As a new milestone in my life as a fine artist, I have earned the status of a lifelong member of The Whiskey Painters of America. May sound silly, but this is an exclusive art group with a list of requirements for membership and unique guidelines for the creation of miniature watercolor paintings with alcoholic spirits to dilute the colors.
Since I first heard about this organization many years ago I was intrigued. A few months ago I did some online research and discovered they are a bonafide art group, dedicated to promoting "a unique fellowship of watercolor and camaraderie." So I looked into their membership requirements and set a goal for myself to become a member. I have done lots of scratchboards in miniature sizes but few mini watercolors, mostly on Claybord. And I had never diluted my paints with whiskey! I decided to test this new challenge and created my set of six Whiskey Cocktail paintings. They were fun to paint and, as always, I enjoyed making each painting very detailed - even in such a small format. Adding alcohol to the paints made them dry a bit faster than with water, but in such a small size that was not much of a factor. I even used the proper alcohol - scotch, rye, whiskey, bourbon - in the recipe for each cocktail I depicted. I was having fun and wanted to try more!
To become a member of The Whiskey Painters of America, I had to be sponsored by an existing member, provide credentials of my exhibition history, and submit samples of recently completed watercolors. After completing these steps, I was required to submit two 3”x5” whiskey paintings with my final application. If I was approved, one painting would be placed in the WPA’s permanent collection and the second presented to my sponsor. Final approval was in the hands of the Membership Committee, and I passed!
For more info on The Whiskey Painters of America, click here.
For my membership submission I tried to jump ahead and paint two mini whiskey paintings before getting the specifications. I painted Scothland the Brave and County Cork Pub, each measuring the max WPA size of 5"x4". I was so disappointed when I learned the size for membership application needed to be 3"x5"! So for the next two, I defaulted to my comfort zone for my subjects. The first little 3"x5" is a floral of crocus emerging from the snow and the second is of one of my kitties peering out of an old barn with rusty hinges.
I am anxious to create more whiskey paintings and start exhibiting with the group. Maybe I'll even get brave enough to pull out my supplies and paint at a bar... it will give me something to do while others around me drink!
