The Central Florida Watercolor Society, which recently held its annual juried show for members, has announced this year’s prize-winning works. Among them were Blue Bayou by Leslie Rossetti (Best of Show), Spring Sanctuary by Melody F. Lozano (first place) and Water Lilies in Bloom by Diana Eagles (second place). The society’s mission is to promote participation in (and appreciation of) the art of watercolor. | Courtesy Central Florida Watercolor Society
Leslie Rossetti, a self-proclaimed nature lover, was doing what she has done every day since retiring in 2019— painting with watercolors—at Cypress Grove Park. Unexpectedly, a heron stopped by and posed for her. She was so struck by the bird’s beauty that she snapped some pictures and returned to her studio to work on a composition that featured her new feathered friend.
“Sometimes a painting comes along that just works, and I knew this was one of those times,” says Rossetti.
Apparently so did the judge at the annual member show of the Central Florida Watercolor Society—where Rossetti’s Blue Bayou was selected as Best in Show.
Organized in 1998 as the Aquamedia Society by local artist Ken Austin, the nonprofit organization’s mission is to promote participation in (and appreciation of) the art of watercolor.
Membership has grown to encompass 125 professionals and non-professional enthusiasts who hail from across Central Florida. This year, 50 of 71 submissions were accepted into the society’s annual exhibition, which was on view through March at SOBO Gallery in Winter Garden.
All 50 entries were judged by Teresa Kirk, director of operations for the Florida Watercolor Society. Kirk is also a signature member of Artists Changing Tomorrow (an international organization), the Florida Watercolor Society, the Southern Watercolor Society and the Gold Coast Watercolor Society.
Rossetti began painting while she was working as a senior designer for Universal Orlando Resort. When she retired, she joined the society to learn and grow as an artist. “This group has been an integral part of my journey to where I am today,” she says. “I was completely surprised to win. It brought tears to my eyes because it gave me credibility as a painter.”
Melody F. Lozano earned first place for her Spring Sanctuary. The watercolorist, who has widely exhibited her work, credits her most impactful art education to her grandmother—a watercolor artist, art professor and art juror—who first introduced her to the basics.
A retired elementary school teacher, Diana Eagles took second place with her Water Lilies in Bloom. Eagles is a signature member of the Florida Watercolor Society who began painting with watercolor in 2013 and enjoys the medium because she finds it ideally suited to depicting vibrant scenes of natural Florida.
Other honorees included: Joan Lok (third place), Mary Ellen Carrier (honorable mention), George Stuart (honorable mention), Thouraya Zapara (award of merit), Susan Grogan (award of merit) and Mary Kathryn Van Kleunen (Founder’s Award).
Visit centralfloridawatercolor.org for a virtual gallery of the exhibition and more information about the society.
