Local artist earns Silver Medal of Honor
Having earned numerous accolades and national awards, Bokeelia artist Kathleen Conover recently was notified that she has finally achieved a long-term goal.
A watercolor titled Change is in the Air produced by Conover recently was named the Silver Medal of Honor winner in a juried art show conducted by the American Watercolor Society earning her the privilege of “signature status” with the prestigious organization.
The signature status will allow Conover to use the initials AWS after her a name, an honor reserved for those who are among the best in the world of watercolor art.
“I am thrilled to have my letters,” said Conover. “I have worked many years for this and consider it my Ph.D in my field. But to receive the Silver Medal, the second highest award in the exhibition, is beyond my dreams. I am still having trouble believing this is happening to me.”
A life-long artist, Conover has painted for over 10 years at her Pine Island location and her prize- winning painting is a result of last year’s work in an ongoing series of paintings she calls “Industrial Evolution.”
“Change is in the Air is part of my Industrial Evolution series about the changes America is undergoing in its amazing technological and manufacturing industries. This, and other works in this series, are inspired specifically by the Upper Michigan iron ore docks,” Conover said. “I have taken hundreds of photos over the years of ore docks, specifically this one in Marquette, MI. There is something very captivating about its size, history, significance to our steel industry and therefore, its importance to our whole country’s manufacturing industry. It is a majestic symbol of this nation’s era of world leadership and it is also a reminder of an era of change. The raven in the painting, like us, is a creature of great adaptability, creativity and survival intelligence. It is making its next move in the evolution of industry and survival.”
Awards are not new to Conover as she has been honored on several other occasions. Among her accomplishments, she is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and holds a Master Status with the Transparent Watercolor Society. As an accepted artist to many juried top national and regional exhibitions, Conover has shown work in the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors where she was awarded the Dr. Donald and Helen Burness Memorial Award, in the American Watercolor Society International Exhibition and earned the Paul Schwartz Memorial Award and the National Traveling Exhibit Award. In addition she won the Aquamedia, Ject-Key Memorial Award of Excellence at the Audubon Artists 50th Annual Exhibition, the Best of Show Nautilus Trophy and Award at the International Society of Experimental Artists National Exhibition where she also received the Medal of Merit Award and Watermedia Award as well as entered at the National Watercolor Society Annual Exhibitions and received the Travel Exhibit Award and was awarded lifetime signature membership with NWS.
Conover grew up in Southern California and attended the California School of Art and later studied undergraduate fine arts at the San Diego State University and the University of Oregon before settling in Marquette, Michigan close to Lake Superior where she still owns and operates a seasonal art gallery.
While in Southwest Florida, Conover spends much of her free time teaching others the art of watercolor and is very involved in the Pine Island Art community.
“Just recently I taught a workshop in Cape Coral and find that most of those attending are newly retired seeking to do something they have longed to do while others are younger and looking to make a living as an artist,” Conover said. “When I first came to the island, I was introduced to the Pine Island Art Association which I found to be just wonderful. I also have spent time with the Peter Quigley Outdoor Sketchers and it is another wonderful way to help people get started.”
Considered one of the most difficult and prestigious art exhibits in the country, the American Watercolor Society makes its selection of 90 paintings from approximately 4,000 entries.
Conover will receive her Silver Medal Award from the American Watercolor Society on April 29, at the Salmagundi Club in New York City.
For more information about Kathleen Conover and to view a sample of her work, visit kathleenconover.com