Aqueous 2024
THE 47TH NATIONAL EXHIBITION
Celebrating 47 years of awarding the talents of national artists
kmac · kentucky museum of arts & crafts
715 West Main Street | Louisville, KY 40202
November 15, 2024 - January 26, 2025
Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm | Monday CLOSED
KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY GOLD AWARD
KWS PRIZE $1,500 CASH
Chris Misencik-Bunn
“Candy Rush”
$6,000, 28x22
DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT
The 47th Annual Kentucky Watercolor Society Exhibition, “Aqueous USA 2024,” presents a stunning and varied collection of the finest watercolor paintings from across the United States, exhibited within the distinguished walls of the KMAC Contemporary Art Museum. Each work invites viewers to experience unique narratives through the power of creative expression.
We are privileged to have David R Becker as this year’s juror. A TWSA Artist, Illustrator, and Art Instructor, Becker studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago before working with notable advertising agencies such as J. Walter Thompson and Foote, Cone & Belding. He has since authored several books, taught nationwide, and earned numerous prestigious awards, including signature status with the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. We are deeply appreciative of his discerning selections for this year’s exhibition, as well as his insightful evaluations of the award-winning pieces.
The Kentucky Watercolor Society extends its heartfelt gratitude to our participating artists, sponsors, members, board, and the dedicated Aqueous committee. Special thanks to Joey and the KMAC staff for their collaboration and warm hospitality.
It is with sincere enthusiasm that we celebrate watercolor painting, our cherished medium, and we look forward to fostering its legacy. Let us continue to create and inspire!
Peggy Charmoli and Connie Tucker
Co-Directors, Aqueous USA 2024
JUROR’S STATEMENT
As the juror for this year’s Kentucky Watercolor Society exhibition, I am thrilled to have selected 60 exceptional works from hundreds of submissions. This process was challenging and inspiring, highlighting the remarkable talent within this group of artists who submitted works.
My selections were chosen by originality, technical skill, and emotional impact. There were so many beautiful paintings making it very difficult to choose only 60. I am always amazed at how many different styles and techniques can be created from this medium of watercolor.
Thank you to all the participating artists for sharing your creativity. I encourage everyone to explore the exhibition and connect with the beautiful watercolor paintings on display. Congratulations to all the selected artists!
David R. Becker
KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY SILVER AWARD
KWS PRIZE $1000 CASH
Charles Frances
“Door Dash”
$1,500, 25x31
KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY BRONZE AWARD
KWS PRIZE $750 CASH
Ken Call
“Que Dios te Bendiga!”
$5,000, 40x32
Malcolm b. bird award
$1000 CASH PRIZE
Z.L. Feng
“Mother & Child”
$3,500, 32x40
kentucky SIGNATURE award
$500 CASH PRIZE
Mark Bird
“Across Ullswater”
$6,000, 35.5x28.
KENTUCKY ARTIST AWARD
$500 CASH PRIZE
Stephen Kuhlman
“Dock #7”
$5,500, 30x38
JOHN AND DAWN KELSEY FAMILY AWARD
$500 CASH PRIZE
Erika McCoy
“Reflection”
$1,800, 24x28
FLEUR DE BLEU CREATIONS LLC -
MIDWAY AWARD
$500 CASH PRIZE
Mary Spellings
“Maintenance Required”
$1,500, 28x36
M. GRAHAM & CO. AWARD
$300 GIFT CARD
Chris Krupinski
“Bird’s Eye View II”
$5,000, 39x31
BLICK ART MATERIALS AWARD
$500 CASH PRIZE
Jackie Dorsey
“Pop Art”
$1,800, 31x37
HK HOLBEIN, INC. AWARD
$300 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Jennifer Sowders
“If I Had Hair…”
$2,000, 30.5x24.5
JACK RICHESON AWARD PRESTON ART CENTER AWARD
$275 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Susan Stuller
“When Time Flies”
$725, 20x26
PRESTON ART CENTER AWARD
$250 GIFT CARD AND MERCHANDISE AWARD
Rebecca Krutsinger
“Diamond”
$800, 24x18
GOLDEN ARTIST COLORS AWARD
MERCHANDISE AWARD $250
Kea Thompson
“Eureka Springs Rail”
$1,500, 22x28
JIM “SCOTTY” McARTHUR AWARD
JACK RICHESON & CO. AWARD
$225 CASH AND MERCHANDISE AWARD
J. Anna Roberts
“New York Reflections”
$2,500, 25.5x23.5
ROYAL & LANGNICKLE BRUSH CO. AWARD
$200 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Thomas Schroeder
“Birds of a Feather”
$2,200, 32x39
HAHNEMULEHLE AWARD
$200 GIFT CARD AWARD
Benjamin Nay III
“Abandoned #8, Version #2”
$760, 16x20
DR. and MRS. MAYNARD STETTEN AWARD
KWS Cash Award $200
Trish Poupard
“Pigtails & Snowflakes”
$950, 30x26
ARMADILLO ARTS & CRAFTS MERCHANDISE AWARD
KWS Cash Award $50
Keith Shebesta
“One For The Money”
NFS, 30x38
CLAUDIA M. GEORGE MEMORIAL AWARD
$500 Cash Award
Manish Rajguru
“Hello Spring”
$1,000, 18x24
Mixed Messages
by Gary Brooks
28×33.5
NFS
Sunny Sully At Attention
by Gina Judy
34 x 25.75
NFS
Travis
by Steven Clay
24.5 x 33.5
NFS
A Walk In The Park
by Sandra Carpenter
17×21
$800
No Vacancy
by Lana Cease
25×37
$2,700
Colors of Currituck
by Marcia Hartsock
16×19
$400
Autumn Treasure
by Cathy Hillegas
21×25
$1,100
Subtle Takeover
by Robert Klausing
27.5 x 21.5
$850
Letters To Remember-Orange Repeat
by John James
20×24
$1,100
Early Spring Slippery Elm, Masonic Home
by Gretchen Treitz
38×26
$1,500
Suzanna - Crucian Carnival Series XIII
by Michele Tabor Kimbrough
22×18
$950
Tree Whisperers
by Lynne Kroll
28 x 36
$1,200
A Little Red Pony on McDonald Mountain
by Rhonda McEnroe
17.25 x 21
$2,400
The World Below
by Ken Buck
35 x 27.5
$3,500
Old Fashion Explosion
by Marian O’Shaughnessy
36 x 28
$995
It’s a Parade!
by Patricia Huffman
21×20
NFS
Ginseng and Red Salamander
by Pat Banks
20 x 16
$475
Backyard Barbeque
by Marilyn Deming
16×20
NFS
Country Troubadour
by William McKeown
22×30
$1,000
Restoration Painter
by Sue Hinkebein
27×20
$950
Copper With Coleus
by Michelle Vance
27×19.75
$800
Still Crazy (Antelope Canyon)
by Beth Shadur
18.375 x 16.25
$850
Atmospheric Conditions
by Jacque Camp
31.5 x 29
NFS
Waiting Game
by Wyn Ericson
24×30
$675
Self Portrait
by Michael Maxson
19.5 x 23.5
NFS
Inside Out
by Kathryn Wedge
28×22
$1,200
Castle and Key
by Susan Christensen
25 x 23
$1,100
The Plaintive Robin
by Vivian Ripley
16×20
$900
The Blacksmith Apprentice
by MaryLou Andrews
27×39
$2,000
Men of the City 1940s
by Tom Poole
20×16
$295
Out of the Darkness
by Annie Strack
16 x 20
$595
Kentucky Vintage
by Jo Burchett
16 x 23
NFS
Artilleryman III
by Don Taylor
29×23
$1,195
Hard Candy
by Connie Tucker
26 x 32
$1,250
Afternoon Tea
by Sherrie Graham-Greene
36 x 28
NFS
Flamingo
by Jane Fritz
28.5 x 21.5
$900
Left To Chance
by Charles Jolly
20 x 26
$1,200
Safe and Secure
by Tuva Stephens
36 x 28
$1,200
Here’s Lookin’ At You
by Alexis Lavine
22×26
$1,750
The Magic of Dandelions
by Malinda Sieg
21×29
NFS