"Wild Violets" original watercolor whiskey painting © Judy Lavoie 2026
20 Oct 2026

Whiskey Painting Lesson 2: The Paints

posted in: Judy Lavoie, Tips and Techniques, watercolor, Whiskey Painters | 0

Even an old dog can learn new tricks. During my recent months painting mini whiskey watercolor paintings I have made many discoveries about watercolor paints. These can be helpful to both beginner and experienced watercolor artists. Like other long-time watercolor artists, I have amassed a sizable collection of watercolor paints. I’ve used various brands and favored some over others. I use professional-grade (vs. student-grade) fine watercolors in tubes. I most often use Golden Paints’ QoR, Daniel Smith, and, less often, … Read More

"Bad Hair Day" original scratchboard © Judy Lavoie 2025
14 Oct 2026

A Winner!

posted in: awards, Best Of Show, Judy Lavoie, scratchboard | 0

I am proud to announce that one of my artworks has earned the “Best of Show” award in the 2026 Open Show at The Art Center in Athens, Tennessee. “Bad Hair Day”, my portrait of a friend’s alpaca with a mass of fur topping his head, is a square scratchboard which I used on the diagonal for a more unique touch. The image lended itself to this diamond shape, especially when I added the bit of fencing to the bottom … Read More

Red Barn Exhibition wall
21 Sep 2026

Whiskey Painting Lesson 1: Try, Try Again

posted in: floral, Judy Lavoie, watercolor, Whiskey Painters | 0

As an official whiskey painter, I can enter several Whiskey Painters of America (WPA) exhibitions this year, held in different locations around the US. Unlike most shows I have entered over the years, these have no juror, no judging, no awards; every whiskey painting entered (by a bonafide member of the WPA) gets exhibited. Most often, each artist’s work is grouped together. As the photo shows, these groupings of mini watercolors create an impressive display like no art show I’ve … Read More

"Rose of Sharon" blog image
9 Sep 2026

I Confess….

posted in: Judy Lavoie, watercolor, Whiskey Painters | 0

A year ago, I never would have imagined that I might change my focus as a watercolor painter. I’ve been painting with watercolors since 1980, so change is a big deal…. and creating whiskey paintings is the main reason. As many artists would agree, we can become addicted to our painting passion – and that’s how I have felt about creating whiskey paintings during the past couple of months. What has being a whiskey painter done for me? Here’s a … Read More

"The Patriot" original watercolor painted with whiskey © Judy Lavoie 2026
20 May 2026

My Little Red Barns

posted in: Judy Lavoie, New Artwork, watercolor, Whiskey Painters | 0

I’ve just completed five new watercolor Whiskey Paintings, in preparation for my first time participating in an official Whiskey Painters of America (WPA) exhibition. It’s the 14th Annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition, held in The Red Barn Galleries, located in Vermont. The Whiskey Paintings will be exhibited along with watercolors (sans whiskey) of the local Valley Artists Guild. I got the idea to do a series of related images for this show, using a ‘red barn’ theme. I have oodles … Read More

WPA logo
10 Jan 2026

I am officially a Whiskey Painter!

posted in: Judy Lavoie, news, watercolor, Whiskey Painters | 0

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 … Read More

"Sadie" original watercolor on Aquabord © Judy Lavoie 2025
7 Jan 2026

Art for the Holidays

posted in: Judy Lavoie | 0

I am blessed to be able to use my artistic abilities to make others happy, especially in the holiday season. I’m not in favor of the over-emphasis of the material side of gift-giving, but I’ve always tried to make gifts from my heart to better reflect the holiday spirit. For our recent Christmas season I created artwork “Cedar Waxwing” for my greeting card (as I have done for decades), I painted two surprise pet portraits, I hand-painted glass ornaments, and … Read More

One of Judy's whiskey-color cocktail series paintings
10 Nov 2025

Spot Quiz

posted in: Judy Lavoie, limited palette, New Artwork, watercolor, Whiskey Painters | 0

I’ve been busy painting, exploring a peculiar new twist on watercolors… I am using whiskey in place of water! I call these artworks whiskey-colors. This is not my unique idea; it is a technique heralded and practiced by an art group called the Whiskey Painters of America. More about that organization below – let’s get onto the fun part. Shown here are my series of six whiskey-color paintings. I painted each to represent the name of a popular cocktail made … Read More

Title for "Locked In Time"
6 Oct 2025

It’s Showtime!

posted in: awards, exhibitions, International Society of Scratchboard Artists, ISSA, Judy Lavoie, scratchboard, watercolor | 0

I am proud to share my latest art show news. First, my scratchboard “I Love A Challenge” is an award-winner in the 14th Annual Exhibition of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA). My still-life of favorite game pieces won the Ampersand Award for the Active Member Division. Forty-two artists from around the world are represented with 60 outstanding scratchboard paintings. This year’s show takes place through November 15, 2025, at the Page-Walker Arts & History Museum, Cary, NC. The … Read More

"I Love A Challenge" original scratchboard © Judy Lavoie 2023
11 Jul 2025

Know When to Walk Away

posted in: Judy Lavoie, scratchboard, Scratchbord® | 0

Have you ever heard that scratchboards are unforgiving and mistakes can’t be fixed? Forget those rumors, I’ve proven this is not true (fortunately)! This project began three years ago, when I took a one-day workshop focused on setting up still life arrangements as references for paintings. The class was presented by my dear friend and gifted trompe l’oeil artist Laurie, who is also a terrific art instructor. When each student was ready to create an arrangement, Laurie provided different sized … Read More

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