An Artist's Journey
My migration to Cape Cod in 1976, after graduation from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Early Childhood Ed, led me to a life in the arts. Working at Soft Antiques, helping to produce Sharyn Prentiss-Laughton's line of home accessories made from vintage fabrics, started me indirectly on the way to 10 years as a potter, traveling to wholesale and retail shows, filling orders and shipping work all over the country. I was a partner in Peacock's Pride Art Gallery in Orleans when the painters involved there expanded the group to include crafts as well as paintings. When economic reality required my getting a 'real' job, I worked for the next 13 years at Orleans Camera, acquiring photographic and computer skills as the digital age arrived. All that time, no matter what I was doing, the thread of painting was never lost.
In 2001, my husband David Dennis and I bought a sea captain's house in South Dennis, and so began The Shady Hollow Inn, a vegetarian B&B that we started and operated while we restored the historic property. There were many creative opportunities as an innkeeper/interior designer/chef. I was able to take advantage of the seasonal nature of the hospitality business to get serious about painting and dedicate myself to becoming a better watercolorist. The inn became a gallery as I hung my work in every room and sold cards and prints to our guests, many of whom purchased original paintings as well. We sold the inn in 2010 and embarked on the project of building a new house - David took on this task with one young helper (Thanks Peter!) and created a beautiful Arts & Crafts style bungalow.
Completion of our new home in East Harwich is now a reality and I have settled in to my studio/work space which includes dedicated areas for both painting and framing. I have a lot of time to make up for and, as any watercolorist (or any painter for that matter) will tell you, every painting is an adventure and an opportunity to learn something. Inspiration comes from from many sources - I am most excited to be working on compositions using various shapes of art and antique glass lit in dramatic ways (so challenging - reflection, refraction & distortion), including more figures, incorporating elements of old and new, experimenting with color and technique while remaining true to a transparent approach.
My representation at Gallery Antonia is a dream come true - the talent and commitment of owner Domonic Boreffi has made the association a success based not only on the number of paintings sold but on the pleasure of the experience! The move to a beautiful new space outside of downtown Chatham has proved to be successful as returning clients and new visitors find the location easy to get to and convenient with plenty of parking!!
I have expanded my artistic life to include teaching workshops and demonstrating watercolor technique. Entering work in competitions locally and at the national level is a motivating way to stay connected and push the limits. I am always intrigued by new subject matter, a different vantage point, and using all of the glorious characteristics of watercolor to get where I want to go!
In 2001, my husband David Dennis and I bought a sea captain's house in South Dennis, and so began The Shady Hollow Inn, a vegetarian B&B that we started and operated while we restored the historic property. There were many creative opportunities as an innkeeper/interior designer/chef. I was able to take advantage of the seasonal nature of the hospitality business to get serious about painting and dedicate myself to becoming a better watercolorist. The inn became a gallery as I hung my work in every room and sold cards and prints to our guests, many of whom purchased original paintings as well. We sold the inn in 2010 and embarked on the project of building a new house - David took on this task with one young helper (Thanks Peter!) and created a beautiful Arts & Crafts style bungalow.
Completion of our new home in East Harwich is now a reality and I have settled in to my studio/work space which includes dedicated areas for both painting and framing. I have a lot of time to make up for and, as any watercolorist (or any painter for that matter) will tell you, every painting is an adventure and an opportunity to learn something. Inspiration comes from from many sources - I am most excited to be working on compositions using various shapes of art and antique glass lit in dramatic ways (so challenging - reflection, refraction & distortion), including more figures, incorporating elements of old and new, experimenting with color and technique while remaining true to a transparent approach.
My representation at Gallery Antonia is a dream come true - the talent and commitment of owner Domonic Boreffi has made the association a success based not only on the number of paintings sold but on the pleasure of the experience! The move to a beautiful new space outside of downtown Chatham has proved to be successful as returning clients and new visitors find the location easy to get to and convenient with plenty of parking!!
I have expanded my artistic life to include teaching workshops and demonstrating watercolor technique. Entering work in competitions locally and at the national level is a motivating way to stay connected and push the limits. I am always intrigued by new subject matter, a different vantage point, and using all of the glorious characteristics of watercolor to get where I want to go!
Awards & Juried Exhibitions
2022
2021
2020
2019
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
- Cape Museum of Art, All the World's a Stage, "Central Park Serenade"
- Cape Cod Art Center, The National, "All Tied Up'
- New England Watercolor Society, Works by All Members, "Clearing Storm"
- Creative Arts Center, Juried All Cape Cod Exhibition, Jack Garver Memorial Award for Best in Show, "Painted Turtle"
- Cape Cod Art Center, Study in Contrast Exhibit, First Place watercolor, "Clearing Storm"
- Cape Cod Art Center, Great Outdoors Exhibition, Best in Show & People's Choice, "Wild Kingdom"
- New England Watercolor Society, Works by Signature Members, Award of Merit, "Inner Glow"
2021
- Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, 42nd Annual International Exhibition, "Central Park Serenade"
- Creative Arts Center, Chatham, Honorable Mention, "Love Locks"
- Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable, Honorable Mention for three paintings in the "Connections" exhibit
2020
- New England Watercolor Society, 17th Biennial North American Open Juried Exhibition, "On the Move". Winner, Golden Artist Colors Award!
- Transparent Watercolor Society of America, 44th Annual Exhibition, "Love Locks"
- Creative Arts Center, Chatham, All Cape Juried Exhibition, "Frozen in Wellfleet" and "Keeping an Eye Out"
- Cape Cod Art Center, White Exhibit, Second Place watercolor, "Show Stopper"
2019
- New England Watercolor Society, Signature Show, "Downtown Dogs", winner Holbein award.
- Chatham Creative Arts Center, All Cape Show, "King of the Pond", awarded First in Watercolor
- Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Color My World Exhibition, "Glass Glow", awarded Best in Show
- Cape Cod Art Center Bay State Open, "Night at the Opera", won People's Choice Award
- Cape Cod Art Center, National Exhibition, "Downtown Dogs"
- Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 40th Annual International Exhibition, "Love Locks", received Friends of PWS, John & Virginia Walker, Memorial To Our Parents Award
- New England Watercolor Society Signature Show, "Trunk Show"
- New England Watercolor Society National Juried Exhibition. Accepted piece "Night at the Opera".
- Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, 39th Annual International Juried Exhibition, "Downtown Dogs", earned Signature Membership
- Chatham Creative Arts Center, All Cape Juried Show, "Night at the Opera", First Place Watercolor
- Louisiana Watercolor Society International Exhibition, "After The Storm"
- North East Watercolor Society, 41st Annual International Juried Exhibition, October 15 - October 29, Kent Art Association, Kent, CT. Accepted piece 'Yearning to Breathe Free'.
- Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, 38th Juried Exhibition, Sept. 11 - Oct. 28, Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg PA. Accepted piece '(Who) Art in Heaven'.
- Chatham Creative Arts Center, 22nd annual All Cape Cod Open Juried Exhibition, First Place for 'Yearning to Breathe Free'.
- New England Watercolor Society, 2017 Regional Show, May 20 - July 9, Newport Art Museum, accepted piece 'Probable Cause II'. Also: Signature Members Exhibition at the Guild of Boston Artists, February 2017.
- Louisiana Watercolor Society, 47th International Exhibition, May 6-20, New Orleans, accepted piece 'Caught', juror Susan Webb Tregay.
- New England Watercolor Society, 15th Biennial North American Open Show, Gloucester, MA. Accepted piece 'French Quarter blues', juror Mary Whyte. Awarded Signature Membership
- Cape Cod Art Association, All Cape Exhibit, First Place WC, 'The Five Tops'
- Cape Cod Art Association, "Easel Art", Online Competition, Second Place for "Copilot"
- Cape Cod Art Association, "That Day in....." Exhibit, April 2016, Second Place for "That Day in a Venice Doorway"
- Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Florida. 10th Biennial International Juried Exhibition, February 2016
- Louisiana Watercolor Society, 46th Annual International Exhibition, May 2016 in New Orleans, "French Quarter Blues" selected for a Merit Award by juror Paul Jackson.
- Cape Cod Art Association, 2D Meets 3D Exhibition, Honorable Mention for "Tulips Are The New Roses"
- Cape Cod Art Association, September Juried Members Show, Second Place
- Cape Cod Art Association, All New England Juried Exhibit, Second Place
- Chatham Creative Arts Center, October Members Show, Second Place,
- New England Watercolor Society, 2015 Regional Exhibit,
- Cape Cod Art Association, 'White' Juried Members Show, Second Place, watercolor, for "Chin Up".
- Cape Cod Art Association, Breath of Spring Show, Honorable Mention for Most Creative, for "It's Curtains for Winter"
- Cape Cod Art Association, October Members Show, First Place, watercolor, for "The Dinah Jane"
- Chatham Creative Arts Center, October Members Show, Second Place, watercolor, for 'Good Dog'.
- Cape Cod Art Association, Sept. Members Show, Second Place, watercolor for 'Good Dog'.
- Cape Cod Art Association, "All Cape" juried exhibit and sale, May 22 - June 16. First Place, mixed media, for 'Exploring Muddy Creek'.
- Transparent Watercolor Society of America, 38th Annual National Exhibition, May 11 - August 11, Kenosha Public Art Museum. Fourth acceptance with 'French Quarter Blues'.
- Cape Cod Art Association, Open Juried Exhibit & Sale, "Inspirations"
2013
- New England Watercolor Society, 2013 Regional Exhibit,
- Awarded "Master Artist" status at Cape Cod Art Association
- Cape Cod Art Association, First Place WC, Juried Members Exhibit,
- Cape Cod Art Association, Special Award, Best Interpretation of Theme,
- Creative Arts Chatham, First Place WC, Member's Exhibit, March 2013
- Transparent Watercolor Society of America, 37th Annual National Exhibition, May 4 - August 4, 2013, Kenosha Public Museum, Recipient Signature Award as this is my 3rd acceptance!
- Louisiana Watercolor Society, 43rd Annual International Exhibition, May 3-25, 2013, Garden District Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana
2012
- Creative Arts Chatham, First Place WC, Member's Exhibit Nov. 2012
- Philadelphia Watercolor Society, 112th Anniversary International Exhibition of Works on Paper, Oct. 5 - Nov. 17, 2012, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
- Gallery Antonia, Solo Show, 'Circa, Small Town, Big City', August 8 - Sept. 30, 2012
- Cape Cod Art Association, Second Place WC, March 2012, Member's Exhibit
- New England Watercolor Society, 13th Biennial North American Open Show, Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA, April 19 - May 12, 2012 Recipient of The Canson Fine Papers Award
- Transparent Watercolor Society of America, 36th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Kenosha Public Art Museum, Kenosha, Wisconsin, May 2012 Recipient of The Kenneth R. Hetzel Memorial Award
- Creative Arts Chatham, First Place WC, Member's Exhibit, March 2012
2011
- Solo Show, Gallery Antonia, November 2011
- Cape Cod Art Association, May 2011, All-Cape Juried, Best in Show
- Transparent Watercolor Society of America, 35th Annual National Juried Exhibition Kenosha Public Art Museum, Kenosha, Wisconsin, May 2011
- Cape Cod Art Association, April 2011, Member's, First, WC
- Cape Cod Art Association, February 2011, Juried Show, First, WC
- Cape Cod Art Association, February 2011, Honorable Mention, WC
2010
- Creative Arts Center, June 2010, First, WC
- Cape Cod Art Association, January 2010, Honorable Mention, WC
2009
- Cape Cod Art Association, August 2009, First, WC
- Cape Cod Art Association, July 2009, Hon. Mention, Mixed Media
- Cape Cod Art Association, All Cape, May 2009, First, WC
- Creative Arts Center, February 2009, Second, WC
2008
- Creative Arts Center, October 2008, First, WC
- Creative Arts Center, All Cape Cod, June 2008, First, WC
- Cape Cod Art Association, All Cape, April 2008, Best in Show
- Cape Cod Art Association, All Cape, April 2008, Hon. Mention, WC
- Creative Arts Center, March 2008, Honorable Mention, WC
Ann Hart TWSA
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