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Annette Garner

  

Annette Garner became a Diamond Signature member this year when Silent Stalker was accepted into the 53rd Annual Juried Exhibition. She has been a member for fifteen years and has served Mid-Southern Watercolorists in many capacities. Not only has she served as the president but she has also been the vice president and co-chaired the Member Open Exhibition for several years. She has always been willing to pitch in and has been integral to MSW's successes. 


Annette did not have access to art classes in school, but she often found herself sketching faces and objects on her ruled notebook paper. MSW became an art school for her. She soaked in the paintings in the Member Open Exhibition and the Annual Juried Exhibition enhancing her knowledge of art and techniques. She continued to explore watercolor by attending many workshops and paint-ins. Dana Rowell’s mother, Jo Rowell, taught her the basics of color theory and oil painting. 


Her self-directed education veered toward watercolors after a workshop with Shela Parsons, a longstanding member. Annette found Shela to be knowledgeable

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Annette Garner 500 x 500

and enthusiastic. Shela’s encouragement and vigor led Annette to paint in watercolors exclusively. Another key part of her artistic journey was learning the elements of art and the principles of design in a Tony Couch workshop. 


Annette gained a great deal of inspiration from MSWs members and guests, but she also studied watercolor independently finding Nicholas Simmons, Michael Atkinson, and Janine Gallizia to be particularly compelling. 


She often starts a painting in an attempt to paint loose but tends to want to paint more realistically. Annette enjoys painting seascapes and landscapes but especially portraiture. When the light touches an interesting face, she finds it a captivating inspiration. She will remind her subjects that she is not staring at them, but rather simply watching how the light hits their bone structure. She chooses to paint with transparent watercolors to allow the light to shine through and create luminosity. 


Annette has also been a member of the Arts Association of Central Arkansas. She has generously dedicated her time and energy to the arts in Arkansas and we have all benefited from it.