Utah Watercolor Society's 2021 Spring Open Exhibition is held in conjunction with the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies exhibition.
Juror: Sarah Yeoman

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This exhibit is on display in the Celebration Gallery at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center from May 6 - June 23, 2021.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the artworks in this exhibition, visit the exhibition's web gallery on ArtCall.

BEST IN SHOW
When spring came, there were no problems except where to be happiest
by Michelle Nixon

"The title of this piece originates from a quote from Ernest Hemingway's 'A Moveable Feast." It has to do with soft and quiet moments that help realize life's meanings -- moments like good literature, warm light, or a cup of tea."

16" x 12"
For sale: $385

1ST PLACE
​Tradition from Taos by Nathan Harrison

24" x 18"
For sale: $1,000

2ND PLACE
Via Lactea by Stephen Henry

"This is my interpretation of the night sky in the Capitol Reef area of Utah."

30" x 22"
For sale: $2,640

3RD PLACE
​Champagne Theater by Jodie West

"Scenic byway 12 through Henriville, Utah boasts magnificent red rock cliffs along with champagne hues."

12" x 16"
For sale: $850

JUROR AWARD
BC by Kristi Grussendorf

"2020 has been a strange and challenging year. In many ways it has been quite revealing, as well. Before COVID, we went about our days without noticing SO many things. Some were as small as simple touch and others, much larger, have been here since the beginning - so imbedded in our daily lives that they went unnoticed. But, once seen, hopefully they will never be "unseen" again."

19" x 18"
For sale: $1,400

HONORABLE MENTION
Slot Canyon #2 by Kristi Grussendorf

14" x 10"
For sale: $600

HONORABLE MENTION
Friendly Reminder by Carl Purcell

"I was attracted to the bold shadow pattern on a settling tank at an abandoned mine in Nevada. I spent many hours around old mines in Arizona when I was a youth."

22" x 14"
For sale: $1,950

HONORABLE MENTION
Guardsman Pass by Morgan McCue

"I discovered Guardsman Pass and it was breathtaking this past summer. I wanted to capture the awe I had then by using a flat wash to help convey the depth of field in a mountain landscape. This 2021 piece is part of a new series of work inspired simply by the crispness of the light that shines on everything in Park City."

20" x 28"
For sale: $1,200

MERCHANT AWARD
Garlic by Cheryl Sachse

"I had planned on throwing this garlic away but found the color from the mold intriguing so used it as a subject matter to paint. It was placed on my metal grill outside to optimize the light."

11" x 14"
For sale: $495

MERCHANT AWARD
Bryce - A Connection Afar with Mars by Jeanne Hansen

14.5" x 20.5"
For sale: $480

Big Horn Sheep by Gayle Allen

"This is painted on 300 pound cold press watercolor paper. I took this picture of this Big Horn Sheep coming towards me. I was in my car and I couldn't roll up my window fast enough."

13" x 17"
For sale: $550

Bullfrog Bay by Diana Asay

"We were able to go to Lake Powell again in September 2020. While the rest of the world it seems altered so because of COVID there are some places that seem eternal."

9" x 12"
For sale: $695

Lake Pastarolé by Shirley Bailey

14" x 24" 
For sale: $1,000

The Potters Craft by Brenda Brunello

"This painting is my take on students pottery at a Snow College Exhibition. I was particularly intrigued with the teal color of all of the potter pieces."

12" x 18"
For sale: $450

Coming Home by Marsha Dennis

14" x 18"
For sale: $600

After the Burn by Juanita Denton

"We took a trip to Montana and while driving along the mountain highway, I spotted this beautiful tree. It had scars from the burn. It still stood and had lots of new growth all over the area. I see it as a testament that nature always wins."

14" x 11"
For sale: $1,100

Lunch with the Kids by Vaughn Emett

"Antelope Island, so near the crowded, bustling Wasatch Front metropolis, can seem like a return to the pristine. A bison family grazes a field of golden grass among the Island's rolling hills."

9" x 13"
For sale: $150

Millcreek Pageant by Vaughn Emett

"Fall in Millcreek Canyon is like a beauty pageant. Each bend in the road offers a new candidate for the most beautiful scene in the land."

13" x 9"
For sale: $150

Drew by Kim Gordon

12" x 9.5"
For sale: $300

Pink Peonies by Kim Gordon

15.5" x 11.5"
For sale: $300

Reflections by Nan Gray

"While bicycling through the village of DeRijp in The Netherlands, I noticed a lovely patio outside of a little café. We stopped for an al fresco lunch and I photographed the moment. Revisiting that moment this winter by creating a painting of our table and the reflections of our group dining seemed to be the perfect way to take a vacation at a time when international travel was prohibited. We needed to restrict our travels in 2020, but we never need to restrict our creative spirit."

14" x 11"
For sale: $430

Zion! by Melody Greenlief

"I have been drawn to paint Zions Canyon over and over again lately. I find that I'm really attracted to the light on the red rocks and the vibrant colors. I'm interested in getting textures and the feeling of distance in my paintings."

14" x 18"
For sale: $395

Signs, Uniforms & Labels #2 by Kristi Grussendorf

"From the very beginning, children learn to sort and group. Here in Utah, two young men in white shirts and tie can easily be identified as belonging to a certain religious group (likewise, there's a specific uniform for all attending "conference"). Even when I'm far from home, I notice these uniforms and it brings up all kinds of questions for me regarding how we sort and label people. How much is necessary and when does it become dangerous?"

17" x 25"
For sale: $1,700

Arches National Park in Winter by Dewey Hansen

"I love the colors of red rock against the blue and white of the skies."

11" x 15"
For sale: $300

Empire Peak by Jeanne Hansen

30" x 22"
For sale: $1,000

Lisbon Valley by Maggie Harrison

16" x 21"
For sale: $750

Bitter Water Maiden by Maggie Harrison

16" x 21.5"
For sale: $750

Mindfulness by Nathan Harrison

18" x 24"
For sale: $1,000

Horse with No Name by Nathan Harrison

18" x 24" 
For sale: $1,100

Coats of Many Colors by Laurel Hart

21" x 14"
For sale: $600

Red Lanterns by Laurel Hart

21" x 14"
For sale: $600

Creek in the Reef by Stephen Henry

"The afternoon light on the water flowing through Capitol Reef is a delight for me!"

30" x 22"
For sale: $2,640

Half Draft, All Heart by Stephen Henry

"This was a working horse I met on a ranch in Cokeville, Wyoming. He was actually carrying a tiny cowboy that day, not much more than 8 years old. The stirrups of the saddle he wore did not fall below the point of his shoulders. Although a brute in size, he had a heart of gold and a gentle nature to match..."

15" x 22"
For sale: $350

Winter Hope by Julie Ickes

"2020 has been a difficult winter for the world. But grateful I could still appreciate the beauty of the earth and could express it through art during isolation."

11" x 14.5"
For sale: $650

Yellowstone by James Johnson

13" x 19"
For sale: $650

Toledo Gates by James Johnson

13" x 19"
For sale: $650

Oasis by Lola Kartchner

20" x 27"
For sale: $2,000

Going Bananas by Barbara Kidd

"2020 was a tough year! And, that is certainly an understatement. as we were turning the corner on getting this pandemic under control, my husband and I had the opportunity to spend 10 days in Maui. It was marvelous, to say the least. Among other things, we enjoyed our morning walks through the resorts and local neighborhoods. The flowers and foliage sparkled with sunlight and filled my soul with a forgotten sense of peace. The banana trees always made me feel hopeful as they reminded me of just how bunched up we've been, but happier days lie ahead. Hopefully "going Bananas" marks the end of this pandemic and the beginning of new beginnings."

22" x 14.5"
For sale: $600

Sticky Fingers by Angela Kotter

"Inspired by the Sweet Shop across the street from the Ronald McDonald house in Manhattan. We were there for medical treatment and that little shop with its bright colors was a happy, cheerful place. :)"

27" x 15"
For sale: $1,000

Pioneer Annie by Angela Kotter

16.5" x 13.5"
For sale: $299

Reflection on a Memory by Mariko Kowalski

"One day, we visited a mountain stream at Sundance, and my children were chatting by the water. The sunlight shone on my daughter's arm and reflected their hands in the water. It was such a peaceful and beautiful moment. I wanted to depict the beauty of that scene from simpler times with the memory of my children."

20" x 25"
For sale: $2,400

Another Torrey Sunrise, Provided by God by Yvonne Krause

"I tried to capture the almost granular, mottled effect the very early morning light seemed to have on this location. The intial colored sketches for this painting were done during a plein air trip to Torrey this past year."

10.5" x 14"
For sale: $300

Two Hens and a Drake by Bradley Dropp

11" x 15"
For sale: $850

Saguaro Grove by Bradley Kropp

11" x15"
For sale: $600

Mornings Bounty by Alisa Laporte

"I love getting farm fresh eggs with all the colors and love the way the light would shine on them in the mornings, I just had to capture the light and feeling, the rough texture of the cloth with the smooth roundness of the eggs."

12" x 12"
For sale: $450

Great Blue Heron by Rachelle Levingston

"Painting this Great Blue Heron was a stretch for me. First, I wanted the grass to be loose and not overworked. Second, I was painting larger than I normally do. Third, watercolors are somewhat unpredictable. I painted the grass first so if I hated it, I could just restart on a fresh paper. And to my surprise, the grass went better than I anticipated...I moved onto the bird. After a few hours, I was pleased and ready to work the background. And that's when it got ugly. I spent the next two days correcting mistake after mistake. Usually I can layer paint on top of paint, if the first layer is completely dry. Well this time, each time I tried to add a layer, the new paint would life and leave lines. Hours later...I finally got the background to a place where I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. And that's a place I'm OK to be after having such a struggle. Then I wanted to put a little light by the beak and head with sandpaper. I lifted more...too much. So I went back into the circle of layering paint, and trying to get the background smoother once again. I finally called it done. Although, I took the longest route possible to et there, this is often the process for me - in life and painting."

16" x 20"
For sale: $750

Painting a Horse by Wali Lewis

12" x 16"
For sale: $300

Only Child by Sue Martin

"I was an only child for the first six years of my life. When I was about 5, I had a black cocker spaniel named Blackie. I loved that dog more than I can possibly describe. It was killed chasing cars on the highway in front of my grandparents' house. I prayed and begged for another dog throughout my childhood but my prayers were never answered. I wanted this painting to have a dreamy quality and to remain somewhat abstracted, leaving some mystery for the viewer to resolve."

14" x 14"
For sale: $1,025

Where the Dogs Are by Sue Martin

"This painting is part of an ongoing series about dogs and their humans. Ever since I became co-owner of my sister's dogs, I've been fascinated by the interactions between dogs and dogs, and owners and owners. It can create beautiful relationships or animosity. I used watercolor, acrylic and water soluble crayon for this piece, working on shapes, line, and color and keeping it playful rather than too realistic."

13.5" x 20"
For sale: $1,095

Peas and Carrots by Sherry Meidell

"This man was walking past a nice restaurant in London which advertised oysters and champagne. I assumed he was heading home  for some peas and carrots. Both the man sitting in the outdoor part of the restaurant and the man walking by with the help of his cane are both unaware of each other. I love the way the light hits the man in the foreground and the man in the background fades into the shadows. I love catching snippets of life."

20.5" x 13.5"
For sale: $1,000

Guardian Angels by LaDonna Moore

"I am drawn to the idea of Guardian Angels in troubled times."

11" x 14"
For sale: $550

Entangled by Maura Naughton

"I love the way the environment has entangled the figure. My husband was diagnosed with cancer and I think of this work as an analogy for the cancer invading his body."

22"x 22"
For sale: $650

The Conversation, Boots and Bike by Ruth Nichols

"What would an old work boot and a vintage Harley have to say to each other? One is the epitome of service. Shielding the rancher from harsh elements, snake bites and desert thorns. The other? A symbol of the "wind in your hair" freedom of the open road. It would be an interesting conversation."

22" x 30"
For sale: $1,800

Cheering by Lucy Beale Partridge

14" x 11"
For sale: $295

NYC Night Rain by Roxane Pfister

"Walking in the rain at night in NYC. It seems the whole world is there."

20" x 14"
For sale: $500

Basque Children Dance by Roxane Pfister

"At a Basque festival, watching the kids dancing is a thrill! Their love of life, their heritage, and their energy is hypnotic. This is what I hoped to capture in this watercolor."

18" x 21"
For sale: $600

The Soothsayer by Roxane Pfister

"He roams the bush of back-country Brazil telling fortunes and giving comfort to the locals."

14" x 19"
For sale: $500

Antique Holly Hocks by Mary Pusey

"While vacationing on Vancouver Island, I took many pictures of flowers. This one caught my attention because it was facing to the side, and I left it that way."

18" x 14"
For sale: $650

I Don't Want to Get Out of the Water! by Mary Pusey

"Visiting the Oregon coast, our Harley group visited Haceta Head, and while some of them went to see the lighthouse (I had seen it), I took pics of people on the beach. This painting was put together from many pics, just choosing what I wanted to say."

11" x 14"
For sale: $350

It's Never That Easy by Irene Rampton

"My art is predominately about presenting the face and torso of women, using expression, gesture, and personality, to inspire sentiment and memories for the viewer. I enjoy using both watercolor and gouache for their variations of transparency and opacity. For the painting, It's Never That Easy, my intention was to produce an image of a woman who was contemplating what her next move would be."

10" x 18"
For sale: $600

Summer Blossom by Cheryl Sachse

"I was trying something different on glass by trying to paint a vase with multiple colors and shapes. The Lily was a flower a friend sent me a picture of and I thought the two were perfect for each other."

11" x 15"
For sale: $595

Lake Powell Afternoon by Sandy Sleeper

"The red rock of the Lake Powell area has such an energy that I'm still trying to capture in my paintings."

14" x 20"
For sale: $650

Warm Canyon Color by Sandy Sleeper

12" x 16"
For sale: $625

Walla Walla Yacht Club by Brain Thayne

"I saw this scene while driving along the Columbia River just outside of Walla Walla Washington, just had to stop and take a bunch of pictures and a quick mood sketch."

14" x 21"
For sale: $975

Old Midway by Brian Thayne

"Scenes like this are disappearing fast. This place is now a new subdivision."

11" x 14"
For sale: $500

Driving the Team by Brian Thayne

"This is something you don't see everyday! I saw this man using a horse-drawn manure spreader below my home in Midway, Utah and I had to run home and grab my camera. What fun!"

11" x 14"
For sale: $600

January Thaw by Emily Thomas

"This is the beautiful CB house in Midway. It is owned by an amazing 96 year old named June who still loves alone and takes care of herself. I loved the interplay of the cool and warm tones in the painting. I am hopeful that June is healthy and looking forward to spring."

12" x 12"
For sale: $495

Unknown Destinations by Emily Thomas

"This piece is painted from a photo I took while traveling Europe several years ago. I loved the architecture of the train station and the scale of the figures and how the light almost made them disappear on the outer edges. This past year has forced us all to reevaluate our priorities, maintain our distance from one another and put our travel plans on hold. The figures in this piece are all moving in different directions to unknown destinations. I believe we all feel a little like this after the lockdown. Unsure of the what the future holds, what our ultimate destination may be and yet hopeful..."

16" x 20"
For sale: $795

A Favorite Memory by Emily Thomas

"I vividly remember standing on this sidewalk, so excited to walk down this flower lined street in Maui. Looking back I should have been more grateful for the freedom to travel, to be mask free in the sunshine, to spend time with friends and family without the constant worry about spreading COVID. It is definitely a favorite memory."

12" x 12"
For sale: $495

Together Again by Tina Vigos

"As I painted this scene, I began to imagine two friends at peace after a day's work enjoying gently bobbing on the water together in the misty light, dreaming of days to come. Watercolor is the loveliest medium where we ask it to create with us. My paintings are always better for its input to the creative process!"

19" x 23"
For sale: $550

Bathtime by Tina Vigos

"While working in the garden, robins have a habit of following me in hopes of catcing a wiggly treat. And, in the spring when there are showers, the puddle parade begins as robins line up to splash and drink and congregate. I smiled many times while painting this scene because it made me remember sitting with my dad watching Bathtime begin!"

19" x 23"
For sale: $550

Golden Dreams - Bodie, CA by Tina Vigos

"What would it have been like to belong to a pioneer family during the gold rush? Bodie, CA is a remnant of this past. I couldn't help putting myself in the place of the family that must have moved west in this wagon hoping and dreaming of a good life together in a new frontier. I love the contrast of shapes in this scene with the wagon's wheels so prominent against the sharp lines of perspective in the buildings behind it."

19" x 23"
For sale: $550

Kingfisher by Jodie West

"With intentions to create movement, my painting of the Kingfisher's daily routine is conveyed with reflection, light and the wet splash in action."

9" x 12"
For sale: $650

Departure by Jodie West

16" x 22"
For sale: $1,200

Delicate Light by Andrea White

16" x 12"
For sale: $480

Save the Monarchy by Andrea White

12" x 9"
For sale: $260

Poppies by Gail Wilhelmsen

16" x 14"
For sale: $750

Energy in the City of Seven by Aaron Wolcott

"We reach to heaven and employ even the Sun in our realization of the harmony of seven. Painted from imagination with mineral pigments."

10" x 22"
For sale: $600

Start Flowering #1 by Setsuko Yoshida

"After a long and hard winter, the buds start to flower in the tree. This is the very moment that the buds start to bloom. I tried to express the joyful moment of spring."

26" x 20"
For sale: $600