83rd Birthday, June, 2024
My "EXPERIMENTING", "Watercolor" and "More Paintings"
sections contain
some of my most recent work.
I've been "doing art" of some form my entire life. Growing up with 2 siblings, I was the sister who was always drawing.
At age 34 I was asked to teach high school art. I have no college education -- I was scared out of my mind. That is, until I got
through the first 10 minutes and realized I was going to love teaching!
Since then I've continued teaching painting classes for more than 45 years, including courses through the University Of Alaska
during my family's 12 years of living in Alaska.
My work has won many awards in local, Natlonal and International competition. Years ago I gained Signature Membership in
CWS (CO Watercolor Society) and RMNWS (Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society).
I've illustrated two Alaska children's books (please check my Bio page for more current information).
My plan is to continue happily painting until my last day on the planet :-)
At age 34 I was asked to teach high school art. I have no college education -- I was scared out of my mind. That is, until I got
through the first 10 minutes and realized I was going to love teaching!
Since then I've continued teaching painting classes for more than 45 years, including courses through the University Of Alaska
during my family's 12 years of living in Alaska.
My work has won many awards in local, Natlonal and International competition. Years ago I gained Signature Membership in
CWS (CO Watercolor Society) and RMNWS (Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society).
I've illustrated two Alaska children's books (please check my Bio page for more current information).
My plan is to continue happily painting until my last day on the planet :-)
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This painting is based on a portrait i painted many years ago of a special neighbor. i decided to use the pose to create this newer piece, but changed the color, background and many other details.
"Maximum Focus", Won The "Center For The Arts Evergreen Award, CWS (Colorado Watercolor Society) Annual State Show, 2021
"Feeling The Magic" won "Best Of Show", LAA Fall Member Show, 2016, and the "Painted Toe Society Award", Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, 2015. Merit Award, International Watermedia Exhibition 2017.
"Thinking Man" (My Husband Ivan Was My Model) - This won an award in the Southern Colorado Watercolor Society National Show 2014. But, more important to me, it won the "People's Choice" award!
Then in April, 2015 "Thinking Man" won the "Judge's Award" as well as "People's Choice Award" in the Louisville Artists Association Spring Member Show.
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Nick (My Sister Jane's Husband) - Won "Juror's Award", LAA Fall Member Show, 2015 as well as sharing the People's Choice Award. --
NICK GURULE, June 25, 1931 -- May 3, 2022
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This painting of "Elsie" was an award winner in the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition
2014. In the late 1930's she and my mom became best friends.
1st PLACE, "INTERNATIONAL WATERMEDIA 2015 (Elsie passed away early November, 2015)
"Easy Escape". This watercolor won an award for "Artistic Excellence" in the LAA Fall Member Show, 2017/
"Remembering" - Accepted in NWS International Exhibition, 2015, San Pedro, CA
"Facing The Challenge" won 3rd Place, Louisville Artists Association National Fine Arts Exhibition, 2011. That same year it was accepted in the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition. |
"One More Wish" won Best Watercolor Award, LAA Fall Member Show, 2015
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 "Gladys" won 2nd Place, Colorado Watercolor Society State Show, 2010 ---- Best Of Show and "People's Choice" award, Louisville Artists Association Spring Member Show, 2013. Gladys was a good friend of mine years ago when we lived in Fairplay, CO. |
"Helen" - Received the "Best Of Show" award, Gilpin County, CO, 2016. I met Helen Atatayak when we lived in Nome during the early 1980's.
"Looking Back" was accepted in the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, 2011. (This is a personal favorite of mine - however, I guess I'd have to say, these are all favorites!)
"Perennial Beauty" - This won 1st Place (2010) Artists Association of Northern Co. National Art Exhibition ($1,500 Cash Award) ----- Colorado Watercolor Society Annual State Show, Honorable Mention and "Peoples Choice" award -----PPWS International Watermedia XVII, Honorable Mention and "People's Choice" Award
"Yesterday's Beauty" in 2007 won 1st Place - Zonta Show (Artful Women) - ( Both my sisters and I agree that if our mom had lived to 100, she would have looked like this. She posed for me at age 90, and I used my "artistic license" to accentuate age, as I wasn't actually intent on painting a portrait of her)
"Interval "- This painting won "Best Of Show" 2008 in the "Zonta Show" (Artful Women) .... "Meininger Award", 2009 17th Annual National Exhibition, Western Co. Watercolor Society --- Honorable Mention 2009, Louisville Art Association National Fine Arts Exhibition. Both figures in this painting were accomplished using photos of my mom.
"Weatherworn And Windblown" won Honorable Mention, Louisville Artists Association National Fine Arts Exhibition. |
"The Winter Years" won Best Of Show, 2008, Fremont Center For The Arts, Cañon City, CO - This was based on my mom. (I won this award 4 days after my mom passed away - I was unable to turn to face the audience while receiving my award)
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"Experience Revered" (This painting was accepted In The PPWS INTERNATIONAL 2013 EXHIBITION, held at the Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs. The painting won an award.)
I painted this from a photo I took of a lady at the Fort Collins Senior Center, CO
"Once Upon A Time". This is a 2nd painting I did of Gladys, who was a good friend of mine.
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"Timekeepers" - This painting won a 1st Place award in the LAA 2013 Fall Member Show. It was also accepted in the 2012 Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition.
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