🥇My First BEST IN SHOW!!!!🎉

Hello Fellow Artist! 🌻

🎉 I have some exciting news to share! My watercolor painting "Summer Day" just won Best in Show at the Summerscape Juried Exhibition hosted by the St. Charles Arts Council! 🌟

This painting has always felt like a quiet, personal piece to me — inspired by the kind of summer day memory rekindled by a warm breeze, or the feeling of my bare feet on warm sand.

Here's what Judge Ann Becker had to say:

"This painting has the summer mood flowing in this captured moment. The ease of the figure strolling absently, touching the fence with the stick, sets the vertical rhythm of the painting… The girl's position slightly looking at the clouds with that absent-minded stroll on summer day… The detailed watercolor work of the fence, shadows, and figure grab our attention with strong verticals and horizontals… A very delicate summer day."

I was so honored to receive her note — and still a little stunned! This award feels like a gentle nudge that I'm on the right path.

👉 What I learned from this painting: Patience ⏰

Basically, I practiced what I preach to my students ☺️

I took my time and thought out the composition and elements of the painting, including the colors and values. (I'll be doing a tutorial and blog about the painting so don't forget to follow on Social to be notified!)

If you're local in the Chicagoland area, "Summer Day" will be on display at the ARC Center in St. Charles, IL, through September. You're welcome to stop by and see the show in person!

🙏 Thank you to everyone who has supported my work, collected a painting, joined a workshop, or even just sent a kind note. You're part of this journey too.

🎨 Collector Note: The original "Summer Day" has been sold but I'll be releasing fine art prints soon. If you'd like more info, just reply to this email or visit ​mollysfineart.com​. I'd love to hear from you!

With gratitude,

Molly 🌻

P.S. I'll be sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how "Summer Day" came to life in my next Joyful Watercolor tutorial!

Thanks so much for being part of my creative community. I love sharing my journey with you, I hope it helps (even a little bit) your own journey in art. 🎨 ​Molly'sFineArt.com