NWS Memorial Award

Last year a new award was established to honor the memory of NWS members who have passed away. Again this year, sadly, we have lost some of our precious mentors and fellow painters. If you wish to contribute to this cash award in their memory, to be presented at the 88th Annual Exhibition Awards Luncheon, please mail your check to our Awards Chair:

Judy Lyon, 2896 Burton Circle, Cambria, CA 93428

For more info, telephone Judy at (805) 927-8574

President’s Message

This is my first message of the year to you. I would like to thank our outgoing president, Chris Van Winkle, for the extraordinary service he has performed over the last three years. Chris, it was above and beyond the call of duty. I would also like to thank his lovely wife, Caroline Van Winkle, for “standing by her man,” and being such an integral part of the society as well. Both Chris and Caroline have agreed to stay on board as consultants. Thank you both, I couldn't do this without you. Chris, in saying, “as I ride off into the sunset,” you can look back with a real sense of accomplishment.

This new year promises to be an exciting one. We have a new venue for our National Show, the Riverside Art Museum in Riverside, CA. An outstanding panel of nationally renowned painters will be serving as jurors of selections and awards.

The really big news, of course, has to do with the progress of our building program. We are currently beginning the third stage of construction on our NWS office/gallery/workshop/storage space. It is proceeding on schedule. Thank you to all of you who have contributed so generously. There is still much to do and we should all be involved, as either donors or fundraisers. This is a groundbreaking event, in more ways than one.

This should be a grand year, and I look forward to meeting all of you!

Dick Cole
NWS President

Milford Zornes DVD – His Last Gift to NWS

A DVD of the historic Zornes presentation is now available from NWS.

Many of you may have been among the crowd on January 26, 2008 when Milford delivered an extraordinary watercolor presentation at the Pasadena Museum of California Art during his 100th birthday celebration. The party was sponsored by the National Watercolor Society, and aided by many of the art societies of Southern California.

Milford delighted his guests by working on several black and white drawings and then tackled a full sheet, full color painting. He kept up a witty commentary throughout, a lecture you would relate to a man half his age. Milford explored and explained his approach to his work: his search for an essential line, his 360 degree scene, the use of memory and sensory perceptions. As he worked he talked of his thoughts on color, on division of two-dimensional space, and of his belief that all art is “abstract.”

Says NWS past president, Chris Van Winkle, “Milford never misses a beat, delivers his message and thoughts on watercolor eloquently.”

He closed to a standing ovation. The finished painting was auctioned for $7,000. Zornes donated the money to the PMCA venue and to the National Watercolor Society Building Fund.

Milford Zornes passed away on February 24, 2008. His last gift to NWS was his permission to allow us to offer a DVD of this piece of history, with proceeds going to the NWS Building Fund. The DVD also features many of Milford’s paintings.

If you would like a copy of the DVD, send a $20 donation payable to: The National Watercolor Society, c/o Chris Van Winkle, 436 Fresno Avenue, Morro Bay, CA 93442.