Today we’d like to introduce you to Nel Dorn Byrd.
Hi Nel Dorn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a watercolor artist & I moved to Plano in 1969 & began working with watercolor, having previously painted with oils. It has been more than a fifty year career and I am glad to be healthy and still painting. I studied with local & national watercolor teachers & also went back to college for additional study. I entered art competitions locally, regionally & nationally & had my work accepted in many juried exhibitions. I am a signature member of American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Watercolor Honor Society as well as many others including Southwestern Watercolor Society which is based in Dallas. I began selling my work at various art events & festivals in the Dallas, Ft Worth area but in 1982, I along with seven other women artists, founded Gallery VIII in Plano, Texas. Located in Preston Park Village, we sold our own original art and did custom framing for the public. Always there was one artist in the gallery to assist clients & we offered in-home consultation as well. After 21 years we closed the gallery and I have continued to show my original work through exhibitions and a yearly open studio tour; on December 6 of this year, I will have my 17th Annual Open Studio. Through the years I have presented demos for many watercolor organizations & art groups, offered watercolor classes, and served as an art juror.
I am 88 years old & I continue to paint in my studio as well as plein air; I paint with the newly formed sketchers group, Denton 2nd Saturday Sketchers, and am active in Visual Art Society of Texas, here in Denton. My work has been featured in national watercolor magazines & published in several books.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been fairly smooth with support from my husband; I learned to mat & frame my own watercolor paintings during my time with Gallery VIII.
I have traveled & painted in 13 countries & been a participant on numerous watercolor adventures. Painting in Paris, France, was a thrill on my 54th birthday (my first trip abroad).
I am very competitive & enter national watercolor competitions – it has been a struggle to earn my signature in various organizations. I entered American Watercolor Society for so many years before I was accepted & finally earned my signature status in 2004. I attended the reception & opening in New York City & received a cash award on my painting, Viewing Versailles. It is one of my top achievements. It was also thrilling to earn signature status in National Watercolor Society, Watercolor USA, and several others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Painting is a visual means of expressing my thoughts and feelings about a particular place, happening or moment in time and hopefully I am able to share my emotions with those viewing my work. I find the medium of watercolor to be an exciting and challenging way to paint. I paint in a loose, impressionistic style & paint many subjects including landscapes, florals, architectural subjects, interiors, and still life. I often accept commissions to paint one’s home or business facade. I am a long time member of Southwestern Watercolor Society based in Dallas & credit the organization for sponsoring watercolor workshops with international instructors. I earned signature status with the organization in 1980 and have made many life long friends.
I drew as a child but had no access to art instruction until I began college.
At one time, I did a series of storefronts while another time, I painted a series of images from the retirement home where my mother lived. I often work in a series. Most recently I did a series based on the wind turbines.
I paint the coastal hay bales grown on our 6 acres in Denton County; they have been plentiful this year with all our spring rain. I sometimes paint the wildflowers in the spring and the fall foliage that I see in the fall. Painting in small towns in the North Texas region offers wonderful subject matter for a watercolor artist.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Art instructors I have studied with and those who have offered critique of my work: Rob Erdle from North TX University, Bud Biggs of Dallas, and Edgar Whitney Many friends & fellow watercolor artists: Anita Meynig introduced me to watercolor
My husband has been a big supporter through the years
Southwestern Watercolor Society
Contact Info:
- Website: www.neldornbyrd.com
- Facebook: Nel Dorn Byrd
