Biography
Ann Pember earned a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston in 1968 and worked as a free-lance commercial artist for 12 years. She and her husband relocated to Lake Champlain in the Adirondack region of New York In1976. She has been painting in watercolor since 1960 and is a signature member of 22 art and watercolor societies.
Pember’s paintings often have a close focus and employ dramatic lighting. They have been included in more than 330 national juried exhibitions, including those of the American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society, Rocky Mountain National and Watercolor USA and they have won more than 90 awards. Her work has been featured in more than 50 books and publications, including 7 of the popular Splash books by North Light Books.
Pember has produced four self published books in PDF format; available on CD, or as a download, “Discover Your Inner Inspiration” in 2016, “Make Flower Paintings Glow In Watercolor“ in 2015, “The Magic of Painting On Smooth Surfaces” in 2014 and “Make Dynamic Paintings In Watercolor” in 2008, Her hardcover book, “Painting Close-Focus Flowers in Watercolor”, was released by North Light Books in 2000 and is almost sold out. Her instructional videos, “Vibrant Orchid; Painting in the Flow of Watercolor”, and “Painting in the Flow of Watercolor on High Plate Illustration Board” were produced by Creative Catalyst Productions in 2004 and 2006. She has been teaching painting workshops since 1988 and has been invited to act as juror of numerous national exhibitions and online shows. Ann welcomes visits to her studio by appointment.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The abstract patterns and shadows created by light have fascinated me since childhood and are an important element in the design of my paintings. My paintings are my interpretation of what I see, often exploring an intimate point of view. I frequently paint in a series as a means of fully exploring a subject. While my paintings are realistic, my intention is to convey: feeling, the spirit of the subject and a sense of personal connection, rather than to make a photographically perfect image. I edit content and suggest rather than exactly copy the subject.
The most important technical elements to me are; the patterns formed by light, a good balance of values and the use of clean luminous color. I work on an easel, with the board tilted at an angle, allowing gravity to make the transparent paint move and produce beautiful passages. I paint directly, adding darks before the paint dries to achieve the freshest color. I use very little subsequent glazes of paint.
My watercolors include flowers, landscapes, still-lifes and portraits, mostly inspired by nature and my home environment near Lake Champlain. Its vistas, rocky shore and gardens provide me with an abundance of beautiful scenery and subjects.
PROFESSIONAL SIGNATURE MEMBERSHIPS
ACADEMIC ARTISTS ASSOCIATION
ALLIED ARTISTS OF AMERICA
AMERICAN ARTISTS PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE; FELLOW
AMERICAN WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
AUDUBON ARTISTS
BALTIMORE WATERCOLOR SOCIETY, INC.
CATHARINE LORILLARD WOLFE ART CLUB
CENTRAL NEW YORK WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
ILLINOIS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
KNICKERBOCKER ARTISTS USA
MISSISSIPPI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
MISSOURI WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
MONTANA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN ARTISTS, INC.
PENNSYLVANIA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
PITTSBURGH WATERCOLOR SOCIETY; INVITED MEMBER
POTOMAC VALLEY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY; HONORARY MEMBER
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WATERMEDIA SOCIETY
TRANSPARENT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF AMERICA
VERMONT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF ALABAMA: SIGNATURE PLATINUM MEMBER
WATERCOLOR USA HONOR SOCIETY
WATERCOLOR WEST
WESTERN COLORADO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY: Master
AWARDS
2022 MARGARET AND WILLIAM FOLEY AWARD; Adirondacks National, Old Forge
2022 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARTS ASSOCIATION AWARD in the 54th WATERCOLOR WEST ANNUAL NATIONAL EXHIBITION, CA
2022 MERIT AWARD; LOUISIANA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
2022 CHEVY” CHEVILLION MEMORIAL AWARD in the 46th Transparent Watercolor Society of America Juried Exhibition
2022 THIRD PLACE the 32nd Rockies West National of the Western Colorado Watercolor Society
2021-2022 HONORABLE MENTION; WSA National Online Showcase
2021 ATLANTIC PAPERS MATERIALS AWARD in Aquamedia $200 Certificate
2021 DICK BLICK GIFT CARD AWARD; MTWS 2001 WATERMEDIA
2021 GOLDEN ARTISTS COLORS MERCHANDISE AWARD; Pikes Peak International Watermedia Exhibition, CO
2021 The M. Graham Award; 31st Rockies West National
2020 FIRST PLACE, GOLD AWARD & MEDALLION WITH $1000 in MTWS 38th Annual National Juried Exhibition
2020 JURORS CHOICE AWARD; Central New York Watercolor Society Members Annual Exhibition Online
2020 FASO MERCHANDISE AWARD; Women In Watercolor 1st Online National Exhibition
2020 BLUE DOOR ART CENTER AWARD; Hudson Valley Art Association 87th National; Lyme Art Association Gallery, CT
2020 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE; Watercolor USA National; Springfield Art Museum
2020 AWARD; Western Colorado Watercolor Society’s Rockies West, CO
2020 Margaret M. Martin Award Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club 123rd Annual Open; National Arts Club, NYC
2019 SYLVAN GROUSE AWARD & BRONZE MEDAL; Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 40th International, PA
2019 PRESIDENT’S AWARD; Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 40th International, PA
2019 Upper Hudson River Valley Watercolor Society Award
2019 John Tatge Memorial Award
2018 PRESIDENT’S AWARD American Artists Professional League 90th Grand National; Salmagundi Club, NYC
2018 Third Award Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Aqueous Open 2018
2018 President’s Award Montana Watercolor Society 36th Watermedia Annual Exhibition
2018 Honorable Mention Award in The 2018 Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition
2018 Honorable Mention Award; Illinois Watercolor Society
2018 Honorable Mention Award for Texture/Use of Medium; American Artists Professional League Online Members Show
2017 BRONZE AWARD & MEDALLION; Montana Watercolor Society 35th Annual Exhibition
2017 LOUISIANA WATERCOLOR SOCIETY AWARD: Watercolor Society of Alabama
2016 PRESIDENT’S AWARD: American Artists Professional League 88th Grand National
2016 FRANK WEB AWARD IN AQUAMEDIA; Audubon Artists Annual; Salmagundi Club, NYC
2016 MTWS FOUNDERS AWARD: MTWS Annual Watermedia
2016 CATHARINE LORILLARD WOLFE ART CLUB AWARD: Allied Artists of America Annual; Salmagundi Club, NYC
2016 INTERNATIONAL ARTIST MAGAZINE FLORALS & GARDENS CHALLENGE FINALIST 3RD AWARD: June/July Issue
2015 EDGAR A. WHITNEY MEMORIAL AWARD: CLWAC 119th Annual Open: National Arts Club, NYC,
2015 AMERICAN ARTISTS PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE PRESIDENT’S AWARD; SALMAGUNDI CLUB, NYC
2015 THIRD PLACE BRONZE AWARD & MEDALLION: Montana Watercolor Society 33rd Annual Watermedia
2015 JUROR’S AWARD; Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 35th International, Carlisle, Pa
2015 MARGARET G. KRANKING MEMORIAL AWARD: Baltimore Watercolor Society Mid-Atlantic Regional, MD
2015 PATRON’S FINE ART AWARD: Watercolor Society of Alabama
2014 BEST OF SHOW: GOLD MEDALLION AWARD: Montana Watercolor Society 32nd Annual Watermedia
2014 REALISM IN NATURE AWARD: Adirondacks National; Old Forge, NY
2013 MERIT AWARD: Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Aqueous Open
2013 HONOURABLE MENTION: Mississippi Watercolor Society 2013 Grand National
2013 MARY BRYAN MEMORIAL AWARD; Academic Artists Association, CT
2013,07TRAILS & STREAMS MEDALLION FOR A WOODLAND THEME; Adirondacks National; Old Forge, NY
2013 INVESTMENT AWARD Oklahoma Watermedia Exhibition
2013 PATRON’S FINE ART AWARD: Watercolor Society of Alabama
2013 ART ACADEMY LIVE.COM AWARD; Western Colorado Watercolor Society’s Rockies West National
2012 CLAUDE PARSONS MEMORIAL AWARD; American Artists Professional League Grand National On-line
2012 JUROR”S AWARD; Watercolor West 44th Annual, CA
2012 WINSOR NEWTON AWARD; Baltimore Watercolor Society Mid-Atlantic Regional, MD
2012 GORDON & MILDRED EVANS MEMORIAL WARD; ANEAW Old Forge, NY
2012 PATRON’S FINE ART GIFT CERTIFICATE/MERCHANDISE AWARD #3 Watercolor Society Alabama
2011 AWARD: 38TH Rocky Mountain National, CO
2011 MERIT AWARD: Watercolor Society of Alabama
2008 AWARD WITH GIFT CERTIFICATE; Watercolor Society of Alabama
2008 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Missouri Watercolor Society
2006 VERILUX INC. MERCHANDISE AWARD: Watercolor Society of Alabama
2005 LITTLE HOUSE ON LINDEN AWARD: Watercolor Society of Alabama
2005 JERRY’S ARTARAMA MERCHANDISE AWARD: Academic Artists Association Annual, MA
2005 CREATIVE CATALYST PRODUCTIONS MERCHANDISE AWARD: Baltimore Watercolor Society,
2004 MTWS SILVER MEDALLION AWARD: Montana Watercolor Soc 22nd Annual
2004 M. GRAHAM & CO AWARD: Pittsburgh Watercolor Soc. 58th Aqueous Open
2003 MTWS EXPRESSIONIST AWARD: Montana Watercolor Soc 21st Annual Watermedia 2003
2003 BEST OF SHOW: PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL WATERMEDIA XIII: Colorado Springs Art Center
2002 MERIT AWARD: Watercolor Art Society-Houston, Texas
2001 ST. CUTHBERT’S MILL MERCHANDISE AWARD; Kentucky Watercolor Society Aqueous USA
2001 STRATHMORE PAPER CO. MERCHANDISE AWARD: Academic Artists Assoc.
2001 ALPEN AWARD: Pikes Peak Watercolor Society International Watermedia Twelve
2000 DALER-ROWNEY MERCHANDISE AWARD: Western Colorado Watercolor Society
2000 AWARD OF RECOGNITION: Western Colorado Watercolor Society for 5 acceptances.
2000 JACK RICHESON & CO. AWARD: Mid-Atlantic Regional, Baltimore Watercolor Society
2000 DANIEL SMITH ARTISTS’ MATERIALS AWARD: Watercolor Society of Alabama
2000 MERIT AWARD: Louisiana Watercolor Society International
1999 VIEUX CARRE MERIT AWARD: Louisiana Watercolor Society International
1998 ALLSTATE INSURANCE AWARD: Mississippi Watercolor Society
1998 VIRGINIA WEIGAND AWARD FOR FLORALS: Rocky Mountain National: Foothills Art Center, CO
1998 MARTIN FAMILY AWARD: Adirondack National Exhib. of American Watercolors; Old Forge, NY
1997 AWARD: WESTERN COLORADO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
1997 DICK BLICK ART MATERIALS: Audubon Artists Exhib. NYC
1997 MERIT AWARD: BALTIMORE WATERCOLOR SOC., Johns Hopkins Univ., MD
1977 GRUMBACI~ER ACADEMY GOLD MEDAL AWARD: Louisiana Watercolor Soc Ex.
1997 NWS MEMBERS & ASSOCIATES EXHIBITION: CA
1996 BORDEN-RILEY MERCHANDISE AWARD: Louisiana Watercolor Soc. Annual International,
1995 THE GLASS ART SHOP AWARD: Watermedia ’95; Montana Watercolor Society
1995 CATHARINE LORILLARD WOLFE ART CLUB HONORABLE MENTION: 99th Annual; NYC
1995 JOYCE & GLENN HIMES PURCHASE AWARD: WATERCOLOR USA, Springfield Art Museum, MO
1994 SAUNDERS WATERFORD & BOCKINGFORD PAPER MERCHANDISE AWARD; Watercolor West, CA
1994 M.GRUMBACHER GOLD MEDAL AND MERCHANDISE AWARD: Mississippi Watercolor Soc. Exhib.
1994 NEW JERSEY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY AWARD: Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Annual, NYC
1994 PERRY HOUSE GALLERIES: HONORABLE MENTION WITH MEDAL: Invitational; VA
1993 DOROTHEA & ALBERT GORDON MEMORIAL AWARD: Adirondack National Exhib. Old Forge, NY
1993 JERRY’S ARTARAMA GIFT CERTIFICATE: Watercolor Art Society-Houston 17th International, Texas
1992 STRATHMORE PAPER AWARD: Adirondack Park Centennial Watercolor Exhibition, NY
PUBLICATIONS
AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS
2016 DISCOVER YOUR INNER INSPIRATION; Digital Book on CD in PDF format
2015 MAKE FLOWER PAINTINGS GLOW IN WATERCOLOR; Digital Book on CD in PDF format
2014 THE MAGIC OF PAINTING ON SMOOTH SURFACES IN WATERCOLOR; Digital Book on CD in PDF format
2008 MAKE DYNAMIC PAINTINGS IN WATERCOLOR; Digital Book on CD in PDF format
2000 PAINTING CLOSE FOCUS FLOWERS IN WATERCOLOR; Publisher: North Light Books
VIDEOS
2004 VIBRANT ORCHID…PAINTING IN THE FLOW OF WATERCOLOR
2006 PAINTING IN THE FLOW OF WATERCOLOR ON HIGH PLATE ILLUSTRATION BOARD
PUBLICATIONS
2016 THE INTERNATIONAL ARTIST MAGAZINE CHALLENGE #93, FLORALS & GARDENS, WON THIRD AWARD; published in International Artist magazine #109, June/July issue.
2016 AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR MAGAZINE: Awarded a one page feature article
2014 Article: THE ART OF WATERCOLOR MAGAZEINE: France
2013, 11, 09 Selected Finalist Art Challenge: INTERNATIONAL ARTIST MAGAZINE: Article
2013 Included in the book; THE COMPLETE BOOK OF WATERCOLOR, Secrets of 15 Watercolor Masters; France
2011 Included In the Book: SPLASH 12; North Light Books
2010 Included in the French Magazine: PRATIQUE DES ARTS
2005 Included in the book: BIG BOOK OF PAINTING WATERCOLOR FLOWERS: North Light Books
2005 Featured Article: WATERCOLOR MAGAZINE; Advice From Experts:
2004 Included In the Magazine: WATERCOLOR BASICS; March Issue
2003 Included In the Magazine: WATERCOLOR MAGIC HANDBOOK; June Issue
2002 Included In the Book: THE COLLECTED BEST OF WATERCOLOR: Rockport Publishers
2002 Featured Article: THE ARTIST’T MAGAZINE: “MORE THAN REALITY”
2002 Included In the Magazine: watercolor Magic
2002,00 Included In the Books: Splash 7 & 6; North Light Books
2000 Included In the Magazine: WATERCOLOR MAGIC: Yearbook Issue – THE ONES TO WATCH
2000 Included In the Magazine: COLOR
2000 Included In the Book: KEYS TO PAINTING FRUIT & FLOWERS; North Light Books
1999 Featured In the Magazine: Watercolor Magic; Summer Issue
1999 Included in the book: BEST OF FLOWER PAINTING 2; North Light Books
1999 Featured in the book: PAINTING THE MANY MOODS OF LIGHT; North Light Books
1998 Included In the Book: EXPLORING COLOR; by Nita Leland
1998-96Included in the book: SPLASH 3, 4 &5; North Light books
1997 Included In the Book: FLORAL INSPIRATIONS; Rockport Publishers
1997 Included In the Book: BEST OF WATERCOLOR- PAINTING LIGHT AND SHADOW; Rockport Publishers
1997 Included In the Book: BEST OF WATERCOLOR- PAINTING COLOR; Rockport Publishers
1997 Included in the book: THE BEST OF FLOWER PAINTING; North Light Books
1996 Included in Book: IN WATERCOLOR- FLOWERS; Rockport Publishers
1996 Included In Book: BASIC FLOWER PAINTING TECHNIQUES IN WATERCOLOR; North Light Books
1996,95 Included In Book: CREATIVE WATERCOLOR- A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE & SHOWCASE; Rockport Publishers
1995 Included In Book: BEST OF WATERCOLOR; Rockport Publishers
1995 Included In the Magazine: WATERCOLOR ’95; American Artist Pub. Spring Issue