MY QUIET PLACE – whiskey painting
Whiskey Paintings are miniature watercolor paintings, no larger than 20 square inches, created by members of the Whiskey Painters of America. Typical sizes are 3.5″ x 5.5″ and 4″ x 5″.
The organization originated in the 1950s when a traveling salesman, who was also a watercolor artist, would spend his evening hours at the local “watering hole” creating miniature paintings using his current beverage as a mixing medium. The idea of the paintings became very popular and people began collecting the miniature works of art. There are currently three Whiskey Painters residing in Vermont – Annelein Beukenkamp (Burlington), Laurie Sigmund (Warren) and Gary Eckhart (Warren). Gary nominated both Annelein and Laurie.
At any given time there can be no more than 150 active members. Artists are nominated by existing members and go through a jury process before being accepted into the organization. There are several national exhibitions of Whiskey Paintings by galleries and museums held throughout the year. The New England Exhibition is held as part of the annual Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition in the Red Barn Galleries at Lareau Farm and Forest, Waitsfield, VT. The Exhibition dates for 2025 are June 15 to July 20. Check the Valley Artists Guild, presenting organization, website (www.valleyartistsguild.org) for details on the Exhibition.
