Board of Directors

President

In 2019 Linda Marasco joined the TWSA Board as E-Newsletter Editor and was proudly appointed Vice President in 2021. Linda’s interest in art began with her mother’s interest, who collected art, painted in oil, and had a studio at home. She took advanced art classes while in school. After that, art took a back seat until early retirement, when she found a nationally known artist and instructor in Dallas, and studied under her tutelage for over 15 years, starting in the beginner’s class and finishing in the Master Class. Linda has been painting for over 30 years and continually takes workshops with many nationally known artists. She moved from Dallas and has lived in northern Illinois for over 16 years.

president@watercolors.org

Vice President, Workshop Chair

Carlotta joined the TWSA Board in 2019. She served as Dinner Chair until her recent appointment as Workshop Chair in 2021.

Born and raised in North Dakota, Carlotta taught art for thirty plus years in Wisconsin before retiring to further her interests in watercolor painting. She has exhibited nationally and locally and holds signature status in Watercolor Honor Society and Red River Watercolor Society. Most days she can be found at her studio that she has maintained for the past ten years.

vicepresident@watercolors.org or workshops@watercolors.org

Secretary

Becky has lived mostly in the Chicago suburbs. She has enjoyed being on the TWSA board for about 10 years in various roles and now Secretary. In addition to art work, her interests are her grandchildren, photography and singing in a choir with her husband. She graduated from Indiana University with a BA and is owner/manager of Dogwood Studio/Gallery.

secretary@watercolors.org

Treasurer

Although having never been juried into a TWSA show, I think it’s important to contribute my time and energy to TWSA. In retirement and after many stops and starts, I decided to attempt watercolor painting. Attending TWSA workshops in Kenosha introduced me to this great art community.

I earned a B.S. in Art from the University of Wisconsin Madison in the early 1980s. After graduation I became a stay at home Mom and had little time for painting. As my life quieted down, watercolor has provided me an opportunity to enjoy art again. Having been involved with TWSA for a while, it became apparent that many other artists share the same art-life timeline.

I live in Oconomowoc Wisconsin with my husband John. We have two married daughters and currently one grandchild. I am still working towards that accepted entry into a juried TWSA show.

treasurer@watercolors.org

TWSA 2nd VP & Exhibition Chair

Sheryl joined the board of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America in 2008 as secretary. Moving to position of Exhibition Chair in 2010, she has worked for years alongside jurors, instructors, artist entrants and museum administration.  She served as President of TWSA for 2019 and 2020/21 and holds Life membership. 

Sheryl began painting in 2005 while living in Pennsylvania, taking classes in acrylic painting.  She began to work with watercolor in 2007, under the tutelage of talented artists members of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. 

She has attended numerous workshops, benefitting from the generous sharing of insights and techniques by accomplished artists across the United States and Canada. 

Sheryl has achieved four Signature status designations: TWSA, NWS, FWS, IWS. Sheryl now returns to the TWSA Exhibition Chair in 2021, continuing to encourage artists in their artistic endeavors.

A Southern girl at heart, having been raised in the Sunshine State. She is mother of two happily married sons, Nana to two grandchildren and married to the love of her life, Russell for 43 years.

exhibition@watercolors.org

Awards Chair

Linda Christiansen has always had the heart of an artist but only more recently has she picked up the brush to paint in transparent watercolor. Although she had studied both art and architecture in school there had been gaps in her artistic expression. At the invitation of a close friend she took her first watercolor painting class taught by David J. Becker and fell in love with the medium. For Linda watercolor painting is a means, a way for her, to speak and the paintings are her voice. She feels that she can express in Watercolor that which she could not otherwise communicate. Painting translates the deep spiritual connection she feels with the Creator of the Universe into a language that others can better understand. It is the desire of her heart to primarily reflect an abiding love, acceptance and beauty to struggling humanity through her paintings. She especially enjoys sharing studio space and creative collaboration with her stained glass artesian husband Paul.

info@watercolors.org

Marketing

Kathie graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In the late 1990’s, she decided to try her hand at art. She has tried most mediums but her true love is watercolor. She finds painting with watercolor extremely exciting and finds inspiration all around her. For the last 20 years, she has continued her education through classes and workshops, growing in her art and refining her style.

Kathie proudly joined the Board of Directors of TWSA in 2017 as Marketing Chair. She belongs to numerous art organizations and her art is hanging nationally.

Email: Marketing
Website: kathiestevens.com

Dinner Chair

I grew up in Northern Illinois and have dedicated over twenty years to the art of watercolor painting. My artistic journey has been enriched through training with esteemed artists and participation in various workshops and classes on a weekly basis. I continuously seek opportunities to enhance my skills by collaborating with other talented watercolorists, ensuring my growth in this medium. My work is displayed in prominent venues throughout the greater Lake County, IL area, including the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Gallery and my online shop, watercolorbymaureen.com.

 In addition to my artistic endeavors, I contribute to the Lakes Region Watercolor Guild in Lake County, Illinois, where I focus on coordinating workshops. Since 2023, I have been a member of TWSA and currently hold the position of Dinner Chair on the TWSA Board of Directors. Outside of watercolor, I have a passion for cooking, decorating, and exploring the outdoors. My greatest happiness comes from spending time with my four beloved grandchildren and biking with my husband, with whom I have shared 43 wonderful years of marriage.

Email: Dinner Chair