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

The National Exhibition is an enormous event for the NWS, the culmination of a years planning and hard work. None of this could have been accomplished without the "over the top" efforts of our Board of Directors. I have worked with other organizations in the past, but none that brought the level of expertise to bear that this Board has.

Our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, David Winfield Scott, could not be on hand to accept his Award. His son, Tom, graciously accepted the Award on his father’s behalf. Ron Miller assembled a slide show of David’s life work that he presented at the luncheon.

Our building in San Pedro is shaping up. In 2009 it will afford us the space for our All Members Show. We now have a home of our own. There is still work to be done: The front of the building is yet to be redesigned and gallery lighting is not yet in place. Donations to the NWS building fund are greatly appreciated. Our membership has been most generous. Won't you join them in completing this exiting and important project?

In perusing our NWS National Exhibition Catalog for 2008, you will be made aware of the number of manufacturers and distributors of art materials who have generously contributed their monies and merchandise to our Awards Roster. Show your appreciation by patronizing them. Thank you to all of our Award Donors.

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.