time and take note of pieces that stood out, either
for a compelling subject, an interesting composition, or an innovative use of the medium. I use a numeric
score to weigh the pieces, based on Composition, Original Concept, Technical Skill, Innovative use of
Media, and Compelling Theme or Subject. Basically, I’m looking for work that goes beyond precise
reproduction and technical skill; that shows some risk-taking or pushing boundaries.” -Andrea Huffman, Juror
The pieces that I felt met those criteria the most are as follows:
1st: Thomas Rebek; Uncorking the Wine: the subject shows a very complex composition that had
a strong focal point, yet balanced with several interesting areas. The use of the watercolor showed a
wide range of techniques employed to convey the various textures and surfaces of the objects
illustrated. The figure looking away from the viewer, and the flash of light behind the bar created an
interesting narrative beyond a static pose.
2nd: Lee Krull; Variegated: The clustering of the dense foliage as the overall composition
was a welcome change from a traditional still life or manicured garden scene. Each leaf was a unique
opportunity to use a variety of watercolor techniques to keep the repetition interesting. The similarities
kept the composition unified, yet slight variations keep your eye moving from one leaf to another,
discovering that there are actually several different types of plants represented in this painting.
3rd: Lynn Holland; Coconut Garden: Limiting the palette to the complimentary colors of yelloworange
and blue creates a unified composition, yet gives the painting a vibrant contrast. The graphic
style of this piece is eye catching, and uncommon in watercolor painting. The subtle layering of washes
to create shadows shows a strong command of the medium.
HM: Sally Accetta; Strange Feelings: this painting demonstrates a unique approach to abstract
painting, alternating between the well-defined focal point and the loosely painted areas of the
composition. The layering of different techniques creates a sense of realistic depth that is often
overlooked in abstract work. The range of techniques used in this painting shows a command of the
medium that keeps the work interesting and vibrant.
HM: Camille Rosano; The Charmer: Initially drawn in by the eyes of the subject, I found so much
more to observe when I looked more closely. The skillful layering of washes was used to “sculpt” the
face, giving it depth, and adding to the sentiment portrayed in the eyes. The cool colors used to create
shadows as well as the texture of the hair both demonstrate a confident use of the medium. The blue
background serves as a subtle balance for the boldness of the blue eyes that dominate the composition.
JR: Pauline Runkle; Holidays in NYC: The non-traditional use of the paint was an effective way to
create a mood and a narrative in this painting. The contrast of light and dark values was very well done,
emphasizing the silhouetted figure and the reflection of light on the wet ground. Though quite different,
the scene reminded me of Hopper’s Nighthawks.
And Then There Was Art
BRiC (Boca Raton Innovation Campus), 4950 Communications Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33431
Awards & Juror's Remarks
“The vast array of style, subject matter and media made viewing the works extremely enjoyable. At the same time, it was challenging to make the final selections as the level of the entries is so strong. Congratulations to all of the entrants. The gallery as a whole is testament of what can be achieved with water media, when combined with such creativity, experimentation, freedom and risk taking. The awarded selections are pieces that aside from technical excellence, achieved the ultimate challenge; evoking feelings and a conversation with the viewer. Thank you for sharing your stories, I heard you, I saw you. Yes, there is ART! My commentary for each piece maybe somewhat unconventional, but it’s what came across and I hope the artists can appreciate the point of view that I found most interesting about each piece. In many, cases what makes them so successful is the duality, contradiction and contrasts that are played out in the works.” – Michael Gregg, Juror
Riptide by Sally Cooper: 1st
Riptide evoked: Choreographed chaos Rhythmic chromatic dance performance Cinematic view of a dramatic scene with multiple lens focal lengths Drama that Ebbs and flows Speed, action, abrupt calm Vibrant dialogue Frozen warmth, blurred clarity, distant presence.
A Tree Of A Thousand Uses by Mac Johnson: 2nd
In Tree Of A Thousand Uses I saw Vibrant clarity Scented details Tactile textures Weighted, light gravity Tense, gracefully light.
Mother With Child by JL Schwartz: 3rd
Mother With Child Felt like: A Silkfull, velvet delight A puzzling riddle Enveloping embrace Cool warmth.
Into The Woods by Jeanne Landau: Honorable Mention
Into The Woods took me to: Uncharted melancholic journey Fragranced pathways Light, hopeful, peaceful solitude.
Fragments by Patricia Lappin: Honorable Mention
In Fragments I saw: Storylines Past times, deciphering Tension with reinterpretation Searching of blurred pasts and presents Interrupted cohesion dialogue.
Gestalt by Nadine Saitlin: Juror’s Choice
Gestalt took me into worlds of: Ongoing resolved and unresolved curiosities Meaningful, conflicting relationships.
A Painting is Worth a Thousand Words
BRiC (Boca Raton Innovation Campus), 4950 Communications Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33431
Show runs from April 20 thru October 25
Awards & Juror's Remarks
“It was a pure delight and honor to be the judge for the Palm Beach Watercolor Society’s exhibition at the BRiC. Talent was clearly displayed by all the artists. There was a wonderful array of water-based mediums and techniques, intimate subject matters, wonderful compositions, mindful titles, and a pure love of art for art sake!”
For Every Season by Gail Butters-Cohen: 1st
So painterly, and intimate the viewer is brought right in front of the truth. Something is coming, being birthed into our world, and we must take care and protect “this.” Even when our society may be sad or hurting this image reminds us of being human and how magnificent it can be even in times of dark.
Clouds of Leonia by Eileen Shaloum: 2nd
Sweetness and happiness spills out of the canvas creating an imaginary world. Soft plump shades of pink yellows and green fill the surface taking the eye on a magical journey from one canvas to the back, and back again. Layers upon layers allows the viewer to be mesmerized by the technique, color palette, and suggested imagery.
Island Flora by Sally Cooper: 3rd
Light, airy, and fragrant! The playfulness of brushstrokes and energy of the paint create a fresh feeling. The title adding to the essence of what was is already felt intuitively from the canvas. A great balance of color and mark-making.
From Another Time by Mary Martinez: Honorable Mention
The viewer is transported from the glance of the women to another time, a moment in ones memory. Nostalgic and with classical beauty the woman’s’ pose captures all this. The playful watercolor technique merged with the classic pose was a brilliant choice.
Tiger Falls by Betty Lou Barry: Special Recognition
This utopia, a paradise view is a reflection to what we strive for in society and with mother nature. As we look to one another in peace, in harmony, in question with our world; working together side by side we go about our way. Folklike, excellent craftsmanship, and illustration.
Dream Journey by Priscilla Blum Silverberg: Honorable Mention
Pulled straight into what’s just hidden in the shadow. The feeling of wanting to know what’s there, along with the gorgeous textured rock fills the senses and imagination. The painterly brushstrokes juxtaposed to the great tension of the still darkness, moves the viewers eye around the canvas in a hypnotic dreamlike way.
– Lori Arbel, Juror
