Officers
Email: VicePresident@watercolors.org or Workshops@Watercolors.org
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.
Carlotta Miller, Vice President, Workshop Chair
Becky Kraft, Secretary
Email: Treasurer@Watercolors.org
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.
Pat Rodell, Treasurer
Email: President@Watercolors.org
Newsletter input - mailto:newsletter@watercolors.org
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.
Linda C. Marasco, President
Email: Secretary@Watercolors.org
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.
Sheryl Fletcher-Coon, TWSA 2nd VP & Exhibition Chair
Email: Exhibition@Watercolors.org
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.
Directors
Email: President Emeritus
Website: www.julieskoda.com
Julie Skoda has been involved with TWSA for over seven years as the point person for print production including magazine ads, brochures and the annual juried exhibition catalog. She loves to paint plein air and in the studio in watercolor and pastel. She teaches art classes at the La Grange Art League Gallery & Studio and the McCord Gallery & Cultural Center throughout the year. She also gives demos and workshops in pastel painting. Her teaching schedule and work can be seen at www.julieskoda.com
Email: Merchandise@Watercolors.org
BFA in Interior Design from the University of Kansas
As a newlywed did a two year stint in Peace Corps in Bogota, Colombia. Continued living in Bogotá while husband worked for two additional years with OAS (Organization of American States)
First daughter was born in Bogotá
Speaks Spanish
Raised two daughters in Arlington Heights, IL
Studied painting seriously in early 90s focusing on transparent watercolor
Joined TWSA volunteering in the areas of Special Promotions, Slide Receiving, 2nd VP, 1st VP-Exhibition, TWSA President from 2003-05, President Emeritus and returning in 2017 as Dinner Chair….just can’t enough of TWSA!
Signature member of KWS
Contributing Artist and former board member of Three Lakes Center for the Arts.
My artwork is published in “Breathing in Three Lakes”, a book in poem reflecting on Three Lakes, WI
Enjoys yoga, bicycling and puzzles
Love travel and has visited 36 countries
Spends as much time as possible with 4 grandsons
Vicki Morley, Merchandise Chair
Julie Skoda, President Emeritus, Catalog Design & Print Production
Email: Website@Watercolors.org
Gayle joined TWSA as Historian in 2007, was appointed Vice President in 2009, and served as President from June 2011 through June 2013. During that time, she focused on moving TWSA to online submissions, working closely with the board. TWSA began accepting online submissions in 2014.
Currently, Gayle serves as our Website Chair, working closely with Josh Mondie, our web administrator.
Gayle attended her first watercolor workshop in Monterey, California in 1998. She’s attended numerous workshops and has enjoyed painting in watercolor ever since. Gayle is a lifetime member of TWSA.
In addition to painting in watercolor, Gayle paints in oil, acrylic and pastel and enjoys working in clay. She shares her passion for the arts with her elementary art students and adult Creative Ministry students.
Gayle Carlson McManamon, Website Chair
Email: Info@Watercolors.org
Lenox is an Illinois retired Art Teacher, with a BA and MA in Education. Painting in watercolor since 1982, studying with Irv Shapiro 2 summers, she's been a signature member of the TWSA since 1985, her work has appeared in 2 Splash books, is owned by museums and private owners throughout the US and two galleries have represented her work for over 20 years. As President in 2009-2011, Lenox focused on overseeing and supporting an organization that continues to grow, from expanded workshops to a social media presence. Lenox is currently serving as historian where she can be found scanning stacks and stacks of historical data into data files which will streamline our operation significantly. Lenox teaches workshops, runs critiques and creates demos for art schools, workshop venues and art leagues.
Lenox Wallace, TWSA Master, Historian
Email: Signature Screening
Website: DonnaJillWitty.com
Donna Jill Witty first served on the TWSA Board in the late 1990s when she took over as Signature Screening Chair. After “retiring” in 2009, she returned to the same position again in 2013. In addition to Signature Screening, she served 2 years as first Vice President, 2 years as President and most recently Exhibition Co-Chair and Signature Screening Chair.
Jill’s Education background includes the University of Florida and the American Academy of Art in Chicago, IL. She exhibits her paintings in the US and abroad, teaches watercolor workshops, gives demos, juries exhibitions and paints as much as possible! She has published several magazine articles, book chapters and "how-to" demos. Her work has been featured in several books including 5 of the ”Splash” series. She holds Signature Master status in TWSA as well as Signature Status in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, and Watercolor Honor Society.
“Travel is my passion,” she states, “and also my grandchildren……we have 12!” “They are a joy, an inspiration and Very Paintable!”
Donna Jill Witty, TWSA Master, Signature Screening
Committee and Operations Chairs
Linda Christiansen, Awards Chair
Email: Marketing
Website: kathiestevens.com
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.
Kathie Stevens, Marketing
Email: Info@watercolors.org
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.
Additional Committee/Operations:
Dinner Chair - Maureen Holcomb (email)
E-Newsletter Editor - (email)
Life Membership Chair - Twylla Tassava (email)
Final Screening Chair - Carolyn Owen Sommer email
Membership Chair - Laura Pooler Membership@Watercolors.org
Mini Paintings Auction - Marie Murrell email
Mini Paintings/Final Screening Framer - Vickie Kwasny (email)
Website - Joshua Mondie (email)
Special Promotions - Info@watercolors.org (email)
Photographers - Peter Jablokow and Lenox Wallace