SHOWS IN OHIO AND INDIANA

My painting "Red Swirls" has been accepted into the WSI Annual Juried Exhibit, held at Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields), 4000 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208.  August 5, 2022-September 24, 2022.  Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony August 7, 2022 at 2 p.m.

My painting "Sayonara Nick" has been accepted into Watercolor Ohio 2022 at the Riffe Gallery, 77 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215.  The show will run July 30 - October 7, 2022.  Opening reception held on July 30 starting at 1 p.m.

WSI Exhibit at Whitewater Valley Arts Association Gallery

My painting "Spring Tea" will be hanging at the current WSI exhibit as indicated below.

WSI Exhibit at Whitewater Valley Arts Association Gallery

402 Central Ave., Connersville, IN 47331

Opening Reception

Everyone is encouraged to attend the free Opening Reception on Fri, April 8, 2022, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Gallery in Connersville. Complimentary refreshments will be served. Guests are welcome.

Visiting the Show through May 5, 2022 – Gallery Hours.

Thursdays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Fridays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

For more information on the Gallery, visit http://wvartsa.comor more information on the Gallery, visit http://wvartsa.com

WORKSHOPS

Two workshops are offered in August, 2019.

Painting a Watercolor Still Life with Silver
Deb Ward, GWS, OWS, PWS, WSI
August 9-10, 2019    10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  (Friday and Saturday)
$125

About the Workshop

This workshop is open to all levels.  Using drawing provided, students will paint a still life that includes silver objects.

Deb will discuss and demonstrate how to paint the various elements of a still life including set ups, composition, paints, use of color, mixing paints and various techniques of classic transparent watercolor.  We will be using a limited palette for this workshop.

Each participant will have the opportunity to create a finished painting with on-going critique and assistance from the instructor

Drawing and directions will be mailed when your registration is received.

Bring a sack lunch and beverage.  Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided.

Painting a Watercolor Still Life with Stripes and Roses
Deb Ward, GWS, OWS, PWS, WSI
August 16-17, 2019    10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  (Friday and Saturday)
$125

About the Workshop

This workshop is open to all levels.  Using drawing provided, students will paint a still life with lots of undulating stripes (what fun!) and roses.

Deb will discuss and demonstrate how to paint the various elements of a still life including set ups, composition, paints, use of color, mixing paints and various techniques of classic transparent watercolor. 

Each participant will have the opportunity to create a finished painting with on-going critique and assistance from the instructor

Drawing and directions will be mailed when your registration is received.

Bring a sack lunch and beverage.  Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided.

About the Artist

In the mid-1990’s Deb reignited her early love of art by studying watercolor.  She now also works with fluid acrylics.  Deb began teaching watercolor in 2004 and holds weekly classes in her home, seasonal classes for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and workshops throughout the year.   Her work has been recognized in local, state and national shows, national publications and books (see list below).  Deb holds signature status in four state art societies.  In addition, Deb has chaired ViewPoint, a national multimedia art competition, and is a past president of Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society where she remains an active member. 

Deb is a Signature Member of Georgia Watercolor Society, Ohio Watercolor Society, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and Watercolor Society of Indiana.

Artist Statement for Deb Ward

Teaching watercolor to adult students is my passion!  Most have been waiting a long time to rekindle their lost love of art just as I did, and I take pleasure in watching them excel.

The luminosity of water media and the way colors mingle on the paper are what drew me to the mediums of watercolor and fluid acrylic.  My favorite ways to paint are by glazing (layering of colors) or by dropping color onto very wet paper, then spattering or dripping paint and salt to create texture in the original wash layer.  I love color and strive for striking, sunlit images in most of my work.  I enjoy working in a "series" of similar subjects or ideas, in a realistic manner.  My subject matter rarely involves a figure, but often implies the human element. 

“With few exceptions, when you see my work you know exactly what you are looking at”.

Deb Ward

Email:  debwardart@gmail.com

Blog:  http://debwardart.blogspot.com

1165 Chappelow Ridge Road

West Harrison, IN  47060

812-637-3090

PUBLICATIONS

2016

AcrylicWorks 3: Celebrating Texture (Pub. 2016) – “Peekaboo Bear”

2015

Acrylic Artist (Summer 2015) – “Poured Yupo Peony”

AcrylicWorks 2: Radical Breakthroughs (Pub. 2015) – “Poured Yupo Peony”

The Artist’s Magazine 31^st All Media Competition:  Winner, Watercolor Division, July/August 2015 Issue – “Japanese Tea”

The Artist’s Magazine Over 60 Competition – Finalist – “Ying Yang Mums” listed in March 2015 issue

2014

 The Artistic Touch 6

The Artist’s Magazine 31^st Annual Art Competition: Still Life/Interior – Finalist - “Oriental Roses” (Acrylic), “Yin Yang Mums” (Watercolor) – December 2014 Issue

AcrylicWorks: The Best of Acrylic Painting, FW Publications – “Oriental Roses”

Watercolor Artist Magazine, 5^th Annual Watermedia Showcase – 4^th Place, April, 2014 Issue

2009 

Best of America Watermedia Artists, Vol. II, Kennedy Publishing, 2009

WIP - PEONIES FINAL

Following the last post of this one, I keep looking at it and had it critiqued by my painting friends.  Then I added deeper values, then some turquoise around the outside edges and faded it out. 

This began as a class project and was never intended as a finalized painting. 

At some point you just gotta say "done"!

WIP - Peonies!

The centers are added, as well as a couple stems and light pink-ish wash in the background.

Can't decide if this one is finished or not.

What do you think??

WIP - Peonies!

Gradually layering the colors on the peonies.

WIP - Peonies!

Peonies again!

This is on Arches hot press.  The paint blossomed in some areas, but I like that since this is an organic subject.

WIP - Veggie Stiff Life

This little still life was done with a student.

First - which I did not take a photo of - we added a very light layer of raw sienna on garlic, light yellow on tomato and squash.

Second - we added more color to the veggies - as seen here.

Last - we added additional layers in detail on each veggie, shadows and the blue stripes on the dish towel

This was an exercise in painting a little looser; not all of the details were added, nor as much time expended.

I think it turned out as a cute little still life.

We each used a watercolor board - mine was Arches, his was Canson.  We both felt the Arches performed better - it was easier to blend and also  lifted better.

Comments Appreciated

Well . . . .

It seems I have forgotten to read my comments - so have just published some old ones.

I will blame this on any one, or all, of the following:
1.  I'm Old and getting Forgetful.
2.  I'm a new grandmother.
3.  I've been crocheting like a fiend.
4.  I've been preparing for classes.
5.  Just got a laptop - finally! - and trying to figure it out.
6.  It's winter and I'm hibernating
7.  I'm Old and getting Forgetful.

Note to Constance - - - go to AllFreeCrochet.  There you will find that a whole world of crochet awaits you!  Sorry it took me so long to reply (see above excuses).  Good luck.

FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Almost finished.  I will reassess shadows and decide where I need more darks.

FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Beginning the apples, and some of the reflected colors on the strainer.  Obviously some work done on the lace.

FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Following the grapes . . . 

. . . then the lemon.

The painting after several layers on grapes and lemon.

FRUIT ON STEAMER BASKET

Gotta start somewhere, so how about beginning with grapes . . . 

Layering (glazing)  up gradually.

Welcome to the New Year! - WIP - Fruit on steamer basket

Finally getting back onto the blog.  Have not painted as much in 2017 - but will try to do better in 2018!

Here is a the beginning painting of fruit on my steamer basket; lots of patterning which I love.

Traced out and ready to start.

First thing, as usual, wet the paper and splash in some red, yellow and blue.  I’m using 300# Arches.

THURSDAY WIP

After removing the miskit and scrubbing in a few spots, I think the painting is finished.

Fiesta, 22x30, Watercolor, Arches 300# CP

THURSDAY WIP

Remember that teal blue bowl in the center of the page from the prior post?  Note that it is now cobalt blue.  Since I wasn't sure, when starting, what color that bowl should be, I began with a light glaze of the cobalt teal, ensuring that I could easily change colors if necessary.  

This was an easy fix - some are harder - but you CAN make changes in watercolor, contrary to what you have probably been told!

There are several glazes of color on the dinnerware.  I deepened some of the shadows on the dinnerware and then it was time for the shadows on the background.

The shadows were added, making sure that I used just a touch of the color of each saucer and cup in the shadow.  Then I "lived with it" for a while before deciding if it was finished.

There are still some small bits of miskit on the painting at this point - something which I had forgotten about.  Having been on for so long, some of the miskit was difficult to pull off - to be honest, some may still be on there!  In a few spots I used an Xacto knife to cut off the miskit.

THURSDAY WIP

My next project was started during my annual art retreat back in June.  The subject is fiestaware (at least I think that's what it is) and the photo was taken during a visit to the local antique mall/outdoor show that occurs from May - October at the local antique fair.  The simple arrangement and colors are what attracted me - so I decided early on that there will be no background.

The dinnerware was drawn onto a full sheet of Arches 300# w/c paper and then I began glazing the colors.  

The first photo was taken after the painting was underway - apparently, once again, I forgot to take photos as I went along!  Well, this time who can blame me - it was, after all, our annual art retreat so there was talking, laughter, show and tell, gift giving, eating and - oh yes - a little painting, too!  In other words, I was too busy to "work"!

I began glazing the colors and you will note that the small bowl in the center, below the tan bowl, is cobalt teal.  Remember this . . . .

 I couldn't decide what color to make that front cup and saucer, but finally opted for cobalt blue and french ultramarine.

ART RETREAT 4

I made some scarves (with a slightly modified pattern).  Again, I chose a color that reminded me of each of them and my friends all agreed that the scarf they received was truly "their color".

Last, but certainly not least, came the gift I was most excited about.

My son does wonderful woodworking so I asked him to make these beautiful trays for me to give as gifts.  The bonus was that he made one for me - free of charge!

Once again, the time passed too quickly, but we chose our dates for next year and will all look forward to our time together then.

RETREAT TIME 3

Here are a couple more treats for my friends.

I found the cute pattern for cup shaped coasters, and then had to make "saucers" also.  I assigned a color to each friend!  Now they have 8 coasters!

Then I couldn't find boxes to fit the coasters, so I made some myself from watercolor paper!  You can see one box with the coasters nestled inside (below).  Originally I tried to make origami boxes, but got my measurements off, so that was a complete disaster.

I then cut simple boxes and taped them together.  Well, you can't have plain white boxes, now, can you??  So then I decoupaged initials and something that made me think of each of them.  Maybe they will use those boxes to store the coasters and think of me this year!

Then, to keep with my original origami idea, I make some little origami cranes.

If you are able to make them without watching the YouTube video - you are a total genius in my book!

ART RETREAT 2

Of course presents were exchanged.

Since I have been heavily into crochet, most of mine were crocheted objects, but not all.

Here are baskets I made - different sizes and shapes - one for each of my friends.  Some began using the baskets right away - filling them with pastel pencils or pens - or their drink glass!  I told my friends to use them until they "dissolve"!  I'm still new at this and not sure I always finish off the way I'm supposed to.

Another gift was a neat journal I found last year just after that retreat.  I'm just proud of myself that I was able to keep track of them and not lose them over the course of the year!  The one below is one I kept for myself; the others all had different designs.  These are nice because they have a zipper where you can store your pens.