Isn't it interesting how most artists need affirmation of their work? That is certainly the case with me, and I received a great boost this week.

At the PineRidge Arts Council's 15th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, my watercolour painting Blue Rose of Sharon (pictured above with me at the opening reception) won the Mayor's Award and a cash prize.

It was an honour to have Ajax Mayor Steve Parish present the award to me on Friday night (see photo above).

He made a lovely speech beforehand, touching on the recent, tragic murder of a Canadian soldier as he stood guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. Mayor Parish noted how art can bring all people together in harmony, no matter their religious or ethnic backgrounds, and he reminded all of us how necessary art is to bind multicultural communities together.

The Juried Exhibition is on display at the McLean Community Centre in Ajax, Ontario, until November 22. About 60 art pieces are on display, chosen from 178 entries.

Thanks to Mary Cook, PRAC photographer and webmistress, for taking the photos and sharing them with me.

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I have some exciting news to share.

Readers' Favorite Book Awards announced recently that my art instruction book, Watercolour Toolbox: Essentials for Painting Success, has won an Illustration Award, as well as a Bronze Medal in the 'Non-Fiction Home/Crafts' category of their 2014 book competition. The awards will be presented at the annual Miami Book Fair International in November.

Earlier this year, my book was a Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and a Bronze Medal winner in the How-To category at the Independent Publisher Book Awards, both held in New York City.

When I wrote Watercolour Toolbox, I focused all of my talent and energy into offering simple solutions that would help artists overcome universal artistic challenges. I illustrated the manuscript with photos of 40 of my watercolour paintings, and chose FriesenPress as my publisher because they could make my book available virtually anywhere books are sold. I wanted to share my painting techniques and strategies with as many people as possible.

It feels great to have my efforts recognized internationally, as each of these competitions attracted thousands of entries worldwide.

For more details about where to purchase my book, visit http://karenrichardson.ca/pages/where-to-buy.

After years of searching for a suitable property throughout central Ontario, from Owen Sound to Bancroft to Brighton, we have selected a home in Lindsay, (30 minutes NE of Port Perry) and will be moving there this summer.

We've been packing like mad since selling our Port Perry home at the end of April. It's amazing how much you accumulate after 22 years in the same place, and we have done lots of purging and downsizing.

Many people have asked if I will be teaching after we move. I do plan to offer painting classes in our new home, starting in 2015, after we are settled in and finish remodeling.

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I'm delighted to let you know, my painting instruction book Watercolour Toolbox won a bronze medal in the 'How-To' category at the Independent Publisher Book Awards in New York City this spring.

This international competition attracted over 5,500 entries, from all 50 U.S. states, 9 Canadian provinces and 32 other countries.

Watercolour Toolbox also was a Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards that were announced in May, and was awarded a Five Star Review from the Reader's Favorite Book Awards earlier this spring.

It's lovely to have my book recognized by industry experts, but it is the appreciation my readers and painting students express that really warms my heart.

Where to buy Watercolour Toolbox

Due to our upcoming move from the Port Perry area, this spring was my final chance to host a site on the Lake Scugog Studio Tour.

I was delighted to welcome 450 visitors to my place on the first weekend in May. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with everyone and had record sales. Several keen patrons purchased art and books from my web site before the tour even started.

The photo above shows visitors' shoes in my foyer on the tour weekend. There was even more footwear piled outside on the porch. We were busy!

Thanks to all of you who went home as happy new owners of my paintings, prints, books and art cards. My artwork will be much happier in your home than in a moving van. (And I have much less to pack now!)

Here's a sampling of the paintings I sold during the Studio Tour:

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The first half of April was busy with more workshops learning how to paint realistic stones. The workshops were one or two days in duration, all at my Port Perry studio. Check out these smiles:

Sand Pebbles 1-2-3

Underwater Stones (class #2):

Underwater Stones (class #3):

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Here are the smiling faces from my March Watercolour Workshops. Everyone worked hard, had some laughs and learned a lot.

Sand Pebbles 1-2-3:

Evening Light:

Underwater Stones:

Subscribe to Karen's Newsletter if you wish to receive timely email notices about future watercolour classes.

I had some great news today - I am thrilled to be the feature artist on ArtsyShark.com, which is an American web-based company that teaches professional artists how to promote their work.

I started following Artsy Shark's blog about a year ago, when I was investigating ways to market my art instruction book Watercolour Toolbox, and found their blog posts to be full of great advice on all aspects of art marketing.

I applied last fall to be featured, but did not know until today when my work would be showcased.

The article captures my story in a nutshell - how traveling with my camera inspires my artwork and my art classes - and is illustrated with ten of my paintings of rocks and flowers.

Here is the link to the photo article.

I read this excellent post on Artsy Shark today and wanted to share it with you. It's about why artists should continue to share their creations with the world by finding buyers for their art. I especially like the closing statement:

"As you have already experienced and know in your heart, your collectors are forever thankful each time they lay eyes on your art and the life-enriching spirit that is seamlessly wound into your art and bonded with their hearts.

My best advice after 50 years of sales: Love yourself, your talent, your art and your client’s long-term needs. Help them, guide them, and encourage them to become owners, today; not for the money – but because it is the right thing to do."

Click here to read the full article.