Baltimore Watercolor Society A Mid-Atlantic Organization of Watermedia Artists |
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BWS Highlights Newsletter • September 2026
President’s Palette I usually write a several-paragraph missive for BWS entitled The President’s Palette. This month, however, I’m writing "The President’s Paragraph." Last year, Baltimore Watercolor Society turned 140 years old, which is pretty darn old. Our PR chair is Jennifer Azar, who leaves no stone unturned when trying to promote BWS. So, it was her idea to get me on Maryland Public Television, where I had fun talking and being filmed for our Art Minute. In one minute! And okay, true confessions, seeing the Muppets in person. A whole year later, the video was released so we could share it. There you have it, dear BWS members. Enjoy the show!
Submission Dates for the Upcoming All-Member Exhibition: From Pigments to Pixels The submission period for entries to the From Pigment to Pixels online exhibition is rapidly approaching. Entries will be accepted in CaFÉ September 1-30. An application code and instructions was sent to all BWS members on August 30. The exhibition prospectus is viewable on CaFÉ. This online exhibition is open to all BWS Members and will appear in the BWS Virtual Gallery beginning in November (everyone will get instructions on how to get to it). Each BWS member is invited to submit one watermedia painting image for inclusion in the exhibition. The entry fee is $20. The juror of awards will be Pittsburgh-based artist Jeannie McGuire. There will be two sets of awards, one set for Signature members, the other for Associate and Student members. Each set will include: 1st place: $400, 2nd place: $300, 3rd place $200, plus three honorable mentions $100 each. Award winners will be announced by mid-October. Since this is an online exhibition, there will be no size restrictions for paintings (big or small). Taking advantage of the on-line format of the exhibition, your painting does not need to be for sale and may be framed or not. When you apply, you will be asked to specify one of the following, which prospective buyers will be able to see:
If BWS is contacted regarding purchase of an artwork, BWS will provide the artist with contact information for the prospective buyer. All sales are to be completed by the artist. The artist will notify BWS if the painting is purchased, so it can be marked as sold on the online presentation. There is no gallery commission (yay!) but BWS requires payment of a 10% commission on all sales paid within 30 days of the sale. Sales tax is the responsibility of the artist. Sales inquiries received after March 1, 2027 will no longer require a 10% commission to BWS. Note that we won't be posting images on the Baltimore Art Billboard as was done in the previous Pigment to Pixels exhibition. And don’t forget to plan your submissions to the next Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition which will take place April-May 2027 at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia. CaFÉ will be open for Mid-Atlantic submissions (one or two submissions per artist) December 2026 through January 2027 (which is not that far off). Questions or comments are welcome, please contact sandford.jim@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org. |
Meet the Minds Behind the Magic: Introducing the BWS Mid-Atlantic Awards Committee As the Baltimore Watercolor Society (BWS) gears up for the highly anticipated 2027 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition—taking place in April and May 2027 at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia—there is an immense amount of preparation happening behind the scenes. An exhibition of this scale, which brings together the finest watermedia artists from across the region, relies on dedicated volunteers to ensure its success. Central to this effort is the Mid-Atlantic Awards Committee. This team is tasked with the critical responsibility of managing the exhibition’s prestigious award portfolio, celebrating artistic excellence, and honoring the incredible talent within our community. Get to know the three remarkable artists and visionaries who comprise this year's committee. |
| David Outhwaite David’s artistic journey began in his youth through early competitions, sparking a lifelong pursuit of creative exploration and technical mastery. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to pushing the boundaries of contemporary landscape painting, blending abstract elements with realism.What sets David’s work apart is his deep intellectual curiosity. He draws inspiration from concepts outside the traditional art world, including natural textures, satellite imagery, and subatomic theory. His concept-driven compositions beautifully examine the relationships between micro and macro scales, representing a continuous evolution of form, scale, and meaning. Email: davidouthwaite@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org | Website: davidouthwaite-watercolorpaintings.com |
Luis F. Perez Luis is an award-winning watercolorist who holds Signature memberships in both the Baltimore Watercolor Society (BWS) and the Delaware Watercolor Society (DWS). With over 25 years of experience teaching teens, adults, and seniors, Luis offers private lessons (both in-person and via Zoom) and professional portfolio critiques. Over the past five years, Luis’s art has evolved from straightforward animal graphite illustrations to large-format contemporary transparent watercolors spanning wildlife, landscapes, figures, and still lifes. He views his large-format paintings as a "conglomeration of thousands of minute abstract paintings"—spaces rich with vibrant hues, elusive grays, and ambiguous forms. Luis works in several distinct, deeply thoughtful series: ● The Food Series: A provocative exploration of what food represents socially and historically (e.g., examining how caviar was once considered cheap peasant food), inviting viewers to challenge their own convictions. ● Wildlife Art: Rendered in graphite, charcoal, white chalk, or colored pencil, Luis uses his art to give voice to animals' right to exist. Email: luisperez@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org | Website: luisfineart.com |
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| Rebecca RotheyRebecca brings a diverse, multi-disciplinary artistic background to the committee. She initially studied darkroom photography under Geoff Delanoy while completing her undergraduate degree in philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, Maryland. Photography served as a vital creative outlet, and since graduating in 2007, she has transitioned to digital image-making, heavily inspired by mid-20th-century French and American street photographers. Art runs in Rebecca's blood—her mother, an illustrator and watercolorist, was her first major artistic influence. In 2020, Rebecca returned to her childhood love of drawing and painting. She currently studies watercolor under Eric Wiegardt and Zina Polisuk. Her paintings have quickly gained regional and national acclaim: Hiram Rock was selected for the Rhode Island Watercolor Society’s 2024 National Watermedia Show, and Truchas Vista was featured in both the BWS 2024 Mid-Atlantic Exhibition and the RIWS 2025 National Watermedia Show. In addition to fine art, Rebecca keeps her sharp wit engaged by serving as the cartoonist for the professional journal Planned Giving Today. Email: rebeccarothey@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org | Website: bakerartist.org/portfolios/rebecca-rothey |
Looking Ahead to 2027
With a committee of such diverse talents—spanning museum design, scientific abstraction, master-level teaching, and street photography—the 2027 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Awards are in incredibly capable hands.
Keep an eye out for upcoming call-for-entry announcements later this year, and please join us in thanking David, Luis, and Rebecca for their vital service to our arts community!
2026 Signature Member Exhibits: Dates and Details The Signature Member summer exhibit, "Unmistakably Human," is on view at The Creative Alliance Gallery in Baltimore until September 26, 2026. Stay tuned for dates and details of the winter exhibit at the Delaplaine Gallery in Frederick, MD. Stay tuned for details! |
Signature Membership Jurying Continues through September Janet Arsenault Interested in Applying to be juried for Signature Membership? Registration period is August 1–October 3, 2026 Jurying will take place October 17, 2026. Nonmembers seeking information can find it on the home page under “Upcoming Events” by dragging down to open a listed subject with “jurying.” Associate members have been emailed a notification with a link to detailed information.
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BWS Seeks Student Members!
Do you know of a young art student who could benefit from joining the BWS?
If they are between the ages of 16 and 25 and are interested in art or are pursuing an art degree or certificate, they are eligible to join BWS for the discounted membership fee of only $20.
Benefits of student membership include: BWS social activities, programs, and workshops, plus receipt of the monthly newsletter. Students may also participate in those BWS exhibits that include student members.
Let’s encourage our student artists in their pursuit of the watercolor medium! We look forward to their participation and, as with all members, their fresh ideas on possible activities and directions for BWS.
Support BWS Sponsors
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In addition to donating towards a Mid-Atlantic award, Holbein has provided 15ml sample paint tubes as hand-outs/door prizes for BWS workshops. |
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American Frame Alliance Discount
The more members spend, the more BWS will receive in merchandise certificates to be used for a Mid-Atlantic Award.
Please be sure to log into American Frame to sign up.
STEP 1:
Before purchasing a frame at American Frame, each BWS member should go to the American Frame Alliance discount website at https://learn.americanframe.com/alliance-discount, register by filling out the form "Sign up to Receive your Discount," select Baltimore Watercolor Society in the drop-down list of “Arts Club or Organization” and press "submit."
STEP 2:
You will receive a reusable discount code as well as earn credit for your purchases for BWS. Be sure to check ‘Agree to Terms and Conditions.’ Once your American Frame account is linked to the Alliance Program, all of your orders will benefit BWS, even if you choose another discount to use for that order (e.g., free shipping).
If you are having trouble, American Frame’s phone number is 1-800-537-0944.
American Frame is a second-generation, woman-owned, family-run company, dedicated to serving artists like yourself since 1973. Our mission is to provide excellence in custom framing products, fine art printing and related services while advancing a socially responsible company that gives back to the arts. As such, we are proud to be counted among the list of donors to the BWS Mid-Atlantic Regional Exhibition. If you need design assistance or have questions about the website, we are here to help. We offer free samples, phone support, as well as face-to-face ‘zoom style’ consultations via our Virtual Showroom. Our goal is to serve you in the way that makes you most comfortable.
Upcoming Events
Note: The above Upcoming Events summary only displays the start date for each event. For full details please click on the event, or visit the Events page. Teach? Update Us Please Whether you’re teaching at a university or providing one-to-one tutorials, if BWS members can sign up to learn from you, we want to know what you’re doing. The Baltimore Watercolor Society has a list of members who teach on its website -- that’s a great resource. However, after introducing a “Teacher Tuesday” feature to BWS Facebook and Instagram, Social Media/Publicity Chair Lia Nigro discovered it’s not always easy to define what’s going on at the moment. “I’ve run through the list and profiled everyone where I could immediately find information on current classes. But I know there are more teachers out there!” BWS social media is a great way to get free publicity and reach new potential students, especially if your watercolor instruction goes beyond beginning levels. Want in? Just send a note to publicity@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org. Already profiled in a “Teacher Tuesday”? Don’t be shy about providing updates. We look forward to hearing from you. Member NewsBWS members may submit a 60-word announcement gratis to be listed under the heading “Member News,” along with one image related to the announcement. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month preceding publication date, and may be edited for length or clarity. Please e-mail your submissions to the Newsletter Editor at newsletter@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org. Be sure to include your phone number in case there are any questions about your announcement. Boxed-off featured ads are available for $25 and may include up to 100 words and one image. Contact the Newsletter Editor at newsletter@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org for details. Catherine Champion's watercolor painting, Belted Kingfisher in Late Winter with Bracket Fungi, has been selected for the 45th Annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, on view now through September 27, 2026 at View Arts Center in Old Forge, NY.
Al Steinbach's Getting Ready has been accepted in the annual juried Watercolor Society of North Carolina (WSNC) show. Because his work has been accepted in three of the organization’s annual shows, he has gained WSNC Signature Artist status.
Janet Hansen Martinet has a painting accepted in the 47th Annual Juried Exhibition of the Virginia Watercolor Society. The exhibition will be hosted by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond and will be held in the beautiful 21st Century Art Gallery. The show will be open from September 5th thru November 1st. All of the paintings were selected by juror Dr. Christopher Oliver, Associate Curator of American Art at the VMFA. Janet’s painting is titled Summer Flow.
J. M. Littleton's paintings were accepted into numerous exhibitions this summer: 3rd Annual International, Watercolor Goldenbrush France, June–July, J. M. was one of only eleven US artists accepted in Watercolor Art of Southern Africa (WASA) International, June–July. She was also had paintings in the North American Watercolor International Open, Los Angeles, CA, Oct–Nov. Fall classes open for enrollment, https://JMLittletonart.com
All images are the property of the artists and protected by copyright. No image can be used without the written permission of the artist.
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Membership
Welcome New Associates
Linda Baskerville, Annapolis, MD
Erica Breslau, Baltimore, MD
Renee DeBoer, Columbia, MD
DJ Feather, Annapolis, MD
Nancy Gant, Glen Arm, MD
Mark Geiger, Silver Spring, MD
Melissa Gryder, Arnold, MD
Kathleen Hayes, Columbia, MD
Eric Jacobson, Catonsville, MD
Sharmila Karmarkar, Ellicott City, MD
Patricia Matteo, Ellicott City, MD
Carol Poist, Church Hill, MD
Karen Starr, Stewartstown, PA
Marlene Twilley, Freeland, MD
In Memoriam
Mark Coffin, Columbia, MD
Other Art Organizations’ Events and Opportunities
The 93rd Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature
The exhibit, sponsored by the Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington DC, is held at the Strathmore Mansion in North Bethesda, MD. Deadline for submission is September 5, 2026. The exhibit runs from November 21, 2026–January 9, 2027. If you've never tried miniatures before, this is a great opportunity.
More information is available at the Society's web site, here.
| Learn about the Potomac Valley Watercolorists, one of our BWS Mid-Atlantic Sponsors of Awards. Perhaps you'll want to join them. Visit www.potomacvalleywatercolorists.org for more information. |
Board of Governors and Committee Chairs
Baltimore Watercolor Society, a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
info@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
newsletter@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
publicity@baltimorewatercolorsociety.org
President: Jennifer Kohn Murtha
Vice President: Matt Fenton
Secretary: Janet Hansen Martinet
Treasurer: April Rimpo
Mid-Atlantic Exhibit: Jim Sandford
Mid-Atlantic Awards: Janet Freeman
Workshops/Programs: Yogini Dahiwadkar
Webmaster: Robert Coe
Newsletter Editor: Kia Penso
Archivist: Karen Norman
Volunteer Recruiter/Protocol: Sharon Green
Membership Database: Janice Hendra
Membership Jurying: Janet Arsenault
Exhibits: David Drown
Publicity/Social Media: Lia Nigro