In an unusual double win, Ann Slater, an artist and resident of Mission Hills, San Diego, California, won both the Best of Theme and Best of Miniatures awards in the continuingly competitive May 2021 Member’s exhibition “Shape Zone” held as a gallery show in May 2021, at The San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) gallery at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, California. Slater’s painting entitled “Above it All” was selected by prominent local artist and juror Rise Parberry for the Best of Theme honor, out of more than 270 entries. Parberry said of the painting, “The theme was shapes, and I felt like there were a lot of beautiful interacting and directional shapes, accented by beautiful rich color.” Of the Best of Miniatures, “Contentment”, Parberry said “The cat just bursts right out of that very small painting with such emotion and bliss, he’s just waiting for you to reach down and pet him and rub him. It’s got an engaging texture. A very fun and unusual painting.”
Ann Slater was born and raised in San Diego. She received a degree in Mathematics with a minor in Art from San Diego State University. The next 14 years were spent traveling and working in restaurants. Returning to San Diego she taught at Carlsbad High and at her alma mater, San Diego High School.
Ann credits the SDWS for her growth as an artist. Animals are a common theme in her watercolors. “Contentment” (Best Mini) is a painting of the neighborhood cat. It took quite a few snap shots, in between petting, to get just the right pose. “Above It All” (Best Theme) was more about creating the foliage around the parrot. Depth was created by layering shapes of different sizes. Eye movement was achieved by directional lines and placement of color.
Ann is a signature member of the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies and currently has a painting in this year’s show in Utah.
The gallery exhibit is the first in-person showing of art for the San Diego Watercolor Society since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, and will run through Saturday June 27, 2021 at the gallery at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station. The gallery is open Friday – Sunday from 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM. The show can also be seen on the San Diego Watercolor Society’s website at https://www.sdws.org/galleryart.php?cat=6967 where the paintings can be both viewed and purchased from the Online Store.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
The San Diego Watercolor Society, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1965, is dedicated to expanding the appreciation of and involvement in watermedia painting through education, exhibition and promotion. More information can be found at http://www.sdws.org
“Above it All” by Ann Slater
Mixed Media, 22 x 15 in
“Contentment” by Ann Slater
Mixed Media, 9 x 9 in